Hello all, long time tenter here, never hammocked before. I've long been interested though, mainly for more options when camping out on backpacking trips and not being quite as limited to common overnight sites. I'm 5'11 and 160 to 170 pounds.
I guess I've sort of settled on getting a Dutchware hammock; either a Chameleon or a Half-Zipped.
My main considerations are weight and comfort and ease of setup (in that order, probably).
I currently have a 28 oz trekking pole tent. I know I probably won't get below that, but I also don't want to go much higher than that.
I have a few thoughts that I'd like to share and maybe and hopefully get some thoughts on.
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Heavier, initial thoughts:
1) Chameleon 1.6 with Sym bugnet and Beetle Buckle suspension comes out to 26.6 oz, and along with a 14.1 oz Hex Tarp this total setup is 40.4 ounces, which is around 13 oz heavier than my current tent. I have read and seen YouTube video reviews indicating 1.6 is quite a bit more durable and also more comfortable (subjective, I know) and that the Beetle Buckle system is easy and recommended for new users. $207 for hammock and $160 for 11' Hex Tarp equaling $367.
2) Complete Chameleon package in 1.6 comes to 43.1 ounces. I'm not sure why that's 2 ounces heavier than the above Chameleon as I tried to use the same accessories and whatnot. This one is $335, or a $30 savings.
3) The Half-Zip with Hex Tarp separately, comes at 39.1 ounces, or 1.3 ounces lighter than the Chameleon with the same accessories. This comes to $154, and then with the tarp the total cost would be $314. This is only $20 less than the Complete package Chameleon, and it would be nice to have a fully detachable bug net with the option of later on getting a top cover.
4) The Complete package Half-Zip comes to 38.2 ounces (again, not sure why the 1 oz discrepancy) and is $280.
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So those are the 4 main choices that I have come to. My biggest worry is getting one of those and then a few months later wanting to change my setup; getting lighter components. I'm not set on 1.6 fabric but I am pretty set on a full bug net. I am also not set on a suspension system.
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I'd really like to explore ways to lighten this load.
1) Using 1.0 fabric. This seems to save 4 or 5 ounces. I've read the 1.6 is a bit more comfortable/rigid and more durable. I dont' want to think of this hammock as "disposable" either. Will 1.0 last me a quite a while. I'd go with 1.0 if so.
2) Using whoopie hooks with 5 ft huggers would save 2 ounces or so. I'm not sure what's meant by tree huggers but would that be the strap that wraps around the tree and connects the whoopie hook to the actual hammock? sorry, I'm a newbie.
If I make those 2 changes then the Chamelon (with tarp) becomes 34.3 ounces, the Complete package Chameleon becomes 38.9 ounces (that's a pretty large difference, and again, I'm not sur why), the Half-Zip becomes 33.2 ounces and the Complete Half-Zip becomes 33.3 ounces. So we are talking 5 or 6 ounce differences making these 2 changes.
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Obviously choosing a Dyneema Composite 11' tarp would save a lot of weight...7 ounces versus the 14 oz regular hex tarp. If doing that I could get the Chameleon and tarp down to around 27.5 ounces and the Half-Zip and tarp down to around 26 ounces.
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I'd appreciate any thoughts of these 6 setups I came up with (1.6 chameleon with tarp, 1.6 half-zip with tarp, 1.6 complete chameleon, 1.6 complete half-zip, and then 1.0 chameleon with dyneema tarp and 1.0 half-zip with dyneema tarp). I want to go ultralight but not stupid light.
Also, any other ways to get lighter? Am I missing anything? Thank you so much if you took the time to read all this text. I know I rambled quite a bit.
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