Best 3/4 Underquilts
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Quick answer: The best 3/4 underquilt for a Warbonnet Blackbird is the Warbonnet Yeti. For gathered-end hammocks, the Hammock Gear Incubator in 3/4 length is the best all-rounder, with the Econ Incubator 3/4 as the value pick and UGQ for custom partial lengths. Pair any of them with a short foam pad or sit pad under your legs; that pad is part of the system, not an afterthought.
A 3/4 underquilt covers you from the shoulders to roughly the knees or upper calves, leaving your lower legs to rest on a pad, sit pad or pack. It is the go-to choice for ultralight and thru-hiking hammock setups because it cuts weight and bulk without giving up warmth where it matters most: your torso. This roundup compares the best 3/4 and partial underquilts and, just as importantly, shows how to pair them with the right leg insulation.
If you are unsure whether a shorter quilt suits you, read full vs 3/4 underquilt first. For full-length picks, see best underquilts.
3/4 underquilts compared
| Underquilt | Insulation | Coverage | Approx. weight (20°F) | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warbonnet Yeti | Down | Torso length | ~12-15 oz | $$ | Warbonnet Blackbird owners |
| Hammock Gear Incubator 3/4 | 800-950 FP down | Shoulders to knees/calves | ~14-18 oz | $$$ | Best overall for gathered-end |
| Hammock Gear Econ Incubator 3/4 | 800 FP duck down | Shoulders to knees/calves | ~17-21 oz | $$ | Best value |
| UGQ Outdoor Renegade (3/4 or custom) | Down | Your choice | Depends on build | $$-$$$ | Custom partial lengths |
| Arrowhead Equipment APEX underquilt (short) | Climashield APEX | Check current lengths | Heavier than down | $$ | Damp climates |
| Foam leg pad (pairing) | Closed-cell foam | Knees to heels | ~3-8 oz cut down | $ | Essential partner |
Weights are rough estimates and depend on fill power, overfill, width and shell. Cottage makers update lengths and specs regularly, so check the maker's site for current numbers.
How we chose these 3/4 underquilts
We do not lab-test gear. We compared published dimensions, fill weights and suspension designs, and read owner reports from long-distance hikers and hammock forums, paying special attention to how each quilt handles the transition from quilt to leg pad. A 3/4 underquilt lives or dies on two things: whether it seals well at the shoulders and whether its lower edge sits where your legs can rest on a pad without a cold gap. Underquilt ratings are set by each maker and are not ISO or EN tested, as our temperature ratings guide explains.
The best 3/4 underquilts
Best for Warbonnet Blackbird
Warbonnet Yeti
- Fill
- Down
- Weight
- Roughly 12-15 oz depending on rating
- Price tier
- $$
- Best for
- Ultralight hikers in Blackbird-style hammocks
The Yeti is a torso-length underquilt shaped around the Blackbird's asymmetric lay and footbox, where your legs rest on a pad, a sit pad or an empty pack. That integration is why it is one of the most common 3/4 setups among thru-hikers. Because Warbonnet designs hammock and quilt together, owners report a clean shoulder seal with little adjustment.
Pros
- Very light and packs small
- Fits the Blackbird footbox perfectly
Cons
- Depends on a leg pad for warmth
- Not a good fit for most other hammocks
See our Warbonnet Yeti review.
Best overall 3/4 underquilt
Hammock Gear Incubator 3/4
- Fill
- 800 FP duck down standard, goose upgrades available
- Weight
- Roughly 14-18 oz for a 20°F
- Price tier
- $$$
- Best for
- Gathered-end hammocks on long trips
Hammock Gear offers its flagship Incubator in a shorter length, keeping the differential cut and end-channel suspension that make the full-length version so popular. It fits nearly any gathered-end hammock of standard length, and the configurable fill and overfill let you tune warmth precisely. If you want the lightest reliable 3/4 option without being tied to one hammock brand, this is the benchmark.
Pros
- Works with most gathered-end hammocks
- Honest ratings and many options
Cons
- Premium price for the weight saved
- Lead times in peak season
More in our Hammock Gear Incubator review.
Best value 3/4 underquilt
Hammock Gear Econ Incubator 3/4
- Fill
- 800 FP duck down
- Weight
- A few ounces heavier than the premium 3/4
- Price tier
- $$
- Best for
- Budget-conscious thru-hikers
The Econ version trades customization and a lighter shell for a much lower price, while keeping the same proven cut. In a 3/4 length, the weight penalty is small enough that many hikers consider it the smarter buy. It is sold in stock configurations, so you are less likely to wait for a build before a trip.
Pros
- Low price for a down 3/4 quilt
- Often in stock
Cons
- Limited options
- Slightly heavier and bulkier
See the Econ Incubator review.
Best custom partial length
UGQ Outdoor Renegade (3/4 or custom length)
- Fill
- Down, choice of fill power and overfill
- Weight
- Depends on build
- Price tier
- $$-$$$
- Best for
- Hikers who want an exact length to match their pad
UGQ's configurable underquilts let you choose a length that ends exactly where your leg pad begins. That matters more than it sounds: a quilt that stops a few inches short leaves a cold band at the knees, and one that runs long wastes the weight you were trying to save. Owners appreciate UGQ's suspension adjustability and build quality.
Pros
- Length tailored to your system
- Wide range of fills and fabrics
Cons
- Custom builds take time
- You need to know your measurements
See our UGQ Renegade review.
