The Ultimate Guide to Hammock Accessories: Rain Flies, Underquilts & More

TrailRest Rain Fly

This is the single most important hammock accessory. A rain fly (also called a tarp) goes over your hammock and keeps rain, dew, and wind off you while you sleep. Without one, even a light drizzle means packing up wet gear and cutting your trip short.

What to look for: You want at least 10 x 8 feet of coverage to protect both you and your gear from wind-driven rain. The TrailRest Rain Fly uses 210T ripstop nylon with a waterproof PU coating — the same durable fabric as the hammock itself. It comes with 4 guylines and 4 aluminum stakes, available in Forest Green, Sage Green, and Stealth Grey.

Pitching tips: Set the fly at a slight angle for water runoff, with the high side facing the prevailing wind. Keep 6-12 inches of air gap between your hammock and the fly for ventilation — a sealed tarp creates condensation problems. Use the "A-frame" pitch (two trekking poles or sticks at each end) for the most stable shape in wind.

Do you need it? Yes, if there's any chance of precipitation. Even dew-soaked mornings will leave you damp without one.

TrailRest Underquilt

If cold butt syndrome has a cure, this is it. An underquilt hangs underneath your hammock and provides a layer of insulation that prevents cold air from robbing your body heat. Unlike a sleeping pad (which goes inside the hammock and shifts around all night), an underquilt stays put and doesn't create pressure points.

How it works: The underquilt attaches to your hammock suspension and hangs directly beneath you. Down fill traps warm air, creating a thermal barrier between your body and the cold air below. The 20D nylon shell is lightweight but durable enough for regular use.

Temperature guide: With the TrailRest Underquilt (rated to 40°F), you can comfortably camp from early spring through late fall. For winter camping (below freezing), you'd need a heavier winter underquilt or stack two underquilts. Most three-season campers find a 40°F underquilt covers 90% of their trips.

Do you need it? Yes if you camp in anything below 65°F. No if you only camp in summer heat (above 70°F nights). But for most campers, an underquilt is the second purchase after the hammock itself.

TrailRest Suspension Kit Pro

The standard suspension that comes with most hammocks (daisy chain polyester straps) is perfectly functional, but serious backpackers often upgrade for weight savings and finer adjustment control.

Whoopie slings are the most popular upgrade. They offer infinite adjustability — you can dial in your hang angle to the millimeter rather than being limited to fixed loops. Dyneema (the material used in high-end sailing lines and climbing slings) is incredibly strong for its weight, and Kevlar tree straps provide unmatched durability.

The TrailRest Suspension Kit Pro saves 4 oz over the standard suspension — that's 25% of a can of beer, or a few extra granola bars. For thru-hikers counting every gram, this upgrade is a no-brainer.

Do you need it? Only if you're a frequent backpacker who values weight savings and fine adjustability. The stock suspension works great for most users.

4. Bug Net Upgrades

5. Top Quilt vs Sleeping Bag

Many hammock campers eventually switch from a traditional sleeping bag to a top quilt. A top quilt is essentially a sleeping bag with no back and no hood — it covers you from the chest down while your back/underside is insulated by the underquilt.

Advantages of a top quilt:

• Lighter: A top quilt weighs 4-8 oz less than an equivalent sleeping bag (no zipper, no hood, no back fabric)
• More versatile: You can vent it by sticking a leg out or pushing it aside
• Easier to get in/out of: No wrestling with zippers in the middle of the night
• Less confined: Rotate and shift positions more freely

That said, a regular sleeping bag works perfectly fine in a hammock — just make sure it's wide enough to accommodate your movement. Many experienced hammock campers use their existing sleeping bag for years before switching to a quilt.

Do you need it? No, but it's a nice upgrade once you're committed to hammock camping. Use your existing sleeping bag first.

6. Ridge Lines and Organizers

A structural ridge line is a fixed-length cord connecting the two ends of your hammock. It ensures your hammock hangs at the exact same sag every time, regardless of tree spacing. Most serious hammock campers consider it essential.

Benefits:

• Consistent hang angle every setup
• A built-in place to hang your headlamp, glasses, phone, and clothes
• Can support a ridgeline organizer (a small pouch for essentials)
• Creates a "shelf" for easy-access gear within arm's reach

A ridge line organizer is a simple mesh pouch that hangs from the ridge line. It's perfect for keeping your phone, glasses, headlamp, earplugs, and a water bottle within arm's reach during the night. Small, cheap (under $15), and genuinely useful.

7. Gear Slings and Storage

Keeping your gear organized and accessible is one of the unsung challenges of hammock camping. Unlike a tent with floor space and vestibules, a hammock has nowhere to put things except in your pack on the ground.

Under-hammock gear sling — A small fabric sling that hangs beneath your hammock, keeping your backpack and boots off the ground but still protected from rain by your tarp. Lightweight (2-3 oz) and simple.

Suspension storage — Clip a dry bag or small stuff sack to your tree strap with a carabiner. Great for keys, wallet, phone, and a headlamp. Keep frequently-needed items at shoulder height — you can access them without leaving the hammock.

Foot box / gear hammock — A small secondary hammock that attaches under your main hammock or between your suspension lines. Perfect for keeping your boots, rain gear, and daytime layers off the ground.

8. Bundle Deals: Save with Kits

Buying accessories individually adds up. TrailRest offers two bundles that save you 15-20% compared to buying each piece separately:

The Essential Kit ($64.99)

Includes the TrailRest Camping Hammock, Rain Fly, and Suspension Kit Pro. This setup gives you a complete sleep system with weather protection and upgraded suspension — perfect for three-season backpackers who have their own insulation (sleeping bag + pad). Saves 15% over buying individually.

The Complete Kit ($79.99)

Everything in the Essential Kit plus the Underquilt. You get the hammock, rain fly, suspension pro, and underquilt — a full year-round system. Saves 20% over individual pricing. This is the bundle we recommend for most people — it covers every scenario from summer car camping to late-fall backpacking trips.

What order to buy?

1. First: The hammock itself (you can't hammock camp without one)
2. Second: Rain fly (getting wet ruins any trip)
3. Third: Underquilt (cold butt syndrome is real)
4. Fourth: Suspension upgrade (when weight matters)
5. Fifth: Bug net upgrade, ridge line, organizers (quality-of-life improvements)

Or skip ahead and get the Complete Kit right away — it saves you money and ensures you have everything you need from day one.