New to Hanging from NY

**Willowby** · 04-09-2016, 10:59

Hi Everyone!

A friend of mine has been hanging for years and has got me hooked into changing from tent backpacking to hanging.
After reading and watching so many youtube vids about the subject I thought I would sign up for the forum here in hopes of gaining some more insight. I backpack as lite as possible mostly here in the Northeast anywhere from 1 - 5 nights in any season. I am looking for something durable yet lite. there are so many hammocks to choose from but I have narrowed down my search to the Dream Hammock Sparrow - Thunderbird - Darien. Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated from the forum.

I am leaning more toward the Sparrow because of the zippers mostly as well as the detachable fly and overcomer. Although I am not quite sure on the length; I am 5'8" about 150 lbs and mostly a side sleeper. My questions really are whether to go with a 10 ft or 11 ft and Sl vs DL. What I was thinking is this: Sparrow SL - with the 1.6 HyperD diamond for the outside, (if DL the inside would be 1.0 Robic or 1.1 Ripstop), 1.1 for the over cover with 1 vent, continuous loops, UQ and Tie Outs, and 10 ft tree straps. I already use a top quilt and would eventually get an under quilt for warmth for the colder weather.

Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated. I look forward to reading more posts.

Thanks so much! J

**12trysomething** · 04-09-2016, 11:47

Welcome aboard. There are a good many of us here in NY, maybe we will see you on the trail at some point.

~ Rob

**brutalguyracing** · 04-09-2016, 13:01

Sounds like you have done your homework

Welcome from long beach NY

Hope to see ya out one day

**gfd131** · 04-09-2016, 14:28

welcome from rochester!

**Penfold** · 04-09-2016, 14:59

Welcome from the Isle of Staten.

Sounds like you have done a fair bit of research. I started with a Kammok Roo, then to a Clark, my kids share using a Hammock Bliss sky bed, and I just got a hammocktent gamma UL, which will get used when i have a spare weekend which won't be until Memorial Day. Might want to put some thought into a tarp as well. Thus far my go to has been an Arrowhead Shangri La, but Outdoor Wilderness Logics Tadpole is real nice and a number of people swear by the War Bonnet SuperFly.

**Silent Bob** · 04-09-2016, 15:51

Welcome .. I'll try to answer your question but I'm a little taller than you 6'1 and weigh 185. I'm also a side sleeper and my first hammock was a 10ft SL 1.6.. It was comfortable but I made the move to a 11 ft DL and haven't went back. I strictly backpack and the comfort out weighs the couple of extra ounces for a DL. I have a thunderbird which I mainly use for winter trips and a free bird for three season. They both have 1.1 outer and 1.0 inner layers. I still use my first DL hammock made by WL it's a light owl. It has 1.1 for both layers. I do use a pad between the layers for my feet and like it better than when I had a SL. You might be able to get away with a 10ft hammock but maybe someone else your size will chime in. I don't have a sparrow but I do love both my hammocks from DH so you can't go wrong there. Hope this helps.. Good luck

**Willowby** · 04-09-2016, 16:06

Thank you for the info. I keep thinking the 11 ft would be more comfortable for me and a dl would let me put a pad between the layers too. Im hoping to just make a decision soon though as i am really wanting to hang instead of tenting.
Cheers!

**LuvmyBonnet** · 04-09-2016, 16:32

Welcome from Buffalo. Yes 11ft will give you more room and easier to get a flat lay in. Another benefit to the DL is if you're not using an uq on a hot day it's harder for the skeeters to get through the DL.

**mightyquinn** · 04-09-2016, 17:45

Welcome from northern ADK...I purchased a war bonnet xlc and love it. I bought the winter cover as well because even though I don't hang in winter it can get cold on mountains.