First Steps: lowering weight and bulk

[Bobonli]

I have a couple of seasons in my HG Wanderlust kit. I don’t see myself going back to a tent unless there’s some really specific need to (absolutely no trees!). I’d like to try to lighten the load a bit if possible, particularly as colder weather approaches and I’ll need some pack space for potentially bulkier quilts. Here’s my starting point:

HG 11 foot netted hammock: 583 grams (comes with giant carabiners, which I’m replacing)
HG 11 foot tarp including snake skin: 421 grams
Suspension: daisy chain and Dutch hooks: 130 grams

The webbing is a bit longer than it needs to be and, as such, is probably bulkier than necessary. My first inclination is to replace the tarp with something DCF particularly since the tarp gets a bit saggy under heavy rains. There’s weight to be saved there but the DCF probably doesn’t pack down as small.

I’ve looked at the comparison charts in Ultimate Hang to see if there are lighter hammocks but I’m not sure how current that content is. I’d appreciate some input from those who’ve taken this journey already. Lighter hammock or try to lighten the suspension?

I like having the bug net in summer, but the bugs are gone for the season and the net is not removable in this model of hammock. Maybe that’s inconsequential weight!?

I’m 6’2” about 210 lbs if that matters in terms of a hammock.

[jedavisii]

I'd suggest changing your suspension. Daisy chains are heavy and bulky. You could go with tree huggers and whoopie slings. Or some form of longer strap like Dutch's spider straps and tie a Beckett hitch. That's the first thing I upgraded and save a lot of weight by ditching the Daisy chain and ultimately all hardware by just using that knot.


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[ObdewlaX]

Definitely not inconsequential... as an example, removing the bug net from the Dutchware Chameleon shaves nearly 6 oz. Add a DCF tarp, sub soft shackles for carabiners, get rid of all the hardware and trim the weight even more.

[cmoulder]

For a quick guide on the hammock portion of your kit, the current HG Wanderluxe kit (including quilts) is a pretty good guide. 4.64lb as spec'd is very respectable for a complete hammock/20°F quilts/tarp setup.

There are a couple of things I would personally change—no hardware, a one-piece tarp ridge line, straight webbing vs daisy chain—which would put the weight right around 4.5lbs, I'd guess.

In the Ultra Lite Gear forum (donating members) there are many other ideas and discussions about reducing overall pack weight.

Also, there's nothing wrong with using a netted hammock in the winter, and in fact it has more of an effect at blocking wind than you might imagine, and sometimes, depending on conditions, a lot of frost can collect there which would otherwise end up collecting on your quilt.

[Rolloff]

This is what got me there. 10.4 pounds atm

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...od-amp-Clothes

[SilvrSurfr]

As for tarp suspension, I've been using a continuous ridgeline with Dutch Wasps and Hooks for years. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the prusik loops that connect the tarp to the ridgeline need to be loosened a bit in order to slide them. When it's 10* F outside and snowing, you don't want to be futzing with your prusik loops. In cold temps, you could only have about three to five minutes working without gloves, tying knots, before you need to take a "warming" time out.

I can't tie a single knot with gloves on. Maybe if I practiced at home? Usually, I just bring a couple of handwarmers for winter setup - I know I might have to warm my hands at least twice to set up my winter tarp.

[Canadark]

As for tarp suspension, I've been using a continuous ridgeline with Dutch Wasps and Hooks for years. The only complaint I have is that sometimes the prusik loops that connect the tarp to the ridgeline need to be loosened a bit in order to slide them. When it's 10* F outside and snowing, you don't want to be futzing with your prusik loops. In cold temps, you could only have about three to five minutes working without gloves, tying knots, before you need to take a "warming" time out.

I can't tie a single knot with gloves on. Maybe if I practiced at home? Usually, I just bring a couple of handwarmers for winter setup - I know I might have to warm my hands at least twice to set up my winter tarp.

A CRL from Jeff Myers of Myerstech (ebay store) or Autumn Ultralite use a simple toggle to set the line taut plus a pair of Nama claws. They give you small continuous loops that you larkshead to the tarp tieouts, then these get hooked to the Nama claws. I haven't used mine in winter yet, but on paper it looks like something you could do with gloves on.

[MongooseDownUnder]

This is what got me there. 10.4 pounds atm

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...od-amp-Clothes

Just finished going through this thread and there are a lot of great ideas in there. It is clear the OP in that thread put a lot of thought into his system.

Not sure I would get to that sort of weight, but then again no bears where I live, except Drop Bears but I carry Vegemite for them.


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[Rolloff]

Just finished going through this thread and there are a lot of great ideas in there. It is clear the OP in that thread put a lot of thought into his system.

Not sure I would get to that sort of weight, but then again no bears where I live, except Drop Bears but I carry Vegemite for them.


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No bears here of course either..but I am really glad to be getting my food, fuel, stove, trash and other odds and ends out of the main body of my pack. My food sack was always on the top of every thing and had to come out first before accessing the rest of the contents. It would get smooshed up and around and generally stink my pack up. Even with scent blocker sacks it still remained in my way.

The base weight for Jeremy's system includes the 2lb weight penalty for the canister, which makes it pretty impressive with or without the Hammock.

[Bobonli]

This is what got me there. 10.4 pounds atm

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...od-amp-Clothes

Excellent video! I'm not quite UL and not sure I'll ever get there, just trying to trim here and there where it makes sense.
I hadn't thought of bundling the hammock, quilts and sleep clothes together.
How do you sort that out when it rains and you have to stuff everything pack into the pack together? I didnt see a pack liner.