Big Agnes system...work well with a hammock?

[Mrknot]

Just like the topic asks, does it work?
For those that aren't familiar, Big Agnes sleeping bags, (some of them anyway), forgo the bottom insulation in favor of an integral sleeve that a Therm-a-Rest (or similarly sized), full-length pad slides into. This has its advantages in reducing the overall weight and volume of the bag, and also keeping you from sliding around and off of it. Works pretty awesome when you're on the ground.
Has anyone ever used this system in a hammock?
I have read that sometimes pads will cause condensation buildup, I'd hate for that to happen especially since my pad is physically attached to my bag.
Going to try my first overnight hang at the end of the month. It'll be cold, 30-40 degrees, and if my luck holds, it'll be wet too. :-)
Trying to mitigate any unforeseen challenges by learning from the experiences of you good folks.

[Deathstar77]

I see no immediate reason that it wouldn't work. But i've never seen one in action. I've also never experienced extreme condensation like folks up north do.

[weaver2469]

I started my hammock camping with a BA bad/pad combo. It works very well, especially if you slightly under-inflate the pad. Many people (including myself) will eventually go for quilts, but if you are going to use a sleeping bag/pad, the BA, in my opinion, is the only way to go. With any pad, shoulder coverage may be a bit of a problem, since the hammock comes up and presses against your shoulders, but I stuffed unused clothing around each shoulder and didn't have any problem. I think in the 30-40 degree range, you will be fine. I never had any condensation issues. Remember, not all pads are equal in terms of R value. Some of the pads are not much more than air mattresses and won't offer any warmth, even if you are on the ground. I used the BA hinman (sp?) and like it. I have a friend who has probably 40 + nights in the BWCA in his ba/pad and he uses the BA insulated air core pad, I think. I know he loves it.

[millergear]

I velcroed CCF Wings for shoulder coverage. That worked very well. The BA bag, CCF wings & CCF pad in the sleeve is a great combo. BUT, At 6' 2" the reg bag was too short, and the long I used (fine on the ground) had so much slack I always had terrible hassle with the bags zipper.

[Dhagan]

Ive used my BA encampment 15, and a neo air trekker. I shift a lot in my sleep, so when I rolled to the side, the whole system would sometimes roll with me. My shoulders would get cold against the hammock. If I was really tired and stayed put, it was fine. If you not a squirmer, it works! However, i am waiting on the arrival of my uq as we speak...)

[Mrknot]

Thanks for all the replies!
I have a Therm-a-Rest Basecamp, (about 12 yrs old), not sure of the R factor, but it's been plenty warm on the ground.
I also have some CCF ground pads that I will probably alter up a bit for shoulder padding. Going to purchase a couple of GT ULs to outfit the girls for a first hang experiment later this month. We will essentially be car camping for our first time out so we'll bring the tried and true tent...just in case...
We're all pretty excited for this adventure! Wish us luck!
Will post some pics and an AAR when we get back.
Thanks again!

[Jaeger]

I tried my wife's BA kit during a backyard test. The only thing I really remember about it is that the zipper was on the proper side for entry and exit (I have a HH with the zipper on only one side) and despite the zipper on the bag matching up with the zipper on the hammock, I had to wake up way too much due to the zipper sticking to get in and out during the night -- which I routinely have to do several times. Like many others, I now have quilts above and below.

[SilvrSurfr]

While I can't comment on Big Agnes, you'll be a lucky camper indeed if you don't get condensation from the pad. Most folks do, but there's the rare hammock camper that doesn't. The cold convective air currents underneath the hammock, and the warm human in a sleeping bag above, creates the temperature differential that causes condensation.

On the ground I never get condensation with a pad (no convection), but I sure as heck get it in a hammock using a pad.

[hawghangar]

I had similar experience as others described above.... never had condensation issues, but always felt like a wrestling match inside my hammock. Underinflating the pad certainly helps minimize the feeling that you're trying to stay "afloat".

At the time, I didn't realize the significant comfort improvement of the quilt system...I made the change to shed weight. The BA bag and pad ain't light!

[The Tree Frog]

I started out using a BA Lost Ranger 15 degree bag with an insulated BA Air Core inflated pad, partially inflated. While I liked the extra padding in the hammock, as said before, I had to supplement on the sides.

Solution currently is that I still use the bag, but purchased an AHE under quilt. The UQ wraps around me and keeps the sides warm. The bag works great in the hammock, for me. I have never used a top quilt so I don't know the difference. I actually think the bag keeps in more warmth that may be lost tossing around with a top quilt. But, most people end up with both TQ and UQ so it must be good for them.