← Back to Trail Notes← Back to Trail Notes
Ranger’s First Real Underquilt: The ENO Ember on the Foothills Trail
October 20, 2026
Ranger has been hammock camping with homemade gear for a while. For our Foothills Trail trip, we finally bought him a real underquilt, an ENO Ember, and the first two nights were its first real test. Here's how it went, what it replaced, and what I'd tell you if you're deciding whether an underquilt is worth buying.
Why a Hammock Gets Cold From Below
A hammock has a problem a tent doesn't. Your sleeping bag gets squished under your body, and squished insulation doesn't insulate. Air moves freely under the hammock, so even on a mild night the cold finds you from underneath.
That's why hammock campers use an underquilt: a quilt that hangs below the hammock instead of being squashed inside it. It stays fluffy, it stays in place, and it keeps the cold air away from your back.
What Ranger Was Using Before
Ranger's old setup was homemade. We made it from an old sleeping bag, some bungee cords, and a few clips. It's a great way to learn, it cost almost nothing, and it taught how an underquilt is supposed to work.
If you want to try the idea before spending money, I'd say do it. A homemade version will show you whether you like hammock camping before you buy anything. The common trouble spots with a setup like that are keeping the bag snug against the hammock so no gaps open up, and getting it to hang the same way every night.
The ENO Ember on the Foothills Trail
The nights were in the high 40s to low 50s, which is exactly the kind of weather where hammock campers find out whether their setup works. The Ember was perfect. It was much better than the homemade one, and Ranger slept well.
ENO makes quality products, and this one backed that up. It hung the way it was meant to, and we didn't spend our evenings fighting it.
Was It Worth Buying?
For us, yes, with a few honest notes:
•
It's the right tool for the job. A purpose-built underquilt does one thing and does it well.
•
Match it to your weather. Check the manufacturer's listed temperature rating against the coldest night you expect, and leave yourself some margin.
•
Our test was mild. High 40s to low 50s is a friendly test, so I can't tell you how it does in the cold.
•
Practice the setup at home. Hang it in the backyard before the trailhead so you aren't figuring it out in the dark.
A Simple Way to Decide
1.
Check the coldest night you expect on your next trip.
2.
Decide if you want to try a homemade underquilt first.
3.
If you're hammock camping a lot, buy a purpose-built underquilt rated for your coldest nights. (Know that the ratings are survival ratings not comfort)
4.
Hang it at home and test it before you rely on it.
5.
Add it to your Gear Locker so it's counted in your base weight.
Wherever you're starting from — the outdoors is for you. Add your sleep system to your Gear Locker and see how it adds up in your pack weight.
Comments
Log in to leave a comment →
Loading comments...