Quilt-style sleeping bags are perfectly adapted to hammock sleeping because they lack a back, making them easier to use (no wriggling). The DD Hammock Quilt is a synthetic-filled top quilt that works great in a hammock (or on the ground).
- Manufacturer: DD Hammocks, made in China
- MSRP: UK£45.00 (~US$70)
Available Features/Specifications
- Top quilt with cinch-style head and foot end
- 27 in (69 cm) foot box with 8 large metal snaps
- 2 large metal snaps on the head end
- Fits up to 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
- Dimensions: 50×34 in (127×86 cm) tapered rectangle
- Weight: 1.7 lbs (776 g)
- Insulation: 200 gsm synthetic batting
- Temperature Rating: 35 °F (2°C) when used together with the DD Underblanket
Product Description
The DD Hammock Quilt is a tapered top quilt that it slightly wider at the head end than the foot end. Eight large metal snaps convert the quilt from blanket mode into a sleeping bag mode, with a pocket for the feet and lower legs. Two large metal snaps at the head end close the quilt around the head and shoulders. Cinch cords with cord locks are located at both the head and foot ends that can close up the ends, sealing up the foot end and closing up the head end to seal of drafts or allow more venting around your feet, head, and shoulders.
The quilt has a sewn-through quilt construction, and like all quilt-style bags, lacks a back or a zipper. These make the quilt-style bag lighter and easier to use in a hammock.
Recommendations and Review
Overall, I like the design and construction of the bag, even the fabric and feel are fine. My one disappointment is in the projected temperature rating. I was hoping to use the bag in lower temps, but I haven’t been able to feel comfortable in the recommended temperatures. With the sewn-through construction and low loft (about .5 to .75 inch/1.27 to 2 cm), it makes the quilt a warm-weather insulator by most standards. I’ve tested the bag now on multiple backpacking and camping trips over the summer and in my experience, it holds its own around 50°F (10°C). On some of my trips, I’ve had to supplement the bag with a fleece liner or even another lightweight quilt. In every test I used one of my own down-filled 20°F rated under quilts with the DD top quilt.
On a recent backpacking trip I took in the Kachina Wilderness on the mountains, the temperature dipped into the high 30s°F (~4°F). I had planned to use the DD Hammock Quilt, but I also brought along some other gear just in case. I did everything I could think of to ensure I stayed warm (giving the insulation the best chance): I was in good physical and mental shape, I ate before going to bed to kickstart my metabolism, I stayed hydrated, and I even wore some insulated pants, hat, and jacket to bed. I felt pretty good with the DD Hammock Quilt for a few hours, but in the end I had to supplement with another bag as it got colder.
On trips where the nighttime temperatures were warmer, I did fine with just the DD quilt. I’ve also used the bag almost daily when indoors where in my house it hovers around 70 to 80°F (21 to 27°C) (we don’t have air conditioning).
Modularity
I like this style of quilt design because it so easily converts from a simple blanket to a more wrapped up, sleeping-bag style quilt. The snaps make the conversion pretty quick. The cinch cords on the head and foot end make it easy to vent if it gets too hot.
Construction and Craftsmanship
The bag itself is well made. I was impressed with the solid construction and good design. Many quilts from cottage vendors are basic rectangles, but do share similarities with the DD Hammocks like the draw cords placed in the center of the hem for easier access.
There are a few more snaps on the foot box than I really need. In fact, I usually leave the last few undone as I will otherwise pop them apart when in use.
The two head snaps work as expected. This is the first top quilt I’ve seen with two snaps on the head end. It may be more than necessary, but it doesn’t get in the way.
Aesthetics
The bag has a solid olive drab coloring and is otherwise fairly ordinary in appearance. I’ve noticed that in some light the color shifts a little. Having served in the U.S. military, the coloring suits me fine, and I know that DD Hammocks caters to the para-military crowd as a general rule.
Price and Value
I wish the bag had a bit more insulation, but even as a summer bag, the bag has a good value, keeping with the DD Hammocks brand.
Best Match
As I’ve said before, I think this quilt makes a great summer bag, and for the colder months, it can be used to extend a secondary quilt.
