Top Quilt vs. Sleeping Bag

**Widjit** · 10-11-2013, 16:53

Hey all, I'm new to the forums so sorry if this has been asked already. I see a ton of people here using top and bottom quilts but I'm not really sure why...

Is there a reason to use them over a sleeping bag? I have an REI Halo which I love for its light weight and compressability. I try to pack light most of the time. Why would I chose a top quilt over the regular sleeping bag or is this just personal prefrence?

Thanks all!

**Knotty** · 10-11-2013, 16:57

The insulation underneath you in the sleeping bag gets compressed by your body weight and loses its insulative value.

You can turn a SB on it's side and use it as a top quilt but you'll still need a pad or underquilt beneath you.

**Mountnman** · 10-11-2013, 16:59

Once you lay on a sleeping bag you compress the insulation rendering it mostly unable to hold heat. By hanging an Underquilt beneath the hammock you are not compressing the insulation. You can use a sleeping bag but will have to supplement with a pad or underquilt. Also, using a sleeping bag watch the zippers they can cause problems with putting holes in or tearing your hammock.

**Nighthauk** · 10-11-2013, 17:03

On top of the compression issues there is always the issue of getting into the darn thing in the hammock. It isn't as easy getting into it on the ground.

**Mrprez** · 10-11-2013, 17:19

Originally Posted by Nighthauk

On top of the compression issues there is always the issue of getting into the darn thing in the hammock. It isn't as easy getting into it on the ground.

But it is sure fun to watch!

**Widjit** · 10-11-2013, 17:45

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have a sleeping pad that I use. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...sulatedAirCore

With that, should I still be good with just a sleeping bag for a while, or should I still start looking into getting an under quilt? The pad does great on the ground but I have no idea how well it will do in the air. On a plus not my sleeping bag has clips that attach to the pad to help keep it from moving around.

**Nighthauk** · 10-11-2013, 17:54

It should work fairly well. If not you could add a piece of reflexctix to help out.

**fallkniven** · 10-11-2013, 19:25

Originally Posted by Widjit

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I have a sleeping pad that I use. https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...sulatedAirCore

With that, should I still be good with just a sleeping bag for a while, or should I still start looking into getting an under quilt? The pad does great on the ground but I have no idea how well it will do in the air. On a plus not my sleeping bag has clips that attach to the pad to help keep it from moving around.

Hanging in the air, you now have to deal with convection. The cool air moving beneath you, something that doesn't come up with sleeping on the ground. That is why a sleeping bag won't keep your backside warm alone. It's not so much the compressing of the insulation, because that happens on the ground to, but that's what a pad is for. Tq's are popular because it cuts out some extra fabric that you can do away with, and are easier to get in and outof. If it's well into the negatives, a full bag may be warmer for you, but you'll still need to combine it with a pad/uq/etc. Many sleep well with pads, I prefer uq's myself.