Explain the diff to me please sleep bag vs UQ/TQ

**theshnizzle** · 09-09-2013, 09:01

When I look at the for sale ads for quilts, they all just look like big square unzipped sleeping bags to me. I am not sure why I need one over my current north face down sleeping bag.

This is kinda a 2 part question btw.....wouldn't a bottom quilt or the ones that go on the outside of the hammock be warmer and more effective at shutting out cold than a interior bottom quilt? Since the outside one is not being compressed?

**UncleMJM** · 09-09-2013, 09:06

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

When I look at the for sale ads for quilts, they all just look like big square unzipped sleeping bags to me. I am not sure why I need one over my current north face down sleeping bag.

This is kinda a 2 part question btw.....wouldn't a bottom quilt or the ones that go on the outside of the hammock be warmer and more effective at shutting out cold than a interior bottom quilt? Since the outside one is not being compressed?

An additional quilt over your sleeping bag is not the purpose of the top quilt, unless you are wanting the extra layer for really cold conditions. The purpose of the top quilt is to replace the sleeping bag as the top layer of insulation. Using your current bag is fine or if you want to save weight and not deal with the risk of a zipper poking a hole in your hammock, you may consider a top quilt.

You are correct that a bottom quilt outside of the hammock would be warmer. That is in fact what is referred to as an under quilt.

**Shug** · 09-09-2013, 09:07

A sleeping bag works just fine. Used as a bag or top quilt.
Yes a UQ is ideal but you can get down in temps with doubled up pads.
Shug

**UncleMJM** · 09-09-2013, 09:08

Another way to look at it is the top quilt/under quilt perform the same function as a sleeping bag. Just imagine the bag in two pieces with the bottom part suspended under the hammock to allow full loft of the insulation.

... or what Shug said.

**DomoTVA** · 09-09-2013, 10:28

"What Shug said..." seems to be the best answer in a lot of circumstances...

**zooshooter** · 09-09-2013, 10:28

Originally Posted by theshnizzle

When I look at the for sale ads for quilts, they all just look like big square unzipped sleeping bags to me. I am not sure why I need one over my current north face down sleeping bag.

This is kinda a 2 part question btw.....wouldn't a bottom quilt or the ones that go on the outside of the hammock be warmer and more effective at shutting out cold than a interior bottom quilt? Since the outside one is not being compressed?

I use my marmot sleeping bag as my topquilt. I'll likely continue to do so as it already has the footbox sewn into it. I just unzip it all the way and cover up with it. Works great. As mentioned, the zipper could be a problem but I can always clip off the zipper pull and tie some cord onto the zipper if I want to avoid the potential of the metal zipper pull poking a hole in my hammock, which would quickly lead to the hammock ripping open with me in it.

**Bubba** · 09-09-2013, 10:51

I was going to say what UncleMJM did.

Having a separate TQ and UQ gives you a little versatilty as well. You could use the shorter length UQ's with a lighter weight TQ or even without a TQ in warmer weather.

**Scottymac** · 09-09-2013, 10:56

I'd have been dead in the air without all the help from the cool members of this forum!!

**Ekul** · 09-09-2013, 11:24

We should rename this site to Shug knows best!

**Stumblefoot** · 09-09-2013, 11:52

I have two UQ's which I use with my seven different hammocks. I use my sleeping bag as a TQ. I just leave it partially zipped to form a footbox. It works for me.