FREE DIY Ultralight Hammock Underquilt - No sewing required! 

"I'm being an idiot in my house right now" subscribed

"I don't have the money for it." Isn't that the truth for so many of us? Thanks for your honesty!

Coming here 9 years after the fact. Still a great idea. Legend, thank you, brother. Hope you're out there having fun wherever you are!

Gave this a go recently in some really cold conditions. Works so good. Kept really warm all night

"Alls I did!" that's my new favorite quote. In any case, this is a genious solution to a really annoying and expensive conundrum I've had for months.

I did the same thing a while back with two different sleeping bags. One I cut and the other had a draw string at the bottom. It seems like a good idea at first and does actually work. But the problem is that once you get out in the woods and try to sleep you get uncomfortable. That's because you can't move around much or lay diagonal like you should in a hammock. You end up sleeping like a banana. Fifteen minutes in a hammock is fine when your setting it up at home, six hours in the woods and trying to sleep is a nightmare. I would suggest you spend a night in the hammock at home before going out with this system. Trust me I found out the hard way on a backpacking trip. I woke up after hour very sore.

the knot is a great idea just dont go camping with some friends who like to play pranks or you can be on the ground in one swift pulling motion.

I can confirm this, works I have a hammock with a bug net so I tuned the hammock round so the net was on the underside and used a space blanket in there then used my sleepin bag (double zipper which opens put into a quilt) I left the bottom unzipped and put it over the hammock just like in this video. And boom! Under quilt/overquilt comfy and cosy

What an awesome diy sollution!! I about froze to death a few years ago by not having an under quilt!! Thanks!

You're a smart man. Well done! To help you sleep straight (lengthwise) in a hammock, just put a regular pillow under your knees. It works like a charm and you'll sleep like a bug in a rug. ❤

Dude you are the man, thanks for saving me a pile of money! Subbed and thumbs up :)

This is a good idea I'm going to repurpose one of my PawPaw's old ten pound Coleman down sleeping bags I got 4 of his hunting bags passed down to me since he passed on three years ago. I been looking for a good way to continue the use of his vintage gear, that was one of my favorite things when I was a kid and we'd go deer hunting every year. This is an ingenious idea, I think his bags are double zippered too so I might be able to get by without cutting it, if I can't avoid that I'll stitch it by hand to make the slip through holes for the hammock more presentable. Thanks brother for the help

Just came across this researching hammock setups. Love the idea. The Sierra Designs Synthesis sleeping bag is almost purpose built for this with it's convertible footbox!

Thanks for sharing brilliant ideas. I can't wait to try my hammock camping in the winter.

Excellent idea on using a old bag for a under quilt. I was watching a video (shug) and he did the same thing. His sleeping bag was a western mountaineering sleeping bag. It already had zipper at toe box so he didn't have to cut it. That sleeping bag is over 400 dollars.

I've used this idea along with a cheap eno under quilt inside of the bag! I even went as far as to sew a line to sinch the opening closed. Awesome idea!

Thanks for posting this video.I had a few extra sleeping bags,and I followed your instructions and made one of these for myself.It works great.I really enjoy your channel...Keep up the good work

Really helpful.. have the same sleeping bag & was trying to figure out a way to not spend any money while converting it into an underquilt for my eno. Nice vid 👍

I had actually thought about trying this myself. Anxious to see how this works out in the cold,keep us posted.

What a genius idea! I too have been looking for an inexpensive solution for some sort of underquilt for winter camping. Thanks for sharing man! God Bless :D -Lochlainn

Thanks for the video. VERY informative and well presented. Very helpful to me. I had pretty much the same idea and browsed RU-vid for tips before committing to cutting my dossbag. Some GREAT tips here and in the comments. VERY useful to see the idea for real. That's the way to have an office! I'll be cutting a "U" shaped feet end hole and sewing it so that, for non-hammock use, it can be "sealed" using velcro (on the outside - don't want the stuff sticking to my socks!). The theory is for the flap to (at least partially) block the U shape cross section of the hammock as it passes through the dossbag. Tape loop and cord at the feet end to attach to the suspension line to stop it riding too far along the hammock.. Wherever possible, I buy dossbags to be overly long and I use them upside-down so that I can fold the hood into the upper body of the bag, held in position under my head. I'm a bushcrafter who likes ultralight so I often use dossbags that carry well, rather than are warm. In cold weather, I wear quilted overtrousers and my Buffalo Mountain Shirt (or oversized Snugpack "Softie") in the dossbag. I'm really looking forward to trying this. I'm using a naff 1 season bag to trial then, once I'm 100% chuffed with the design function, I'll make another from a decently warm dossbag. Now to watch the field test...

