Hudson River Ultralight 20°F Multifunction 3-Season Backpacking Quilt

At 16.2 oz for the Regular, the Hudson River Ultralight is JRB's 20°F three-season backpacking quilt — built for back sleepers and trim builds who want a close fit without the excess of a wide quilt. 1000FP down, Argon 67 shell. Also runs as a hammock underquilt.

Built for Back Sleepers and Average-to-Slim Builds Who Don't Spend the Night Thrashing Around

Wide quilts are cut for side sleepers, larger folks, and restless movers. The Hudson River is cut for people who sleep on their back, don't thrash around much, and find excess fabric more of a nuisance than a comfort. At 48 inches across, it covers you fully without pooling underneath you or bunching up when you roll to a side. If you're tall and lean — think 6'3", 200 lbs, a back sleeper who occasionally drifts onto a side — this is the quilt. The extra width of a wide quilt will get in the way. The Hudson River won't.

How It Gets to 16.2 oz: 1000 Fill Power Down, Argon 67 Shell

The Hudson River Ultralight 20°F is filled with 1000 Fill Power down — the highest-grade down available. At 1000FP, significantly less down by weight is needed to reach a 20°F rating compared to 850FP alternatives, which is how this quilt delivers three-season warmth without unnecessary bulk. The shell is Argon 67 — a 0.67 oz nylon certified downproof with a DWR finish — the lightest shell fabric in the JRB lineup.

Box baffles are the one place this quilt spends weight on purpose. Interior fabric walls hold the 1000FP down in closed chambers so it can rise to full loft; a sew-through build stitches shell to lining instead, leaving a compressed seam every few inches with effectively nothing between you and the night air. Those seams are the cold stripes people report in cheap 20°F quilts. Dropping the baffles would save a fraction of an ounce and cost the rating — not a trade worth making at 16.2 oz.

Every Hudson River Ultralight 20°F ships with a 33% overstuff by weight. Down naturally migrates toward the ends of each baffle over time, leaving the center of each baffle thinner. The extra fill means every section retains enough loft to hold the 20°F rating even after downshifting occurs — no cold spots through the middle of the quilt. The same buffer compensates for loft loss as the down accumulates oils between cleanings.

The foot box is formed using a drawcord, cord-locks, and double-sided Kam Snaps. Snap it closed on cold nights for a sealed foot pocket; leave it open on warm nights and use it as a blanket. Double-sided snaps let you connect a second quilt in colder conditions.

At 16.2 oz, the Hudson River Ultralight carries a full 20°F temperature rating into the backcountry — light enough to justify on shoulder-season trips where a summer quilt won't cut it, and warm enough when temperatures drop overnight. This quilt was built for three-season backpackers who refuse to carry more weight than necessary.

Also Works as a Hammock Underquilt

The Hudson River Ultralight attaches to your hammock using the JRB Underquilt Suspension System (sold separately) and insulates against the cold air beneath — the primary cause of cold-weather hammock discomfort. It fits all gathered-end and bridge hammocks including ENO, Hennessy, Warbonnet, Dutchware Chameleon, and most DIY designs.

Named for the Trail

The Appalachian Trail crosses the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge at essentially sea level — the lowest point on the entire 2,190-mile trail. From the bridge you immediately start climbing Anthony's Nose, the rocky ridge that rises steeply on the east bank of the Hudson Highlands. The river is tidal this far north, which means the air is damp, the temperature swings are sharp, and a 40°F quilt that felt fine in the afternoon won't feel fine at 2 a.m. Fall color peaks early in the Highlands. Spring comes late. The quilt was built for those in-between seasons — three seasons of coverage, one carry weight.

Handmade in Pennsylvania by Jacks R Better — making quilts since 2004. In-stock quilts ship the same or next business day.