Getting in a sleeping bag, inside a hammock

**Rothman** · 02-19-2012, 09:05

After last night, I now remember my only frustration with hammock camping. Is there any good way of climbing into a sleeping bag that's in a hammock without it sliding every which direction and twisting all around you? Even when I finally get in, I'm not in the bag straight or comfortably. My bag is made of about the same type of nylon as my hammock and it's a huge pain. I know this may seem like a dumb question to many, but any tips would be much appreciated.

**rigidpsycho** · 02-19-2012, 09:12

I don't climb in the sleeping bag this compresses the insulation under you and can cause CBS. I simply pull it iver top of me like a top quilt and it works great. As long as you have good under insulation ,i.e UQ or pad, just use as a top quilt.

**HammockMan** · 02-19-2012, 09:14

Use it like a top quilt. Dont zip it up at all, or only a little (enough to create a footbox), because whatever part you arel aying on isnt giving you any insulation anyway.

**AaronAlso** · 02-19-2012, 09:31

Yes, UQ & TQ are superior without doubt.

However, if you must use a sleeping bag in a hammock, which I tried. It is easier to stand in the SB pull it up around you and hang the hood from you head. With the zipper maybe halfway and you arms hanging out, sit down in the hanmmock. Get yourself laid out & comfy, then zip it up the rest of the way.

I still use this technique with my unmodified RAB Quamtum top bag (with UQ). We've had some unseasonably warm winter days this year and I been practicing! No over nights though, working 7 day weeks kinda hampers my outdoor experience, but feeds my gear addiction. I guess it's a trade off.

**inspectorguy** · 02-19-2012, 09:34

Originally Posted by AaronAlso

Yes, UQ & TQ are superior without doubt.

However, if you must use a sleeping bag in a hammock, which I tried. It is easier to stand in the SB pull it up around you and hang the hood from you head. With the zipper maybe halfway and you arms hanging out, sit down in the hanmmock. Get yourself laid out & comfy, then zip it up the rest of the way.

I still use this technique with my unmodified RAB Quamtum top bag (with UQ). We've had some unseasonably warm winter days this year and I been practicing! No over nights though, working 7 day weeks kinda hampers my outdoor experience, but feeds my gear addiction. I guess it's a trade off.

What he said, plus you can sit down on the edge of the hammock and put you feet in up to your knees, and then swing in and sit up and pull the top half up.

Have to be pretty limber though...

**Rothman** · 02-19-2012, 09:46

Cool, good advice guys. I'll give it a shot. I have a car windshield sun deflector that I planned on using for an UQ (it's made of reflectix and was free). I'm using a GT UL and it's not a dual layer so, would I just put the underquilt right on top of the hammock and directly under me? Sorry, I'm a newbie.

**rigidpsycho** · 02-19-2012, 10:00

Car shield would be used like a pad and put inside of the hammock. An underquilt is used under the hammock and usually made like a blanket filled with down or a synthetic type insulation.

**HammockMan** · 02-19-2012, 10:05

I cant say enough about shug! Go watch his videos, he will answer all the questions you have and will ever have. He has a video about the sleeping bag thing and about pads.

Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery/videos?view=pl

**Rothman** · 02-19-2012, 10:09

Thanks again, guys. Off to youtube I go!

**HammockMan** · 02-19-2012, 10:15

you will love him! and hate it when he goes a month without having a video! His recent video has stopped my from crying about there not being any videos! but not for long.