I'm seriously thinking of doing this same idea. Maybe use a rectangular bag instead of a mummybag . tip for the top of your sleeping bag behind your head use a bungle cord with a toggle to get the back of your shoulders & head is not naked to the elements. . for the foot of the sleeping bag where you cut the hole for the hammock you can add a zipper from old pants to make the hole closed when not used as a hammock quilt . I just started useing mule tape of my hammock. So far I Love it increadibly light and I know it's not going to break in the middle of the night.

Absolute legend thank you, this is gonna save me so much money!

I sewed loops on the corners of an old czech milsurp sleeping bag, and suspended it just under my hammock. I didn't have too many issues down to -15 Fahrenheit.

What a great Idea Drew. If that sleeping bag works its a genius concept. Can't wait to see the try out video.

Thanks for showing this man, real good ideas. I tend to be a side sleeper so, this looks like a really good fit. I look forward to your net video

great idea! I have some old 0 degree bags that I will try this out on. I am going to add a heavy zipper on the hole for non hammock use.

I did something similar, just without cutting a hole in my sleeping bag. Instead, i just threaded the rope to the hammock through the bottom of the sleeping bag (it has a small opening where the zipper ends). The sleeping bag is still long enough to reach up to my shoulders. My head is not insulated, so i used a pillow, and slept like a baby tonight..! It makes it really easy to get into the sleeping bag, as i can just sit down in the hammock, and pull the sleeping bag up around me. The only issue i noticed (from just 1 night), was that the zipper opened up during the night, because i had tightened the string to close up the sleeping bag a bit too tight. But as i never really use the zipper, im thinking of just sowing it shut permanently...

Your videos are genuinely useful, really appreciate it.

Nice ! what i did with mine is i used the hood to cover the hole underneath the hammock so wind will not penetrate

I have a bag just like that to try out ! Glad you did this! I will have to give it a go as well. Good job!

Great video! Did you ever make a followup, showing how this performed outdoors?

Awesome idea! I really like hammock camping but not cold butt syndrome! Ive fashioned a underquilt for my hammock but wouldnt trust it in freezing temps, it did well down to 40 degrees but thats it. This is a really great idea especially for people who dont want to fuss with sewing. Thanks for sharing! Atb, Jenn :)

I'm guessing you already figured out what to do with the hood, but you could take two pieces of webbing and simply sew in a loop on each side and attach some shock cord to the hammock carabiner. That would also prevent the bag from slipping down. I know it won't be as simple then, but it would be a good addition.

Thanks ~ great job of teaching the slip knot and appreciate you sharing what has worked for you and what hasn't! Great idea :)

That is a great idea with an old bag. Great videos too. I am a side sleeper and I am starting to think my cheap 10ft bag is not enough.

So creative! Thank you so much for sharing this video. You smart!👍😊🙏❤️

I'll definitely be trying this sometime. I will start hammock camping soon, Deo Volente. Good video.

Thank you for saving us from the cold.

This is awesome. Can't wait to try it out!

It is a great idea! Which I entertained trying out... briefly. However, down here we need to continue using our bug net while hammock camping even in the Winter. I'm probably going to buy a 2nd hand sleeping bag and DIY an underquilt. You're so right, those things are ridiculously priced. Cheers Subbed ya.

man, this is an awesome idea. thanks for posting.

Great idea brother! Thanks for sharing

If you see 2 lines in the foot then cut between the seams you have a nice neat hole to pass your hammock through and don't lose any insulation. If you really want to make it nice and neat take some wide grosgrain tape and see it folded over on the edges of your cuts. Neatness counts when it comes to making things last.

