Pod System DIY!

[Rock-It]

Hello Everyone!

I've tried a few different systems in below-freezing hammock adventures with varied success. I did, however, build a "pod" system to avoid getting an underquilt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_F6MLcYjyQ

I used my cheapest wally world sleeping bag and cut a hole in the foot of it to allow the hammock to pass through the middle of the bag, this way my body doesn't compress the bag and cost me most of its insulation. This is a very cheap, easy, and COMPACT alternative to UQ's!

[oldpappy]

Looks good - let us know how it works out and any mods/lessons learned.
FYI - I Haven't had luck using a bivy in a hammock (my gortex bivy was cumbersome) - a 2nd sleeping bag or a comforter with the foot end handsewn might work better.

If it ends up being too tight of a fit, try unzipping it and use the tennis ball trick at each of the head end corners - voila you'll have a summer/indoor UQ.

[jgibby]

I've heard that the pods make it difficult to lay on the diagonal. Did you experience that?

[spicciani]

I wouldnt mind killing a bag to do this... How well did it work?

[varga49]

I've slept a couple of nights in a Snugpak Cocoon and while yes it does limit asymmetrical lay it was, for me, not to the extent that I was uncomfortable.

[jabraso]

I use a similar system but just used the foot end zipper instead of modifying the bag. It does inhibit a diagonal lay a little; say a perfect diagonal lay is 100% I'd give what I'm able to achieve 75%, but it is still better than sleeping on the ground which is important not to forget when you have to make compromises like this. IMHO it more than makes up for it in simplifying the entire setup and will get me through until I have the funds for a TQ+UQ.

The biggest problem I have is eliminating air gaps between the bag and bottom of the hammock.I just need to find a better way to snug the bag up against the underside of hammock, maybe something like an UQ protector would do the trick.

[Meekin]

Has anyone figured out the width needed on a pod to get a decent diagonal lay? I've thought about buying a long wide bag and putting a mod on It to work as a pod.

[oldpappy]

Has anyone figured out the width needed on a pod to get a decent diagonal lay? I've thought about buying a long wide bag and putting a mod on It to work as a pod.

72" wide material is what I use.

[Meekin]

72" wide material is what I use.

Thank you sir.

[Rock-It]

Brilliant oldpappy! Thank you!