Camping Tips & Tricks

Field-tested advice to sleep warm & camp smarter
Shenandoah Ultralight 40° rigged as a hammock underquilt beneath a gathered-end hammock — fits ENO, Hennessy, Warbonnet and most designs
Hammock Underquilt Fit by Hammock: ENO, Hennessy & Warbonnet
"Will this underquilt fit my hammock?" is the question we answer more than any other. The short version: most underquilts fit most hammocks, because nearly all camping hammocks share the... Read more...
Jacks R Better down hammock underquilt hung beneath a hammock in camp — the warm alternative to a sleeping pad
Hammock Underquilt vs. Sleeping Pad: Which Keeps You Warmer?
Ask ten hammock campers why their first cold night was miserable, and nine of them will tell the same story: they had a warm sleeping bag, they had a good... Read more...
Jacks R Better hammock tarps — silicone-coated 11′×10′ and 12′×10′ shelters handmade in Pennsylvania
Best Hammock Tarps for 2026: A Buying Guide
Stay dry in rain, wind, and storms. How to choose the right hammock tarp — size, coverage, and pitch — plus JRB's two picks and when to add spring poles. Read more...
Jacks R Better down hammock underquilts by temperature rating — 40°F, 20°F and 0°F
Hammock Underquilt Temperature Guide: How to Pick 40°, 20°, or 0°F
What temperature hammock underquilt do you need? A simple 40°/20°/0°F guide to picking the right down underquilt — from the crew that invented it in 2004. Read more...
Jacks R Better ultralight down backpacking quilts — the best backpacking quilts for 2026
Best Backpacking Quilts (2026 Buying Guide)
Our picks for the best backpacking quilts in 2026 — by temperature, weight, and sleep style, from ultralight 1000FP down quilts to value 850FP options, handmade in Pennsylvania. Read more...
Jacks R Better brown down hammock underquilt hanging beneath a hammock in an autumn forest
The Best Hammock Underquilts for 2026: A Buying Guide
The best hammock underquilts, compared by temperature, weight, and use — from the crew that invented the underquilt in 2004. 40° to 0°, hand-sewn in Pennsylvania. Read more...
Jacks R Better camo hammock tarp pitched in an A-frame lean-to beside a lake in autumn
A Few Words About Tarps
Tarps have been around for a long time; probably as long, or longer, than all forms of tents. They endure because of their simplicity and their flexibility. Currently they are... Read more...
A Jacks R Better quilt used over a sleeping pad inside a tent
How to Attach a Quilt to Your Sleeping Pad
To put it simply, we do not recommend fastening a quilt to a sleeping pad. Attaching a quilt to a sleeping pad negates some of the primary benefits that a... Read more...
Jacks R Better hammock underquilt suspension system — shock cord and micro-carabiners
How to Hang a Hammock Underquilt (and Fix Cold Gaps)
An underquilt is the warmest way to sleep in a hammock — but only if it's hung right. The most common complaint we hear is "my underquilt was cold," and... Read more...
Jacks R Better Mt Washington 4 0°F winter down hammock underquilt in dark olive — the modular alternative to an insulated hammock
A Hammock with a Built In Underquilt or Quilted Hammock The Pros and Cons
Search insulated hammock and you will find a category that barely existed a few years ago: hammocks with the insulation built into the hammock itself, so you never hang a... Read more...
A full hammock camping kit at a ridge campsite — Jacks R Better tarp pitched over a hammock and down underquilt
Hammock Gear: What Do I Need?
Is Hammock Gear Important? Hammock underquilt, top quilts, tarp, hammock……..If you’re planning to go hammock camping, there are a few pieces of hammock gear you need to ensure a comfortable... Read more...
Camper wrapped in a Jacks R Better Shenandoah down camping quilt watching sunrise from a hilltop campsite
The Best Sleeping Bag Is A Camping Quilt
When venturing outdoors, staying warm and comfortable while sleeping is crucial to a successful trip. For many years, the traditional mummy-style sleeping bag has been the go-to option for outdoor... Read more...
Jacks R Better Mt Washington 3 20°F down hammock underquilt hung beneath a camping hammock
Hammock underquilt, do you need one?
“Do I need an underquilt for my hammock”, is a question we get a lot. Hammock camping has gained immense popularity since Jacks R Better designed the first hammock underquilt... Read more...
Camper resting in a hammock with a Jacks R Better down underquilt slung below in a summer forest
How To Stay Warm Hammock Camping
Staying warm involves a combination of factors including insulation (clothes, sleeping bags, quilts, etc.), generating body heat from consumption of food (calories), physical activity and external heat sources. The focus... Read more...
Jacks R Better owner Don 'DGrav' Gravatt field-testing a down hammock underquilt on a wet April Appalachian Trail section hike, Pennsylvania
How To Get A Warmer Night’s Sleep
Every once in a while we hear of someone who is not able to sleep comfortably down to the suggested temperature capabilities of a quilt. Here are some points to... Read more...
Jacks R Better hammock tarps and hammocks pitched at a golden fall forest campsite
Camping Tips and Tricks
Twenty-odd years of hangs, condensed. The guides below cover site selection, staying warm, tarps and underquilt setup. How To Stay Warm Hammock Camping How To Get A Warmer Night’s Sleep... Read more...
Jacks R Better Winter Nest 0°F down underquilt fitted to a bottom-entry Hennessy Hammock
Hammock Nesting Tricks From an Old Coot
Site Selection Remember the first rule in real estate? Location, location, location. First, pick two trees without obstructing branches and without an undergrowth problem. But consider the optimum distance. If... Read more...