Our favorite underquilts for hammocks
| Hammock Underquilt | Insulation Type | Temp. Rating | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENO Ember 2 | Polyester | 39°F to 50°F | 23oz / 652g |
| King Showden | Cotton | 23°F to 59°F | 30oz / 850g |
| OneTigris Twilight Trekker | Polyester | 40°F to 68°F | 34oz / 960g |
| Easthills Outdoors | Synthetic | 45°F | 30oz / 851g |
| ODSE | Cotton | 41°F to 77°F | 32oz / 907g |
| Go Outfitters | Synthetic | 20°F | 52oz / 1.8kg |
| Enlightened Equipment Revolt | Down | 0°F to 50°F | 23oz / 648g |
| Kammock Firebelly 30°F | Down | 30°F | 28oz / 808g |
| Outdoor Vitals Aerie | Down | 0°F to 45°F | 3.5lbs / 1.6kg |
| Western Mountaineering SlingLite | Down | 20°F | 15oz / 425g |
ENO Ember 2 Underquilt
- Insulation : 160g High Loft Polyester Fill
- Temperature Rating : 39°F to 50°F / (4°C to 10°C)
- Weight : 23oz / 652g
The ENO Ember 2 Underquilt is crafted from 40D ripstop nylon for the face fabric while the lining is 30D nylon taffeta. Interior insulation keeps you warm even during unexpected cold spells and is filled with 160g recycled polyester.
This underquilt is 6’10” x 4’ to fit comfortably underneath any hammock, backpacking, or camp-style. It fits best with ENO’s other hammocking products, though. They want to earn your confidence and have a manufacturer’s warranty of 2 years with the sale of the underquilt.
For backpackers, the ENO Ember 2 Underquilt is the best-suited product since it weighs just over a pound. Providing a barrier between you and the cold air underneath keeps the warm air in for longer.
What we like
- Style adaptable for any camper’s preference.
- Recycled polyester fill is specially formulated for insulation.
- 2-year warranty ensures quality control.
What we don't like
- Best-suited for ENO hammock products.
King Showden Hammock Underquilt
- Insulation : 200g Hollow Cotton
- Temperature Rating : 23°F to 59°F (-5°C to 15°C)
- Weight : 30oz / 850g
The King Showden Hammock Underquilt is filled with hollow cotton that keeps it soft, snug, and cozy without hurting your budget. It fits around all of the standard-sized hammocks and is an original product for winter use due to its lower temperature rating.
The hammock fabric is 20D ripstop nylon that has an application of water repellent coating. Some 240T polyester pongee makes up the lining.
A loose design makes this underquilt more adaptable to a variety of camping situations. It also keeps it easy when you make nighttime position adjustments.
Although there is a lot of material involved in an underquilt’s construction, the Kind Showden Hammock Underquilt comes with a compression stuff sack that reduces its dimensions to 13.8” x 8.3” in the pack 7.7’ x 4’ when unfolded.
What we like
- Budget-friendly option for those wanting to try it out.
- Water repellent coating guards against intemperate weather patterns.
- Included stuff sack to reduce its packed dimensions.
What we don't like
- Temperature ratings don’t go low enough for a 4-season quilt.
OneTigris Twilight Trekker Hammock Underquilt
- Insulation : SEE® Polyester Filling
- Temperature Rating : 40°F to 68°F (4.5°C to 20°C)
- Weight : 33.9oz / 960g
The OneTigris Twilight Trekker is a newly designed underquilt with a broader design at both ends to make it suitable for any shoulder size. It is built to make it ideal for those that sleep at a diagonal angle.
Hammock underquilts can reduce the flexibility of a hammock setup, but this one uses an elastic rope system to self-adjust to shifting weight. You will notice that there are no cord locks on the ropes to make it easy to create a snug fit and maximize insulation.
Coated with DWR, the material is a 20D ripstop nylon shell. The lining is made from 300T polyester pongee, which is windproof and water-resistant.
The OneTigris Twilight Trekker comes with a stuff sack to pack down to 12.9” x 6.2”. If unfolded, the underquilt extends 8.2’ x 4.5’.
