Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Senior Member oldsoldier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    MA
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Ridgerunner
    Tarp
    WB Cloudburst
    Insulation
    AHE Ridge Creek UQ
    Suspension
    buckles
    Posts
    476

    wondering about quilts

    I am brand new to this forum, brand new to hammocking, but an old hand at camping out. I just purchased a HH asym, and look forward to trying it out this spring. Reading through everything though, it seems most suggest a quilt, as opposed to using an actual sleeping bag. My question is; what are usggestions for quilts? I currently own a Golite down bag, to 20 degrees, and live in NEw England. So, I'd need something capable of handling cooler weather, that can also be stuffed small (I am trying to go lightweight with my gear). So, what are some suggestions for quilts? thanks!

  2. #2
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    a good starting place is to use the sleeping bag you already have as a quilt.
    if you like the quilt mode enough that you want to convert your bag into a quilt later on, that's a pretty easy thing to do. ...tim
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  3. #3
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Kentucky
    Hammock
    Dual Layer WB Blackbird
    Tarp
    OES Cuben
    Insulation
    SnugFit
    Posts
    6,249
    Images
    35
    Your Golite bag will work fine if you are using inside the hammock. You can use it just like you do on the ground, in sleeping bag mode. I use a Western Mountaineering Apache in my hammocks.

    I no longer use it as a sleeping bag in my hammock. I use it as a top quilt which means I leave the bottom 12" or so of the bag zipped to form a foot box and then I open the rest of the bag up and lay it on top of me like a quilt. It is really much more efficient to use it in this way: It's MUCH easier to get in and out of the hammock without having to struggle with getting in and out of the bag and the insulation on the bottom of the bag that gets compressed when you lay on it and is basically useless as far as keeping you warm, can now be used to help keep the your sides warmer. A sleeping bag used as a top quilt really fills the inside of a Hennessy and makes it warmer.

    You will still need to address some sort of insulation on the bottom of the hammock to keep your backside warm. Check out www.jacksrbetter.com for down under quilts. They make multi-use quilts that can be a top quilt, an under quilt, or camp clothing There are other methods out there for keeping you bottom warm, like Kick *** Quilts.

    You may also want to check out Just Jeff's site and read up on staying warm in a hammock.
    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett



    Premium Quality, Fresh Roasted Coffee
    www.meancatcoffee.com

  4. #4
    Senior Member oldsoldier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    MA
    Hammock
    Warbonnet Ridgerunner
    Tarp
    WB Cloudburst
    Insulation
    AHE Ridge Creek UQ
    Suspension
    buckles
    Posts
    476
    The problem with the Golite bag is that it is a 1/4 top zip; only zips down far enough to get shoulders out, about midway down my chest. As fas as under insulation, I am using the cheap wally world CCF, cut to 3/4 length. If it gets REAL cold, or my feet get cold, I can always use my backpack. I'm gonna check out the links posted as well. I dont plan on making a purchase for a quilt anytime soon; just wondering whats out there. Of course, if I come across a good deal, I'm gonna snag it though.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Bird Dog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    408
    Images
    2
    Check out Just Jeffs site at www.tothewoods.net. You'll find lots of good information there to get you started. BD
    Just Jeff made me do it

  6. #6
    Senior Member blackie's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    enterprise ala
    Posts
    185
    Images
    14
    welcome to the forum old soldier..if you have the time look at a few of the old threads you will find the under quilt..HH super shelter ..bags and pads a common topic of discussion..reading these should bring you up to speed very quickly.. and again welcome to the madness!!

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    New Orleans, LA
    Posts
    3,554
    Images
    57
    Quote Originally Posted by oldsoldier View Post
    The problem with the Golite bag is that it is a 1/4 top zip; only zips down far enough to get shoulders out, about midway down my chest. As fas as under insulation, I am using the cheap wally world CCF, cut to 3/4 length. If it gets REAL cold, or my feet get cold, I can always use my backpack. I'm gonna check out the links posted as well. I dont plan on making a purchase for a quilt anytime soon; just wondering whats out there. Of course, if I come across a good deal, I'm gonna snag it though.
    I found that I need some sort of insulation underneath all of me to stay warm. You might be different, but I think you will be surprised how little the sleeping bag will help underneath you in a hammock.

    I currently use a sleeping bag as a top quilt. I am in the process of ordering stuff to make a top quilt. As long as you can get into it, it should work fine on top. You might have to get into the bag before you get into the hammock.

    BTW, welcome to the forum. Feel free to ask any questions you have.
    Is that too much to ask? Girls with frikkin' lasers on their heads?
    The hanger formly known as "hammock engineer".

  8. #8
    Senior Member lvleph's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    RVA
    Posts
    714
    Images
    9
    You can convert the GoLite bag into a quilt. It just takes some sewing and some cutting.

  9. #9
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Kentucky
    Hammock
    Dual Layer WB Blackbird
    Tarp
    OES Cuben
    Insulation
    SnugFit
    Posts
    6,249
    Images
    35
    You could always make the zipper longer, maybe a 3/4 zip. That way you could still use it as a sleeping bag if you wanted and as a top quilt.
    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it." -Terry Pratchett



    Premium Quality, Fresh Roasted Coffee
    www.meancatcoffee.com

  10. #10
    Peter_pan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    virginia
    Hammock
    JRB BMBH
    Tarp
    JRB 11x10 Cat Tarp
    Insulation
    JRB UQ of season
    Posts
    2,850
    Images
    7
    Welcome ... Don't forget to read the Archives at whiteblaze.net/hammock forum...more good stuff.

    Pan
    Ounces to Grams.

    www.jacksrbetter.com ... Largest supplier of camping quilts and under quilts...Home of the Original Nest Under Quilt, and Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock. 800 595 0413

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. Wondering about new EE TQ?
      By Vincethebutcher in forum Top Insulation
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 10-25-2013, 03:40
    2. just wondering
      By GOLFER in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 01-09-2011, 09:20
    3. wondering about a mod?
      By fred1diver in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 10-03-2010, 09:57
    4. Loving my new quilts wondering about my old
      By Ashman in forum Jacks-R-Better
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 02-21-2010, 08:43

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •