View Full Version : Sleeping bag or quilt
For the same loft (thickness) down bag, is a sleeping bag warmer or colder or the same as a quilt? Seems to me I'm carrying weight (the bottom of the sleeping bag) and not getting any warmth benefit. Figuring that a quilt is not as snug as a mummy bag, do the air pockets give cold spots with a quilt?
Just Jeff
03-21-2006, 00:53
Quilts can cause drafts when you roll over and stuff, but that's only an issue when the temps approach the limit of the quilt. Once I got used to being more careful when I roll over everything was fine.
The only thing that gets me sometimes now is when my shoulders pop out the top since it doesn't have a hood. No biggie - I just pull it back up.
peter_pan
03-21-2006, 10:28
For the same loft (thickness) down bag, is a sleeping bag warmer or colder or the same as a quilt? Seems to me I'm carrying weight (the bottom of the sleeping bag) and not getting any warmth benefit. Figuring that a quilt is not as snug as a mummy bag, do the air pockets give cold spots with a quilt?
Air pockets do not happen in a hammock....most people don't roll over in a hammock, unless trying for the extra 30 minutes or so before getting up....
Pan
hammock engineer
03-21-2006, 15:09
I decided on the sleeping bag used as a quilt for my hammock. That way I could use it on the ground if needed. I roll around too much to use a quilt on the ground.
Another option maybe some of the sleeping bags that are basically quilts with a sleeve on the bottom for your sleeping pad to go into. Here is a link to one of them http://www.campsaver.com/big_agnes.php . These are pretty heavy, but show the idea.
quilts work better in a hammock than on the ground,they stay wrapped around you in a hammock better:cool: neo
The Solemates
03-21-2006, 18:13
quilts are good in fair weather climates (ie, down to about 35F with no wind). we often just take 1 sleeping bag between the two of us, and use it as a quilt. but for lower temps, and if there is any kind of draft, you cant beat a full bag.
Just Jeff
03-21-2006, 18:23
Seems like for a ground sleeper, a pad+quilt+bivy could solve the draft issue and be just as light as a bag but more versatile. Something like the nano bivy.
Maybe this is a good place to start the anti-bag mafia!
I use quilts because bags suck. :cool:
Haha
here is a pic of my ed speer liteloft quilt,it is custom one of a kind,it is good down to upper 20,s
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=6063&original=1&c=577
my ed speer segmented pad extender
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=7649&c=577
i also really like ed speer hammock camping book,plus he is a very nice guy
http://www.hammockcamping.com/Contents/Contents.htm
:cool: neo
Thanks for the input---I think I got the perfect solution.
I'll make a quilt to use with a light weight -say 35 or 45 deg- bag. This way the draft problem is solved and i can throw off the quilt in warm weather. I can rig the quilt to attach to the bag. The combo could be for what ever temperature rating I want.
So, where is the problem with this set-up???
Just Jeff
03-21-2006, 21:59
There are a few commercial solutions like that - no problem with it. Make quilt and bag different thicknesses and you have a complete solution:
- Quilt alone good to 45F
- Bag alone good to 20F
- Quilt + bag good to 0F
(or whatever temps you makes the thicknesses for)
Also, if you attach the quilt to the bag you'll have added weight. If the bag is big enough, just bring the quilt inside.
Be sure to post pics!
here is a great bag to use alone in the summer or as part of a layering system less than 20.00 buck very compact and it matches my digital camo tarp,it comes in rectangle and mummy style,it has full lenght zipper works great as quilt:cool: neo
http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=217703