Best Hammock Underquilt For Your Complete Camping Needs

When planning your next camping trip, one consideration to keep in mind, especially in colder climates, is whether or not to use a hammock or a tent when putting your head down for the night.

If you opt to use a hammock, which is becoming quite a popular option these days, bringing a hammock underquilt can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep or suffering throughout the night without sufficient protection.

We plan to help you find the best hammock underquilt for camping. Hammock underquilts are lightweight, comfortable, and waterproof, keeping you warm and dry when conditions are less than ideal.

We have also reviewed a list of superior popup tents that can also provide protection and comfort while backpacking or camping.

An excellent resource to check out when deciding whether or not a hammock underquilt is a good fit for your camping trip is the following video from Nature Calls Backpacking on YouTube

Now let me show you top 4 best hammock underquilts for your trip with editor rating.

This is my absolute favorite pick of all the hammock underquilts featured. It is an amazingly adjustable underquilt and comes with adjustable cords for easy assembly.

Weighing only 24 ounces, the Ember 2 is easy to pack and transport, making it a perfect addition no matter how long you plan on trekking.

The Ember 2 is also specifically shaped to fit a hammock while still allowing for easy access when your hammock/underquilt combination is properly assembled.

The polyester fill is suited for cold weather environments and is great for 4-season camping or summer backpacking.

The price tag on the Ember 2 is a little higher than a number of others featured in this list, but is still incredibly affordable for any camper.

This all-around winner is suitable for any level of camping or any weather conditions, being warm enough to protect you from the cold, while still allowing for exceptional airflow and breathabillity.

What sets the Outdoor Vitals Aerie 30°F Down Underquilt apart from the competition is its versatility and range of available options.

Being rated for 30-degree weather means that the Aerie 30 is a good choice for a camper that expects to face varying conditions throughout the year.

If the Ember 2 isn’t quite right for you for any reason, the Aerie 30 is a perfect alternative.

While not the best for cold-weather camping, the Aerie 30 will suit you just fine in just about every situation, even when the temperature drops.

Being suited to all-weather camping, the Aerie 30 utilizes a goose down fill material, which will keep you snug and cozy even if conditions are subpar. It even doubles as a double sleeping bag if necessary.

The Aerie 30 combines ripstop technology with its exceptional down filling, meaning it’s able to stand up to some serious wear and tear.

The down fill does make this underquilt a little heavier than the Ember 2, weighing in at 1.7 pounds total.

That makes the Aerie 30 a little cumbersome if you plan on trekking long distances, but still relatively easy to transport as it weighs less than many tents available. 

Bear Butt is a relatively new company, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing quality underquilts that are able to stand up to the competition.

The Double Hammock is an underquilt that has an impressive set of features, despite the low price tag.

Made out of nylon, this underquilt isn’t meant to keep you all that warm, doubling as a standard hammock.

They do weigh 1.5 pounds, which is a little heavy considering what you get for it, but if you’re interested in picking up a budget underquilt the Bear Butt Double Hammock will suit you just fine in most situations and is incredibly easy on your wallet.

Bear Butt also offers a full replacement or refund if you end up changing your mind after purchase or if you realize that their underquilt isn’t right for you, which is always worthwhile, just in case.

The Double Hammock is also rated to support up to 900 pounds, meaning that you don’t have to worry about any rips or tears affecting your rest and relaxation.

When money is no option, you’re going to want the very best when it comes to your underquilt. With that in mind, look no further than the ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters Vulcan Underquilt.

It utilizes some incredible, new technology where materials are concerned, enabling tiny air pockets in the material to trap your body heat, warming you up faster and keeping you warm no matter what temperature it is outside.

Adjustable cords make for easy assembly, and the entire underquilt is water-resistant, adding an extra layer of protection from the elements.

Many underquilts do cause issues when wet, which makes the Vulcan a solid choice in humid or damp conditions. Furthermore, the designs allow for unparalleled comfort, adjusting to the shape of your body.

The Vulcan is also amazingly lightweight, coming in at 30 ounces. This makes it the best piece of gear you can take on your camping trip because it’s easy to pack and not a hassle to carry around with you.

The Vulcan is rated for use between 30 and 40 degrees, allowing for ultimate comfort for any camping style.

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Adjustable straps on the Snugpak are designed to hug your hammock closely, ensuring protection in most conditions.

This underquilt is not, however, designed to be used in very cold environments and we recommend using it predominantly for summer use, which makes the Snugpak a perfect hammock to take on a day trip or hike.

With a water-resistant nylon shell and advanced polyester filling, the OneTigris Hammock Underquilt is durable and able to stand up to the elements.

Perfect for backyard use, it is sized to fit just about any available hammock and even features a quilted blanket interior to increase your overall comfort.

Ripstop nylon makes wear and tear no issue at all and is still breathable to allow for airflow in the summer months.

Weighing in at 26 ounces, the OneTigris underquilt is lightweight and easy to pack when not in use. If you do decide to leave it up, that’s no problem, either, as the OneTigris underquilt is built to last in rough environments.

