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When using your hammock during winter, insulation is one of the most important items on your checklist. Whilst a top quilt is the go-to solution, many campers prefer a sleeping bag instead.
There are lots of sleeping bags on the market but finding those that are hammock-compatible can be difficult. That’s why I’ve put together this helpful guide with several of my favorite products to choose from.
Quick Summary
In a rush? Here are my top three hammock-compatible sleeping bags. Keep reading for the full list.
- 4 season sleeping bag (down to 0°F / -17°C)
- Duck down filling with nylon shell
- Use as sleeping bag pod or like a top quilt
- Made with efficient goose down
- Lightweight at 710g
- More expensive than the Crestone
- Affordable for a down sleeping bag
- Suitable for temperatures between 23 to 50℉ (-5 to 10℃)
- Use as pod or sleeping bag
Do I Need a Sleeping Bag or Top Quilt?
Before jumping into the full list, it’s worth running through the differences between a sleeping bag and a top quilt for a hammock so you know what to look for.
I tend to recommend the combination of an underquilt and a top quilt instead of a sleeping bag. This is because they perform better at keeping you warmer and they are easier to get in and out of. See my recommended underquilts and recommended top quilts.
However, if you prefer an all-in-one solution, a sleeping bag can provide this as long as it has been designed for use as a hammock pod. This means that it can wrap around the outside of the hammock.
If you’re using a regular sleeping bag inside your hammock (rather than around the outside), you will still need an underquilt as well because your weight on the sleeping bag will reduce its insulative properties.
See my full guide to sleeping bags vs top quilts for more pros and cons of each.
Best Sleeping Bags for Hammocks
The best sleeping bags for hammocks are:
- Best Overall: Hyke & Byke Crestone
- Best Lightweight: Hyke & Byke Antero
- Affordable Pick: Geertop
- Best Combo: Grand Trunk 3-in-1
- Best for Winter: Outdoor Vitals
- Budget Pick: Wintming
- Alternative Idea: Selk’bag Lite 6G
Keep reading for my reviews of these recommendations along with the pros and cons of each.
At the end of the article is a full side-by-side comparison table with all the key specs.
Best Overall: Hyke & Byke Crestone 0F
Pros:
Cons:
My top pick is the Hyke & Byke Crestone sleeping bag which has been designed especially for hammock campers with a full-length zipper down the center so that it can be used as a sleeping bag pod around the hammock, as a mummy sleeping bag in the hammock, or even as a top quilt with the option to keep a footbox.
In this review, I’m featuring the 0°F (-17°C) version which is a four-season sleeping bag weighing between 890-980g depending upon the size. However, they also have a 15°F (-9°C) version which is slightly cheaper and weighs between 700-790g. Remember, these are the survival limits and not the comfort limits.
Hyke & Byke products are designed for professional hammockers and suitable for four seasons due to the duck down filling with durable 20D Ripstop Nylon for the outer shell and YKK zippers. They have an extra wide design which makes it easier to use with a hammock as well as with a sleeping pad if you prefer.
There are also huge pockets inside which are large enough to hold your phone, flashlight, and other gear.
The only downside to this sleeping bag is that it can stick to your skin when it becomes moist. However, this is not unique to this product as I have had this happen with other sleeping bags before.
Best Lightweight: Hyke & Byke Antero 15F
Pros:
Cons:
The Antero range is aimed at those hammockers looking to save every ounce possible in their backpack. Similar to the Hyke & Byke Crestone, the Antero range is available as both a 0°F and 15°F (shown here) sleeping bag.
However, unlike the Crestone which used duck down for the filling, the Antero uses goose down which has a higher fill power per gram and therefore can achieve the same temperature rating whilst being much lighter. Hyke & Byke claim that the ClusterLoft filling used in this sleeping bag performs better under pressure and is more moisture-resistant.
For example, the regular-sized Antero 15°F weighs 710g compared to the regular Crestone which weighs 740g. If you’re a serious ultralight backpacker, then the weight saving will be important and you can also expect a reduction in the compressed size.
