Recommendations for first hammock set up

**delindz** · 11-20-2014, 14:38

After quite a bit of research I'm thinking about putting away the tent and getting a hammock for backpack and car camping. I've been doing quite a bit of reading here on the forums and discovered Shug's awesome youtube videos last week during a sick day. I'm about 6' and right at 200 lbs. I'd like to purchase the hammock, suspension, bugnet, and a few other accessories soon and then look at getting my tarp with Christmas money in a month or two. I really like the idea of having the bugnet built into the hammock but I'd be willing to go with a separate bugnet if i hear positive enough comments from people. I've been looking a lot at the Hammeck Netty, Warbonnett Traveller, the Poly and Argon Dutch Hammocks, and a few others. I also can't seem to make up my mind if i want to go double or single layer and if I want 10' or 11' length. I'm in the Houston area and most of my camping would be piney woods area and hill country during spring and fall months so I don't plan on going the UQ route just yet. I'm not an a strict UL kind of guy, but i don't want a lot of weight either. Basically just looking for recommendations from you experts on what you think would be a good set up for me.

Thanks!

Dave

**cherring** · 11-20-2014, 14:43

I've heard good things about the Argon from Dutch. And he has fantastic gadgets for suspension. Look at his other items on his site. I would go for double layer for sure. Length is pretty much personal preference.

**Cali** · 11-20-2014, 15:00

Check out Dream Hammocks, Wilderness Logics, or Warbonnet and BIAS (Butt in a Sling), they all make great hammocks. Do lots of research before you decide and you may want to attend a group hang so you can check rigs out first hand. Good luck to you.

**PTAaron** · 11-20-2014, 15:04

I'm 6'1" 225lbs and I find that Dutch's Argon 11' hammock is perfect for me.

If I were going to start over again this is how I would do it:
Hammock - Dutch Argon 11' (it is cheap, light, and comfortable)
Suspension - Dutch's straps and cinch buckles (Ti if you don't mind spending a little extra) to attach to the trees, continuous loops with whoopie hooks on them threaded through the ends of the hammock - the whoopie hooks attach to the loops on the cinch buckles to allow the bug net to be easily taken on/off.
Bugnet - DIY Fronkey style if you have access to a sewing machine.
Insulation - 2 poncho liners, one rigged as a no sew UQ, and the other for the top quilt (I saw that you didn't want to go the UQ route yet, but I'm just listing off what I would do)
Tarp - I like my Henessey Hex, but it is huge and a little heavier than other options but it is very affordable.

I like the removable bug net because I like the flexibility of being able to toss my hammock and straps in my bag when I go out to the beach or out to watch my wife play soccer and leave the bugnet at home, then throw it into my bag if I'm going to need it.

That's my $.02 anyway

**perdidochas** · 11-20-2014, 16:19

Originally Posted by delindz

After quite a bit of research I'm thinking about putting away the tent and getting a hammock for backpack and car camping. I've been doing quite a bit of reading here on the forums and discovered Shug's awesome youtube videos last week during a sick day. I'm about 6' and right at 200 lbs. I'd like to purchase the hammock, suspension, bugnet, and a few other accessories soon and then look at getting my tarp with Christmas money in a month or two. I really like the idea of having the bugnet built into the hammock but I'd be willing to go with a separate bugnet if i hear positive enough comments from people. I've been looking a lot at the Hammeck Netty, Warbonnett Traveller, the Poly and Argon Dutch Hammocks, and a few others. I also can't seem to make up my mind if i want to go double or single layer and if I want 10' or 11' length. I'm in the Houston area and most of my camping would be piney woods area and hill country during spring and fall months so I don't plan on going the UQ route just yet. I'm not an a strict UL kind of guy, but i don't want a lot of weight either. Basically just looking for recommendations from you experts on what you think would be a good set up for me.

Thanks!

Dave

If I were to buy a pre-made hammock today, I'd probably go for a 11' Argon from dutch. I have a tablecloth hammock, using a cinch buckle from dutch.

**Shug** · 11-20-2014, 16:22

Here is a good place to start perusing.....https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...Hammock-Setups
Enjoy the hammock quest.
Shug

**humer91** · 11-20-2014, 16:27

some of us are doing a weekend hike and hang in the LSHT in a few weeks, come check us out and check out some different hammocks if you want.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...Full-Moon-Trip

**nosckaj123** · 11-20-2014, 17:08

I'd go with the dutch argon, seems like everyone likes them and its the best price for any hammock that I've seen

**Mr. Jowee** · 11-20-2014, 20:48

I prefer the PollyD. I gave the Argon to a friend as a gift, so I've had the opportunity to try out both. The PolyD feels more substantial and a little stiffer than the Argon. I'm 6', 165lb (and handsome, if it makes a difference). Both of these are 11' hammocks. I've never tried a 10', but at 6' tall that might be on the small side.

There are so many options for suspension it's crazy. The easiest would be cinch buckles or a double buckle. If you want to save a little weight and bulk, Speed Hooks are fantastic.

**delindz** · 11-20-2014, 23:05

Originally Posted by humer91

some of us are doing a weekend hike and hang in the LSHT in a few weeks, come check us out and check out some different hammocks if you want.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...Full-Moon-Trip

I'd love to go that weekend and check things out but I'll be in the hill country deer hunting with my dad. I'm a big fan on the LSHT and would like to try and thru-hike it in the coming year.