What's New

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, quality, investment and inventory growth all made quantum improvement with our move to a full shop operation last March.  The most noticeable impact for our customers was that all long models of quilts moved from a three week special order status to “In Stock” and joined our routine 24-72 hour shipping.

Our planned introduction of the Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock and our two hammock tents made considerable progress in prototype development and production planning.   Although material sourcing and both trial and production runs continue, we anticipate bringing these items to market this fall/early winter.  Be assured the market debuts of this truly unique hammock and these full protection hammock tents will be one of our major foci for the 2008 model year.

2008 will see the introduction of our tenth quilt model.  Francis Tapon is currently about halfway thru the return leg of his Continental Divide Trail YOYO hike.  Francis, an accomplished ultra light and Triple Crown hiker, is sponsored by Jacks ‘R’ Better.  His sleep system and camp insulation is a prototype winter No Sniveller quilt.  When his hike is complete this fall and his test observations are included, JRB will debut the Rocky Mountain Sniveller.  The RMS will complete the No Sniveller style quilt line by providing a true winter model to compliment the three season No Sniveller and the Summer Stealth wearable quilts.

Sadly, the Weather Shield was dropped from production last year.  This unique product was designed for special extreme environments.  It was very economic and extremely water and windproof yet very light because of its two ply micro porous polypropylene material composition.  Our material source was bought and the production machinery was dismantled and shipped to China.  As of this writing we have not found a suitable replacement materiel that does not increase weight by 50-60 percent or quadruple the cost.  Accordingly we were forced to discontinue the Weather Shield.  We are still actively searching for a suitable replacement material and hope to reintroduce it eventually.

HOIL FYN!

Jack and Jack

Jacks ‘R’ Better_TM, LLC

2007 Production Models Now Shipping

Jacks ‘R’ Better, LLC is pleased to announce that 2007 brings a new model, the Mt Rogers.  This big quilt addition to The JRB Line debuted on our web site in mid-October.

JRB intends to introduce three more new quilts this year. 

March will see the introduction of the Springer quilt.  It will be similar to the Hiker/Biker quilt but in our regular green and black colors.  One inch baffling and generous over stuffing to 1.5 inches will make this a great summer quilt or coupled with the new Down to Earth Pad Converter an over bag that readily turns light summer 40/45 degree bags into solid three season bags.

March will also bring a new three season, lower priced, simple rectangular quilt - the Hudson River quilt.  It will be baffled to two inches and over stuffed to 2.5 inches (the same great specs as the top performing Nests and No Snivellers).  It will fill the economy need between the summer Shenandoah and winter Old Rag Mtn quilts.

September will debut the Katahdin quilt.  Completing our large size quilt family, it will be the same size as the Mt Rogers and Springer Mtn quilts but baffled to 3 inches and, as always, over stuffed by 15 percent to achieve 3.5 inches of loft between the baffles.

Two new quilt accessories were recently announced that for first time are oriented on the ground dwellers.  One, the JRB Wings, provides a generous side tucking capability for any quilt model. Special note, the JRB Quilt Wings will transform our large models into very viable double quilts.  The second, more exciting accessory is the JRB “Down to Earth” Pad Converter.  It will quickly transform any JRB quilt to a full bag - with or without a hood.  When used with the new family of JRB large quilts (Springer, Mt Rogers, and Katahdin) the Down to Earth Pad Converter forms a viable over bag for regular and most long size mummy bags to create a four season capability.  You can now have it all.  The security of a full bag and/or the lighter multi-functionality of the classic No Sniveller quilt is your choice.

Six other quilts - the No Sniveller (regulars and longs), the Stealth (regulars and longs), and the Old Rag Mtn (regulars and longs) received a small but effective product improvement - the addition of a tie at the top of the foot box to prevent accidental opening and to serve as a belt closure on the wearable models.  Additionally, the foot box on long models has been lengthened by four inches.

Another change for 2007 is a 50% reduction in the weight of the Suspension System which is standard issue with the Nest and Hudson River quilts regular or is also available separately.  The new micro carabiners are also available separately.

Lest all these caterings to our growing ground dwelling customers distracts from our roots the exciting news is that Jacks ‘R’ Better, LLC will likely introduce its unique patent-pending hammock at Trail Days 2007.

2006 was a banner year for Jacks ‘R’ Better.  Long time visitors and customers may have noticed the increase in product availability.  The three week order to ship time for several long models was eliminated.  Now tall customers enjoy the same near immediate shipment that regular size customers have enjoyed.

HOIL FYN!

Jack and Jack

Jacks ‘R’ Better_TM, LLC