Firstly, great video. I have used a similar system here in England, the only difference is that I turned the bad upside down so that the hood was on the top I then pulled the cords tight to get an airtight seal around my neck. Also if you attach a short loop of para cord at the foot end you can stop it from riding down the hammock. I wear a Hat to keep head warm and have been out on my set up when below zero. If really cold you can always use a second sleeping bag inside. Toasty warm then.

new subscriber here, great video. just started getting in to hammock camping for less than a year now & really like your concept. the wheels are turning. thanks for sharing, be safe, God bless, going to browse your videos now 😁👍

You could try to cut a hole under the cordage channel in the hood and just get the draw string on top of the hammock so the hood will stay in place under it.

Oh my! What a brilliant hack!

You may like to try 1/8 foam shipping sheets cut to hammock size and encased in a light nylon. They are sewable but that knocks out the no need to sew option. It's lightweight but bulky ~.7 lbs., the trick is to hedge the point of the hammock to the foam at both ends. Exacto mea.s required.

Built one, today out of an old 20* mummy bag and it worked great! A little tight, but I could still move my knees around and sleep like I normally do in a hammock. I think I might leave the bag unzipped a bit and use a bag liner or the SOL emergency bivvy on the inside. You didn't mention that in the video, but I thought a blanket or bag liner inside would really increase the warmth. Of course, I'm in Florida, so I don't need much. Great video and thanks! I've tried many other "sleeping bag into under quilts" and none ever worked like this one and it SO SIMPLE!

great idea i think for the foot part i would have to slice hole lower so more foot room for big feet

Great video, thanks for the awsome idea 👍

This video has just bolstered my confidence in using my mummy bag and probably saved me some money! Good thoughts, decent vid.

I have seen the manufacturers copy this through the years as this is an older video from my post Today. They made the hammock cocoon and stole your idea. Very original.

Cool, always looking for smart DIY solutions - same here: why spending money when the shelves full of stuff......

For those asking that webbing he used is called "Mule Tape" I have used it to pull cable in conduit. I would love to try this out but my hammock has the integrated bug net. Great idea though

Wow great job man

I've had that idea since i started with a hammock. I used to throw a big wool blanket over me and let it hang down and it worked okay but I've always been curious about putting a sleeping bag like this. Definitely let us know how it works out!

Clip a clothespin to the hood. Then connect the clothespin to the top end of the hammock with a bungee cord.

Flip it upside down and other way around use the hood over your feet😊

Good idea! Got me thinking now...

This will work in a pinch but top and bottom quilts are seperate items for a reason namely as Rev Hiker mentions in that it cramps lying diagonally. This is also known as the Brazilian lay and is the preferred sleeping position for maximum comfort. Generally speaking hammock socks need to be a lot more voluminius to achieve this.

What a great idea!

I love this! I don't have a bag that I'd be willing to cut because I still tent when I go with my husband. My bug net is sewn into my hammock, so this wouldn't work, but I'm sure I could find an old sleeping bag in the share shed or a thrift store and make a underquilt out of that. I've been using a windshield reflector screen inside my hammock. It's not the best.

I'd also suggest to add a space blanket to help with keeping away the cold.

That's a beautiful beard.

i would consider drawing a circle on the bottom that you intend for the suspension to come through. sew that circle by hand on the line you drew, then cut out the hole on the bottom. this would make things a lot easier come time to tidy up the suspension hole.

This is awesome thank you

Destruction is often creation's closest bedfellow. I wondered if this would work, and it looks like it does. Sweet!

superglue or stitch velcro..to the underside side...then some on quilt....then wrap it around you and hammock. the hood stitch a tiny canvas loop. velcros or clips to end of hammock above head

Caution: Genius as work! 😜

Great idea

might try around holes running paracord like in a cinch sack to draw them closed. also from your head to feet sew in little loops every 8"-10" and run a ridge line to keep it off you and then maybe if you sew a little extra material across the opening where your chest and head are exposed across chest stitched and around side of neck and head Velcro so if want to vent you can! atb stay safe and warm. Mark in Texas

if you paracord both sides of the bag it will keep it from sliding into the middle and make getting in alot easier.

for the hood I'd attach too loops for guy lines to tension the hood and whole mummy quilt to the line holding the hammock to the tree through a s carabiner.

