I really like the Switchback hammock, a contender for "best" for sure, with/without knee pillow
I have been pulling out lots of my hammocks lately as it has been cooling off a bit(but temp is spiking back up for the next week. :( ) I had my JRB UL bridge out ( really hard to beat over all ). Then I decided to finally try my HHSS insulation on my Claytor No Net (great hammock, HH Super Shelter worked just fine). Then I moved the HHSS back over to my old HH Explorer UL. I don't see how I could beat the comfort in that one when using that knee pillow(mentioned below). Finally, out came the switch back.
But on all of these I have also been experimenting with a big a** knee pillow, using an air inflated garbage sack inside a stuff sack(things I would probably have with me anyway). Honestly, this hack from Lev has, for me, reduced the differences between all my hammocks to pretty minor. I feel like as long as I am doing that, almost any hammock will do. Although needed least in my bridges, but still might increase over all comfort even in those already totally free of calf ridge. But in the gathered end types, any need for a big diagonal is greatly reduced simply by using a large knee pillow. The slightest amount of diagonal and I was fine in all of them. YMMV!
But I pulled out my Switchback just for the purpose of checking out the big air bag knee pillow, and first thing I noticed when I got in was no calf ridge even without the knee pillow. (but, being the calf ridge champ, I can sometimes find a very slight calf ridge even in this hammock, so the knee pillow will still probably be used, sometimes, and having those knees bent might increase comfort in all hammocks regardless of calf ridge)
Overall comfort with the SB is as good as any, better than most. I love the side tie outs and the way the netting gets tied out way above my head when not in use. I love the way this narrower hammock has a great view. And like the narrow Claytor, should work wonderful with a Speer Pea Pod or Polar Pod. Maybe even better than the Claytor as both the pods and the SB come from the same company, and the Polar is designed for it with correct tie outs and such.
But is this hammock- and/or the pods- even available anymore? Has any one been able to communicate with anyone from this company in recent months? If not, it is a real shame because all of these were excellent products, among the very best. I do know Krispie just got a small order shipped, but I don't think he was ever able to communicate with any one. That could make one nervous about a several hundred $ order. I have not read about any one getting a new SB hammock, or any of their insulation, in a long, long time. And that is a shame. In my experience, those pods were really, really hard to beat when it comes to guaranteed warmth with minimal learning curve or adjustment worries. Never failed me even for a moment. Plus, the hammocks are among the most comfy.
