I got this hammock to experiment with it, primarily because the thought of doing away with an UQ, especially on some of my more remote wilderness trips which I occasionally have an adventure on, really appealed to me. Unlike the Amok, this one is designed to be used with a pad, but does not require a pad either for insulation, or for a reasonable amount of function/and comfort. IOW, if something went wrong with my inflatable pad(no worries with CCF pads of course) deep in the Bridger Wilderness, as long as I had trees and something else handy for bottom insulation, I'd be fine. Though that might be questionable- if I was counting on a pad for primary insulation, would I also have enough insulation not needed for sleeping to go down below? Maybe not. OTOH, using a pad- even a CCF pad- along with some available puffy stuff to go on top or around the pad, as part of the plan, might be a way to go. And no trees, no problem with a pad. Or, not a big one, obviously not as comfy on the ground.
But if I found myself needing- or just wanting- to camp above tree line, if I already had a pad for my primary insulation, I would be good to go. Plus, far less concern about keeping the wind and moisture off of my UQ while hanging. And probably no comfort would be given up by using a pad in this hammock, some would argue that it is as or more comfy with a pad than any hammock with an UQ. I'm not yet sure of that last statement, but it sure is at least fairly close. The only flaw I can see is a bit of knee extension with a full length pad, which might require a knee pillow. But so many of my GE hammocks are better with a knee pillow anyway. I know some members have modified the hammock to overcome the knee extension problem, maybe I should also?
I have not yet been able to commit to this hammock over some of my other favs, but I continue to experiment with it. Today I hiked a couple of miles into the woods and tried out a < 20 oz, 30F UQ stuffed down into the pad pocket. It is impossible for me to check loft or if the quilt is positioned under all points that need insulating, because of the darned non-removable net. All I have to go by is that it was much warmer than without the quilt in the pad pocket. It was very, very warm, but then again the air was not actually cold, maybe in the high 60s under overcast skies? But it was a big difference with the UQ vs none. Also, when I used the hammock as a chair, I could tell there is plenty of loft under my butt, it is not much compressed, if at all.
Here is a picture of the UQ stuffed into the pad pocket, followed by a picture of me inside the hammock. In the 2nd pic, you can see the foot end of the UQ coming out of the pad pocket opening, and I have the UQ suspension strap keeping it in position so that my feet are covered(probably not needed, but good for this pic)
I see from this picture that I was off center to the left, but I did not notice that. If I had, I would have centered myself better or checked to see if I needed to lower the right side attachment to the tree. How do Y'all like my Permethrin treated pants tucked in my Permethrin treated socks? But I never see a tick, not in many years, even in the swamps of MS!
Using this hammock without a pad is so different, it makes it really hard to get used to. I had put it away for a while while I went back to my usual hammocks, but I pulled it back out today.
Impressions with no pad:
1: as I get more accustomed to it, comfort is equal to or greater than any other hammock for flat on my back, with or without a pillow. There is almost, but still not quite, some knee extension. ( I have noticed some knee extension with a TR Neo Air pad, so would need a knee pillow)
2:Most important of all, zero calf ridge, with or without pad
3: side comfort excellent, though without a pad, there is a strong tendency to end up in fetal, the hammock wants to almost force me into fetal! Once in fetal- with no pad, probably the most comfy hammock I have been in, at least in fetal. And quite possibly more comfy(in fetal) than any position in any other hammock. It was sweet! I can't recall how fetal was with a pad, but I'm pretty sure it was at least very good, about equal to any other hammock. But without a pad, there is some fabric that pushes up into my waist, causing the exact opposite of the side twist that might be expected if I could not get diagonal enough, and had even a hint of banana position going on. But no hint of that with this hammock, more like the opposite, but just enough opposite for perfection. A feeling of no pressure points anywhere. Of course, this will not be the case if I am using a pad, then it will revert to only very good, or maybe as good as the best of the rest. And of course, this hammock working so great with a pad is the #1 reason I wanted to try this hammock in the first place!
One reason I have had trouble getting used to this hammock is that- without a pad- it feels so strange when you try to move. Since the ends are not under tension, when I move, it moves, and there is not much to push against when trying to move. Add to that the feeling that this hammock is so light weight it seems fragile, and I have been afraid I am going to tear something when I try to move. ( but only with out a pad, that weirdness/sense of frigidity does not apply if a pad is used, which keeps everything stretched out more like a normal hammock that is suspended from the ends, plus the pad gives a sense of greater durability)
Also, it occurred to me today that it might be possible to suspend an UQ from this hammock. But instead of suspending it from the ends, suspend it from the multiple loops that all the thin cordage which runs up to the RL are attached to, maybe 3 or 4 with shock cord on each side, or some kam snaps. I Think this would work just great while I was on my back or side with legs straight. But I do wonder what would happen when I went fetal for that superb fetal comfort that this hammock possesses. Would a bunch of channels funneling cold air develop when the hammock length collapsed the way it does to match my length when I go fetal? I do not know, but some one here probably does. (For that matter, would those channels develop if I have the UQ in the pad pocket?) Or, what if I had a closed cell pad in the pad pocket, just thick enough to force the hammock to keep it's shape when I go fetal, with the UQ around that(or CCF pad in the pad pocket, quilt suspended under and snugged up against the hammock)? Oh my, so much to try!
Well, there is a lot for me to learn about this hammock. I remain unsure if it can replace my tried and true bridges and a couple of GE hammocks, the ones I have so many years of experience sleeping comfy and staying warm and dry in. (tarps with this hammock are reversed for which way the long end needs to go) But it certainly has a couple of really unique and strong points going for it. So different! And of course, as always, a couple of negatives(bottom line: as always, pros and cons), which I may or may not be able to overcome. But now that it is cooling off nicely, I will be finding out most likely.
Bookmarks