Hammocks are my favorite sheltering system for most environments. They are extremely comfortable and lightweight. They usually require less gear than conventional tent camping. No sleeping pads, poles, pillows and so on. You do however need trees.
Over the past few weeks we tested the Appalachian Hammock Original along with the Big-Sil UL Tarp. Appalachian Hammock's are handcrafted by two brothers in Greenville, NC. All materials are also sourced from here in the U.S. Basically that means when you purchase an Appalachian Hammock you are supporting our economy two-fold.
Appalachian Hammock Original (Orange Stuff Sack) and Big-Sil UL Tarp (Grey Stuff Sack)
Unlike most end-gathered hammocks on the market- the Appalachian Hammock Original comes with suspension straps. These typically have to be purchased separately with makers such as ENO and Grand Trunk. Which will usually tack on another $20 before you can get out there and start hanging. These straps are 1" military grade tubular nylon straps measuring 9ft in length. Making it an even better buy is that it comes with premium carabiners; Black Diamond Neutrino aluminum carabiners to be exact.
As I mentioned above the Original is an end-gathered hammock- constructed from 1.9oz single layer breathable rip-stop nylon with a water resistant finish. It's a very spacious hammock and even though its not labeled as a two-person hammock; its very capable of being one. Rated at 400 lbs so as long as the combined weight doesn't exceed the limit you should be fine. Speaking of spacious it has to be the largest hammock (single or double) that I've used. It measures a whopping 11' x 60".
During use the Appalachian Hammock Original has been extremely comfortable. Being that its larger it allows the user to lay in an asymmetrical fashion to give a flatter lay. So you don't sleep like a banana basically.
The weather isn't always fair so tarps are a must if your a serious hammock-er. The Big-Sil Ultralight tarp is constructed of 1.1 oz sil-nylon (hence the name). Sil-nylon is the best material in regards to durability and weight. The Big-Sil measures 144" along the ridgeline and 120: in width. Giving you a great amount of protection from the elements. Not only for you but also for you gear, there's enough room in there for it also. It offers a tight pitch and has optimum coverage with its "cat-cut" design. Perfect for water shedding or shielding you from wind. It's triple stitched with reinforced tie-out points that has triangle rings to use with whatever is your preferred cordage and stakes. I used some bankline and some commercial ultra-light aluminum stakes. However you can fashion some in the field with your knife to save on weight.
The Appalachian Original Hammock comes in at $69.95 and is a bargain considering what your getting- A handcrafted hammock that can accommodate two people. Premium hanging hardware and military grade suspension straps. The Big-Sil UL tarp retails for $150 and is a standard price for tarps of this style and quality. If your interested in any of these products visit www.appalachainhammock.com.
Check out our video review of these products below
I'm often asked how to cure CBS or "Cold Butt Syndrome". "Is having a fire close to my hammock okay?", is usually the question. I want you all to understand that is not a good idea, unless you would like to be shrink wrapped. Hammocks are usually constructed of highly flammable nylon.
The next thing that folks quickly realize is that traditional sleeping bags don't fare well in hammocks. Why you ask? You have to understand sleeping bags work off of insulation. Basically heating the air around you. This isn't effective when the bottom section of the sleeping bag is compressed to the hammock.
So the answer? Underquilts. Today we are reviewing the Warbonnet Outdoors Yeti Underquilt. Warbonnet Outdoors are makers of the finest hammock's and hammock accessories on the market. I've been extremely pleased with their craftsmanship and attention to the details.
The model we tested was the 3 Season Yeti that is rated down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Which is all we need in our climate for even our coldest nights. Warbonnet does offer a Winter Yeti model for those that are in colder areas. The Winter Yeti is rated down to a whopping 0 degrees. The insulating comes from the 850+ fill goose down. We used the Yeti on our Warbonnet Blackbird (maybe the best hammock on the market).
The Yeti underquilt covers the bottom portion of the hammock to insulate the surrounding are and to block the wind chill. It covers from the user's shoulders to the knees on a 6 foot man. A pillow or watch cap will keep the head warm and the feet and lower legs can be kept warm by a top quilt.
One thing that I liked most about the Yeti was the super easy set up. Set-up takes about 20 seconds. By placing the bungee cord onto each of the hammocks gathered ends, the yeti stays in place. It can be moved up or down as needed. It can also be slid up high to form a "draft hole" to allow air in if it gets to hot.