Similar Products
- Arrowhead Equipment Owyhee Top Quilt
- ENO Vesta Top Quilt
- Grand Trunk Hammock Compatible Sleeping Bag
- Grand Trunk Packable Travel Blanket
Disclosure of material connection: The author (Derek Hansen) was provided with a free sample from the manufacturer for testing and evaluation purposes. The comments in this post (written & spoken) are of my own opinion, which I formed after personally handling the gear. I was under no obligation to publish a review of this item.
This is great. What I’ve been waiting for. Need lighter insulation for when my heavier down Peapod is too much. I’m using simple hammock with no netting and rarely string up fly.
I carry Montane down liner top and pants as only insulated clothing in warmer seasons which will serve as needed in hammock with this quilt. I’ve also had good luck with thin black silk top and bottom from Campmor worn in hammock. Adds a boundary layer of next to skin draft resistance. Often just right for me. Suggest one size over for these.
You are speaking to a U.S. audience or at least you are from the U.S. When you give weight and dimensions you convert the measurements into U.S. since you realize that we are dummies and do not think in grams or centimeters. What in the Fxgt is F45. as a price. Is that English pounds, Chinese currency, a Euro or what? The price of something is among the biggest consideration when looking at purchasing an item. Not having a clue of the price kind of makes everything else irrelevant.
Hmm. Sorry about that. The font must be in error. The “F” you see is the British Pound symbol. I debated whether to convert to US Dollars but since the market changes daily I worried folks would complain about it. Seems like I lost either way 🙂 I’ll go back and add the U.S. dollar amount.
Thanks for the review I have been looking at some of the DD products and this is useful. Out of curiosity what brand of hammock is in the pictures in the review? I have been “homebrewing” all my hammocks so far, and I am curious what material etc was used. I am planning to make a couple of making a couple of this week to take my children camping.
I have a review coming out on it this week in fact.
Cheers I look forward to it! Thanks for sharing this info. I better get back to sewing up some new hammocks for the kids 😉
You don’t seem to be using the under quilt in combination with the top quilt? Compressing the insulation of the top quilt under you between you and the hammock makes it worthless for holding warmth. The reported temp rating is for when it is used in combination with their under quilt. You should have just bought that, and used your regular sleeping bag unzipped on top of you. You would have been warm in to freezing temps for sure.
Jason, I did use an under quilt when I tested this bag. The simple truth is that this is a thinly insulated top quilt. Don’t get me wrong, it is well made and good quality, it is just thin–similar to other summer rated top quilts I own. I tested this quilt multiple times with some of my warmest under quilts, and I was warm under me, but the DD top quilt wasn’t enough above. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear about how my test was conducted. I’m going to review and append this post to clarify if needed.
Here are a few more specifics:
Laid flat, this quilt is barely pushing an inch thick for a single layer. That’s thin for a bag that is intended for freezing temps. Most manufacturers use loft as an indicator of temperature ratings with their respective inches of loft:
Comfort Rating (°F) = Loft (inches)
40° = 1.5
30° = 2.0
20° = 2.5
10° = 3.25
0° = 4.0
Staying warm is not as simple as having a thick sleeping bag, I recognize. A persons metabolism, fatigue level, hydration, mental state, and clothing all factor in. In fact, I also find that I sleep warmer in a down-filled bag than a synthetic bag of equal thickness. I think down is just a more efficient insulator.
I tried to be as transparent as possible in this review to detail these factors and conduct multiple tests to see if I could use this bag in freezing temps and I cannot, not with additional clothing layers and another sleeping bag.
I’ve tested a lot of sleeping bags and quilts and this bag just doesn’t compare in loft and warmth to other bags that keep me warm to freezing.
Maybe I got a defective bag? Maybe the insulation loft is supposed to be thicker? I’d love to read other reviews to compare. I will also take a cross section photo to show the loft if it helps.
The bottom line is that I don’t want to misrepresent my experience and lead folks astray.
I really like the DD gear. It is a great value and quality. I’m also being honest with my experience.
The photo used in this review is a staged photo, which is why no under quilt is shown with the DD top quilt I was testing. I do have some trip photos that show a little of the top quilt but nothing that was good enough as my main image. Sorry for the confusion.
How compact do it fold down?
A small bear canister?