I am going to ask for some guidance from the members on HF.
I have been hanging for about five years now. First using a gathered end hammock, then moved to a JRB BMBH. At first, I tried an under quilt and did not like the shoulder squeeze. Almost returned the BMBH, but tried a NeoAir pad in the sleeve and that changed everything. Thought this was the ultimate flat lay hang. The pad was plenty warm enough for me along with my Marmot Never Winter 30 degree bag. Granted, I am a warm sleeper and have taken this system down to 15 - 20 F with smart layering. Alas, after 4 years with my BMBH, I find I have to look for a lighter solution.
I have trimmed all the unnecessary things from my trips to lighten what I can and I hike with a GoLite Jam 50 liter pack. Next is the sleep system. And when I say sleep system, I am talking tent or hammock, any pads, quilts sleeping bags and stakes, suspension, etc. My present JRB BMBH system is coming in at 9.1 lbs - ouch! Trying to trim this whole system by 2.5 to 3 lbs.
This is where you guys come in.
My first preference is to stay with the JRB system, which consist of an older style BMBH with sleeve, the Neo Air pad, Never Winter 30 bag and nylon slings with Tri-Glide and Dutch clip. I have tried to figure out how to use my trekking poles as spreader bars, but on the older BMBH hammocks, they use a ring that the spreader bar notches into. I have seen Warbonnets adapter ends for the Monopod hiking poles, but this will not work with the BMBH older style. This would work on the new JRB Ultra Lite hammock, but there is no bug screen (which I require). Most of my hiking is in colder months, but I do hang occasionally during bug season.
So I am starting from scratch. I have built a long spreadsheet with various hammock styles, both bridge and GE. In my search, I am evaluating total weight of the sleep system as well as invested dollars. I am not a fan of under quilts as I prefer not to have the extra bulk in my JAM 50 pack. I figure, if I cannot get it to fit, then I don't need to carry it. Kind of a stop gap measure to ensure I don't carry the kitchen sink on my next trip out. To add some additional spice to the search, I like stuff that is multi-purpose as I am a backpacker as well as a touring cyclist. There will be times where trees will not be available (camped at a Fire Station or public park that frowns on tree hangers). As a result, I am a pad person who has decided to opt for a Big Agnes Sleep system where you can integrate the pad and bag together to open options to either Gathered End, Bridge Hammock or Ground Dweller. So a modular system is what I am inclined to look at.
To date, I have considered the Warbonnet Ridge Runner at 9.038 lbs, the Sierra Madre Research Stratos System at 7.38 lbs or a Combo MSR Mesh House (for ground dwelling) with a SMR Ninox Fly / Hammock that comes in at 6.21 lb if I think I will just be carrying a tent system / 8.151 if I carry both the tent and hammock system when I am cycle touring - 7.151 if I ditch the tent backup and just carry the Ninox Hammock System. The Ninox is the most attractive so far, but still about a pound away from cutting 3 lbs from my base weight goal. If I go with just the tent option, then I have met my goal, but I do not want to go back to a ground system. In the midst of this, I am calculating investment to reward ratio.
On the Dutchware section of this forum, I started reading about the Chameleon modular system and saw some potential there and asked a question about diagonal lay with a BA Bag / Pad Combo. Someone there, clued me into the Cross Hammock system from Germany. This looks interesting, but I need to evaluate hanging in rough rainy weather and the potential for staying dry with a unit that hangs so different than what most tarps are made to cover.
So - I am ready, willing and able to take suggestions and make comments on what I am doing now.
BMBH_wUQ.jpgBMBH_wPad.jpgSpreader_InRing.jpgBMBH_SpreaderBar.jpg
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