Cold-Weather Hammock Camping: Underquilts Explained

Hammock camping is comfortable, quick to set up, and keeps you off rocks, roots and wet ground. In summer, it's hard to beat. Then fall comes, and the first cold night in a hammock teaches every hammock camper the same lesson: your back gets cold fast. That's called "cold butt syndrome," and it has an easy fix.

01Why hammocks get so cold

A sleeping bag keeps you warm by trapping air in its insulation. When you lie in a hammock, your body weight crushes the insulation under you flat. Flat insulation doesn't insulate. On top of that, air moves freely under a hammock, pulling heat away from you. Even on a 50-degree night, that can be uncomfortable.

02The underquilt

An underquilt is an insulated quilt that hangs outside and underneath the hammock. Because nothing is crushing it, it stays lofted and keeps your back warm.

• It attaches to the hammock's ends with cords or shock cord and hugs the bottom of the hammock.
• It comes in full-length and partial (three-quarter or torso) lengths.
• Like sleeping bags, underquilts come with temperature ratings. Pick one rated for the coldest nights you'll camp in.

03Top quilts

On top, many hammock campers use a top quilt instead of a sleeping bag. It's like a sleeping bag without the back, since the back would be crushed anyway. A regular sleeping bag works too; you can unzip it and use it like a blanket.

See sleeping bag temperature ratings explained to make sense of the numbers.

04What about a sleeping pad?

Some hammock campers use a foam or air pad inside the hammock instead of an underquilt. It's cheaper and it works, but pads tend to slide around, and in a gathered-end hammock they bunch up. A pad is a good budget option for mild fall nights; an underquilt is much better as it gets colder. See sleeping pad R-values explained.

05The cold-weather hammock setup

1. Underquilt rated for the season.
2. Top quilt or sleeping bag.
3. A tarp with doors or a winter tarp that closes off the ends. Wind is the enemy; a tarp that blocks it makes a big difference.
4. Pitch the tarp low and tight.
5. Pick a sheltered spot, out of the wind, away from the bottom of a valley, where cold air settles.
6. Use straps that protect the trees. Wide tree straps, not rope, so you don't damage the bark.
7. Warm layers, hat and socks for sleeping.

06Snow and rain

• Snow: a winter tarp pitched steeply sheds snow. Knock snow off before it builds up.
• Rain: use drip lines on your straps so water doesn't run down into the hammock.
• Condensation: leave some airflow, even in winter, or your quilt will get damp.

07Is hammock winter camping safe?

People hammock camp in very cold weather with the right gear. Start with fall nights near your car, so you can bail to the vehicle if you're cold, before you try it far from the trailhead.

08Where to hang

Check the rules where you camp. Some parks and campgrounds limit hammocks to protect trees, or require wide straps. In dispersed areas, follow Leave No Trace guidance and pick healthy trees at least 6 inches thick.

With an underquilt, a good tarp and the right spot, a hammock can be one of the most comfortable ways to camp into late fall.

Photo: Bridge Hammock by Obersachse, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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