Herbie Murray
Sleeping bags are a great way to stay warm and comfortable when camping in a hammock, but they need to be modified for a better experience. In a hammock, sleeping bags are better used as a top quilt, with the bag zipped up to your knees and worn over you. This is because the weight of your body crushes the insulation on the bottom of the bag, making it ineffective. Additionally, air moves freely under the hammock, removing heat. To protect the underside of the hammock, you can use an under quilt, a sleeping pad, or both. This will help create a precious air pocket to keep you warm and protect you from wind chill. Modifying a sleeping bag for a hammock typically involves adding zippers or grommets to the base, so the hammock can pass through and provide ultimate warmth.
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What You'll Learn
Use a sleeping bag liner
Sleeping bags can be used in a hammock, but they have some disadvantages. They can be constrictive and uncomfortable, especially for those who sleep on their side and move around a lot. They also do not provide adequate protection for your underside as the fibres are compacted, and air moves freely in a hammock, removing heat from your body.
A sleeping bag liner can be a good solution to this problem. Liners can add warmth to your setup, and some people have reported that they add around 20° of warmth to their experience. Liners are also useful in keeping your hammock and quilt clean, and they are small and light enough to be packed without adding much weight or bulk.
There are many types of liners available, including silk liners, fleece mummy bag liners, and the Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor Extreme Mummy Bag Liner. Liners can be used in conjunction with an underquilt and top quilt, or with a sleeping pad. Some people have reported that they prefer to use a liner with a sleeping pad rather than an underquilt, as they found the underquilt to be too cold.
If you are using a liner with a quilt, you can tie the liner to the ridgeline with a drawstring to keep it in place. Liners can also be used with a sleeping bag, and some people have reported that they use a liner with a summer bag to add extra warmth for overnight trips.
In summary, a sleeping bag liner can be a useful addition to your hammock setup, providing extra warmth and protection for your hammock and quilt, while being small and light enough to pack easily.
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Modify a mummy bag
Mummy bags can be modified in a few ways to make them more suitable for hammock camping. One popular method is to convert the mummy bag into a top quilt by removing the zippers and hood and sewing the foot end closed. This reduces the weight of the bag and makes it more comfortable for those who move around a lot in their sleep. You can also add snaps or straps to secure the quilt around you and provide extra warmth.
Another option is to add a zipper to the base of the mummy bag to create an opening for the hammock to pass through. This allows you to use the mummy bag as an underquilt, providing insulation for the underside of the hammock. You can also add grommets near the head end to secure the bag in place and prevent it from sliding down. This modification is ideal for cold weather camping as it provides ultimate warmth.
If you want to use your mummy bag inside the hammock, you can try slipping a Thermarest inside to provide extra loft and warmth for your bum. This method allows you to lie diagonally, which some may find more comfortable than the peapod style. However, it might take some adjustment to get it just right.
When modifying a mummy bag for hammock camping, it's important to consider the temperature range you'll be using it in. While a sleeping bag can provide warmth in a hammock, it's crucial to address the issue of cold air underneath the hammock. This can be done by adding an insulated layer, such as an underquilt or a sleeping pad, to suspend under the hammock and protect from the cold air.
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Add a zipper for the base
Modifying a sleeping bag for a hammock is a great way to improve your camping experience. One way to do this is by adding a zipper to the base of the sleeping bag, which can provide easier entry and exit, as well as better insulation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to add a zipper to the base of your sleeping bag for a hammock:
Step 1: Choose the Right Sleeping Bag
Select a sleeping bag that is compatible with your hammock setup. Mummy-style sleeping bags are a popular choice for hammocks due to their shape and warmth retention. It's also important to consider the temperature rating of the sleeping bag to ensure it's suitable for the climate you'll be camping in.
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
You will need a sleeping bag, fabric for binding (any scrap fabric will do), and a zipper. Consider using a heavy-duty zipper with plastic teeth and a binding of about 1/2 inch (10mm). You will also need basic sewing tools like safety pins, a needle, thread, scissors, a ruler, and a marker.
