Jacks R Better Mt Washington Underquilt Test Report by Chuck Carnes

Jacks 'R' Better
Quilt 2

Mt. Washington
Under Quilt

Initial Report: January 15, 2009
Field Report: February 15, 2009
Long Term Report: April 22, 2009

Biographical Information
Name: Chuck Carnes
Age: 38
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 175 lbs (79 kg)
E-mail Address: ctcarnes AT yahoo DOT com
City, State, Country: Greenville, South Carolina, USA

Backpacking Background
I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking since then. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one-man tent camper for now. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

I N I T I A L R E P O R T
January 15, 2009

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Jacks 'R' Better
Model: Mt. Washington Under Quilt
Color: Green and Black
Temperature Range: 0 F to 10 F (-17 C to -12 C)
Size: 77 in. x 42 in. (196 cm. x 170 cm.)
Fill: 800+ white goose down
Year of manufacture: 2008
URL: http://www.jacksrbetter.com

Listed Weight: 1 lb 12 oz ( g)
Actual Weight: 1 lb 10 oz ( g)

MSRP: $359.95 (USD)

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The Jacks 'R' Better Mt. Washington Under Quilt (from here on out stated as the quilt) can work with Jack's 'R' Better hammocks, other hammocks or it can be used alone. It can attach under the Bear Mountain Bridge hammock by way of a suspension system. The quilt itself is a constant 3 in. (7 cm.) thick with radial type baffles. The shell is made of 1.1 oz rip-stop nylon with a DWR treatment. The two colors of green and black are green on the outside to be appealing to the eye and black on the inside for added warmth retention and to help drying in the field. A silnylon sack comes with it and the quilt can be stuffed to 8 in. x 8 in. x 9 in. (20 cm. x 20 cm. x 22 cm.).

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The Jacks 'R' Better Mt. Washington Under Quilt came in a clear plastic zip top bag. Much like a comforter or other type of bedding would come in from the store. For testing purposes the Suspension System came with the quilt which are two, 30 in. (76 cm.) shock cords with a mini-carabiner on each end. One cord is taken and folded in half. A half hitch is used to attach it to the main strap or cord that suspends the hammock from the tree (whatever hammock you may be using). One carabiner is attached to one corner of the quilt by way of a nylon loop and the other carabiner is attached to the other corner loop of the quilt. And then this is repeated for the other side. This took me a few minutes to get this figured out and set up, as I have never encountered anything like this. After I attached it to the hammock I got in and could immediately feel the warmth that quilt was retaining inside the hammock. The good part about the suspension of the quilt is that it keeps the loft of the quilt, in full and not compressed. It hangs below the hammock at the right distance so that it fits right up against the bottom of the hammock and still keeps its full loft and insulation.

Quilt Ground Mode

Ground Mode
(Picture courtesy of Jack's 'R' Better)

The ends of the quilt are elasticized with a spring toggle in the middle so the ends can be cinched up for a better fit around the other type hammocks that do not have the spreader bars. This can also come in handy if the quilt is used by itself on the ground or in a tent. Jack's 'R' Better calls this the 'Ground Mode'. The user can cover up with it and cinch the ends to create a sleeping bag style bag. The quilt retains its loft completely around the user except the portion being laid upon.

Quilt Compression Sack

Compression Sack
(Picture courtesy of Jack's 'R' Better)

The quilt came with a nylon stuff sack with a single web strap connected to it with two 'D' rings and a roll-top closure. Seeing the pictures of how this stuff sack is also like a compression sack is still a little confusing. I stuffed the quilt into the sack and tried several different ways or wrapping the webbing around and connecting it to the 'D' rings with no luck. I'll figure it out before I have to take it on a trip.

Overall I am happy with the Jack's 'R' Better Mt. Washington quilt. Using a quilt such as this is new to me and so far I am very impressed with its design and functionality. It's always nice to have a piece of gear that can be used as for multiple purposes. The quality of stitching and choice of fabrics seem very professional and I look forward to many nights with the quilt with either the Jack's 'R' Better Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock or the Hennessey hammock.

F I E L D R E P O R T
February 15, 2009

I took the Jacks 'R' Better Mt. Washington quilt on a two night trip to Paris Mountain. This was a very close walk up site that I stayed at for two nights with my son and a few other people. The temperatures at night was around 35 F to 40 F (1 C to 4 C ) with not breeze or rain. The elevation was 1,050 ft (320 m) according to my altimeter.

Although the camp site was close I still packed the quilt in my pack as if I were going on a long backpacking trip. I packed in a 3800 cu. in. (62 L) backpack and the quilt, stuffed in the stuff sack, fit perfect along with other items. After getting to the site, setting up the hammock was the first thing I did. I then proceeded to attache the quilt to the underside of the hammock. I was able to fit it under the hammock a little better this time and closer to it as well.

I definetily felt warm inside the hammock with the quilt in place during the night. I slept in a 40 F (4 C ) bag and was quit comfortable with this combination. The hammock has deep sides and therefore the warmth of the hammock and quilt together kept my sides warm. The quilt is a nice accessory to have with the hammock during the colder months and it doubles as a stand alone blanket for sitting by the fire or using it to keep warm while making meals. I used it on one of the evenings while sitting by the fire. I placed it around my back and held it out long ways. Brought it over my shoulders and wrapped it around me from the back. I sat down on some pine needles so as not to tear a hole in the quilt. Once I sat down and brought it completely around and over me, I was very warm. So it doesn't have to only be used with the hammock.

Overall I am happy with the Mt. Washington quilt . With only two nights with the quilt, I am happy with how warm it has kept me during temperatures that I normally wouldn't be able to sleep in a hammock. It has certainly lengthened my cold weather nights in a hammock. I really like the versatility of it and I know that I can use it in other ways besides hanging it under the hammock. I look forward to more nights with the quilt as the weather gets a little warmer. I am curious to see at what temperatures the quilt is no longer needed under the hammock.

L O N G T E R M R E P O R T
April 22, 2009

Unfortunately, the two trips that I was supposed to go on with the quilt and hammock got canceled due to weather.

I have a few trips planned for the spring and summer and will amend this report after those trips are logged.

This concludes this test series.
Check back in June or July for an amended report
Thank you Jacks 'R' Better and BackpackGearTest.org for this opportunity.

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Quilts and Blankets > Jacks R Better Mt Washington Underquilt > Test Report by Chuck Carnes

Reviews > Sleep Gear > Quilts and Blankets > Jacks R Better Mt Washington Underquilt > Test Report by Chuck Carnes