During our testing it made a major difference when using the Yeti.This particular night it was about 38 degrees and windy. I tried for the first couple of hours to go without the Yeti and only using a sleeping bag (just to see the difference it would make). I had major CBS. After attaching the Yeti it took about 5 minutes and the bottom portion of the hammock warmed up. By morning it felt like I was sleeping in my own bed. I did ride the Yeti a little higher, where my neck met my head. I had no problem with the Yeti moving out of place during the night.
Coming in at 12.5 ounces it's a very lightweight underquilt. The Yeti comes with its own Silnylon stuff sack and packs down around the size of a 32 oz Nalgene bottle. I do recommend shaking the underquilt out to add its loft pack after being packed into the stuff sack. To make things even better it comes with a DWR or Durable Water Resistant finish.
The Yeti worked like a charm on the Blackbird, but it can be used on hammocks from different manufacturers as well (if you must)
If you want to cure Cold Butt Sydrome or are in need of an underquilt check out the 3-Season Yeti or Winter Yeti at Warbonnet Outdoors.
Since Christmas is just a few days away. I wanted to let you guys know that Warbonnet Outdoors is running a very nice sale on their hammocks as well as other hammock accessories. Including underquilts and tarps.
If you've followed us through our on-going hammock reviews- Warbonnet has received high marks. Truly some of the best hammocks on the market.
If you haven't had the chance to check out our reviews click on the links here: Blackbird and Ridgerunner. We also have a video reviews on our YouTube channel if you would like to check those out.
I'm not exactly sure how long this sale will last. So if your interested head on over to Warbonnet Outdoors.
Here is the video review of the Crazy Crib for those of you who don't like to read. This is the same hammock that we reviewed in an article a few days ago. This video is more in-depth and may help in visualizing some of the features mentioned in the article.
We recently were able to review the Crazy Crib LEX w/ Tarp from Crazy Creek Products out of Montana. They offer a plethora of Hammocks as well as other camping equipment. We have a video review on our YouTube channel of the Crazy Crib, so check it out when you get a chance. The Crazy Crib LEX ("LEX" stands for Luxury Edition) and is an extreme shelter system. I'll go over the details below.
Crazy Crib w/out tarp
The Specs:
MSRP: $195
Crib Size: 44" x 98"
Tarp Size: 77" x 104"
Pack weight: 70 ounces
Material: 70D Ripstop Nylon
Suspension System: Webbing System Included
The Crazy Crib LEX included's a Tarp, Poles, Guy Lines, Suspension Straps, Stuff Sack and Stakes. You will need to pre-cut and rig the guy lines prior to going out in the field. The instructions explain this, along with specific lengths for the guy lines. The system comes with adjustable tension hardware and incluudes thorough instructions on that as well. I do suggest doing this prior to taking the hammock into the field; it will drastically speed up set up. On set up, the suspension straps work well and also have rain guards that prevent's rain from entering the hammock by way of the suspension.
This hammock features a partial no-see-um netting with a canopy that is held up by Easton Aluminum Poles. The Easton Poles hold the canopy up similar to a tent and also spreads the hammock flat. The canopy is nice in blocking sunlight when not using the tarp, however it does block some visibility in the hammock. Entry of the hammock is by way of dual zippers that are in the center of the hammock canopy (most hammocks feature these on the sides), it can be used with the canopy and mosquito netting unzipped and open (which is a nice feature).
The lay of the hammock is great, an almost flat lay, similar to a bridge style hammock (thanks to the suspension and Easton poles). There is a sleeve for a pad inside the hammock to help insulate on cool nights or added comfort. Inside the hammock there are two storage pockets to hold small items and keep them within reach.
Coming in right at 4 lbs; it seems that may be heavy for backpacking. However, the Crazy Crib LEX w/ Tarp is a complete shelter system- like a suspended tent. The weight includes all components of the hammock i.e..poles, tarp, hammock, suspension, and stakes. Weight can also be reduced by leaving the tarp at home when there is no chance of rain.
The included tarp has multiple attachment points for versatility. It also completely shields the hammock from wind or rain.
This hammock feels very heavy duty and will last many years through many outdoor excursions; with proper care. It's versatile and can be used throughout the seasons.
Check out Crazy Creek for this hammock system as well as their other products.