Step 3: Prepare the Sleeping Bag
Carefully examine your sleeping bag for any existing seams or features that you can utilise. Some sleeping bags may have a horizontal seam across the base that can be used to your advantage. Use safety pins to pin the material together before making any cuts. This will ensure that you don't accidentally damage the sleeping bag.
Step 4: Measure and Cut the Opening
Measure and mark the area where you want to place the zipper. It's recommended to measure halfway from the hood seam to the drawstring edge. Then, use your ruler and marker to mark a straight line for the opening. The opening should be wide enough for the zipper, typically around 6 to 8 inches. Carefully cut the marked area to create the opening for the zipper.
Step 5: Add Binding and Zipper
Use the fabric for binding to create a neat edge around the opening. Double-check that the zipper you've chosen fits appropriately, and then attach it to the binding using a sewing technique called "double stitching." This will secure the zipper in place and provide added strength to the opening.
Step 6: Test and Adjust
Once the zipper is installed, test the modified sleeping bag with your hammock setup. Ensure that the zipper glides smoothly and that the sleeping bag fits securely around the hammock. Make any necessary adjustments to the binding or zipper length if needed.
By adding a zipper to the base of your sleeping bag, you can easily convert it into an underquilt or a top quilt, depending on your preferences and the weather conditions. Remember to practice good sewing techniques and take your time during the modification process. Happy camping!
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Use a sleeping bag as a top quilt
Sleeping bags can be used in a hammock, but they are better suited to being used as a top quilt. Using a sleeping bag as a top quilt will also make entering and exiting the hammock less awkward.
To use a sleeping bag as a top quilt, you can modify it by removing the zippers and hood, and sewing the foot end closed. You can also add grosgrain tabs and snaps at the top so that the quilt can be snapped shut around your head and drawn tight around your neck.
If you don't want to permanently modify your sleeping bag, you can use it as a top quilt by zipping it up to your knees and wearing it on top of you, rather than underneath you. This will also allow you to use the bag as a regular sleeping bag when not using a hammock.
In addition to a top quilt, you will also need some form of underside protection to shield you from wind chill and prevent heat loss. This can be an under quilt, a sleeping pad, or both.
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Add an insulated layer under the hammock
Sleeping bags are not ideal for hammocks because they do not provide adequate protection for your underside as the insulation gets compressed, leading to heat loss. However, you can modify your sleeping bag to suit a hammock by adding an insulated layer underneath the hammock.
One way to do this is to use a sleeping pad or under quilt. Sleeping pads can be placed between the bottom layers of the hammock, and a space blanket can be installed for extra insulation on top of the pad. This setup can be further enhanced by using a tarp underneath the hammock to prevent cold from radiating upwards.
Another option is to use an underquilt, which is more effective at retaining warmth than a sleeping bag. You can modify your sleeping bag to create an underquilt by removing the zippers and hood and sewing the bag closed. You can then attach this modified bag underneath the hammock to provide insulation.
If you prefer to use a sleeping bag, you can try a method called PeaPod, where the foot end of the bag is unzipped, and the hammock is strung through it. This method requires additional rigging underneath the head end to secure the setup.
Finally, you can create a DIY insulated hammock by using materials such as hyperd, ripstop, and insulation. The insulation is cut to outline the hammock, and the outer shell is made slightly larger to provide a comfortable fit. This setup ensures that the insulation does not pull away, providing a secure and warm sleeping experience.
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeping bag by itself does not work well in a hammock because you compress all the insulation under you and you will be cold. Modifying your sleeping bag to work as an underquilt or top quilt can help solve this problem.
There are a few different ways to modify a sleeping bag for a hammock. One way is to add a zipper to the base of the sleeping bag and then string the hammock through the hood and base openings. Another way is to remove the zippers and hood and sew the bag closed, adding snaps or velcro to secure it around your body and the hammock.
Using a sleeping bag with a hammock can provide extra insulation and windchill protection, making it an excellent option for hot, humid climates. It can also be more comfortable than sleeping directly on a pad, especially if you are side sleepers.
Some people prefer to use a dedicated underquilt or top quilt instead of modifying a sleeping bag. Others use a sleeping pad or mat inside their sleeping bag, which can help to add insulation and keep your underside warm.