What we like
- Extra length for a complete hammock fitting.
- Elastic rope system for self-adjustment.
- Diagonal angle is still a comfortable sleeping position.
What we don't like
- No cord locks on ropes for a cozier fit.
Easthills Outdoors 3 Seasons Hammock Underquilt
- Insulation : Premium synthetic
- Temperature Rating : 45°F (7°C)
- Weight : 30oz / 851g
Easthills has generated their hammock underquilt to suit 3 seasons of camping and trekking. It uses unspecified synthetic insulation, but it does the job. The shell is made from 20D ripstop polyester with a DWR coating. Reinforced stitching is embroidered to keep in the insulation.
Use the straightforward elastic cord system to cinch it up and create a toe box at the top or the bottom. It helps to eliminate drafts and keep you cozy inside.
The Easthills Outdoors hammock underquilt unfolds to measure 7’ x 4.5’, comfortably fitting campers standing up to 6’6”. It compresses into its included stuff sack down to 7.5” x 11”
What we like
- Reinforced embroidery helps to retain heat.
- DWR waterproofing for extra water resistance.
- Cinching cord system to keep it snug and warm inside.
What we don't like
- Unspecified insulation makes it hard to compare to similar products.
ODSE Lightweight Hammock Underquilt
- Insulation : 300g hollow cotton
- Temperature Rating : 41°F to 77°F (5°C to 25°C)
- Weight : 32oz / 907g
ODSE has made their hammock underquilt lightweight while keeping it useful for three seasons, if not four in some areas. It can also be used as a blanket to trap in the most amount of heat.
The outside material is made from high-quality polyester. It is cut to fit most hammock made for a single person. It is easy to set up and take down and packs into a small ball when stuffed into its accompanying sack. If folded, the dimensions are 12” x 6”. When it is unfolded, the hammock underquilt stretches to 7.9’ x 4’.
The ODSE Hammock Underquilt comes in two colors, army green, and blue. It makes it appear more natural and keeps you blended with your surroundings instead of jumping out.
What we like
- Single person fit across most hammocks.
- Included stuff sack for small fold.
- Natural colors prevent being at odds in nature.
What we don't like
- Only fits single sized hammocks.
Go Outfitters Adventure Underquilt
- Insulation : Synthetic insulation
- Temperature Rating : 20°F (-6.7°C)
- Weight : 52oz / 1.8kg
Go Outfitters has crafted its Adventure Underquilt out of 100% polyester. With the exterior fabric and insulation being a synthetic material, it dries out quickly but effectively keeps in the heat.
One common struggle for avid hammock campers is sleeping in a diagonal body position. It is often preferred since it feels more comfortable and more difficult to do with an underquilt. Go Outfitters assures its customers that their underquilt indeed facilitates this position.
The design is contoured and fits all body types easily. If you have an issue, adjust the ends comfortably with the cinching, gathered ends. When it is packed down, the underquilt is only 14” x 8”, more significant than most but still impressive for so much fabric.
What we like
- Polyester material is quick-drying.
- Supports diagonal sleepers for maximum nighttime comfort.
- Adjustable ends with a quick cinch.
What we don't like
- Packed size is larger than similar products.
Enlightened Equipment Revolt Underquilt
- Insulation : 850-fill down
- Temperature Rating : 0°F to 50°F (-17.8°C to 10°C)
- Weight : 8oz to 23oz / 222g to 648g
The variety seen in the temperature rating and the weight is not common among the other products. However, Enlightened Equipment has gone above and beyond with their detail in crafting a high-quality underquilt. They offer specific products to cover ten-degree increments in Fahrenheit, and each increment offers varying lengths: extra short, short, regular, and long.
Various colors of the underquilt signify the temperature rating of each one. The Revolt has an adaptable suspension system so that it can be used with most hammocks. It is 45” wide to offer full coverage and keep the cold out.
Don’t worry about climbing in and out to adjust the hammock setup until it is cozy. With the Revolt, you can fine-tune it while lying down. The shock cords running from head to toe on Enlightened Equipment’s hammock underquilt makes it a quick adjustment for whatever temperature it is outside.
