Quilt Instead of Sleeping Bag

[nobby]

I've never felt very comfortable in a sleeping bag because I don't like my arms trapped and I like to be able to poke my feet out in the night.
Anybody got any experience of using a quilt instead?
Cheers

 

[Squidders]

I have used a blanket with no problems...

Have you tried a rectangular sleeping bag?

 

[wingstoo]

How about the German sleeping bags that have sleeves for your arms to go into..

Not sure where you will find them in your neck of the woods?

LS

 

[redcollective]

nobby I'm the same as you - I'm quite broad across the back an also feel constricted in a bag - I've recently bought a large bag (which is designed to enclose a smaller one for uprated insulation) and can sleep comfortably now. Perhaps you just need a bigger bag. Incidently there are some bags for mil use which have separate quilted arms which you might want to look at.

If you go down the quilt route are you thinking of making one for outdoor use or reusing a domestic quilt?

 

[pibbleb]

I've seen the sleeping bags with arms on eBay. I'm a bit like you though when I'm at home but a sleeping bag just seems right when I'm out and about, if that makes sense.

Paul

 

[wentworth]

I use quilts whenever camping. They're much easier to get under than into a sleeping bag. Particularly in a hammock. If you want to try it out, open your sleeping bag, leaving a foot pocket at the end. Just tuck the edges under your shoulder if it's cold.

 

[redflex]

Snugpak do sleeping bag which unfolds into quilt very good use it all the time http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/store/customer/product.php?productid=20521

 

[nobby]

"nobby I'm the same as you - I'm quite broad across the back an also feel constricted in a bag - I've recently bought a large bag (which is designed to enclose a smaller one for uprated insulation) and can sleep comfortably now. Perhaps you just need a bigger bag. Incidently there are some bags for mil use which have separate quilted arms which you might want to look at.

If you go down the quilt route are you thinking of making one for outdoor use or reusing a domestic quilt?"


I'm making one but using a domestic quilt to provide the wadding.
I get very hot of a night, even when sleeping out, and need to be able to stick an arm or leg out until I am cool enough to pull it back in. I've never felt comfy in a sleeping bag - Scubs and Army service - and now I'm fatter than ever they just ain't a good fit :0(
I've just made a hammock following instructions on the web. Tried it in the garden and fell asleep inside 20 minutes. Woke up 40 minutes later with my head on the ground having pulled the clothes line post out of the ground. the apple tree on the other end stayed upright though.

 

[nobby]

I have used a blanket with no problems...

Have you tried a rectangular sleeping bag?

thanks for that. I hadn't thought about a blanket. I sent all mine to Romania years ago.
What should I look for in a suitable blanket?

 

[Mantic]

I had an old sleeping bag which I cut down in size until it was a slim duvet. I use a camping mat, a thin 'fleece' sleeping bag liner and the duvet. I've used this combo in summer, spring and autumn but not yet winter without any discomfort.

The liner is great for keeping the drafts out when the duvet moves around.

The underside of a sleeping bag is of limited used anyway since the insulation only works when it isn't copmpressed. I'm going to sew a thin sleeping bag liner to another (more modern) duvet and use it like a one sided sleeping bag. Should work well in hammocks....

 

[nobby]

Snugpak do sleeping bag which unfolds into quilt very good use it all the time http://www.nomadtravel.co.uk/store/customer/product.php?productid=20521

Hi Redflex

I see that this bag is quoted as suitable for tropical use. Do you use it in the UK?
If so, which seasons?

cheers

 

[Naruska]

A few years back, we toured Lapland for a few weeks and clocked almost 4000 kms...not all by foot

In the hasty departure, a friend of mine forgot his sleeping bag, and bought a duvet and pillow set from a local supermarket...

The first few nights, we went to sleep accompanied by hysterical laughter and tears, partially due to the fact that he opted to remove his white shirt and tie on the third night out...

Marko

 

[redflex]

I use the snugpak in everything apart from winter in the UK use with thermarest and sleeping bag liner works for me , but I stay very warm at night others may find it not enough.

 

[william#]

I use quilts whenever camping. They're much easier to get under than into a sleeping bag. Particularly in a hammock. If you want to try it out, open your sleeping bag, leaving a foot pocket at the end. Just tuck the edges under your shoulder if it's cold.

if its warm enough i agree this method with sleeping bag is the best though if its really cold i tend not to worry about the restriction im just trying to zipp myself up and curling into a tighter ball as possible .
if your not walking into site then yes a quilt is just pure luxury

 

[CLEM]

I use the snugpak in everything apart from winter in the UK use with thermarest and sleeping bag liner works for me , but I stay very warm at night others may find it not enough.

As does my mate in the forces,a thermarest,top quality warm bag liner and bivi bag and he reckons hes sound for spring summer and autom.

 

[william#]

As does my mate in the forces,a thermarest,top quality warm bag liner and bivi bag and he reckons hes sound for spring summer and autom.

thats some heating system your bodys have there

 

[CLEM]

thats some heating system your bodys have there

What???

 

[Mantic]

What???

I think that William is alluding to the fact that since you only require so little to keep warm, your body must be very hot (in the temperature sense....).

 

[william#]

I think that William is alluding to the fact that since you only require so little to keep warm, your body must be very hot (in the temperature sense....).

yah thats what i meant

 

[CLEM]

Thats what I thought he ment,its not me but a mate in the army that uses this kit with great success according to him.I myself have yet to find my ideal sleep system.