Not another bloody Australian

**Martius** · 12-07-2015, 08:14

That's right - not content with your bars and backpacker hostels, now we're invading your campsites.

I'm actually a long time lurker on this site. I'm a keen and I'd say reasonably experienced ultralight hiker and climber of at least 10 years now, both down under and abroad. I regularly spend long periods on the road just generally travelling, and I'm always interested in finding or making good gear that hels you get further out there.

Like most modern hiker-types, I've been a big fan of ultralight shaped tarp shelters, but a recent extended trip overseas got me thinking about trying out hammocks (again). No denying that have some big pluses to offer. So after several months trawling old threads around here, I made the call and picked up Warbonnet Blackbird.

And I hate the thing.

I'll make another thread about my problems in the relevant forum, but after several weeks of experimenting, I am encountering all the same problems I had when I first tried hammocks some years ago, but I thought were 'fixed' in proper, modern hikers hammocks like the Blackbird. Not one to simply give up and pack it in, I figured now was the time to make an account, post up, and see what I can learn.

So let's see how it goes.

**bennybunny73** · 12-07-2015, 08:22

Hi Martius,

Welcome to the forum !

I think you will overcome the problems after a while (after all the fiddling). Or you try a bridge-hammock !?

Greetings,
Ben.

**sidvicious** · 12-07-2015, 08:30

welcome, martius.

is jo jo zepp and the falcons still around?

about the warbonnet. not sure what your complaints are, but i'll venture a guess and add comments based on what i hear and see with folks getting hammocked.

in my personal opinion, most folks overdo the "flat" lay concept. that is to say the implied goal seems to be on-a-plank flat. no usable fabric can do that in a packable hammock design [again; my opinion]. i've yet to encounter a hammock that doesn't have some sort of knee bend. if there is no knee bend, the usually the feet are elevated such that there's no support under the knee around. both of these are due to 1) inherent design, and 2) the position of the person.

what specific problems are you encountering? lots of warbonnet guys here; i'm one of them.

cheers, and again, welcome.

sv-

**Martius** · 12-07-2015, 09:24

Hey wow, talk about quick replies. Thanks folks

So here's my summary of problems encountered - https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...73#post1553473

I wasn't expecting 'lay flat' to be 'plank flat'....but this thing is just not flat at all. I've set it up in a multitude of ways, from as-per warbonnets videos, to tighter, looser, one end higher, other end higher.....nope No sale. I cannot see how any outside person could consider it in any way 'flat'. I've sat in recliner chairs that were flatter.

For a side-sleeper, it's just impossibly uncomfortable. Which is really surprising, because n my research I read heaps of people on here (with WBBB's) say they're happy hammock side-sleepers. That was one of the chef reasons I went for it.

I won't even get into how disappointed I am and how heavy and bulky it is too...

**wagex** · 12-07-2015, 09:30

Originally Posted by Martius

Hey wow, talk about quick replies. Thanks folks

So here's my summary of problems encountered - https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...73#post1553473

I wasn't expecting 'lay flat' to be 'plank flat'....but this thing is just not flat at all. I've set it up in a multitude of ways, from as-per warbonnets videos, to tighter, looser, one end higher, other end higher.....nope No sale. I cannot see how any outside person could consider it in any way 'flat'. I've sat in recliner chairs that were flatter.

For a side-sleeper, it's just impossibly uncomfortable. Which is really surprising, because n my research I read heaps of people on here (with WBBB's) say they're happy hammock side-sleepers. That was one of the chef reasons I went for it.

I won't even get into how disappointed I am and how heavy and bulky it is too...

sounds like someone needs a bridge hammock

**ofuros** · 12-07-2015, 13:19

I could solve all your problems.... just send it to me in Christmas wrapping & I'll take off your hands.

Road tripping with my family from Brissy to Cairns.
I'm a stone's throw from pounding waves, the sun is just about to peak over the horizon and I'm snug as bug in a rug, insulation free....protected from the sand flies & mossies in my Hennessey.
All is good with the world.

**TallPaul** · 12-07-2015, 16:54

Welcome to the forums Martius.

**mistone** · 12-07-2015, 17:17

Welcome Mate!

**Karen97** · 12-08-2015, 06:19

Welcome mate! WBBB fan here! I just did an Outback trip with it, and I also had a really nice hang on Great Keppel Isalnd. I'm on my way up the East Coast right now looking for two coconut palms to hang between