About to take the plunge. Any better ideas?

**tomykay12** · 07-21-2018, 21:30

For a beginner setup to help me find out what works for me; Dutchgear sale netless hammock, 25 bux. 15' straps 12.80. Cinch buckles with loops 11.00. I'll probably get carabiners locally. A little over 60 bux shipped. Alternatives? thanks, tk

**Smckinney0031** · 07-21-2018, 21:32

Question, do you think you will need a bug net for it at any point

**johnspenn** · 07-21-2018, 21:39

That'll get you off the ground. Of course if you plan to stay off the ground for any length of time outdoors, there are other considerations. Bug protection, as mentioned already, insulation and protection from the elements. Welcome to the worm hole that is hammockery!

**Otter1** · 07-21-2018, 21:45

Can't go wrong with you choices

**tomykay12** · 07-21-2018, 21:50

Right now thinking a summer sock in the future for this rig. Southern California, so not many bugs at night but irritating small flies during the day. Just looking for a quality starter setup.

**Smckinney0031** · 07-21-2018, 21:52

Anything from dutch is quality!

**j-Fish** · 07-21-2018, 22:08

If you are sleeping outside at night something to consider is as soon as you get around 70 degrees you need something to insulate your underside.

A sleeping bag alone doesn’t work because the material you are laying on is compressed and therefore doesn’t keep you warm. You will need either a sleeping pad like what you would use on the ground. Or what we call an underquilt. Which is basically an insulated blanket that you attach underneath the outside of your hammock so it does not compress under your body weight so it keeps you warm.

If you haven’t come across Shug’s videos on YouTube yet give him a look. Especially his hammock for noobs series. I still like to watch them.

But yes your decision for getting started is a great idea.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**sidneyhornblower** · 07-22-2018, 03:57

Originally Posted by tomykay12

For a beginner setup to help me find out what works for me; Dutchgear sale netless hammock, 25 bux. 15' straps 12.80. Cinch buckles with loops 11.00. I'll probably get carabiners locally. A little over 60 bux shipped. Alternatives? thanks, tk

That's an excellent price for a quality setup that can form the core of a modular system. If you want bug protection later, a summer sock or a Fronkey style net can be added. Underquilts, top quilts, pads and sleeping bags can all work with this set up. If you get another hammock, the straps can be moved to the new hammock. Likewise, if you want to try whoopies or some other system, you can use them with this hammock. You could even ditch the cinch buckles and learn to tie a Beckett hitch and use those same straps, especially since they're 15 feet long. There are many, many tarps to choose from that will work with this hammock as well. Like the line from the movie says, "You have chosen wisely."

Cheers.

**Big Flounder** · 07-22-2018, 04:00

If it gets you out and hanging, yes go for it. Be a quality set up and like others said, it'll be a good start that you can add to in the future. Be sure to post up some pics once you get it and have a chance to hang in it!

**Shug** · 07-22-2018, 09:33

Yes. Get it.
I would suggest getting and practicing to get a good and proper hang and find your sweet spot and then go from there.
Be patient and have fun and good comfort.
Shug