Any place to try before you buy?

**1stcavmp77** · 10-28-2015, 12:31

Hello all, just a quick question here and hopefully I can get some advice. Are there any stores where you can try out some of the different hammocks before you purchase them? I'm talking about brands such as Hennessey, Clark, Warbonnet, etc.
I have a Treklight double right now but am considering moving up to something more advanced and more suitable to hiking. Also wanting to get my wife into hammock camping so I might be in the market for something like a Jungle Hammock for two people.
Thanks for the help.

**olddog** · 10-28-2015, 12:36

Your best bet is to find a group hang near you and spend the day with a bunch of hangers. Make sure you take your wife also. You will get to see a greater number of hammocks there than any other place you could go. Plus you will find a great group of people.

**dakotaross** · 10-28-2015, 12:57

One REI near me had a hammock setup for a while, then took it down. Why they don't have a stand with a HH on it is beyond me. Hammocks are clearly a niche product to them, instead of the product that WILL overtake tent sales at some point.

Besides the hang near you suggestion (a good one), you might just ask if there's any hangers near you that would help you by letting you see and test their equipment. I know I would do that for someone near me.

**SilvrSurfr** · 10-28-2015, 13:15

I'm not aware of any stores where you can try out hammocks. REI carries ENO and a couple of other brands, but I believe you'll still have to buy them to try them (and they really only carry big-box brands that aren't tremendously popular on HF).

UGQ has a gear rental program - you can find out more here:

http://undergroundquilts.com/rentals/default.html

Don't get your hopes up about hammocks for two. About the only viable hammock for two that I know of is the Clark Vertex, which weighs more than 6 lbs. and costs more than $600 (and you'll need three trees, which can be problematic).

ENO and some other big-box vendors pretend to sell hammocks for two, but it's really just a single hammock with higher weight rating. You'll probably be extremely uncomfortable in 15 to 20 minutes. However, there are at least five people who actually enjoy sleeping two in a hammock - maybe one of the five will chime in here.

**dirtwheels** · 10-28-2015, 13:18

You could drive over to Wilderness logics and Marty will let you try out anything he has in stock, and you can get the best BBQ in the nation while you're out here. Bring a cooler, you'll want to take some back to texas, and don't forget the bbq slaw to go on those sandwiches. They know how to do bbq where Marty is!

But seriously group hangs are your best bet. And +1 on the gear rental from UGQ. They make a great product.

Originally Posted by 1stcavmp77

Hello all, just a quick question here and hopefully I can get some advice. Are there any stores where you can try out some of the different hammocks before you purchase them? I'm talking about brands such as Hennessey, Clark, Warbonnet, etc.
I have a Treklight double right now but am considering moving up to something more advanced and more suitable to hiking. Also wanting to get my wife into hammock camping so I might be in the market for something like a Jungle Hammock for two people.
Thanks for the help.

**1stcavmp77** · 10-28-2015, 13:21

Well I live in Virginia now. Where is Wilderness Logistics?

**dirtwheels** · 10-28-2015, 13:31

Well now! That changes things quite a bit, they are at:

Wilderness Logics Inc.
1165 Hillside Dr.
Thomasville N.C 27360
PH: 336 -689-7559
http://wildernesslogics.com/

That's a little south of Greensboro off 85. Call Marty, he'll hook you up, great guy, I've spoken with him a couple of time on the phone.

You might contact the Jacks at Jack R Better, they're in VA, I've got one of their UQ's great work IMO.

Jacks ‘R’ Better LLC
328 Old York Hampton Highway, Suite C
Yorktown, Virginia, 23692
Phone: (757) 643-8908
Toll Free: (800) 595-0413 FREE
E-mail:[email protected]
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/

Originally Posted by 1stcavmp77

Well I live in Virginia now. Where is Wilderness Logistics?

**1stcavmp77** · 10-28-2015, 14:10

Awesome. Are there any stores to look at Jacks R Better products or are they solely online?

**Namtrag** · 10-28-2015, 14:33

You can go by their shop, I believe.

**dirtwheels** · 10-28-2015, 15:01

I would call both to set up an appointment just showing up may not work out. I haven't had contact or interaction with JRB, they had a sale, I placed the order and the quilt shipped overstuffed the following day, might have even been the same day, it was fast for sure.

Not sure where you are in VA, but if you're nearish to the NC border you may want to check out group hangs in the triangle.

Originally Posted by 1stcavmp77

Awesome. Are there any stores to look at Jacks R Better products or are they solely online?