A sleeping bag is one of the most important items that you will take camping. The best sleeping bag for your hammock will depend on a variety of factors…

Sleeping bags are quite simple in their design and only really differ in shape, quality, and temperature ratings. Sleeping bags on the other hand differ greatly from your standard camping bag because they are designed to be used in a hammock rather than on the floor or on top of a camping bed. There are a few things that you should look for when selecting a sleeping bag suited for a hammock and it is essential that you do not get confused and purchase any old sleeping bag for use when hammock camping.

In this article, we will be going over exactly how to purchase the perfect sleeping bag for hammock camping and the main differences and qualities that separate your standard envelope and mummy sleeping bags from bags that are suited for hammocks. If you pick the right sleeping bag for the season you are camping in and find the perfect sleeping bag for your hammock you will ensure that every night out in the wilderness is a comfortable and memorable experience.

The main issue with hammock camping (especially in cold weather) is heat loss and cold air entering from below the fabric because you are suspended in the air without any real insulation and protection from the surrounding temperature. There are a few ways you can combat this heat-sapping factor with the most common solution being an underquilt. In this article, we will also be briefly going over what makes a good underquilt for a hammock, why you may need one, and providing two of the best blankets for all-season hammock camping.

We will also be guiding you into the world of hammock sleeping bags of which some provide extra insulation on the bottom layer to eliminate the need for an underquilt. Having an “all-in-one sleeping bag and underquilt can reduce weight, space, and making your camping experience better while allowing you to set up and pack away quicker.

So, without further ado, let’s get right into it starting with what exactly makes a sleeping bag perfect for use in a hammock and how they differ from your traditional camping sleeping bag. Enjoy!

What Makes a Sleeping Bag Perfect for Use with a Hammock?

As we have already mentioned sleeping bags for hammocks differ quite drastically from your traditional camping sleeping bags and these defining features improve comfort, temperature control, and ease of use greatly. As you probably know if you are looking at getting a sleeping bag for your hammock, hammocks can be difficult to get in and out of the first couple of times. This can become even more difficult when you introduce a sleeping bag into the equation. A good hammock sleeping bag will be designed for easy entry and exiting so your life becomes simpler when it is time to “hit the sack” and time to “rise and shine”.

The best sleeping bags for hammock camping usually wrap around the hammock completely and become part of the design so when you go to jump into your hammock and bag, they are all stationary and in one piece. This makes it extremely easy to get into your hammock and get to sleep without having to shuffle around and get your sleeping bag sitting comfortably inside your hammock fabric. A good hammock sleeping bag will have an opening in each end that has a drawstring feature that can be tightened down to the head and foot of your hammock once it has been strung up. This makes it easy to install and ensures it stays in one place throughout the duration of your camp. All you do is unpack and unzip the bag, wrap it around the hammock, zip it back up, and then tighten up the drawstrings around the hammock.

The second defining feature of a hammock sleeping bag is the addition of extra insulation underneath. Not all hammock sleeping bags feature this however there are some that do eliminate the need for an underquilt and give you the opportunity to add an extra underquilt for further insulation from the cold on extra-chilly nights. If you are serious about hammock camping and love getting out all-year-round, then this is a great feature to look out for.

In my opinion, there is nothing better than getting under a tarp and sleeping in a hammock in the depths of winter when the snow is falling, but this is only possible because of my well-insulated Hyke & Byke sleeping bag that features a built-in underquilt. I combine this bag with an extra underquilt when the temperature drops below -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit) and wake up in the morning toasty warm and well-rested.

The other difference between hammock sleeping bags and your standard tent sleeping bag is the material used on the external shell. When you are camping in a hammock, chances are you will be sleeping under the stars or with a lightweight tarp above you, whereas, with a traditional sleeping bag you will most likely be tucked inside a fully waterproof tent. The point is, you will be much more exposed when camping in a hammock as opposed to a tent so the material needs to have a much higher waterproof rating and should be highly-wind proof so cold air doesn’t breach the fabric and insulation.

Those are the main differences between your standard camping sleeping bag for use in a tent or on a roll mat when cowboy camping, and your high-quality hammock sleeping bag for use while suspended in your hammock. There are a few other features to look out for when selecting your hammock sleeping bag however. In the next section, we will be looking at how to select the best hammock sleeping bags for your specific needs because depending on the time of year, how much you head out in your hammock, and whether you use your hammock year-round will ultimately affect your decision.

How to Select your Hammock Sleeping Bag?

Selecting your hammock sleeping bag does not need to be a difficult process, in fact, it is extremely simple when you ask yourself the right questions before purchase. You simply need to ask yourself whether you will be primarily winter camping in extremely low temperatures, primarily camping in the hot summer months, or camping year-round. You then need to ask yourself whether you want one sleeping bag that will suit your year-round needs, one for summer camping if you don’t fancy getting out in spring, fall, and winter, or one just for cold weather that is guaranteed to keep you warm in the depths of winter.

If you are looking for one bag to camp all-year-round, then you need a 4-season bag that will keep you cool in the summer as well as warm in the winter. If you are just a summer hammock camper, then you need something that will keep you comfortable in the heat while ensuring the cool night breeze stays off you while you are sleeping. If you need something for extreme winter camping, then you need something that is highly insulative that will keep you warm and safe when the temperature drops into negative digits.

So, it is as simple as that. Ask yourself these questions and get a clear picture in your mind of how you want to camp and exactly what you need your hammock sleeping bag to achieve. Once you know exactly what you want you can start looking into the best sleeping bag for you. The reviews of bags and underquilts below will further guide you on this and help you understand how combining the two can extend your camping opportunities season by season.

