2 questions for the hammock officianado's.

[fishfish]

first,the main drawback from what ive read about all hammocks is that you compress the insulation on your sleeping bag thus reducing your warmth and necessitating buying an under-blanket,so why dont folk use the mesh type of hammocks? the sleeping bag would not be compressed that way and there fore would be warmer and not need to carry the extra weight of an under-blanket.

second question ,and ime sure theres a sane answer,why have a hammock and an uderbalanket and a sleeping bag when a cross between a hammock and a sleeping bag could be made,ie a hanging sleeping bag?

[Cali]

A mesh hammock will still compress your insulation. You can make a sleeping bag into a peapod and then you would not need an UQ. There are several DIY example threads on this forum. Good luck.

[angrysparrow]

Mesh/rope hammocks don't keep you from compressing the insulation. It just gets compressed into the grid of the mesh or rope.

There are several different 'hanging sleeping bag' designs. They are called PeaPods. The drawback, typically, is that they have to be pretty wide (and thus bulkier/heavier) to allow them to wrap all the way around a hammock, especially if the hanger sleeps in a diagonal position as is customary with many hammocks.

A narrower underquilt and top quilt combo is usually the least bulky and heavy option available. That's why they are popular.

[Pipsissewa]

first,the main drawback from what ive read about all hammocks is that you compress the insulation on your sleeping bag thus reducing your warmth and necessitating buying an under-blanket,so why dont folk use the mesh type of hammocks? the sleeping bag would not be compressed that way and there fore would be warmer and not need to carry the extra weight of an under-blanket.

Well, not exactly. Hammocks don't compress your sleeping bag any more than the ground does. The real problem with hammocks and keeping warm is the air circulating around you and under you unlike on the ground. It's not really the compression, it's the "being up in the air".

second question ,and ime sure theres a sane answer,why have a hammock and an uderbalanket and a sleeping bag when a cross between a hammock and a sleeping bag could be made,ie a hanging sleeping bag?

There are hanging sleeping bags. Click HERE to see. And most folks don't use and under quilt and a sleeping bag. Most folks use an under quilt and a top quilt. Which is really just a sleeping bag cut in two. I'm grossly oversimplifying, but essentially, those are the answers to your questions. Good thinking. Keep it up!

[warbonnetguy]

first,the main drawback from what ive read about all hammocks is that you compress the insulation on your sleeping bag thus reducing your warmth and necessitating buying an under-blanket,so why dont folk use the mesh type of hammocks? the sleeping bag would not be compressed that way and there fore would be warmer and not need to carry the extra weight of an under-blanket.

second question ,and ime sure theres a sane answer,why have a hammock and an uderbalanket and a sleeping bag when a cross between a hammock and a sleeping bag could be made,ie a hanging sleeping bag?

not true, laying on your sleeping bag compresses the insulation making it ineffective weather you're laying in a hammock or on the ground. the primary function of a standard ground usage sleeping pad is for insulation from the ground, not padding. you can use the same pad in your hammock that you do on the ground, you don't have to buy anything extra if you have ground pad and sleeping bag.

a topquilt plus underquilt is very similar to what you describe, the topquilt works like the top portion of a sleeping bag, the underquilt works like the bottom portion. having a hanging sleeping bag has been done, but isn't as popular because it usually means a much more narrow hammock. if the sleeping bag surrounds the hammock you either end up with a very narrow sleeping bag sized hammock or a humongus insulated hammock, both would have major drawbacks. by using seperate underquilt, topquilt, and hammock , you don't have those issues, and you can change the insulation out (summer, winter, 3-season insulation) as needed for the season.

[willhang1]

Weight weight weight..... to name 3 reasons. Good luck

[Jcavenagh]

ff- You asked good questions and I think you have gotten thorough answers. Keep thinking and keep asking questions. It is often the folks who have no preconceived notions that come up with interesting ideas.
Welcome to the asylum!

[Shug]

Here is M-i Pod system with a sleeping bag. Works wonders in sub 0º temps.
Shug

[fishfish]

thanks for the exelent answers,i was worried youd all think i was a nutter! shugs keep up the medication! lol love your vids so do my kids.

[WV]

why have a hammock and an underblanket and a sleeping bag when a cross between a hammock and a sleeping bag could be made,ie a hanging sleeping bag?

We're seeing more insulated hammocks from the DIY crowd these days, and they can be lighter than the Panda. There are interesting technical problems to solve with them, but they are not impossible. I don't think any commercial models have appeared that compete well with the better hammock + underquilt combinations.

Jcavenagh gave you good advice.