Top Quilt or Sleeping Bag?

**limedude** · 02-28-2015, 17:53

Cold weather noob here.

This is probably something thats been addressed somewhere but why would you use an top quilt instead of a sleeping bag? What is the real difference, freedom of motion?

**Poppins** · 02-28-2015, 20:05

Weight savings, more flexible uses, freedom of motion, size in pack smaller generally.

**Nodust** · 02-28-2015, 20:26

Originally Posted by limedude

Cold weather noob here.

This is probably something thats been addressed somewhere but why would you use an top quilt instead of a sleeping bag? What is the real difference, freedom of motion?

You may be more limber than I am, but getting into a sleeping bag in a hammock isn't the easiest thing for me.

**limedude** · 02-28-2015, 20:31

Originally Posted by Nodust

You may be more limber than I am, but getting into a sleeping bag in a hammock isn't the easiest thing for me.

haha, you know... that didn't cross my mind but it is pretty awkward to do that now that I think about it.

**kayak karl** · 02-28-2015, 20:34

before i got my quilts i used a 3/4 zip bag. there is no need to zip it or get in it.

**Jake2c** · 02-28-2015, 20:34

backcountry bed. Sort of a cross of the two. Personally it has become my favorite.

**brohawk** · 03-02-2015, 16:00

Top quilt all the way! Since I ditched the bag I never looked back. Enlightened Equipment, HG, Warbonnet, Jacks r Better.....All make awesome quality quilts. You will love the weight savings!

**skater** · 03-02-2015, 18:35

Originally Posted by Poppins

Weight savings, more flexible uses, freedom of motion, size in pack smaller generally.

+1 on all of these advantages. When I switched from a mummy bag to a Sierra Sniveler, it was lighter, packed smaller, and much easier to manage. With the mummy, I had to put it on while standing up, then get into the hammock. With the TQ, I just get in and pull it over me. Plus I found the mummy confining, and I don't gel that with the quilt.

**dakotaross** · 03-02-2015, 19:12

Its primarily about the fact that getting wrapped up in a bag is not fun in a hammock, so to use one, you unzip it and use it as a quilt... or just get a quilt.

Lots of folks use them on the ground, too, just tucking them in where body meets pad. Same in a hammock, but since my UQ comes up the sides of the hammock, no need to tuck really. This is why I've gone to a slim TQ.

**limedude** · 03-02-2015, 20:05

Thanks everyone. This is all really helpful. I am not sure I'm ready to part with my sleeping bag yet but it definitely makes sense on why some people choose it.