Last month we reviewed the Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 and it quickly became one of our all time favorite hammock's. Warbonnet Outdoors seems to look at their hammock production from a user mindset. The Warbonnet Blackbird had met and exceeded our wants and need's in a end-gathered jungle style hammock. Then....Warbonnet Outdoors introduced their first "Bridge" hammock; the RidgeRunner. I'll be honest up until this point I had been turned off from Bridge style hammock's after using Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock by Jacks R' Better. In the BMBH hammock, I felt as if I was in a cradle or coffin (basically uncomfortable). With that, we had a good feeling with the RidgeRunner. Our feeling was right.
For those of you that are not familiar with Bridge Style Hammocks: A Bridge style hammock uses spreader bars on the head and foot end to give the user a flatter lay. It does compromise stability somewhat from the traditional end gathered hammock's.
Warbonnet RidgeRunner w/ Spreader Bars
The Specs:
Warbonnet RidgeRunner Double Layer
Price: $195
Weight: 27 ounces (w/ Adjustable Webbing Suspension)(Spreader bar weigh an additional 9.9 ounces)
Load Capacity: 250 lbs
Length Capacity: Will comfortably fit a user up to 6'6"
Material: Breathable water resistant fabric
*The Double layer can be used in conjunction with a pad inserted in between the layer's
We've covered the adjustable webbing suspension in the Warbonnet Blackbird review and there isn't an easier suspension system on the market. I highly recommend carrying the extra ounces for the convenience of set up. In the picture above you will see I have one side of the suspension wrapped around the bishop sack. I do this for the head end of the suspension system, so that I can easily identify which way I would like to be facing.
The RidgeRunner set up literally takes less than a minute. As I stated above, the adjustable webbing suspension is super fast.
The spreader bars are lightweight and can be supplemented with trekking poles and that method is explained on their website. The spreader bars and hardware are of good quality and lock into place with no sign of slippage.
view from inside the hammock
The RidgeRunner was super comfortable. I'm 6'1" and 200 lbs and had plenty of room. It felt more like laying in a bed than a hammock, I could easily change positions i.e. side lay-flat lay. The head area of the hammock has a taut section that simulates a pillow (one less thing to carry in your pack).
Another feature that I really like and you can see in the top picture are the internal "saddlebags" pockets. They hang on the exterior of the hammock so no room is lost inside the hammock (however the saddlebags can be accessed from inside the hammock). The saddlebags run on both side's of the RidgeRunner giving room to store gear as well as easy access to the storage area. I also had room at the head end of the hammock to store my fleece.
No-see-um netting tucked away in storage pocket
The No-see-um netting is of the same quality as the Warbonnet Blackbird. This netting is held up by a very effective adjustable bungee system.
Entry can be made on either side of the hammock because the netting zips and unzips around the entire hammock. This also allows the netting to be packed away at the foot end of the hammock in an affixed storage pocket (seen to the far right).
Warbonnet Outdoors also has specialized underquilts, undercovers, and tarps for the RidgeRunner to extend its use through the seasons. They also have something called a Spindrift Sock that encapsulates the entire hammock.
Depending on your destination, mosquito or jungle hammock may be necessary. Protecting you from the West Nile virus or keeping you from staying up all night trying to defend the blood suckers. Most of the time jungle hammock's are super expensive and are out of the price range of many. The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro is a low cost option and we wanted to inform you guys that may not have the budget to drop a few hundred bucks on a jungle hammock.
I live in the southeast and mosquito hammocks are a must except during winter. I've used a wide variety and absolutely love them. Other than the mosquito net I like that most of the time they come in drab or subdued colors, so you blend into the environment. That gives me a better night's sleep knowing any wrong doer will have a hard time finding me.
The Specs:
Price: $79.99
Weight: 28oz's
Dimensions: 10.5' x 5'
Weight Capacity: 400lbs
Material: Parachute Nylon Silk/Mosquito Netting
Suspension System: Included hanging ropes and nautical grade carabiners
The hammock is constructed of a very comfortable parachute nylon silk that will keep you cool on hot swampy nights. It is OD green with a Tan trim, which is very jungle hammock looking. There is plenty of room in this hammock and two people can lay fairly comfortably inside. The stuff sack is attached to the outside of the hammock so you won't loose it and you can store your gear there.
The No-see-um mosquito netting is grey in color and is suspended by a bungee cord type suspension system. So that will take an extra step when setting up the hammock. I suggest the first time setting up the hammock to tie both lines together in a knot so you never have to re-thread them through the loops again. The netting is very fine and will stop any bugs from penetrating.
It comes with a double sided zipper that runs the length of one side of the hammock. The mosquito netting can be rolled back if it isn't needed or the hammock can be turned upside down to be used as a traditional end gathered hammock.
The Skeeter Beeter Pro is also less bulky than carrying an accompanying mosquito encapsulating system, also less pain to set up.
For the price you really can't beat this if your looking for a low cost quality mosquito hammock option. For $79 it comes ready to hang.
Over the past few weeks we have had the opportunity to review a few hammock's from the Grand Trunk Hammock line. If you remember we did the Grand Trunk Ultralight Review, and we decided it's the perfect hammock for newbie's or folks that didn't want to shell out a bunch of cash for a hammock. Grand Trunk is a very trendy company and offers ton's of different items for your outdoor excursions from tents, tarps, hammocks, and even chop sticks. Yes, Chop Sticks. So we were thrilled to have the opportunity to test them out.
The Single and Double Hammock are very similar other than the fact that as it sounds the Single is designed for one individual and the Double for two people. We decided to do a comparison review and then tell you are thoughts on the Hammock's.
Grand Trunk Single Hammock
Single Hammock
Price: $54.99
Weight: 16oz
Dimensions: 10.5' x 5'
Material: Parachute Nylon
Weight Capacity: 400lbs
Nautical grade carabiners
Triple stitched seams
Suspension System included (5mm rope)
Attached stuff sack (can be used as a pocket for gear storage)
This hammock is very comfortable for one person, it does have the ability to hold up to two people (although some snuggling would have to happen, due to the tight fit). But the options there if need be since it can hold up to 400lbs. Both hammocks are made from a highly breathable Parachute Nylon that also dries quickly.
Grand Trunk Double Hammock
Double Hammock
Price: $64.99
Weight: 20oz
Dimensions: 10.5" x 6.5"
Material: Parachute Nylon
Weight Capacity: 400lbs
Nautical grade carabiners
Triple stitched seams
Suspension System included (5mm rope)
Attached stuff sack (can be used as a pocket for gear storage)
As you can see there is about a foot and half width difference between the two; which is a lot of real estate when two people are in the hammock. The Double weighs about 4 more ounces than the single. We reviewed the ENO Doublenest a few weeks ago (the competitive model to the GT Double Hammock). The Grand Trunk Double Hammock is around a foot longer and 2 feet wider than the ENO Doublenest. The Grand Trunk Hammock is also 2 ounces lighter (if your counting ounces for backpacking) and comes with suspension rope (so you can hang it right out of the stuff sack without having to purchase any other equipment).
With the rope suspension I did notice some carving into the bark of the tree. However you can purchase the GT Tree Slings that have webbing to prevent that, costing around $17. The accompanying 5mm cord is somewhat shorter than the tree slings, I would like to see the 5mm cord a bit longer to help with varying tree gaps.
Overall both hammocks are comfortable and competitively priced. If your wallet is already tight from purchasing a hammock and can't afford buying a suspension system then either of these hammocks would be your best bet (since they come with suspension systems). If you ever plan to do any sort of tandem hammocking, I suggest getting the GT Double Hammock over the Single. Or if your just absolutly terrible with the ladies go for the GT Single Hammock.
Grand Trunk offers a variety of colors in both hammock models to fit your lifestyle.We will have a video review of these hammocks in the next week (for you guys that don't like to read), so check back. Also stay tuned for the GT Skeeter Beeter Pro review.
Check out our Video review of the ENO Doublenest Hammock. Our videographer/cinematographer/dude with skills Jay Money has done some nice work with our new videos.
If you are an outdoor adventurer or hammock enthusiast, I'm sure you heard of ENO hammocks. Eagles Nest Outfitters is one of the premier hammock manufactures here in the US. You can find them on the shelves of most outdoor related stores. Needless to say we were pleased ENO allowed us the opportunity to check out the Doublenest Hammock/Atlas Strap System and review them here on Black Scout Survival.
