Hammocks...?

cocomen69

cocomen69

Joined
Nov 16, 2007
Messages
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Looking for info and recommendations on Hammocks for camping & Bivouac, especially interested in brands that have "bug net" and rain fly options. Have looked into Henessy Hammock, Mosquito Hammock, and Eagle's Nest Outfitters Double Hammock. (Im 6'1" 235 lbs) If anyone has Pics of Hammocks in use for camping/Bivouac instead of tents, please post some! I was thinking this would be a very viable alternative to carrying a heavier tent. I am concerned about the long term comfort of hanging all night. Is it possible to get a whole night's sleep in one? :D
 
I have used tweo of the Clarks. The first and my first hammock was the Tropical model. Now I use one of the Clark Camo North American Models.

They are a blast. Easy to set up especialy in areas where others cant camp, or wouldn't.
Set up take 5 - 10 minutes after the first couple times.

The only concern is with folks who are cold sleepers. They sometimes don't sleep warm enough in colder weather.

The Clark's are made in the U.S.A. and are tough as nails. Plus great service and support.

I love hanging around between trees. The comfort level is unbelievable.
 
I have a Jungle Hammock from Claytor:

http://www.mosquitohammock.com/junglehammock.html

I had a bunch of pictures of it, but this is all that's still online:
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I get some very nice sleep in mine. You have to take a little more care in dealing with the cold, however. I like a sleeping pad if it's under 70 degrees. Your body weight on the hammock fabric with the wind whipping underneith can get mighty cold quick.
 
That is one of the advantages of the Clark North American. The underpockets allow the ability to add insulation and the unit can be closed up like a tent with the weather shield.

I use a Big Agnes bag with a closed cell foam pad installed and that is all I've had to do. However I sleep about as warm as a hibernating bear, so I'm probably not the best one to judge such considerations by.

The Clark North Americans made after April of this year are equiped with a couple velcro strips to allow the installation of an underquilt that clark is coming up with.
 
I've been using a Hennessy for some time (both my kids now use them); simple and light. I do want to try a Clark, so that's on my short list. I did pick up a Mosquito Hammock (for my wife), but haven't had a chance to try it out other than the backyard. The nice thing I noticed with the two-layered bottom that you can stick a sleeping pad in-between for more insulation.

Depending on how warm/cold of a sleeper you are, I would say 40 degrees is pretty much my limit for comfortable sleep in a hammock. If you don't block off the bottom and there's a cold wind...you'll feel it underneath:eek:

ROCK6
 
I use a Warbonnet Blackbird. If you go to hammockforums.net and read about the discussions on there, the Blackbird is one of the most popular hammocks for good reason. The strap and buckle system is super easy to adjust, the netting is spacious, the asymmetrical footbox design gives you a ridiculously comfortable sleeping position, and the shelf above your shoulder is AWESOME for storing gear. Oh, did I mention it's hand-made in the USA, to order, out of the fabric you choose? I have a 1.1 oz/yd double-layer hammock - the double layers mean I can put a pad between the layers for extra insulation without it moving around, and the 1.1 fabric is a great balance between light weight and durability.

http://warbonnetoutdoors.net



And I have slept in temperatures WAY COLDER than 40 degrees in a hammock - it's all about proper bottom insulation. I've gone to 20 degrees using an Exped Downmat for bottom insulation, and with a good quality underquilt you can easily make negative temperatures and be toasty warm.
 
And some pictures....

EDIT: pictures are on a more reliable server now...

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And just for fun... a pile of ENO's. I wouldn't suggest doing it this way ;)
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For colder temps I use my Z-Rest closed cell pad in my Hennessey hammock. Works well. I love my hammock. No more roots or rocks ruining a good night's sleep for me.
 
I have almost no problem sleeping through the night in one. I can't sleep straight though, I (and most others) sleep on the diagonal.

They are pretty easy to make. The bugnet requires some sewing, but other than that, all it takes is a bit of research, some strap, some rope, a couple of buckles, some ripstop nylon and a handful of zipties...

Here for a bunch of info.
look here for instructions. I zipty the ends of the hammock instead of whipping them.
Here for 1 30' simple sling in 1" seatbelt webbing (there is a loop on both sides, cut it in half for two tree straps)
Here for 1.8 oz ripstop nylon
Here for buckles
I got thin, strong, low stretch rope at a local marine supply store and use a piece of tyvek as a tarp.

Of course, it is alot easier to buy one...
 
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Here is my homemade hammock. This was my first hang. The strees should have been further apart and the ridgeline longer. I got lazy when it came to hanging the bugnet too...

hammockw.jpg
 
J Williams and I both have the Skeeter Beater hammock and we're satisfied.

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Pretty cheap at $40 and extremely easy to setup. I can hang mine in under a minute.
 
Guys, thanks so much for the Pics and for all the recommendations. I see that I am gonna have to do a little more research! I am leaning towards the Clark Tropical model, but Im not ready to pull the trigger yet. Want to compare it to some of the others first. :thumbup:
 
In my opinion, the clark's are way too expensive, and way too complicated, for the utility you gain from them. They are also pretty heavy. The pockets as bottom insulation idea is pretty flawed, as you end up with a lot of heat loss at the points where the pockets meet each other.

A much cheaper hammock with a decent underquilt or pad is far more effective - and a tarp hung really low is almost as effective as the zip-in weather shield. Alternatively, 20 bucks worth of fabric and a borrowed sewing machine can make a very simple "hammock sock" which has the same effect as the weather shield and weighs less.

I've seen a lot of clark's for sale on the "exchange" section of hammockforums. I've only ever seen ONE warbonnet show up there. Just some food for thought ;)
 
if you want cheaper id suggest the skeeter beater more net tieout points to spread the hammock a bit more,my hammock bliss doesnt spread the net much but otherwise i love the hell outa my hammocks
 
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