Sleeping Bag vs. Overquilt?

**C&PDad** · 02-21-2011, 23:11

Hello All,
I am new to Hammock camping. I just spent 2 nights in the hammock this weekend and now i've got a couple of questions. It got down to about 40 degrees, but I still got a bit cold. I was using a light sleeping bag. Is a sleeping bag what I should be using? Looking at other posts perhaps an overquilt is what I need. Can someone please let me know if a sleeping bag is the way to go, or should it be used in tandem with something else, or should I ditch the sleeping bag and do something else. I don't plan on camping under 20 degrees. I appreciate the help!

**olddog** · 02-21-2011, 23:33

C&PDad, Welcome to the forum. I'm fairly new to hammocking also, tried a $20.00 WM bag my first night hanging and found there wasn't enough room for both of us. Carried it back and got a fleece blanket, cut it down into 2, 45"x100" pieces, sewed in 18" deep footboxes. In Florida, so I don't need much, most of my recent hangs just used 1. If needed the 2nd is folded and stowed up in the foot of my hammock ready to pull over the 1st. Haven't seen 20 degrees yet, maybe next year before I get that low.

**ChrisH** · 02-21-2011, 23:47

Are you using anything under you, such as a pad or underquilt? If not, grab a CCF pad from Wallyworld (I got the waffle...y one) and put in the hammock with you, put it in your sleeping bag with you or if you have a double layer hammock you can put it between the layers.

Here are some videos by forum member RaulPerez that should help you a lot.

**Bubba** · 02-21-2011, 23:51

Many here use a combination of a top quilt (TQ) and an under quilt (UQ). Using a sleeping bag in a hammock is like using it on the ground without a sleeping pad underneath to insulate you from the cold ground. Your weight compresses the bag under you thereby decreasing the loft and it insulating ability. An UQ hangs underneath the hammock allowing the loft to remain and insulate you. The TQ simply completes the insulation by laying on top of you. You can also use a sleeping pad in the hammock if you want to continue using your sleeping bag. It works fine but does not cover as much of your back.

**C&PDad** · 02-22-2011, 08:28

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!

**HappyCamper** · 02-22-2011, 10:26

Most like a top quilt and bottom quilt for the comfort factor and they can be quite light depending on the amount of money you are willing to pay.

For a cheap quick fix, get the widest full length camping pad you can find. Most find a cheap 24 or 25 inch wide blue or green pad at WalMart. Use that underneath you.

Unzip your sleeping bag down to your knees, and use quilt style. Lay sleeping bag zipper side down in your hammock. Tuck your feet into "footbox" and then tuck the sleeping bag sides around you. Wear hat to keep your head warm.

See how that works for you. You can also keep yourself warm wearing extra layers of clothing to bed. Most move on to quilts later. But again this is a cheap fix for now.

**Raul Perez** · 02-22-2011, 12:23

I was gonna post one of my videos and someone beat me to it. HA HA!

It's nice to know people watch them from time to time

**Silverlion** · 02-22-2011, 14:06

I use a 0* Coleman Max bag as a TQ. AS said earlier, unzip down to the knees and you're golden. As far as the bottom, I have the HH Supershelter. Oh. Welcome to the forum!

**Law Dawg (ret)** · 02-22-2011, 14:47

I use an UQ and a synthetic mummy bag with a 2/3 zipper as an improv TQ. It works fine but I am still lusting after a real down TQ. The first time I see any hammock wear from the mummy zipper (so far so good) a real TQ will be mine, all mine...bwaahaahaa!!!

**C&PDad** · 02-22-2011, 14:54

I was looking at the Burrow. Have you guys had any experience with that? It looks just like the sleeping bag set up described by several of you. It is worth the extra money?