They used a differential cut, so the outer fabric encompasses the inner fabric and keeps the down fully lofted even as it is tucked snug to the hammock.
What we like
- Large variety of temperature ratings and sizes.
- Differential cut to keep the down lofted and still snug.
- Interior fine-tuning makes it easy to adjust.
What we don't like
- More expensive than similar items.
Kammock Firebelly 30°F Underquilt
- Insulation : DownTek™
- Temperature Rating : 30°F (-1.1°C)
- Weight : 28.5oz / 808g
Kammock is a leader in the hammocking industry. They have taken all of this experience and feedback and created a quality underquilt for all kinds of harsh weather. Using DownTek™ insulation treated with PFC-free water repellent, water beads up and rolls off, eliminating a common problem with untreated down.
Kammock uses 15D nylon ripstop with a water repellent DWR finish as their exterior shell. They use their patented design, Insotect Flow, to create a honeycomb of insulation. It distributes the warmth to eliminate cold spots and keep it lofted.
To adjust to any situation as a camp blanket or hammock underquilt, the Kammok Firebelly includes sleeping pad straps. It also can create a cozy footbox with button snaps, and shock cord ends.
The underquilt is only 13” x 6.5” when it is packed into the 40D diamond weave ripstop waterproof nylon stuff sack. Unfolded, it lays out to be 86” x 54”.
What we like
- DownTek™ insulation with water-resistant capacity.
- Honeycomb design to evenly distribute heat.
- Highly adjustable to be a blanket or underquilt with footbox.
What we don't like
- Expensive price tag compared to other products.
Outdoor Vitals Aerie Underquilt
- Insulation : LoftTek or Down
- Temperature Rating : 0°F to 45°F (-17.8°C to 7.2°C)
- Weight : 3.5lbs / 1.6kg
Outdoor Vitals give their hammock campers choices when it comes to their preferred insulation. If you don’t like down, then choose their synthetic LoftTek material.
The company promotes the Aerie underquilt as having five uses: a hammock underquilt, a hammock pod system, a technical blanket, a sleeping bag, and a double sleeping bag with another underquilt attached.
The Outdoor Vitals Aerie Underquilt is made with a 20D ripstop polyester with a DWR coating and a lining of the same material. The underquilt has a rectangular shape equipped with cinch cords that reaches 5’ 10” x 2’ 8” when unrolled. Its compressed size is 10” x 7”, smaller than most.
What we like
- Insulation choice to fit preferences.
- Versatile use for any camping scenario.
- Smaller pack size than most.
What we don't like
- Thin material easily catches in the zipper.
Western Mountaineering SlingLite Hammock Underquilt
- Insulation : 850 Fill Power Goose Down
- Temperature Rating : 20°F (-7°C)
- Weight : 15oz / 425g
Western Mountaineering engineers the majority of their products to be useful for backpacking adventures. This hammock underquilt is no different and is one of the lightest offerings on our list at under a pound.
Continuous baffle chambers are sewn throughout the underquilt for increased loft and continual warmth. It is made with 15D water-resistant nylon. The cordstops are mounted in the corner for adjustments in a lateral position.
The Western Mountaineering SlingLite Hammock Underquilt is made with side clips and sewn-in loops that allow for many different mounting possibilities and drawcord closures on the ends. The underquilt is compatible with most hammocks from ENO, Grand Trunk, and Kammock, among others.
What we like
- Lightweight keeps it usable for backpackers.
- Baffle chambers to increase loft and warmth.
- Side clips and loops increase mounting options.
What we don't like
- Decreased length doesn’t cover from top to bottom.
Hammock Underquilts Buying Guide
Hammock underquilts need to be high-quality and well-designed for them to fulfill their purpose. Otherwise, you have spent over a hundred dollars, and your bum is still cold.
Here are 5 aspects to consider about hammock underquilts before buying one.
Down vs. synthetic insulation
There are two primary options for the material that companies use as an insulator for an underquilt. Down is a natural material, while synthetics can be several types of fabric.
