Stupid newbie question

**Chris Linneman** · 07-10-2014, 17:11

Hi All,
I have yet to actually camp with my hammock (except once in my own backyard but that doesn't count). I've got a backpacking trip in 2 week to the Sierra Nevada's (~8000 ft). Lows (as of now anyway) will likely be between 40-50 deg.
The Question: I have a nifty sleeping bag that has a 2nd zipper at the foot box - if I unzip that and run the hammock through my sleeping bag so that the bottom of the back is under the hammock and the top is acting as top quilt, will that work as bottom insulation or will I freeze?
I have a sleeping pad with strings so I can rig that up too.

**MAD777** · 07-10-2014, 17:50

In theory, it will work perfectly. However, let's discuss reality, LOL.

It accomplishes your goal of putting insulation both above and below you. However, unless you have a very large sleeping bag, it will constrict your ability to lay on the diagonal, which is how we get our nearly flat lay.

Of course, if your sleeping bag is yellow, you will look like the perfect banana!

Do what you have been doing, test it out in your backyard. Don't forget to take pictures and let us know what you think of the setup.

**SilvrSurfr** · 07-10-2014, 18:00

A backpacking trip at 8,000 ft. is not the ideal place for determining if your insulation is adequate for your first hang. That's a recipe for misery. Backyard testing is definitely advised.

**Chris Linneman** · 07-10-2014, 18:15

Backyard testing won't help too much at the moment. The low at night where I live (Fresno CA) is about 85 deg - don't need much insulation there.
I have a backup plan in this case (a hiking tent - going back to ground dwelling). It's a 2 nighter so won't be terrible - the hike in is only 3 mi so I can handle a little extra weight to figure things out. I plan on bringing a pad too.

Hadn't thought about the diagonal lay though - that'll definitely cramp the style...

**SQWERL** · 07-10-2014, 20:49

It will work in theory. I have a cheapy Coleman sleeping bag with a zippered foot box. The top of it was a regular rectangle. What happens is there is nothing to close the gap underneath you. So air still flows in. I remedied that by cut a small hole a ran shock cord through it tho cinch it up. It worked ok. But not the best. Also your feet, atleast for me, didn't stay quite as warm either. I now have an UQ and love it.

**Chris Linneman** · 07-11-2014, 09:54

All the UQ's I'm seeing range from $150-$250 - which is a pretty pricy glorified blanket. Is there anything out there in the more reasonable realm?

**Phantom Grappler** · 07-15-2014, 10:33

Yes pads used in double layer hammock. I got one eighth by 40x72 from Oware or Gossamer Gear. That size won't slide around-good to 50degrees
But pads are bulky and there can be condensation.
Many hammock campers get underquilt and top quilt. Good luck

**Aardvark** · 07-15-2014, 10:42

I think your best option, use the sleeping bag normally, but have a wally world $10 pad underneath you. To get in the hammock properly, stand next to hammock with feet, legs, and rear in the bag, and sit into the hammock. The pad my get a little hot on you, but you should be good at those temps.

**Chris Linneman** · 07-15-2014, 13:08

I've got a nice pad and am all packed up. We leave Friday and I'll let you know how it went when I get back (assuming I don't get et by a bear).

**DanglingModifier** · 07-15-2014, 13:19

Since you are bringing a pad already I think you will find the most comfort using the pad in the hammock with your sleeping bag unzipped (or partially zipped) over you. Creating the sleeping bag bearitto probably only begins to make sense if you are still really cold with only the pad under you.