Looking for a good lay...Tent or Bridge Hammock options sought

[sportsguy]

I'm thinking I want to try a hammock while camping this year. I've been researching a lot and think I want a tent-style hammock, and preferably a bridge style as they tend to lay flatter. For those unfamiliar, a tent style hammock is exactly what it sounds like. A hammock which is integrated with a tent, so you have bug and weather protection. A bridge style hammock has spreader bars at both ends which force the fabric out, making for a flatter surface to lay on.

I might be circling on the same brands at this point, and figured id ask here to broaden my approach. I keep ending up back with Clark, Warbonnet, Lawson, Hennesey, Hammock Bliss, Eureka, etc.

A big failing for me, if you'll pardon the pun is my need for a 300# weight rating. I'm not that heavy, but the 250# rating is a bit low for me, too, and it seems a lot of options in these products top out there... or you hit a height limit. I'm 6 feet tall, which I didn't think was freakishly tall, yet it seems so many hammock options are more comfortable for those 5'8" to 5'10" or so.

So... anyone out there a hanger? And advice?

 

[Karson]

I love my Clark Jungle North American. The arc at which it sags when I get in is very negligible, so look at some google images of it setup with someone in it and see if you think you could handle that aspect of it.

Bug net, included rain tarp, packs down great. Plus if it's unexpectedly cold, take your unused clothing/gear and stuff it underneath in the 3 pouches for a quick underquilt. The weight rating is more of a "size of person" suggestion re: whether or not you should get a bigger hammock for comfort. My wife and I "read our books" in it once or twice and it was more than fine, and that was pushing 350#.

I bought it second hand, and even with them knowing that when I called about getting the suspension ropes fixed from fraying due to previous owner neglect, all I had to do was pay one way shipping.

Fantastic company.

I wouldn't have balked at the price knowing what I know now about it. Pay for it once, cry once. Warbonnet and Hennesey are highly regarded on hammockforums.net, too, but this is the only one I can accurately give you advice on.

 

[sportsguy]

Thanks Karson. Yeah, Clark is leading the pack right now, and I recently registered over at HF.net...mostly to be sure I'm not missing some obscure brand that's either brand new and doing it better, or very old school and relies on word of mouth, etc.

My behavior seems to be to circle back to the Clark website, reread everything, watch the videos, then hunt down personal videos on Youtube every evening. Over the past few weeks I've gradually noticed I keep coming back to Clarke, so maybe the decision is already made...and I'm just the last to know about it.

 

[maddog5150]

I've been on hammockforums.net for a little over a year now. The whole hammock thing is a bit addictive. Started making my own gear now too......

So far I have only messed with gathered end hammocks. I hear the bridge hammocks are really great, but have not had a chance to try one out yet. You will have to keep us posted and let us know what you go with and what you like/dislike.

 

[Z06]

I have a Clark and made a collapsable aluminum stand so it can be used without trees. Using it and a tent on cousin and my six month ride coming up. Clark makes a very good hammock.

 

[patrickg450]

I would go this route but I am afraid I could never find good trees.

 

[S10Pilot]

I love my Clark Jungle North American. The arc at which it sags when I get in is very negligible, so look at some google images of it setup with someone in it and see if you think you could handle that aspect of it.

Bug net, included rain tarp, packs down great. Plus if it's unexpectedly cold, take your unused clothing/gear and stuff it underneath in the 3 pouches for a quick underquilt. The weight rating is more of a "size of person" suggestion re: whether or not you should get a bigger hammock for comfort. My wife and I "read our books" in it once or twice and it was more than fine, and that was pushing 350#.

I bought it second hand, and even with them knowing that when I called about getting the suspension ropes fixed from fraying due to previous owner neglect, all I had to do was pay one way shipping.

Fantastic company.

I wouldn't have balked at the price knowing what I know now about it. Pay for it once, cry once. Warbonnet and Hennesey are highly regarded on hammockforums.net, too, but this is the only one I can accurately give you advice on.

Soooo ......... how do you get in and out of that rig without bouncing on your arse?

 

[True Grip]

I have a Clark and made a collapsable aluminum stand so it can be used without trees. Using it and a tent on cousin and my six month ride coming up. Clark makes a very good hammock.

Hey Z06 do you have any pics of the stand you made and some specs. That sounds like a game changer.
Thanks Mark

 

[Z06]

Hey Z06 do you have any pics of the stand you made and some specs. That sounds like a game changer.
Thanks Mark

I will get a few pics up in next day or two.

 

[Z06]

Hey Z06 do you have any pics of the stand you made and some specs. That sounds like a game changer.
Thanks Mark

Stand breaks down to 40 inches by 8 inches in diameter. Weighs about 13 lbs. Upright legs are 1 inch aluminum in two pieces with bungee inside and snap pins where they plug into triangle top parts. Top bar is 1 1/2 aluminum in three foot sections snap pined together. Silnylon tarp strings up above top bar. Have spent 30 nights in this setup with no problems. Nice to be off the ground sometimes.

 

[Z06]

couple more pictures

 

[True Grip]

Nice job! I hope you'll do a ride report of your upcoming trip.


Just saw in another thread you are blogging wwr2014.com I'll follow along

 

[patrickg450]

nice, where did you get the tripods?

 

[Z06]

nice, where did you get the tripods?

Made them.

 

[patrickg450]

we might have a new vendor.........

 

[sportsguy]

Well, I pulled the trigger. Ended up NOT going in the bridge hammock direction like I thought I would. I bought a Warbonnet Blackbeard XLC (WBBBXLC if you like shorthand). Looking at delivery in about 2 weeks. hand crafted, great reviews, long enough for a 7 foot person (freak?), so 11 feet in overall length.

The XLC is a version of this one...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgqbxZLV4RU

...and here it is...!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRoO_hx33Cg

...and I admit, I bought this solely because of the great music used in their videos! LOL

...and I have spikes, rope, shock cord a tarp and all kinds of other farkles enroute as well... ::015::

 

[True Grip]

You know we expect a video review.

 

[sportsguy]

You know we expect a video review.

As soon as I find trees! I'm surrounded by them, but its all protected wetlands, so off limits... loll

So I shall have to take a ride! I'll set up the hammock and cook up lunch on the biolite camp stove and do some reviews.

 

[Karson]

...and I have spikes, rope, shock cord a tarp and all kinds of other farkles enroute as well... ::015::

Did you get some treestraps when you bought your warbonnet? I prefer to pack two climbing carabiners to hook up to the tree straps from my hammock ropes and brush up on my clove hitch knot tying skills.

I haven't had much luck camping at two different spots that have tree setups equidistant from each other, so tying a good knot's important. Otherwise, you'll be sleeping on the ground in an expensive, glorified bivy sack.

Just and idea, and some hammock purists don't like the additional weight. For motocamping it's a negligible ::008::

 

[sportsguy]

Did you get some treestraps when you bought your warbonnet? I prefer to pack two climbing carabiners to hook up to the tree straps from my hammock ropes and brush up on my clove hitch knot tying skills.

I haven't had much luck camping at two different spots that have tree setups equidistant from each other, so tying a good knot's important. Otherwise, you'll be sleeping on the ground in an expensive, glorified bivy sack.

Just and idea, and some hammock purists don't like the additional weight. For motocamping it's a negligible ::008::

Comes with the complete suspension and I spec'd straps for mine. Titanium carabineers and a bunch of other options and gear.