Underquilt Protectors

By topquilt.com · Updated Oct 21, 2026 · 7 min read

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An underquilt protector (sometimes called an underquilt cover, UQP or "bottom cover") is one of the cheapest ways to make a hammock system more weather-tough. It doesn't add insulation of its own. What it does is shield the insulation you already have from the things that steal its warmth: moving air, water and wear.

This guide covers what underquilt protectors do, when they are worth carrying, how much warmth they may add, how they compare with top covers, and how to make a simple one yourself. If you are new to underquilts, the underquilt guide is a good starting point.

What an underquilt protector actually does

Underquilts are built to be light. Their shells are thin ripstop, often 10-20 denier, and their warmth depends entirely on loft: still air trapped in down or synthetic fibers. Anything that moves that air or wets the fill reduces warmth. A protector addresses three problems:

• Wind: Air blowing beneath a hammock strips heat from the underquilt's outer surface and can push through thin, air-permeable shells. A protector creates a calm air layer outside the quilt.
• Rain and spray: Wind-driven rain, mist and splashback from the ground can reach the bottom of a hammock even under a tarp. A water-resistant protector keeps the quilt shell drier.
• Wear and dirt: Brush, sap, pet hair, campfire sparks and simply packing the quilt with other gear all take a toll on delicate shells. A protector is cheaper to replace than an underquilt.

How much warmth does an underquilt protector add?

This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is that it depends heavily on conditions. No standardized test rates underquilt protectors, so any degree figure is an estimate from user experience rather than a lab number.

Think of a protector as a way to hold onto your underquilt's rated comfort in bad conditions, not as a way to extend the rating on a calm night. If you are regularly cold in still air, you probably need more insulation; see underquilt temperature ratings and our hammock temperature guide.

Breathability matters: avoid waterproof fabric

It's tempting to pick the most waterproof fabric available. That usually backfires. Your body releases moisture all night, and that vapor travels outward through the insulation. If the protector is fully waterproof, vapor hits the cold inner surface and condenses. In cold weather that dampness can build up over several nights and slowly reduce the loft you were trying to protect.

Most purpose-built protectors use a lightweight, water-resistant, somewhat breathable ripstop, often with a DWR finish. That fabric sheds spray and blocks most wind while letting vapor escape. If you camp in sustained sub-freezing temperatures, some hammockers pair a protector with a vapor barrier strategy instead; that's an advanced approach covered in our winter hammock camping guide.

How underquilt protectors attach

Most protectors use the same kind of suspension as an underquilt: shock cord through channels at each end, clipped to the hammock ends or suspension. Some hang from the underquilt's own suspension points; others have independent lines.

Key fit points:

• Hang it loosely. A protector should sit a little below the underquilt, not press against it. Pulling it tight compresses the loft and removes the dead-air gap that helps with warmth.
• Cover the full length. A protector that stops short leaves the ends exposed to wind. Many are sized to cover a full-length quilt even when you use a 3/4-length underquilt.
• Leave some vent path. Slightly open ends help moisture escape in mild-to-cold weather.

Adding a second suspension layer under your quilt changes the fit slightly, so re-check height after setup. Our underquilt suspension explained guide covers how to keep everything sealed.

Underquilt protectors vs top covers and hammock socks

Protectors handle the bottom; top covers handle the top. A hammock sock wraps the whole hammock and underquilt in one enclosure. Each solves a slightly different problem:

For a full rundown of the top-side options, read top covers and hammock socks.

When an underquilt protector is worth it

You'll get the most value from a protector if:

• You camp in exposed, windy places such as ridgelines, lakeshores or open forest.
• You hang in cold weather, when every bit of convective loss matters.
• Your underquilt has a very light shell you'd like to protect.
• You use a smaller tarp that can't block side-blowing rain.
• You often hang in brushy or dusty areas.

You may skip one in calm summer conditions, under a large tarp with doors, or when weight is the priority. Many hammockers carry a protector only for shoulder-season and winter trips.

Weight and packing considerations

Most underquilt protectors are light. Simple designs in thin ripstop often weigh only a few ounces, and that small penalty buys a lot of insurance on a windy night. Heavier versions with thicker fabric, extra suspension or side zippers weigh more, but rarely enough to matter on a hammock trip.

Many hammock campers leave the protector attached to the underquilt and pack both together in the same stuff sack or snakeskin. That speeds setup and keeps the underquilt shell protected while it's packed. Just make sure both are dry before you compress them for long, and loosen everything so the underquilt can loft before bed.

A protector also doubles as a light wind layer for a sleeping pad in a hammock setup, or as a groundsheet in a pinch, though that will wear it faster.

Buying an underquilt protector

Several cottage makers sell protectors sized to their own quilts, including Hammock Gear and Warbonnet, and many quilts on the market are designed with a matching cover in mind. Check that the length and width match your underquilt and hammock, and that the suspension style is compatible.

Some general hammock brands sold online offer underquilt covers or full-length hammock wind shields. If you go that route, look for breathable ripstop rather than plastic or fully coated fabric; an underquilt protector search on Amazon shows what's currently available, but compare sizes carefully.

DIY underquilt protector

An underquilt protector is one of the easiest hammock sewing projects because it's essentially a rectangle with two channels. A basic build:

1. Choose fabric. Lightweight breathable ripstop with a DWR finish, roughly 1.0-1.3 oz/yd², is a good balance. Specialty shops like Ripstop by the Roll sell suitable fabrics, and general ripstop nylon works for a budget version.
2. Size it. Cut a rectangle a little longer and wider than your underquilt so it can hang below it without tension. Many makers start around the quilt's length plus several inches and a width slightly wider than the quilt.
3. Hem the long edges. A simple rolled hem keeps the edges from fraying.
4. Sew end channels. Fold each short end over to create a channel and thread shock cord through it, adding a cord lock to cinch.
5. Add suspension. Tie a loop or attach a small carabiner at each end to clip to your hammock suspension or ridgeline.

Optional upgrades include side shock cord to keep the edges tucked and a small vent opening at the head end. If you'd like to go further and build the underquilt itself, our DIY underquilt guide walks through the full process.

Care and storage

Shake out dirt and debris after trips and let the protector dry fully before packing it with your quilt. Wash it occasionally by hand with mild soap and re-treat with a spray-on DWR when water stops beading. Keeping the protector clean also helps keep your underquilt clean, which means fewer washes; when your underquilt does need cleaning, see how to wash an underquilt.