So I purchased an underquilt and I have Big Agnes 20 degree sleeping bag which has the insulated air mattress in a sleeve on the back instead of actual insulation. Do you think I need to use the air mattress in the hammock or will the underquilt be sufficient to keep me warm. We are going to quetico first week of June, I suspect nightime temps in the 30"s. Thx

depends on the under quilt but probably not. What UQ did you get? Whats it rated? Type of fill sown, synthetic?

Your best bet with that bag is to use it like a bag, not a top quilt. Without insulation on the bottom of the bag, when you unzip it and drape it over you the unisulated bottom will now be up on your side. This is assuming the bag you have is side zip.

Condensed version. UQ warm, no use pad. Use bag like bag.

Yeah, I would say that depends on your UQ. If we had more details we could give you some specific advice.

quote Lymphocytosis: "Yeah, I would say that depends on your UQ. If we had more details we could give you some specific advice.


Best way to use a bag in a hammock is to unzip it until it forms a short box for your feet. Stick your feet in the box and drape the rest over you like you would a blanket. It's a lot easier than trying to wedge yourself in it and zip it up. If your UQ is worth anything, you should be warm enough. Watch out for the zipper on the bag. Make sure it doesn't snag on your hammock fabric. You're relying on that fabric to hold your weight."

That's the best way for a "normal" bag. BA bags have no insulation on the bottom so when you drap it your left side would have little insulation. Not a good bag to use for a top quilt. Any other bag this way works fine. I wouldn't use it in my hammock unless I had too.

Whoops, sorry. I completely bypassed the sleeve part. That was my fault.

I have a KAQ synthetic underquilt-says it is good down to 30 degrees. I have a regular sleeping bag that i could use as well- just wondering if i need the insurance of the insulating air mattress of the big agnes. Anyway, thx for the info

OK. I can answer this directly.
Last summer we went to Wabakimi, which is a few hours north of Thunder Bay. On a few nights it got down into lower 40s upper 30s.

I used my BA Fishhawk 30* bag with my KAQ Potomac UQ.
I used the bag zipped on the coldest night so I could take advantage of the draft collar around the neck. Otherwise, I just draped it over me zipped enough to make a footbox.

I had a ccf pad with me, just in case. I did not come close to needing the ccf in the hammock. I was very toasty just wearing long johns and wool socks. One night I wore a fleece hat, too.

I did need the ccf pad because there were 2 nights when I could not find a safe hanging spot. So I slept in the tent on the pad. I don't think you will have that problem in the Q as there are more than just black spruce there.

The ccf fits very nicely in the BA pad sleeve.

Thanks for the info. I think I will bring a pad just in case I have to retreat to the tent to play cards if it rains all day but it sounds like the uq is all i will need.

I like to use a pad regardless because I like the way it gives a bit of spread to the hammock. I just find I sleep better with the pad.