Aside from the filling, the design of the Antero is near -identical to the Crestone with the ability to use it as either a sleeping bag pod, a mummy sleeping bag, or a top quilt with footbox. It also uses a 20D Ripstop Nylon outer shell and highly durable YKK zippers which are the best in the business.
Affordable Pick: Geertop
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re brand new to hammock camping and you’re looking for a hammock sleeping bag that’s more affordable than the previous two options, the Geertop is a great pick.
Similar to the Hyke & Byke sleeping bags, it has a hydrophobic duck down filling with a nylon outer shell. The main difference is the level of filling which has a 450 fill power.
This places it lower than the Hyke & Byke products in terms of temperature rating so you wouldn’t want to use this during the coldest winter months. However, if you’ll be camping in temperatures between 23 to 50℉ (-5 to 10℃) then this is perfect.
The style of the hammock is also similar to the previous products so it can be used as a pod or as a regular sleeping bag. However, the zipper is down the side rather than the middle so you wouldn’t be able to use it as a top quilt very effectively.
It’s above average in terms of weight for a hammock sleeping bag at 2.95 lbs (1338g) so it wouldn’t be suitable for those looking to carry it over long distances.
Best Combo: Grand Trunk 3-in-1
Pros:
Cons:
This next product from Grand Trunk isn’t necessarily marketed as a sleeping bag for hammocks but as a 3-in-1 underquilt/overquilt, tech blanket, and sleeping bag. However, in reality, it works just the same as the other products in this review.
Grand Trunk are generally a trustworthy camping brand with affordable prices. The product has a temperature rating down to 40°F so it’s a good beginners product for those who’ll be camping out in the warmer months.
The outer shell is made from 20D Ripstop Nylon which is the same as the more premium products although it has a synthetic filling rather than down. At 29 oz (822g), it’s lightweight for a synthetic filling and great value for money.
Best for Winter: Outdoor Vitals 0F
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re planning to use your hammock for camping in extreme winter weather, then you need to get equipment rated down to 0°F. Both of the Hyke & Byke options shared earlier have 0°F options as does this Outdoor Vitals sleeping bag.
It has a down filling with an 800 fill power which puts it among the warmest sleeping bags. Unlike the Hyke & Byke bags, this one uses a polyester outer shell and lining. Polyester is much faster at drying than nylon because it does not absorb any water.
The downside to polyester is that it’s strength-to-weight ratio is lower than nylon so the material could be more prone to tearing, especially given that the material used in the Outdoor Vitals isn’t particularly thick.
Budget Pick: Wintming
Pros:
Cons:
If you’re on a frugal budget for your camping gear, then you can go even cheaper with the Wintming hammock sleeping bag.
Until now, most of the sleeping bags have used a down or synthetic filling. However, this one uses a hollow cotton filling which is an unusual choice for camping gear but explains the super cheap price tag. Cotton can become a poor insulative material with even a small amount of water so it’s not an ideal filling.
The cotton is encased in a polyester outer shell which again is a budget choice of material compared to the nylon used in most sleeping bags.
The benefit of cotton is that it’s more hypoallergenic than synthetic fillings and more breathable. However, it tends to cluster together in places and won’t perform well if it gets damp at all.
If you’re trying to save as much money as you can, then this is the cheapest you’ll find, however, I’d recommend you spend a little extra for the Geertop if you want something that will perform better and last a while.
Alternative Idea: Selk’bag Lite 6G
Pros:
Cons:
I wanted to include this final product which is a cross between a bodysuit and a sleeping bag, it’s the Selk’bag. This product will be super easy to use with a hammock and you can also wear it around the campsite too.
Shown here is the Selk’bag Lite which is the most affordable in the range with a temperature rating down to 48°F (9°C) and basic features such as a kangaroo pocket, insulated hood, and durable YKK zipper.
However, there are several other products to choose from such as the Selk’bag Nomad which can be used down to 35°F (2°C) and has additional features such as a built-in balaclava, leg vents, and additional pockets.
Unfortunately, you will still need to use some insulation underneath the hammock as it won’t provide sufficient protection from wind chill (also known as cold butt syndrome).
Comparison Table
Here’s a comparison table of the hammock sleeping bags shared in this article with the key specs laid out side by side:
