I'll just toss this hammock up between those two coconut trees on the North Shore
March 16, 2011 6:45 AM   Subscribe

Backpacking Hammock filter: I currently use a MSR Hubba for backpacking but am intrigued by the idea of hammocks and would like to go with a hammock for my next few trips; it could possibly replace my tent for all non-desert camping. There's a ton of choices to go with, so help me if you can please.

Basically my choices are the ENO SingleNest, the Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 and the Ticket to the Moon.

I know that they are different beasts, and I've been snooping around hammock and camping forums trying to get a feeling for the pros and cons of each, but I thought I'd turn here to see what the hive can provide in raw-awesome-knowledge. So if you've had experience with any of these please share.

a little bit about myself and my philosophy when it comes to backpacking:
* I'm an average size and weight (~5'10", 170lbs)
* I'm a comfort backpacker (I don't count my grams), but that doesn't mean I'll take comfort over weight if the difference is significant in compressibility or weight. Due to this I've tossed the ENO ProNest out of the running (5oz difference).
* I would prefer to not get bitten to hell by bugs, they do seem to love me, so bug netting is a must (an extra purchase with ENO). (I'll bring Jungle Juice)
* my trips are usually planned for 4+ days, and I plan on using this for 10+ day trips in the future (TH of the SHT is being planned for this summer)

So keeping that basic stuff in mind, what are people's experiences with any of these brands?

My preconceptions -
ENO: From what I've seen in pictures people seem to always be lounging in their ENO systems (NOT camping).

Warbonnet: This system seems to be the "go to" brand for a lot of enthusiasts

TTTM: This does not seem to be for backpacking, but i've tossed it in the running to keep it interesting.

Are their any other brands I'm missing? or something that I'm not taking into account? I know that no matter what brand I choose I will be switching out the strapping for lighter carabiners and stronger straps.
posted by zombieApoc to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (14 answers total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Hennessy Hammocks. Built for backpacking + have bug netting.
posted by ghharr at 6:47 AM on March 16, 2011 [2 favorites]


I don't know if you've ever slept in a hammock, but you don't have any way to preserve heat. The purpose of a pad is insulation. Other than your sleeping bag, you won't have any insulation to speak of and that can make for a pretty cold night.

Also, I don't know if you've ever slept in a hammock before, but they aren't that comfortable, IMO. What happens if it rains? Will you carry it for the nice nights as well as a tent?
posted by TheBones at 6:56 AM on March 16, 2011


To expand on the Hennessy Hammock: it has an optional rain fly and you can use a space blanket or normal backpacking sleeping bag pad to add some insulation, plus I think they sell insulating kits. It's pretty comfortable, though I haven't used mine for more than one night at a time. It only uses straps and rope, no carabiners. I have one of the more heavy-duty ones, so it's a little heavy, but pretty bomb-proof. I would use mine more but I generally go camping with my girlfriend and dog so I take the two-man tent.
posted by ghharr at 7:02 AM on March 16, 2011


Response by poster: What happens if it rains?
> I'll be putting up a rain tarp independent of the type of hammock I choose, so I didn't really discuss that above, apologies.

you don't have any way to preserve heat
> I use a 3/4 length thermarest pad for insulation, I will use that in the hammock as well.

Hennessy Hammocks. Built for backpacking + have bug netting.
I must admit that I hadn't looked into these because of the weight and the setup time (I've heard complaints), but it's definitely an option I'm willing to explore.
posted by zombieApoc at 7:04 AM on March 16, 2011


Weight wise I think they're comparable to your tent. For the setup they have a set of webbing straps that you wrap around a tree and then tie the hammock ropes through. The fly clips on to the hammock ropes and has guylines in the corners. It can take some trial and error to figure out how high up the tree to wrap the straps but once you've done it a few times it's pretty quick. Probably not as fast as a tent but maybe 10 minutes or so setup.
posted by ghharr at 7:11 AM on March 16, 2011


I also have a Hennessy Hammock that I have not really used for backpacking, but that I love irrationally anyway. I have practiced setting it up many times, and it is not particularly time-consuming once you get the hang of it. My understanding is that it's supposed to be more comfortable than a regular hammock because it pulls tight into a sort of diamond shape, allowing you to lie flatter/diagonally rather than having your back settle down into the bottom curve of the hammock. It looks like the Warbonnet kind of has the same design, though. The other ones you link to look much more like the droopy traditional hammock shape, which I don't think will be comfortable for very long.
posted by little cow make small moo at 7:25 AM on March 16, 2011


I have an ENO that I love but I have yet to try in camping. Like you said, I use it for lounging.
posted by milestogo at 7:56 AM on March 16, 2011


I have a Hennessy as well and love it. Mine is the Safari, the huge one, so probably not your choice for backpacking. It's more comfortable than my bed at home. With the diamond design, you can sleep on your side very comfortably. Others have mentioned it, but it's difficult to over-emphasize how much colder it is than sleeping on the ground. That can be good or bad, depending on the weather. However, with a space blanket and heavy sleeping bag, I've slept comfortably in mine even in the winter. It does take some mental gymnastics to get used to having mosquitoes buzzing 2 inches from your ear but still being outside the hammock -- just have to train yourself to ignore them. At times I have been bitten from underneath, so even if it's warm out you'll want to try to have your sleeping bag under you. It'll tend to bunch up in the middle. I've been intending to address this with a couple of velcro strips, but have yet to get around to it so apparently it's not that big of a problem. Overall, it's a fantastic way to spend some nights in the woods.
posted by LowellLarson at 7:58 AM on March 16, 2011


Response by poster: Great info to hear. So I guess it's between the Warbonnet and the Hennessy. I'll keep watching for some more info, and I'll keep doing my snooping in forums to see the pros and cons that people say of each.
posted by zombieApoc at 8:08 AM on March 16, 2011


Best answer: I've used my hammock for early season trout trips successfully a few times. It is a massive savings for weight purposes if you're comparing to a full tent (and in my case, a full air mattress). Big lessons I've learned:

* take seriously the coldness of it. With the bunching of the sleeping bag underneath, it is really not going to work under about 40 degrees without additional insulation. I use a custom cut piece of 1/4 inch foam rubber and that has worked nicely down to about 25.
* Rain can be a problem even with the tarp setup, because water can run down the lines to the hammock. After I figured this out, I set up some drip strings, which fixed that problem, but be aware.
* How stable a sleeper are you? I am a very stable person in bed, but my wife is a thrasher. One bad thrash in the middle of the night could dump you on the ground if you aren't well situated.
* Set it up tighter than you think it should be. You don't want it to be slumping like a sideways C. On the other hand, the curve feels really good on the back after a day of hiking, IMO.
* Remember that most hammocks are designed to be slept in somewhat sideways. If you are in them directly in the middle they close up on you more.

I have never used mine during bug season, so I don't have anything to offer for that.
posted by norm at 8:14 AM on March 16, 2011


IMHO, the most comfortable way to sleep in a hammock is sideways, not end to end. So width counts. So I don't know how that factors into your 3 choices.

Also, hammocks are cooler than lying on the ground. that is why they are popular on hot summer days. So if you are camping in cool weather you need to factor that in. I have been miserably cold in hammocks.

aannnnd: the angle of curve is critical. Distance between supports and height of drop, etc. I choose my campground sites based on the hammock trees. Don't get a short hammock.
posted by SLC Mom at 9:01 AM on March 16, 2011


I'm another avid fan of the Hennessey, while the packed weight of it is about the same as my 3-person Tarptent I've yet to have a more comfortable night's sleep. The asymmetrical shape is key. My friends have experimented with a variety of strap replacement options including caribiners, cambuckles, and linked descending rings. I've had little trouble with the Hennessey lashing, personally - the first hammocking each season takes a bit of thinking but the muscle memory comes back.

For insulation I purchased a big sheet of 1/4" closed-cell foam. It's cheap, light, and indestructible - but bulky. Ideally you'll have something that can wrap up around your shoulders.

If you've got a nearby REI, they carry the Hennessy, which means you can give it a true field test.
posted by lantius at 12:47 PM on March 16, 2011


Also love the Hennessey. With a Thermarest pad and a warm bag, I've slept very comfortably in cold weather.
posted by prambutan at 5:43 PM on March 16, 2011


Response by poster: So i think I'm going to go Warbonnet. I read a lot of love towards both Hennessy and Warbonnet, but the general feeling i get is that what H started WB finished.

Thanks a lot for the input everyone, I really appreciate the ideas and points people have brought up (some I have thought of and others I have not).
posted by zombieApoc at 8:31 AM on March 17, 2011


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