Great idea. For the markII I would suggest a smaller hole and sewing around where the hole will be first. If you roll the edge and add some 550 cord you can create a cinch and keep your feet warm. Very nice work.

Sew a piece of looped nylon webbing on the hood. From the loop take a piece of 550 cord and tie a large bite so you can hook it to your carabiner.

I wish I could hang a hammock in my office...

Looking forward to the update when you get a chance to test it in the field.

As a guy with little extra money I do lots of DIY builds for gear. I made that exact under quilt and just added a thermarest jic

I think this is excellent! Yea those under quilts are high dollar. And yip I been down that road with the 550 para cord too.

Take some shock cord and tie it around the hood of the bag, then attach that to your suspension. Do the same to the other end, and it will suspend your bag like an under quilt. This will keep you from getting an air pocket underneath you, which you DO NOT want. On a cold night, air will leak in and you'll freeze. You want the bag tight against your back and butt. Otherwise, awesome video on a pod system. Only seen one other guy trying it with a sleeping bag.

I use an old barrel bag with a two-way zipper, just unzip the foot as much as needed. Works great in the cold and there's plenty of room for an over quilt inside the bag when it gets really cold.

By flipping the bag upside down, the hood will cover the face, so cut a big hole in the hood and sew in some bug netting. Floating bivvy.

Years ago i looked into putting a hammock in my room, i was reading the strength that is need is quite a bit, more then i had expected. I cant remember how much but i was surprised. I have a hammock like your but it's double, is that a single looks loads better.

Tarp Clamps are the solution going forward. Set up and get in and have someone apply the tart clamps removing the gaps. It needs to be set for you. Then use a permanent marker to trace where the tarp clamps work best this way you alone can get a good fit yourself when setting up.

Trying this year. Tired of 3 am freezing up in MT. My shitty sleeping bag will do the trick. Just got to pack another for the inside!

This looks great! I'm off to find your follow up video.

Man this could sound like bullshit but thought the same thing and do it around 8 months ago! Then I found your video, LOL cause actually a had almost the same sleeping bag (mine is a Colleman from wallmart). Had to say it work for me (but I didn't use ducktape; I do sew it and attach some loops so it can be fix it to ends of the hammock) but you may need some other isollation or warming system for colder weather. tumbs up, and keep it up!

I know it's been 5 years and you have probably figured it out by now ,but turn the bag over so the hood is on top ,to cover your head

thanks for the video dude

Great idea. I'm thinking of taking 2 hammocks and using the second one to contain the liner. The liner being my puffy jacket and clothes. I want to go ultralight and damaging my expensive sleeping bag is not an option. Here's what I'm thinking. 2 hammocks + tarp for rain. The tarp being ultralight too. The 2 hammocks would be an inner and then the outer with my clothes+ reflective emergency blanket to reflect the heat back upwards. Would love to hear your thoughts.

flip the bag over,so it is on top,and use it to go over your face and head for the freezing nights

great idea. Spin the bag around until the hood's on top. Cover your head for warmth flop it back. You could add a short zipper in the foot end.

I thought of this sort of system. Can a person sleep at an angle to create the flat sleep effect with this system? That’s what is troubling me of attempting it. Right now, I sleep on top of a military down bag I used since a kid. I never had compression problems, and I store it compressed to. Ya, I know, a big no no, but hey, I am not cold and I sleep in snow. Down on bottom, another bag on top, with half mattress inside it, a silk liner, and a wool blanket at hand in case.

tuck the hood inside bag, and use streatchy mini bungi cord to pull the hood/hang part of bag up close to your head.

amazing idea, ¿how did it go in the field?

Super!

Being an idiot in my own house... brilliant 🤣 same here.

Awesome!