Before I get into the review I'd like to go over why I think that ENO's are a great place to start when taking up hammock-ing. The ENO Doublenest come in at a very reasonable price ($64.95) for a true quality hammock. Eagles Nest Outfitter supplies tarps, bug nets, and underquilts to upgrade all of their hammocks. So a new comer can purchase a model such as the Doublenest and then upgrade the same hammock as the user's needs may change. A super user friendly system that is very versatile.
The Doublenest as the name implies, can hold two people (or as you will see in my photo's any gear that you may not want to sit on the ground). They come in a variety of colors from Rastafarian as well as other bright colors or more subdued colors. This makes choosing a hammock system to fit your lifestyle much easier.
The Doublenest measures 6'8" x 9'4" and has plenty or room (as you can see in the picture to the right). The sides of the hammock hug your body well, ensuring that you won't spill out of the sides. It also offered plenty room for two of us in the hammock without sacrificing comfort. The Doublenest weighs a mere 22 oz's and stores inside the affixed stuff sack. The stuff sack has built in compression straps that compresses the hammock to the size of a coconut. The Doublenest also comes standard with nautical grade carabiners to link up with the suspension system.
Mountain Pack in the hammock with me and still
had enough room.
I do recommend getting the Doublenest over the Singlenest. Why? The Doublenest is roughly $10 more bucks, it gives you the possibility to share the hammock, as well as to store gear in the hammock with you (as seen here to your right). Laying with my mountain pack and I still had enough room and was very comfortable. With the ability to hold up to 400 lbs and triple stitched seams the there's no need to worry about the integrity of the Doublenest hammock system.
ENO offers a few different suspension systems. For this review, we tested the Atlas. The Atlas consist of a 1" triple stitched webbing with a 400lbs capacity. The webbing wraps around the tree and slips through a loop holding it in place. The tag end of the straps has looped webbing that allows the user to simply clip the carabiner in the loop, and can easily be adjusted. We timed ourselves on set-up and it took 34 seconds to set up with the Atlas system. This has to be one of the fastest rigging systems available. The Atlas retails for $29.95.
The ENO Doublenest and Atlas System will stand up to years of abuse. There are many applications for this system: car camping, backpacking, carrying for an impromptu relaxation session, or with the subdued colors (such as Olive & Khaki) for military personal serving abroad. Like I stated above it's an affordable system that can be upgraded and can be used in many environments. I hope to test the Gaurdian Bugnet, Rain Tarp, and Ember Underquilt in the future to show you guys the versatility of the ENO Line and how they can adapt to different seasons as well as environments.
We wanted to find a low cost alternative and ultra-light option for you guys. Grand Trunk offers the lowest priced model we could find. They also have a hammock called the Nano 7; which is 7 ounces. The Nano 7 is also the lightest hammock we could find on the web. Do understand the price point of a $20 hammock; and remember not to compare it to a $150 model.
Travel Hammock and Tree Slings
The Grand Trunk Travel Hammock can be had for about $20 and is made of single layer of polyester taffeta. During the testing we also tested the Grand Trunk Tree Slings ($18).
The Grand Trunk Ultralight Hammock comes in at about 12 ounces. So this is easily pack-able for ultralight backpackers, young hikers/campers, as well as throwing in your pack to facilitate as a camp chair. Or to be carried as a back up to your primary hammock. It comes in an attached stuff sack making packing and unpacking a breeze. The hammock will most likely not stand up to an immense amount of abuse. However they do offer some slightly higher priced and more durable models. It comes in blue and the green shown here.
The Ultralight Traveler comes rigged with S-hooks. I did notice that the hooks sometime point up when sitting in the hammock. Although I didn't have any slippage from the S-hooks. We do recommend changing them out for some light weight carabiners if you do decide to use the hammock often (and to cut down on weight even further).
The tree slings (which are purchased separately) is a 5mm knotted cord that is ran through nylon webbing to protect the tree being used to suspend the hammock. We did notice a bit of stretch in the cordage and we spoke with Grand Trunk about it and the Ultralight Traveler Hammock. (We will give details below).
We had the opportunity to speak with Grand Trunk about the Ultralight Traveler model and tree slings. They told us about their concept and purpose for the Ultralight Traveler. They wanted to offer an affordable hammock for folks that didn't want to spend a lot of money on a hammock, to be an entry level hammock, and for parents getting a hammock for their young adults involved in activities such as the Scout's. We also asked about the stretch we had in the tree slings. Grand Trunk told us that there is a small amount of stretch in the tree slings as with all hammock suspension systems. They also told us the hammock should be rigged about "stomach level" prior to entering for optimum performance.
