I tell the wife and anyone that will listen, hammocks are like guns and golf clubs. Everyone wants a full set to handle any scenario and the latest popular thing/gimmick. To someone hiking where there are trees and sometimes none this could possibly be a solution. agree with the others on it looking tippy.Originally Posted by JmBoh
A friend of mine just pointed me to a link for these. I watched several of their promotional videos on YouTube. It's definitely an interesting concept but like all compromises it doesn't seem to do either really well (tent or hammock). The tent reminds me of my kid's old Eureka Solitaire that we never use because it's kind of a pain and the fly doesn't really protect very well. In hammock mode it looks extremely similar to the old Vietnam-era jungle hammocks, super tippy. That was my first attempt at getting off the ground and those will routinely toss you on your back or face if you're not careful. They had to be banjo-string tight to get a somewhat flat lay which made them prone to tip.
I think if they added a 2nd layer floor that was slightly hourglass shaped and had the appropriate connections/support this might make a better hammock. It would be like basically building a bridge into the floor. I could be way off though. It's hard to tell from a few seconds of video and vague descriptions on their website.
I did the math and for 7lbs I can carry my 20F TQ/UQ, Warbonnet Ridgerunner plus SuperFly and a ground sheet of tyvek for almost exactly the same weight. Difference is I'll be comfortable in the air or (possibly the ground) and have a ton of dry space beneath the fly to change clothes, eat, pack, etc. That's the reason I got out of tents and went to hammocks (oh yeah, the extreme comfort bump too). I hated being enclosed in a waterproof coffin when it was raining.
Granted though....I can't do this for $270. I'm really curious to see how these turn out. Any of you pre-order please keep us posted.
+1 on RR thoughts. However, a tarp has the versatility of providing shelter for cooking, room for family, friends, and the dog, and for generally getting on with life. I have experimented with several bivys in my explorations and do not care for them. Way to cramped for spending any time beyond sleeping in. $.02
This seems a lot like the Lawson hammock, reviewed here by Derek Hanson. Supposedly not tippy because its not a bridge hammock, though it has spreaders. The Crua seems to be this basic design, but with significant added features. If anyone is going to send that letter, it would be Lawson rather than Clark.
"I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
- Kate Chopin
If you like this design, check out www.alpinehammock.com they are on kick starter as well.
+1 on the alpine hammock. Looks pretty cool!
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