Haven XL?

[Slugger]

Has anyone used the Haven XL? I went ahead and ordered the Haven Safari which should be delivered in June. After trying several different types of hammocks I've found I'm most comfortable in a bridge-type hammock. I currently have one of Bill Townsend's Big Guy Bridge Hammock and really like it. The Haven Safari also appeals to me and just might get an even flatter lay...maybe. And before you say anything, I'm mainly a car-camper so weight is not my concern because I know this one is heavy. If I do hike it's short distances - no long hauls that I would really be concerned about weight of the hammock.

I've seen Shug's video with his Haven XL and a few others out there who have reviewed the Haven XL. I do know a big change in the Safari over the XL - they've fixed the zipper issue so it's more user friendly. No more long reaches at the very end of the bug net to get to the zipper pull.

If I have a concern, it's the "using the insulated pad as your bottom insulation" idea. The pad only has a R-4 insulation value and I do like to winter camp within reason. R-4 isn't going to cut it. So far I haven't seen anyone try to fit an UQ to the Haven XL. Or maybe someone has, but I haven't seen the video yet.

If it's delivered in June, it's first outing with me will be the annual John Rock hang in mid-July (in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC). Looking forward to it!

[Shug]

You can add a closed cell foam pad beneath the Haven pad. Or even get their pad insulated cover....https://haventents.com/collections/s...ated-pad-cover
Enjoy it at John Rock. The supplied pad will do you fine there.

[SoaknWet]

Good Luck.

[Kmazuro]

When I first transitioned to hammocks I purchased the regular size haven and still have it. As a car camping hammock the safari looks fantastic and it’s introductory price is great as well. My biggest issue with the haven is that to take advantage of the flat, open lay experience the pad needs too much air for me to be comfortable. I currently split my time between a towns end and less so, a ridgerunner. If I didn’t love trying out new stuff so much I swear I would never buy anything else but another Townsend. There is a lot to like about the haven so definitely not trying to dissuade. I love the minimalist tarp and how it’s incorporated. And because of the incorporated tarp Nothing else sets up faster or easier. For me personally, the insulated pad is great down to 25-30f. I tried an UQ. Even ordered a custom sized AHE 40x90 to supplement but just found that the pad holds two high a volume of air to efficiently keep warm with body heat alone in temps below freezing. Oddly enough… I know many others have complained about lack of dual zippers but the zipper has never been an issue for me. As long as you set the hammock up the same every time (colored carabiner at head end) and orient so the net is closed with zipper above your head it’s super convenient to grab it right above your head. These are all my experiences so obviously others may be different. I’ll be looking forward to your opinions after you try it out.
kris

[CVKealey]

This past weekend was my first outing with the Haven XL. I realized quickly that I should have slept a night or two at home before taking it out. The first night I kind of felt like I kept sliding to the right because (I think) the pad had shifted to the left (that is, the left side felt higher than the right) on me. The second night, I kind of pre-shifted the pad to the right and I did not have that tippy/sliding to the right feeling. Overall, I like it, but there are a few issues.

1. The zipper is not great. It sticks a lot, especially right around the spreader bars. I suspect it's more due to the tension on them than anything else. I might just ditch the net altogether. Bugs don't usually like the taste of me.

2. The pad. Maybe I need to find the sweet spot of inflation levels. I had it pretty firm, but it still seemed to wrap around me a bit, especially laying on my side. Maybe a little less air would be better? I know the setup video says not to inflate it too much.

3. Packing the pad. I bought a handy little pump from Amazon which blows it up lickety split. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to make it work for deflating the pad. So, it's slow to get the air out, and the little flap that makes inflation easier just gets in the way. It's compounded by the fact that unless there's flat/clean/dry ground or another surface nearby (I used the floor of an Adirondack on our campsite, which was far from clean, so I'll be cleaning the pad up later), it's really hard to get the air out efficiently.

I should also say that I ordered it without the tarp since I wanted to keep that separate and save some weight. So, I can't comment on the Haven's integrated rainfly.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

[Shug]

This past weekend was my first outing with the Haven XL. I realized quickly that I should have slept a night or two at home before taking it out. The first night I kind of felt like I kept sliding to the right because (I think) the pad had shifted to the left (that is, the left side felt higher than the right) on me. The second night, I kind of pre-shifted the pad to the right and I did not have that tippy/sliding to the right feeling. Overall, I like it, but there are a few issues.

1. The zipper is not great. It sticks a lot, especially right around the spreader bars. I suspect it's more due to the tension on them than anything else. I might just ditch the net altogether. Bugs don't usually like the taste of me.

2. The pad. Maybe I need to find the sweet spot of inflation levels. I had it pretty firm, but it still seemed to wrap around me a bit, especially laying on my side. Maybe a little less air would be better? I know the setup video says not to inflate it too much.

3. Packing the pad. I bought a handy little pump from Amazon which blows it up lickety split. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to make it work for deflating the pad. So, it's slow to get the air out, and the little flap that makes inflation easier just gets in the way. It's compounded by the fact that unless there's flat/clean/dry ground or another surface nearby (I used the floor of an Adirondack on our campsite, which was far from clean, so I'll be cleaning the pad up later), it's really hard to get the air out efficiently.

I should also say that I ordered it without the tarp since I wanted to keep that separate and save some weight. So, I can't comment on the Haven's integrated rainfly.

Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk

Nice you got one. I have had the pad feel off a couple times but learn to get out and set it right. They used to have a video on that. Once right I find it real comfortable. More than I thought I would.
Take a look at this for some insight. From Haven blog....https://haventents.com/blogs/haven-j...en-or-haven-xl
Some pad tips below. He deflates it in the Haven
Shug

[Slugger]

Thank you everyone for your comments so far.

Cover for insulated pad - unavailable right now for the XL and Safari...they are designing a new one for the 30x80 mattresses. Maybe available in the fall. As the weather is warming up now and we are into Spring, the R-4 will be OK for now. This fall I'll be looking at their new cover for the 30x80 to see how much R-value it will add. Or just take Shug's advice and put a closed-cell pad under the mattress.

As there wasn't an UQ designed specifically to fit my BGBH, I was able to adapt my HG 20 degree to the BGBH quite nicely and am very satisfied with the results. Maybe once I get the Haven Safari I can look at it and see if I can adapt someone's UQ to fit the Haven for winter hanging. You never know.

Just spit-balling here:

Lawson Hammocks have a 40x80 UQ for their hammocks.
https://www.lawsonhammock.com/collec...cts/underquilt

Maybe something like Hennessy's double-bubble pad - could put this under a closed-cell pad that is also under the Haven's mattress. https://hennessyhammock.com/products...-bubble-pad-xl

In any case, once I receive the Haven Safari, guess I'll have to do a review & post it here with maybe a follow up review of additional insulation options for colder use.

[Tikker]

Once right I find it real comfortable. More than I thought I would.

once your inside, and settled

Haven vs Draumr for comfort

[Shug]

once your inside, and settled

Haven vs Draumr for comfort

Both comfortable.
Haven easier in and out.
Amok...chair mode. Hard to beat.
But now Haven has a quasi sit-up mode.
It just keeps coming......

[Slugger]

Both comfortable.
Haven easier in and out.
Amok...chair mode. Hard to beat.
But now Haven has a quasi sit-up mode.
It just keeps coming......

We'll see how the Haven lounge mode does with my cup of coffee.