I would like to commend Grand Trunk for their excellent customer service. No other hammock company makes a model in this price range, that I am aware of. This is a great entry level hammock or for someone who does plan to get serious with hammock camping. Or as I stated above about having a cheap back-up. So if your new to hammock-ing or just want a light/affordable hammock-check out the Grand Trunk Ultralight Traveler.
We test a lot of gear out here at Black Scout Survival and sometimes we run across things that really get us excited. Today is one of those times. This is a mosquito hammock from a company called Warbonnet Outdoors. I was able to use this hammock on some trips over the past few weeks and had some really comfortable nights.
I had a chance to get some info from Brandon the owner of Warbonnet Outdoors and get his story. Brandon on his background "My background in hammock camping is mainly from rock climbing. I definately did some backpacking trips in my early teens that gave me a great love for the outdoors, later in college I got big into rock climbing, going just about every weekend. somewhere along the line I just decided sleeping in a hammock sounded like a good idea so I bought one to try and never went back to the ground again." Brandon also explained what got him into designing hammocks "I basically got into hammocks with the desire to make something better than what was available at the time, I was unhappy with what I had, so I started tinkering and found I enjoyed designing gear so I decided to give it a shot. It was a tough start but here we are 6 years later with a small workshop here in Colorado and a handful of employees dedicated to making the best gear we can make." I will say Warbonnet Hammocks really have solved many issues I've had with many other hammocks. Great design and ingenuity.
The model I tested was the Blackbird 1.7 Double and has a weight limit up to 400lbs and can comfortably fit an individual up to 6'8". I weigh 200lbs and 6'1" tall and had plenty of room. The Blackbird 1.7 Double is the heaviest (40oz with adjustable webbing system) and most and most expensive ($175) model of all the Warbonnet models. They do offer lighter models as well as models with a line/strap suspension. You can also find varying accessories from tarps, under quilts, top quilts, to name a few. So you can easily transform this hammock from 3 to a 4 season hammock. The model I have is an OD green color (a color I like because it blends in) but the 1.1 comes in a slate grey color. The Blackbird takes all of a minute or so to set up and is just as quick packing down. In our video review you can see just how simple it is.
As stated above the hammock comes in at around 40 ounces with the adjustable webbing system. It packs tightly in a double end stuff sack or modified "bishop sack". I really like the concept; it makes packing down and set up very easy. It also keeps your hammock from dragging the ground during set up or pack down. The sack can be stored on the webbing system so that it's out of the way and doesn't get lost. The hammock packed down is somewhat larger than a standard Nalgene canteen.
Adjustable Webbing System One feature I really liked was the adjustable webbing system. I hate tying and retying knots to get my hammock in the right position. I've also used some sling systems that pretty much sucked. These webbing straps are super lightweight and with use of a carabiner it simply wraps around the tree and locks onto itself. Then all you have to do is adjust the webbing with the buckles to position your hammock the way you see fit.
Shelf storage keeping the essential at hand
Shelf and Footbox These are two things that really set the Blackbird apart from the rest. The Blackbird hammock comes equipped with a 2sq ft shelf. Unheard of right? This keeps from having a cluster in your hammock (as I've had numerous times in the past). It keeps your gear at hand- in the hammock but out of the way. It is also kept off your body by the tie outs. The footbox brings comfort to a whole new level in hammock-ing. The footbox gives the user an opportunity to lay in an asymmetrical position, providing a flat comfortable lay. I also used the footbox to store clothes.
Fully adjustable Tie-outs and Ridgeline The adjustable tie outs is a not so in-your-face innovation but I really dig it. The tie outs are made of a white bungee cord with a cord lock. The white keeps the tie outs from becoming a trip hazard. The tie outs open up the hammock but are not necessary to use. The structural ridgeline keeps the mosquito net from lying on your face and can also be used to attach lights or other items. The mosquito net is a very high quality no-see-um netting which is very fine to keep out the smallest of insects. It can also be rolled back and placed out of the way when not in use or if you want to just use the hammock as a chair.
I did add some bright cord lanyard's (w/ 3M reflective material) to the outside zipper's so I could find them easily in the dark or low light conditions.