Best synthetic partial underquilt
Arrowhead Equipment Climashield APEX underquilt
- Fill
- Climashield APEX
- Weight
- Heavier than down for the same rating
- Price tier
- $$
- Best for
- Humid regions and wet-weather thru-hikes
Arrowhead Equipment is a cottage maker known for synthetic underquilts built with Climashield APEX, and shorter lengths suit a 3/4 system. Synthetic is heavier than down, which partly cancels the point of going short, but in persistently damp conditions it keeps more of its warmth. Check Arrowhead's site for the lengths and ratings currently offered.
Pros
- Handles damp better than down
- Simple care
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier than down equivalents
- Fewer length options than the biggest makers
Essential pairing
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol or Z Seat (leg pad)
- Fill
- Closed-cell foam
- Weight
- A few ounces when cut to leg length
- Price tier
- $
- Best for
- Insulating your lower legs and feet under a 3/4 quilt
A 3/4 underquilt is only half a system. A closed-cell foam pad cut to a few panels, or a small sit pad, fills the gap under your calves and heels. Accordion-folding foam stays put better than a slick inflatable pad and doubles as a camp seat. Many hikers simply cut a few sections off a full Z Lite Sol.
Pros
- Cheap, light and unpoppable
- Doubles as a sit pad and pack frame
Cons
- Can slide out from under your legs
- Bulky to carry on the outside of a pack
How to pair a 3/4 underquilt with a pad
The pad under your legs determines whether a 3/4 system is comfortable or a nightly fight with cold feet. Your legs need less insulation than your torso, but not none.
| Leg insulation | Approx. weight | Warmth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empty backpack | 0 oz extra | Low | Works in mild weather; frameless packs are best |
| Foam sit pad | ~1-3 oz | Low-moderate | Enough for heels in warm conditions |
| Cut-down foam pad (3-5 panels) | ~3-6 oz | Moderate | The most common thru-hiker choice |
| Short inflatable pad | ~6-10 oz | High | Warm, but slippery in a hammock |
Place the pad so it overlaps the bottom edge of the underquilt by a few inches. That overlap prevents a cold band behind your knees. In a gathered-end hammock, a slight diagonal lay keeps your legs on the pad more naturally. Our sleeping pad in a hammock guide covers techniques for keeping pads from sliding.
Wear warm socks and, in cool weather, down booties. Your feet are the part of a 3/4 system with the least insulation, and a few ounces of footwear often fixes cold toes better than a thicker pad.
Who should (and should not) buy a 3/4 underquilt
A 3/4 underquilt makes sense if:
- You hike long distances and count ounces across your whole kit; see our ultralight hammock setup guide.
- You already carry a foam sit pad or a frameless pack that can go under your legs.
- You hang in a Blackbird-style hammock with a footbox designed around partial underquilts.
- You camp mostly in three-season conditions.
Choose full length instead if:
- You are new to hammock camping and want the simplest setup.
- You sleep cold or camp below freezing often.
- You toss and turn; restless sleepers knock leg pads out of position.
- You are tall, since a 3/4 quilt sized for an average sleeper may stop at mid-thigh.
Sizing a 3/4 underquilt correctly
Measure from the top of your shoulders to just below your knees while lying in your hammock's usual diagonal lay. That is the minimum length you want. If your maker offers a choice, err a few inches long rather than short. Width matters too: a narrow partial quilt lets your shoulders drift off the edge. The underquilt sizing guide explains how to measure, and how to hang an underquilt shows how to position a shorter quilt so its top edge sits above your shoulders.
Remember to balance your top half too. A lightweight hammock top quilt completes the system; our best ultralight quilts list pairs well with any of the underquilts above.
How much weight does a 3/4 underquilt really save?
The headline saving is usually around 4-8 oz compared with the same maker's full-length quilt at the same rating. The real saving depends on what you put under your legs and whether you were already carrying it.
| Setup (20°F, approx.) | Underquilt | Leg insulation | Net saving vs full length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-length down underquilt | ~20-24 oz | None | Baseline |
| 3/4 underquilt + pack under legs | ~14-18 oz | 0 oz extra | ~5-8 oz |
| 3/4 underquilt + sit pad you already carry | ~14-18 oz | 0 oz extra | ~5-8 oz |
| 3/4 underquilt + dedicated foam leg pad | ~14-18 oz | ~3-6 oz | ~1-4 oz |
The lesson: a 3/4 underquilt pays off most when the leg insulation is something you already carry for another job. If you would have to add a dedicated pad, the saving shrinks to a couple of ounces and the convenience of a full-length quilt often wins. Packed volume is a separate benefit; a shorter quilt takes noticeably less room in a small ultralight pack. For the full ounce-counting picture, see our quilt weight guide.
One more consideration: a 3/4 system rewards consistency. If you always sleep in the same hammock, with the same pad in the same position, you will quickly learn exactly where the quilt should end and how to place the pad by feel in the dark. Swapping hammocks or pads often makes a full-length quilt the less frustrating choice.
Specs and prices are approximate. Cottage makers change lengths, ratings and prices regularly, so confirm details on their sites. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight does a 3/4 underquilt save?
Usually around 4-8 oz compared with the same maker's full-length model at the same rating. Subtract the weight of whatever you put under your legs to see the real saving.
What do you put under your feet with a 3/4 underquilt?
A short closed-cell foam pad, a sit pad, your empty backpack or a torso-length inflatable pad. Many thru-hikers use a pad they already carry for camp seating, so the leg insulation costs nothing extra.
Are 3/4 underquilts good for beginners?
Usually not. A full-length underquilt is simpler and more forgiving. Start with full length and switch to 3/4 once you know your sleep system. Our full vs 3/4 underquilt guide explains the trade-off.
Can I use a 3/4 underquilt in winter?
It is possible with a thick foam pad under your legs, but most winter hangers prefer full length because legs and feet lose heat fast below freezing and pads shift at night.