This is not so much of a product review, rather a review of the similarities and differences between two of the more popular cottage hammocks on the market - the Dutchwaregear Chameleon, and the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC.
We are spoiled to own both of them and have taken both on multiple backpacking trips and spent several nights in both of them. We always get asked about the comparisons between the two, so we decided to put together a video comparing/contrasting them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A7mqgd4WTc
In short:
A few similarities:
-Both 11 ft hammocks
-Both have convertible style bugnets
-Both are from cottage companies, made in the USA
-Both are similarly priced (XLC - 195, DW - 199)
-Both Winter topcover options
-Both have tie outs
A few differences:
-Design style - Shelf on WBBB (which we LOVE)
-Ability to move tie-outs around on the DW
-Weight - ~24oz (DW) vs 28oz (XLC)
-Suspension options
-Winter topcover on DW is modular, topcover for the XLC must be ordered with hammock
-The obvious one: Ability to change lay direction on DW/move tie-outs around
-Taking off bugnet on the XLC removes footbox, whereas it does not on the DW
-Pack hooks on DW
-Fabric options/colors on DW
-XLC has a specific/catered underquilt (the wooki)
We want to make one thing clear - we LOVE both of them, and cannot recommend one over the other. As we talk about in the video, there are definitely certain situations/preferences that would favor one over the other though.
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