Im not sure why you cant use a bag as.... a bag. I understand that the compressed down does nothing but it does notthing when you sleep on the ground so whats the differance? If I open the zipper and spread it above me as a quilt I have the same amount of down on top as i would if I were inside it. Why not just sleep inside and use the hood as it was intended? Other then the trouble with getting in and out witch is minimal if you unzip it.