- Down is taken from certain birds, like geese. It is the layer of fluffy, soft feathers underneath their longer plumage. It is often water-repellant and the fluff that keeps these birds warm and below-freezing temperatures. Underquilts that use these include those like the Enlightened Equipment Revolt Underquilt, the Kammock Firebelly 30°F Underquilt, and as an option in the Aerie Underquilt from Outdoor Vitals.
- Synthetic materials are typically polyester, hollow, or nylon with various denier ratings. Hollow cotton, like in the ODSE Lightweight Hammock Underquilt and the King Showden Hammock Underquilt, is yarn made with cotton and PVA fibers. At the end of the spinning process, the PVA fibers are dissolved, so it is only cotton with a “hollow” center since air is one of the best insulators.
Underquilt materials
The underquilt materials are different from the insulation interior. These are mostly polyester and nylon. Polyester doesn’t stretch out as much and is cheaper to produce. Companies use it to manufacture more affordable products.
On the other hand, nylon is more expensive to produce but also makes a more durable product. The weight depends on its denier rating.
Look past the material, though, to see how it has been augmented. Many products such as the Easthills Outdoors 3 Seasons Hammock Underquilt, are given a DWR coating. DWR stands for durable water repellent and increases the fabrics water shedding capacity.
Some products also have coatings that give it antimicrobial or antibacterial properties to stay safe no matter what you haul it through. The Snugpak Hammock Cocoon is an excellent example of this.
Wind can be the most significant factor in decreased temperatures. It winds its way through layers of clothing and wraps you up in it. Various products avoid this by having an additional lining made with material like polyester pongee, which is windproof.
The OneTigris Twilight Trekker Hammock Underquilt functions like this and still folds down to a small size.
Size and length
It might seem like a hammock underquilt would be the most effective if it extended the hammock’s entirety. Some companies have opted for different designs, though.
- Full Length underquilts have more material built into them, and thus they have additional weight. They also typically have the lowest temperature ratings since they offer full coverage. These hammocks commonly cinch up at the top to stop any cold entering.
- ¾ Length underquilts don’t quite extend to the top and bottom of the hammock, but theoretically cradle where your head and feet should end. They cinch to keep it warmer but don’t include the additional weight from extra fabric. The Western Mountaineering SlingLite is designed like this.
- Half Length hammock underquilts function almost like a blanket underneath and do not raise the temperature of a sleep system very much. They work for cooler weather and longer trekking trips.
Temperature rating
Temperature rating is perhaps the most important part of a hammock underquilt since keeping you warm is its job. Some are so thin, and they only help to keep you comfortable through one season.
Three or four-season quilts keep you warm throughout most or all of the year, no matter the weather.
Hammocks that only extend halfway only help warm up the center of the sleep system during cold weather. Examine what your needs are and the versatility of the underquilt.
Those that are rated lower are often heavier.
Take the example of the Revolt Underquilt. At 0°F rating, it weighs around 22oz. The same product but the higher-rated version of 50°F weighs in at only 7.8oz.
Decide which is more important: having a lightweight underquilt or being warm in freezing temperatures.
FAQ
Which is better, hammock underquilt vs. sleeping pad?
Most hammock campers believe that hammock underquilts are more comfortable than sleeping pads. Those who enjoy the hammocking experience don’t want something harder coming between them and the curve and fabric of the hammock. An underquilt is barely noticeable but adds the bonus of insulation.
Do I need a hammock underquilt?
You don’t necessarily need a hammock underquilt. However, if you are hammock camping in cool or cold weather, you will need bottom insulation. Hammocks should be breathable and airy. They don’t insulate, they cradle. Using a hammock underquilt gives you the hammocking experience while keeping you from harmful weather exposure.
Amanda Williams
Amanda Williams is a writer, plant-nerd, and outdoor enthusiast. She has traveled extensively, around the U.S., throughout Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Everywhere she treks, she takes time to enjoy the outdoors. John Muir is her hero. She aspires to inspire people to live better as he did.
