Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
The tie outs, at least on HG hammocks are separate from UQ hooks.
I use some plastic s-biners to attach ends to hammock CLs, and as long as the shock cords have the right amount of tautness I find that they stay in place pretty well. But I don't toss and turn a bunch, so not using quilt hooks might be a problem for those who do, or who switch sides during the night. Just another of those things you discover along the road to hammock nirvana!
Five Basic Principles of Going Lighter (not me... the great Cam Honan of OZ)
“If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking.” ~ Gen. George S Patton
Three.
1) I started with those !#@% "net" hammocks. I used them section hiking the AT and various points in Europe through my teen years. Lined with a blue foam pad with the corners rounded off and a sleeping bag. It was more comfortable than a tent. I used this setup for almost a decade. I updated the tarp, fiddled with the suspension, but I stuck with the basic net hammock (for weight, mostly).
Why yes, in fact, I am a stubborn !#%#, thank you for noticing.
2) Insert a 15 year hiatus, during which time I explored the "Ray Way" with tarps and ground dwelling. One day I saw those 9ft hammocks at Academy, and I got one to lounge in after the yard work. I used these for a couple of years. Moved to tree straps, and fiddled a bit with the suspension, but it was still pretty basic. As a post yard work napping spot, these were pretty darn comfie compared to the net hammocks of years gone by.
3) But, eventually, I got "bored" and wanted to get a good hammock. So, I did a bit of research, got the "Ultimate Hang 2" book and DIYd a 11ft gathered end hammock from a table cloth. I have experimented with half a dozen suspension options, and have settled on "the one true, and righteous path (for now)." That was about two years ago. My hammocking "problem" is solved, so I am back to fiddling with other things.
So, there you have it. Three basic hammock setups, used over the course of "half" a lifetime. I like to fiddle, but I tend to settle on what I like pretty quickly and then stick with that while I fiddle with other things.
Interesting discussion.
I'm a relative noob, switching to hammocks 5 years or so ago. The absolute best, for me, has been my Hammocktent.com ver 2 90deg hammock, with Lukes Carbon Fiber tarp. It's amazingly comfortable, versatile, lightweight and packs small. It uses a pad, and the tarp is relatively small, which are the rubs. The hammock is incredibly comfortable, but I've spent many nights with slight condensation issues. I'm just tired of waking up with a wet back, and have a pile of different pads to show for it trying to solve the problem. If it wasn't so comfortable...
So, that led to a Ridgerunner. I sleep side/fetal. that didn't work with my knees on the hard edges. Love the saddlebags though!
Now, I'm trying a Simply Light Designs Trail Lair, and loving it. The underquilt solves the condensation issue, and having a larger tarp feels so luxurious. I like the Trail Lair so much, I wonder what else is out there, so that will likely lead to picking up another GE or 5. Honestly, when I started this journey, I never thought I'd end up with a Gathered End hammock. It just didn't seem like it would be the right fit for me, but I think it is. It has me considering letting the 90deg setup go. It's quite an investment, but I'm afraid I'll regret it.
I suppose I might get more since I've only at this for less than a year.
BUT
So far I am on my second hammock and that seems good enough. As someone said before. Perfect is the enemy of good. I started with a cheap Amazon GE the SO got for yard chilling. Fell asleep in it one evening by accident and kept doing that on purpose going forward Effed around with blankets, pad, sleeping bags rigged as UQs and after lots of research on here and Shug videos bought my WBBB XLC. I almost sent it back (humans get used to things and then don't like change - keeping at it long enough they adapt).
Slept in the XLC in warmish fall weather down to a tad below 0F outside as well as inside in DIY Tensa and I have nothing to complain about really. I don't think about buying any other hammock so far.
Bookmarks