Top Quilt vs. Sleeping Bag

**Widjit** · 10-11-2013, 16:53

Hey all, I'm new to the forums so sorry if this has been asked already. I see a ton of people here using top and bottom quilts but I'm not really sure why...

Is there a reason to use them over a sleeping bag? I have an REI Halo which I love for its light weight and compressability. I try to pack light most of the time. Why would I chose a top quilt over the regular sleeping bag or is this just personal prefrence?

Thanks all!

**Knotty** · 10-11-2013, 16:57

The insulation underneath you in the sleeping bag gets compressed by your body weight and loses its insulative value.

You can turn a SB on it's side and use it as a top quilt but you'll still need a pad or underquilt beneath you.

**Mountnman** · 10-11-2013, 16:59

Once you lay on a sleeping bag you compress the insulation rendering it mostly unable to hold heat. By hanging an Underquilt beneath the hammock you are not compressing the insulation. You can use a sleeping bag but will have to supplement with a pad or underquilt. Also, using a sleeping bag watch the zippers they can cause problems with putting holes in or tearing your hammock.

**Nighthauk** · 10-11-2013, 17:03

On top of the compression issues there is always the issue of getting into the darn thing in the hammock. It isn't as easy getting into it on the ground.

**Mrprez** · 10-11-2013, 17:19

Originally Posted by Nighthauk

On top of the compression issues there is always the issue of getting into the darn thing in the hammock. It isn't as easy getting into it on the ground.

But it is sure fun to watch!

**Widjit** · 10-11-2013, 17:45

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have a sleeping pad that I use. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...sulatedAirCore

With that, should I still be good with just a sleeping bag for a while, or should I still start looking into getting an under quilt? The pad does great on the ground but I have no idea how well it will do in the air. On a plus not my sleeping bag has clips that attach to the pad to help keep it from moving around.

**fallkniven** · 10-11-2013, 19:25

Originally Posted by Widjit

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have a sleeping pad that I use. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...sulatedAirCore

With that, should I still be good with just a sleeping bag for a while, or should I still start looking into getting an under quilt? The pad does great on the ground but I have no idea how well it will do in the air. On a plus not my sleeping bag has clips that attach to the pad to help keep it from moving around.

Hanging in the air, you now have to deal with convection. The cool air moving beneath you, something that doesn't come up with sleeping on the ground. That is why a sleeping bag won't keep your backside warm alone. It's not so much the compressing of the insulation, because that happens on the ground to, but that's what a pad is for. Tq's are popular because it cuts out some extra fabric that you can do away with, and are easier to get in and outof. If it's well into the negatives, a full bag may be warmer for you, but you'll still need to combine it with a pad/uq/etc. Many sleep well with pads, I prefer uq's myself.

**Shug** · 10-11-2013, 19:27

I will offer this as it may give some sleeping bag in the hammock intel.
Carry forth,
Shug

**mr tickle** · 10-12-2013, 03:19

Originally Posted by fallkniven

Hanging in the air, you now have to deal with convection. The cool air moving beneath you, something that doesn't come up with sleeping on the ground. That is why a sleeping bag won't keep your backside warm alone. It's not so much the compressing of the insulation, because that happens on the ground to, but that's what a pad is for.

Hi, i don't mean to pick at you with this and i may have misinterpreted you on point 2

1) Convection happens regardless of being in the air or on the ground, it is not exclusive to air movement hence camping matts for anything but fair weather camping on the ground. You might get into autumn without one if you have a sleeping bag with an insane rating here in the uk, but that's optimistic really.
2) The compressed insulation absolutely is the issue, that's why the under quilt being under the hammock works in the first place. If it wasn't compressed you wouldn't feel the air flow.

Take care

**Mountnman** · 10-12-2013, 04:47

Originally Posted by Widjit

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have a sleeping pad that I use. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...sulatedAirCore

With that, should I still be good with just a sleeping bag for a while, or should I still start looking into getting an under quilt? The pad does great on the ground but I have no idea how well it will do in the air. On a plus not my sleeping bag has clips that attach to the pad to help keep it from moving around.

I started out using Big A sleeping bags and pads. They are the best to use in my opinion due to being able to slip the pad into the bag and it stays in place. One thing I would suggest is to not inflate your pad to its max. I used to fill about half way and that would help keep it from sliding around. Have fun!!