Camping Tips & Tricks

Field-tested advice to sleep warm & camp smarter
Waypoint and Azimuth 2018
Waypoint and Azimuth The purpose of this newsletter is to formally announce the sale of Jacks ‘R’ Better LLC. Waypoint We have thoroughly enjoyed these last 14 years and truly appreciate the loyal support of all our customers. But, life goes on, and it’s time for the Jacks to move on to their next adventure(s). As of 1 March we have passed the baton to our good friend and hiking partner, Don Gravatt AKA “DGrav”, and his business partner, Dave Gallagher. On 5 March Jacks ‘R’ Better LLC formally opened... Read more...
Waypoint and Azimuth 2017
Waypoint and Azimuth March 2017 A long overdue report   It is time to review how the last couple of years went and plot the course of progress for the next year. As we stand here in the middle of the shop, surrounded by hundreds, if not a thousand quilts, tarps, hammocks and other stock items we are in our thirteenth year.  We have already registered for JRB’s 14th Trail Days at Damascus in May.  And the following month on 4 June Jacks ‘R’ Better LLC will celebrate our 14th... Read more...
JRB Universal Tarp Introduction
This large JRB tarp is the most capable tarp available for either hammock or ground camps. Loaded with perimeter tabs, ridge line tabs, panel pulls, pole grommets and spring pole guides  this tarp may be configured to conform to a nearly any configuration required or desired. It’s an ideal shelter for large and wide hammocks like bridge style hammocks. It can be pitched in a classic A with open ends, or closed ends for storm protection.  Interior volume is easily expanded by use of panel pull tie-outs; alternatively, interior volume... Read more...
Waypoint and Azimuth 2014
Waypoint and Azimuth January 2014   It is time to review how the year went and plot the course of progress for the next year.  As we stand here in the middle of the shop, surrounded by hundreds of quilts, tarps, hammocks and other stock items we are in our tenth year.  We just registered for JRB’s eleventh annual Trail Days at Damascus in May.  And the following month, on 4 June, Jacks ‘R’ Better LLC will celebrate its 10th Anniversary. OMG, I just realized the Original under Quilt, The... Read more...
Way Point and Azimuth 2013
  We are over the Fiscal Cliff…And Rebounding. What is next for the economy is anybody’s guess.   The Jacks have spent the Holiday season, like always with family, and stealing a few hours to ship the post-Christmas orders. This period is, more importantly, used to close the books on the old year and set the goals, priorities, projects and key timeline details for the year ahead. Yup, planning 2013 has been a challenge. Luckier than most small businesses Jacks ‘R’ Better LLC has come through almost nine years of... Read more...
Way Point mid year 2012
Keeping up seems to get a little harder each year.  Having a blog is a great reason to write this annual update to our Way Point History Series. Way Point As JRB enters into its ninth year, the upward growth trend lines continue in all areas. Business is good.  Once again, it is estimated that well over 98 percent of all orders received during this period were shipped on the same or next day.  Thus our primary customer service goal was achieved.  This year, during The Trail Days period in... Read more...
Way Point – Mid Year 2011
Just realized that it has been a while since these reports were updated… So here you go. Way Point As JRB enters into its eighth year, the upward trend lines in all areas continue. We estimated that well over 98 percent of all orders received during this period were shipped the same or next day.  Thus our primary customer service goal was achieved.  The Trail Days period in May experienced slightly higher delay, but no order exceeded two weeks to ship. This spring the Sierra Series of quilts was completed... Read more...
Way Point – Mid Year 2010
Way Point At mid-year 2010 Jacks ‘R’ Better, LLC again finds itself enjoying significant sales growth across the board. From a customer point of view several programmed and unprogrammed improvements were accomplished this year. First, the long standing JRB goal of “same day” or “next day” shipping was significantly improved. Once a goal, “same or next day shipping” is now virtually guaranteed as inventory levels crossed from earlier 30-60 day levels into present 60-180 day levels on most products. Prior to Trail Days six new items were added from NITEiZE,... Read more...
Way Point and Azimuth to 2010
Way Point It is hard to believe that 2009 is almost over…guess that happens when you are as busy as Jacks ‘R’ Better, LLC has been this year. The recession made month to month issues a challenge, but overall JRB sale grew over 80 percent in 2008 and 2009.  It was a good time to support warm, comfortable nights out on outdoor “staycations”. Our first goals for 2009, to make all our standard quilts fully reversible and convert the entire line of quilts to a new color (a muted olive),... Read more...
Way Point and Azimuth to 2009
Way Point  2008, our fifth year of operation, what a great year! We began the year with a small but growing national advertising campaign including Banner ads on Both Hammock Forums and White Blaze and quarterly ads in “Backpacker Magazine”. We entered the wholesale market in addition to our internet retail base.  JRB exhibited at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Utah in August.  Currently there are four retailers carrying JRB gear.  There is a small presence of JRB in Georgia, Ohio, Louisiana, and Front Royal, Virginia.  The web site... Read more...
Way Point Mid Year 2008
2008 has been a great year to date… Eight new significant JRB items debuted this year with full production run availability.  They include: The long awaited Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock, the world’s only true lay flat hammock.  The initial production run of the BMBH sold out three months earlier than forecast.   An expeditious second production run quickly put this popular hammock back in stock.  Additionally, all BMBH delivered since April have included the JRB Tri-Glides for knot free and lashing free hanging.  More on the JRB Tri-Glide in a subsequent... Read more...
Way Point and Azimuth to 2008
As we close out our fourth year of operation Jacks ‘R’ Better, LLC has continued its phenomenal growth.  Our planned introduction of three new quilt models in 2007 resulted in on-time debuts of the Springer and Katahdin quilts to complete full four season options in the JRB Family of Large Quilts.  In the Standard family of quilts the Hudson River quilt debuted about two months later than planned but quite successfully. It added a third three season quilt, at significant economy, to the JRB Family of Standard Quilts. Production capacity,... Read more...