A Quick Look at Two of Our Favorite Underquilts

Although most of the hammock sleeping bags that we will be reviewing today have built-in underquilts, you can still benefit from having an additional quilt for colder nights and combining with a summer sleeping bag to extend its seasonal use. We have two underquilts that we recommend combining with the sleeping bags on our list today. One is a 3-season quilt that we recommend combining with our winter bag for those extremely cold nights, and one is a 4-season quilt that we recommend for combining with the summer bag and all-season bag.

Using a 4-season with the summer sleeping bag will allow you to upgrade your setup to a 3-season setup without breaking the bank and using it with the all-season sleeping bag will allow you to venture into some more extreme cold weather. Using the 3-season underquilt with the winter sleeping bag will allow you to sleep in temperatures as low as -25 degrees Celsius (-13 degrees Fahrenheit).

The Ayamaya Ultralight Hammock Underquilt 

The Ayamaya Ultralight Hammock Underquilt is the perfect 3-season sleeping bag for upgrading your setup for cold temperature winter camping. It is made from waterproof 20d ripstop nylon shell, a 300T lining, and imitation silk floss filling. The combination of these materials provides substantial wind and rain protection while keeping you well-insulated while trapping heat.

The Onewind Lightweight Hammock Underquilt

The Onewind Lightweight Hammock Underquilt is the best 4-season underquilt for extended the use of a one or 2-season sleeping bag and improving the wind and water resistance of your setup. This one is made from a 20D/ 400T nylon external shell, a bio-based highly insulative fiber filling, and a soft synthetic lining. These materials come together to provide a 4-season solution to cold weather camping that is guaranteed to keep you warm when the temperature drops.

Best Hammock Sleeping Bag for Summer

The Redcamp Ultra Lightweight Hammock Sleeping Bag 

The Redcamp Ultra Lightweight Hammock Sleeping Bag is a budget bag suited for summer use only. This sleeping bag is designed primarily for warm weather use but will keep you warm with light insulation while keeping the cool summer-nights breeze off your skin while you sleep. This hammock sleeping bag is perfect if you are the weekend camper or summer expedition camper that does not venture too far from the heat.

Although this sleeping bag is primarily for hot weather, you can combine it with the 4-season underquilt mentioned above to extend its seasonal use to spring and fall as well. If you are the casual camper that is just getting into the world of hammock camping or the experienced hammock camper that wants a cheap solution for summer camping, then this is a great option. It is highly rated and holds up incredibly well for the price. It is easy to get in and out of and secures perfectly to the hammock for a comfortable and stress-free night’s sleep.

Best Hammock Sleeping Bag for Winter

The Hyke and Byke Crestone 15 – 0 Degrees Fahrenheit 650 Fill Hammock Sleeping Bag

The Hyke and Byke Crestone 650 Fill Hammock Sleeping Bag is the best of the best when it comes to winter camping. This is a high-quality down sleeping bag that is guaranteed to keep you warm to temperatures as low as -17 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit). This is my personal favorite sleeping bag for use in my hammock and here in Sweden it never fails to keep me warm even when I venture into the Arctic Circle where the temperature drops as low as -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit)!

This hammock sleeping bag is highly water-resistant, wind-proof, and incredibly insulative. The shell is constructed from a DWR treated UL 400T 20D ripstop nylon and it is filled with premium 650FP natural duck down for ultimate performance in cold environments. It has an extra-wide design and attached to your hammock easily, it features a center-zip design for easy entry and exit (even when you’re feeling the effects of an Arctic winter)! This sleeping bag features a lifetime warranty and has undergone vigorous testing so you can be certain that it will keep you warm from day one all the way to day 1000.

This is the perfect hammock sleeping bag if you are anything like me and love getting out in the extreme cold during the depths of winter. I would not personally take this out in temperatures higher than 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) but it is the ultimate bag for winter expeditions. If you are passionate about winter hammock camping and are heading on an extended trip into Arctic tundra, then I would recommend purchasing the Ayamaya Ultralight Underquilt just in case. Although I am confident this sleeping bag can handle extreme temperatures, the quilt fits perfectly under this wide bag and will ensure you stay warm, dry, and safe in extreme conditions.

Best All-Season Sleeping Bag for Hammocks

The Geertop Ultralight Goose Down 50 – 23 Degrees Fahrenheit Hammock Sleeping Bag 

The Geertop Ultralight Goose Down Hammock Sleeping Bag is the most versatile sleeping bag on our list and has the best balance for all-season use out of all the sleeping bags on our list. If you are looking for one bag to get you out enjoying the wilderness year-round then this is the best choice for you. Using the sleeping bag on its own for spring, summer, and fall is sure to keep you warm. Matching this bag up with the 3-season Ayamaya underquilt or the 4-season Onewind Underquilt for winter expeditions will keep you comfortable and warm no matter what the winter times throw at you.

This is another premium sleeping bag that is made from high-quality, durable, long-lasting materials that are guaranteed to give you a good night’s sleep. The shell is constructed from 380T water-resistant ripstop nylon, the filling is made from 450FP hydrophobic Goose/ Duck down, and the lining is made from a soft breathable synthetic fabric. This is another oversized super-wide sleeping bag that can accommodate extra layers and an additional underquilt if needed. The roomy design also helps with breathability and keeping cooler in the hotter weather too which makes this bag extremely versatile and useful year-round. This hammock sleeping bag is the answer to all your camping needs no matter the season and no matter the weather.

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