Any tips on sleeping bag to top quilt mod?

[snookflyer]

I am gearing up for a trip to Blueridge, GA this next weekend. This will be my first hammock adventure so having to do quite a bit of mods to my gear. I am expecting low 40's at night based on weather forecast. I am all in on the hamock method, so I am eyeing my MHDWR 20degree synth bag and thinking it is going to meet some scissors this weekend. Any tips I should be aware of before I start shredding the thing?

[Redoleary]

Just unzip it and then lay under it, no shredding required.

[Moondoggy]

Cut the zipper off! That will take off some weight!

[snookflyer]

It all goes back to pack size for me. I don't want to invest in a new pack right now and my current pack is 40L. This works great on two and three day trips for me in my old set up (sleeping on the cold, wet, hard, rocky ground). Now that I am enlightened. I have to modify my old setup to have an underquilt and top quilt. Since my sleeping bag is synth and 20 degree it stuffs down to the size of a beer keg. Add the UQ and now I am carrying only insulation. I am going with the PLUQ, so I need to cut some size on my top quilt aka old sleeping bag. I estimate ditching at least a 1/3 of it's size and weight doing this mod maybe more. I just have not had to thread inject anything with insulation before so not sure if there are any tricks to be aware of.

[Fronkey]

This video will answer your questions.



Fronkey

[Ramblinrev]

Personally I go with the "if it ain't broke" mod. I just unzip mine which gives me a nice enclosed foot box for my tootsies. I see no reason to change any thing. Now I am not a gram weenie so that figures into the situation some where.

[Redoleary]

I would recommend drawing right on the bag where you plan to make the cuts, then before cutting, run it thru the sewing machine along that line. Now cut away the unwanted portion and sew some nylon or grosgrain over the cut/raw edge.