This underquilt is also great for day trips or hiking excursions, allowing you a certain degree of flexibility with regard to use. 

Ripstop and taffeta material means that your underquilt won’t suffer from unnecessary wear and tear while being incredibly comfortable to be wrapped up in.

The Stingray even has superior waterproofing, allowing for use even in humid, rainy, or damp environments.

The water-resistant carrying bag also helps prevent your underquilt from becoming damp, furthering what The Adventure can do for you.

The Outdoor Vitals OV-Roost 40°F Underquilt is perfect for everyday camping. Whether you’re out for a day or a week, the OV-Roost is perfectly suited for all levels of camping or backpacking trips.

While not as toasty as a 20 or 30-degree underquilt, the OV-Roost will keep you snug and warm in most cases.

It isn’t the best choice for extreme cold environments but is still able to keep you warm in a pinch. If you plan on camping all year round and want one underquilt to do the job, then the OV-Roost is perfect for you.

It is a little heavier than others, weighing in at a bulky 2.5 pounds, but that is a small price to pay for superb camping comfort.

The Aerie 20 is a lot like the 30-degree style of Aerie underquilts, but is infinitely more useful in situations where you expect to face extremely cold temperatures.

The lowest temperature rating of all of our featured underquilts makes the Aerie 20 the best choice you have if you plan on diving headlong into winter camping.

The extra insulation does make this underquilt somewhat heavier than the others, but it still comes with all the incredible features we’ve come to expect from the Outdoor Vitals Aerie line of products.

It weighs in at 2.1 pounds, but that extra weight is exactly what you need if you plan on camping all winter long.

1 / Fill Type

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a hammock underquilt is the fill type. The material used in your hammock underquilt is what offers insulation in cold weather and you have a few options available.

The two basic options are goose down, fleece, or polyester fibre.

Goose down is perfect for cold weather environments, but does pose some issues in humid or wet weather. Down is an excellent insulator, but will cause more problems in the long run if it gets wet.

If you plan on camping in the winter, down is your best bet, but warmer months don’t require the level of insulation that down provides and a down underquilt can get quite uncomfortable in the heat or if it gets wet.

Fleece is a good in-between fill material, offering plenty of warmth and insulation, while being less of an issue if it does happen to get wet.

Many DIY campers opting to construct their own hammock underquilt will use a combination of fleece and polyester to provide warmth, while also protecting both you and your hammock from damp or rainy weather. 

2 / Length & Width

Length is another important consideration to keep in mind when picking a hammock underquilt that has you completely covered. Full length hammock underquilts are a solid choice if you plan on facing colder temperatures.

The full length design keeps you completely covered and protected in all conditions.

¾ length or half length underquilts, however, are still useful in many other situations. Warm or humid conditions call for less length in order to help facilitate airflow and keep you from becoming overly stifled while wrapped up for the night.

A shorter underquilt won’t cover you from head to toe, but will be easier to use in the long run and is recommended for most environments and conditions.

In addition to length, width is something you should absolutely take into account before purchasing your underquilt.

This is all up to expected conditions and personal preference. More width means better protection and insulation, while less makes your underquilt lighter and easier to store while you’re on the go. 

3 / Temperature Rating

The temperature rating is the last option you should keep in mind. It should be kept in mind that temperature ratings aren’t definite, but are still a good gauge of what to expect.

Most campers or backpackers will be just fine using a hammock underquilt that’s rated between 30 and 40 degrees, although underquilts that are designed for cold weather camping can withstand temperatures that are much lower.

Your fill type and underquilt length both affect temperature rating, with goose down underquilts being the uncontested heavy-hitters when it comes to warmth and comfort. Fleece comes in second, with polyester fabrics being the least cold-resistant.

This being said, polyester fabrics have come a long way in the past few years, with many being extremely versatile and suitable for lower temperatures.

At the end of the day, your hammock underquilt temperature rating should be a little below what is expected.

For example, an underquilt rated for 30 degrees will keep you from being too uncomfortable in 30-degree weather, with an underquilt rated for 20 degrees will ensure that you’re able to rest easy without any discomfort.

Breaking It Down

A hammock underquilt is an immensely important piece of gear if you opt to camp in a hammock, especially when you plan on facing lower temperatures.

Even in the summer, a good hammock underquilt is a useful option, as they can help protect your hammock from regular wear and tear on top of keeping you warm and dry.

The options covered here are all industry-favorites, with a number of different styles for all conditions and skill levels.

When it comes right down to it, the ENO Eagles Nest Outfitters Ember 2 Underquilt is a perfectly well-rounded hammock underquilt that is versatile enough to be used in any situation.

All campers, from beginner to advanced, will benefit from bringing one along with them. Even though it has a polyester fill, it is still rated for 4-season use and performs the job admirably.

When planning your next camping trip, the ENO Ember 2 is our top recommendation, protecting both your and your hammock from the elements or cold weather with surprising effectiveness.