confused

**Iaspanky** · 04-17-2012, 07:12

What is the major difference between a sleeping bag an a tq?

**raiffnuke** · 04-17-2012, 07:15

Basically a sleeping bad is a tube you sleep in, a TQ is only closed into a tube from about your knees down. The overall width of a TQ is usually more narrow than a SB.

**Diab** · 04-17-2012, 07:16

Originally Posted by Iaspanky

What is the major difference between a sleeping bag an a tq?

Im sure somebody will correct me if I am wrong, but a topquilt is designed to be only your top insulation and doesn't have to material to be bottom insulation as well. A sleeping bag can fully encase your body.

**Bubba** · 04-17-2012, 07:33

You don't need the full width of a sleeping bag because the part you lay on compresses and loses it's insulation value. A top quilt, as mentioned, covers your top and is to be use with a bottom quilt which hangs below you. Because it hangs under the hammock, the underquilt keeps it's loft and therefore keeps it's insulation value. You can use a sleeping bag as a top quilt but you always need some kind of insulation underneath you. People starting out use sleeping pads under them and use their sleeping bags as top quilts.

**Fronkey** · 04-17-2012, 10:27

Here is a video that will give you a visual to understand too.

Fronkey

**MAD777** · 04-17-2012, 10:58

I remember that video! Keep in mind that Shug is an acrobat and he even made that look hard

Not to discourage; get out there with whatever you have. It will just make you appreciate your future upgrades to a top quilt and under quilt combo

**thenate1** · 04-17-2012, 12:20

Also with a TQ, there is no annoying zippers to deal with. (or get caught under you and rip up your skin and/or the hammock)

**rip waverly** · 04-27-2012, 03:13

its important to note, that while your sleeping bags insulation is compressed when you lay on it... (= the need for a UQ in the hammock, or pad on the ground) , a sleeping bags efficiency far exceeds a TQ. zipping into a sleeping bag will maintain heat better than a TQ, or at least with less effort. (there's a reason why summit-freaks have bags designed with minimal venting, and huge draft collars)

TQ's are much lighter, and far easier to deal with in a hammock. they are easy to tuck around your shoulders, as the hammock 'wraps' you up, and the UQ cocoons your sides.