Which do people prefer? I'm trying to convert from a ground dweller but I find it a big chore to get in and out of a sleeping bag while hanging.

Top quilt for the win

I would look into down top quilts. I used my sleeping bag for a while, but got warmer and lighter using a down quilt. No hassle getting in or out, snaps to form a footbox. I got mine Hammock Gear, but there are a lot of cottage quilt suppliers.

I'm pretty content with a sleeping bag. (used as a quilt). It is a summer down bag, so fairly light and compact to begin with; and I use it with the 3/4 zipper fully unzipped- so similar to a purpose-made top quilt.

I will echo gymcoachdan's comments and add the top quilt takes up much less space than the sleeping bag. I had been using a bag unzipped using the foot box like muddyfeet reports but prefer the larger foot box option with the top quilt, especially now in the ridgrunner as my feet are not bunched up in the foot box of the hammock.

I agree with the top quilt, but if your options are blanket or sleeping bag I would go with the bag. More versatile than a blanket.

AmarilloJim: "Which do people prefer? I'm trying to convert from a ground dweller but I find it a big chore to get in and out of a sleeping bag while hanging."

If you are considering a hammock in lieu of a tent for camping, then to stay warm you really do want a top quilt and either an underquilt or insulated pad beneath you. The hammock should be designed specifically for sleeping in, not a lounging hammock. To learn more about hammock camping check out Hammock Forums. There's a wealth of information to be found there. Getting educated on all of the options can save $$$ and frustration. Good luck!

Neither - top quilt. It's about the only thing that makes sense.
And an under quilt.

KarlBAndersen1: "Neither - top quilt. It's about the only thing that makes sense.
And an under quilt."

True that. As a beginner to hanging, I packed a sleeping bag on my first and only hammock camping, to date. It would be OK if unzipped & opened as a top quilt but I attempted to use it as it's intended designed mode. Most annoying! How do you position yourself comfortably when full body weight is suspended in a hammock. meh. At the time, I didn't have anything underneath to prevent heat loss so tossing and turning all night & fighting with positioning in a zipped sleep bag.

mjmkjun: "

KarlBAndersen1: "Neither - top quilt. It's about the only thing that makes sense.
And an under quilt."

True that. As a beginner to hanging, I packed a sleeping bag on my first and only hammock camping, to date. It would be OK if unzipped & opened as a top quilt but I attempted to use it as it's intended designed mode. Most annoying! How do you position yourself comfortably when full body weight is suspended in a hammock. meh. At the time, I didn't have anything underneath to prevent heat loss so tossing and turning all night & fighting with positioning in a zipped sleep bag. "

That is a miserable and long night......

Slept out this last weekend using a sleeping bag unzipped. Worked great. Better than I had thought. It was 31 and I just used an air mattress in between layers of my son's BB. Kept very warm on the under side but the shoulders would get cold if touching the hammock sides. Will have my wife make me an under quilt and that should make due until I decide to become a hanger or not.

AmarilloJim: "Slept out this last weekend using a sleeping bag unzipped. Worked great. Better than I had thought. It was 31 and I just used an air mattress in between layers of my son's BB. Kept very warm on the under side but the shoulders would get cold if touching the hammock sides. Will have my wife make me an under quilt and that should make due until I decide to become a hanger or not."

Even though it's past decision time I'll throw in my vote for a sleeping bag with the opening downward. Obviously spending money on a good TQ is great but if you can't do that yet a sleeping bag works. I have a thin synthetic sleeping bag and still use it with two costco quilts (with footbox) and it's good to sub-zero temps.

Use it as a top quilt to try before you buy a hammock topquit. You will need warmth from below. You can make your own underquilt from a down blanket. Just Google it. Have fun.

An under quilt is where you want to put your money before a top quilt. A down bag unzipped and just on top will do an excellent job keeping you warm. An under quilt will keep the shoulders warm.

TomT: "An under quilt is where you want to put your money before a top quilt. A down bag unzipped and just on top will do an excellent job keeping you warm. An under quilt will keep the shoulders warm. "

good advise, i bought my last uq from loco libre, since i do not hammock in winter, i did not want a full length, with their website you can design one the length you want for a small add on fee. he has a series saver line, i went with a 58 inch, uq. at 6 ft., i get almost full coverage. beautiful workmanship.

I use a hammock when solo and prefer a top quilt, and agree that the underquilt is the key component to staying warm in cooler temperatures. When camping with others, I use a tent, but continue to use the top quilt with an ExPed air matress.

I used a closed cell foam pad and a 10 degree down sleeping bag on top for many trips from 2009-2016 because it's what I could afford. In 2017 I got a 20 degree incubator underquilt and in 2018 I bought a 15 degree topquilt.

That's what is great about hammocking, you can build it up as you go. Heck, you could use a tarp from Menards if you had to. Starting out just settle on a good quality hammock and build the system year by year. Contacting good companies and asking for any discounted (blemished) products is good too.