Homemade Underquilt & Winter Hammock Setup

This is the second video in my series about hammock camping. I showcase my homemade under quilt as well as top quilt and talk about some of the benefits of this setup incase you want to add an under quilt to your rig without spending a ton of money. Hope this helps you out!!!
Top Quilt Specs
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[@tickbait777]

I did this same exact DIY on a mid winter trip in the Ozarks with around 16 F weather at night. Used a cheap 40 degree bag around my hammock (tied it in bunches and zipped it to seal it) and it drastically improved my otherwise miserable sleep system because I underestimated the cold. This really works. I can imagine with a better sealing system and a slightly better bag, you can ditch the fancy underquilts for most winter hammocking set ups.

[@ryansroutes1805]

For sure, it works great! I’ve taken it to -8 Celsius and made it through the night with only mild discomfort. An actual underquilt will save some weight and function better for sure. Although I’m sure most of us that have been camping for a few years have a spare bag laying around to make one. Easily saving hundreds of dollars! This will also still function as normal sleeping bag if needed.

[@Rageof1000Mongooses]

Brilliant use of bottle caps :) This is by far the simplest way to attach a regular bag/quilt to the underside of a hammock that I've seen.

[@ryansroutes1805]

Thanks! I stumbled onto this method and perfected it years ago when I spent four months sleeping in a hammock to help with some shoulder pain I was having.

[@looking4leasuretime]

Thanks. Wishing you well.

[@ryansroutes1805]

Thanks!

[@DavidNorthFilms]

Thanks for the video. I just started my UA-cam channel this past year. I am planning my first winter hammock camping trip. I just subscribed, thanks for sharing.

[@ryansroutes1805]

Thanks! Good luck and stay warm!

[@seancarroll1090]

That’s a piece of crap bag?! You haven’t seen mine lol. I’m going to try this with an old, very old bag

[@ryansroutes1805]

Lol well maybe not a piece of crap but it’s definitely on the cheaper side.
Good luck! I hope it works out for you!

[@Joeyfingis]

How'd it go??

[@ZaneBoyer-rt6iv]

Is your sleeping bad open or zipped up?

[@ryansroutes1805]

I usually have a zipped up mummy bag under a quilt for colder temperatures. In my opinion layering is better than buying a really expensive cold weather sleeping bag that you don’t use very often.

[@ZaneBoyer-rt6iv]

Ok what about the sleeping bag as an under quilt I’m just trying to make one for about 15 degree weather and I’m using a mummy bag as my under quilt and I don’t know how to get it to stay on the outside of the hammock if you could give me any ideas I’d greatly appreciate it

[@ryansroutes1805]

@@ZaneBoyer-rt6iv well first I’d say that a square bag is probably going to be easier to work with than a mummy bag because they tend to be wider. Although it could work if it zips all the way down.
I use 1/4” bungee and bottle caps to form tie of points in the top and bottom corners of the sleeping bag, which get tied/ clipped to the the tree straps of the hammock. Then two extra tie of points on either side of the the bag which tie to the sides of the hammock and hold it centered underneath.
To form the tie off point just put the bottle cap inside the sleeping bag in the desired location. Then tie one end of the bungee around it from the outside of the sleeping bag. Leave the bungee extra long until you set your hammock up and get the fit right for your setup. You don’t want the bag too tight against the bottom of the hammock or it won’t insulate properly so play around with the lengths until it’s snug without compressing the insulation in the bag. Once you get the lengths right, I’d suggest adding clips to the ends of the bungee where it attaches to the hammock. This just makes it quicker to attach/ detach.
Hope this helps you out!

[@ZaneBoyer-rt6iv]

@@ryansroutes1805 yes thank you so much

[@ryansroutes1805]

@@ZaneBoyer-rt6iv you’re very welcome! Stay warm out there! Lol

[@Joeyfingis]

Awesome video! I love that you're demoing it in the snow. I only had temps down to about 36F when I was showing off my build. Here's my build for a pea pod underquilt made from a cheapo sleeping bag if you're interested: ua-cam.com/video/SyJSF_okf24/v-deo.html

[@ryansroutes1805]

Thanks I’m glad you liked it! I’ve always wanted to try a pea pod setup! I’ll be sure to check it out!