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When you're packing for a hammock trip, the gear list can feel endless: straps, quilts, tarps, pillows, cordage, coffee kits... What do you really need to hang comfortably in the wild?
That’s where the S.H.I.T. system comes in. It stands for Suspension, Hammock, Insulation, and Tarp—the four core components of any solid hammock camping kit. It’s a clean (well, cleaner than it sounds) and straightforward way to organize your gear, simplify your loadout, and make sure you’re not forgetting something important—like, say, your tarp on a rainy night. Don’t ask us how we know. 🧵 Suspension: The Unsung HeroYour hammock doesn't hang itself. Suspension is how you connect to anchor points—usually trees, but sometimes truck racks, fence posts, or whatever you’ve got. This includes:
🛏 Hammock: Your Floating Fortress This is your backcountry bed, your nap nest, your portable treehouse. Comfort starts with size--11 feet is the sweet spot for most campers. Shorter hammocks can feel tight and make you wish you'd brought a chiropractor along. We build several hammock models here at Arrowhead Equipment, including the Mountain XL Hammock—longer, wider, and stronger for serious comfort wherever you hang. ❄️ Insulation: The Thing That Keeps You From Regretting Life at 3 A.M. Even in summer, don’t let warm air fool you. At 70°F and below, most people will get cold in a hammock without insulation—thanks to convective cooling. That constant airflow beneath your hammock pulls heat from your back all night long. You need two kinds of insulation:
⛺️ Tarp: Your Portable Roof Your tarp is your real shelter out there. It keeps the rain off your head, the wind off your face, and the pine cones out of your sleeping bag. Choose a tarp that:
🎒 Bonus Round: The What-NotsOnce your four essentials are squared away, you can start layering in the fun stuff—accessories that make your trip faster, cozier, or more custom. Add-ons can make your life in the trees:
These include:
The little things add up. A warmer foot, a faster setup, a cleaner hammock... it’s all part of dialing in your hang. 💡 Final Thoughts: System, Not Gimmick Breaking your setup into Suspension, Hammock, Insulation, and Tarp helps you think modularly. It also makes packing easier, planning faster, and upgrades more targeted. You don’t need everything at once—just a clear system to build from. Once you’ve nailed the essentials, everything else is icing. Or bug netting. Or an extra pair of dry socks. 🧭 Ready to Build Your Kit? We’ve helped more than 70,000 campers worldwide build gear that works. If you're looking for a straightforward place to start—or just need to upgrade one piece at a time—we're here to help.
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🏕 What’s the Right UnderQuilt for Your Hammock? A Simple Guide
Let’s face it—nothing kills a peaceful hammock nap faster than a cold backside. If you’ve ever woken up in the woods wondering why your sleeping bag didn’t cut it, welcome to the wonderful world of underquilts. But with so many options, how do you know which one’s right for your setup? That’s what we’re here for. Whether you’re rocking a gathered-end or bridge hammock, a summer lounger or winter warrior, we’ll help you figure it out—no jargon, no fluff, just cozy nights under the stars. 🤔 First Things First: What Is an UnderQuilt?An underquilt is basically a sleeping bag for the bottom of your hammock. It hangs underneath to insulate you from the cold air below—because once your body weight compresses your sleeping bag, it can’t trap heat. Think of it like this: top quilt = blanket, underquilt = invisible butt heater. 🧵 Matching Your Hammock TypeDifferent hammocks = different fits. Let’s match you up: ➤ Gathered-End HammocksIf your hammock gathers at each end like a banana (Warbonnet Blackbird, ENO, Hennessey, etc.), you’re in the majority. These hammocks work best with full-length or torso-length underquilts that contour with the sag. Top Picks:
Top Pick:
🌡️ Think About Temps (Not Just Your Dreams of Summer)Buying a quilt in July and expecting it to keep you warm in October? We’ve all been there. Here’s the rule of thumb:
💦 Why We Love Synthetic (And Why You Might Too)We use Climashield™ APEX insulation in all our underquilts. Why? Because it still insulates when wet, it’s tougher than down, and it’s made in the USA—just like every quilt we stitch here at Arrowhead Equipment. Down has its place, sure. But when you're packing for the unpredictable, we prefer gear that’s tough, reliable, and doesn’t throw a tantrum if it gets a little damp. 🧭 TL;DR – Quick Recommendations
🔗 Still Unsure?No worries—email us anytime. We’ve helped thousands of hammock campers dial in their setups. We’d be happy to help you pick the right quilt for your trip, hammock, or upcoming nap. 👉 Check out our full UnderQuilt Collection → |
AHE CrewWhats up at AHE, What's Happening is our mini Blog about the day to day things that we are working on. Check back Frequently for updates, In Stock items, Specials, Trip Plans (yes that you can join us on) and what ever else pops up. 
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