If your in the market- I highly suggest Warbonnet Outdoors. The Blackbird may just be the hammock that all other mosquito/jungle hammocks should be judged by. The innovation and upgrades really make the Blackbird a breeze to set up and comfortable to relax in. The Blackbird has become my favorite hammock. I enjoyed the trips I made with the Blackbird over the past few weeks and can't wait to get at it again. Check out Warbonnet Outdoors for more information.
I'm a huge fan of hammocks. I've had to sleep in some crappy places around the world. Sleeping in mud puddles or waking up with a Saw Scaled Viper cuddled up to me, is not cool. Hammocks also are much more comfortable, no matter how many ISO-mats you sleep on; the ground is still hard and flat.
Tom Hennessy developed the Hennessy Hammock. When Tom was 16 years old he would travel 200 miles on the weekends- via bike with minimal gear to the Appalachian Mountains. He had a WWII Army jungle hammock that he would bundle up and take with him. Tom loved this hammock, then in college a friend borrowed it and Tom never seen it again. So Tom decided after a few years to fabricate one off of his memory. Tom decided to solve the Army's jungle hammocks shortcomings, then Hennessy Hammock was formed.
The suspension lines will easily hold your gear,
to keep it off the ground
The model I tested was the Deluxe Explorer A-sym Classic. The model is designated as "classic" because it has Velcro closure instead of a zip closure. I prefer the Velcro model because zippers have and can malfunction.The entrance is a split section underneath the hammock. You climb in and lay back and the hammock seals.This is awesome for two reasons: 1. one you won't take a spill getting in or out of the hammock. 2. The Velcro also seals once you get in the hammock, just another effortless feature of the Hennessy Hammock. The only downfall is that you cannot sit in the hammock without the mosquito net; unless you sit on top of the mosquito net. So it can't be used as a chair like most hammocks with removable mosquito nets..
This model is designed for individuals that are tall (6-7 ft) and anyone up to 300 lbs. I'm 6'1 and 205lbs and it felt very roomy.
Size comparison to my personal tent
The Deluxe Explorer A-sym Classic weighs about 3lbs 2oz's. It measures roughly close to a volleyball in the supplied stuff sack. Its much smaller than my personal tent-as shown above. So its definitely pack-able even for lightweight excursions. And no tent poles or stakes to deal with.
Hennessy Hammock is not just a hammock-its a Super Shelter. It really like being in a suspended tent. The A-sym or "Asymmetrical design" is probably what sets Hennessy Hammock in a league above the rest. Because of the A-sym design you are able to utilize all the room in the hammock; instead of being wrapped like a pig-in-blanket like in other hammocks. It allows a greater freedom of movement for the user.
Never sleep like a banana again: Another key feature is the "Perfect Set Curve". When laying on the diagonal of the suspension line, it allows the user to lie flat or on their side. This is impossible in all other hammocks on the market.
The Hennessy Hammock has No-See-Um netting encapsulating the entire hammock. The netting is very fine and will also help deflect wind; supplying you with a calm inside space.
The tree hugger nylon webbing straps will keep you from destroying trees. Although I would like to see them a little longer. I was able to still hang my hammock easily; but the straps did not reach around the entire circumference of the tree. The suspension lines give you many hanging options. This is a good addition because you don't want to be limited to a certain tree distance; when looking for a camp site. Since the suspension lines are rope; you will need to brush up on your knots. You may have to tie and untie your knots a few times to adjust the hammock (that's the only problem with rope suspension--although many hammocks come with rope suspension).
The included rain-fly is a great piece of gear. It can be used with or without the hammock. String it up if you just need a shade or rain tarp with some 550 cord. It has a 4 point anchor system and can be configured in many ways to deflect wind or rain from different directions. If the weather is really bad; you can cocoon the hammock with it.
Inside the hammock their is a ridge line holding up the No-See-Um netting with an attached pocket and a few clips. The pocket or clips can be used to attach a light for task while inside the hammock. There was still quite a bit of room and the gear clips allow for gear to also be stowed within the hammock.
This hammock can be made into a 4-Season hammock with underquilts/pads and such that can be found online or the Hennessy Hammock website.
It only takes about 2-3 minutes to set up. With the included Snake Skins it's even faster to take down (you can see the snake skin demo in the video review).
It's fairly conveniant to set up with the Snake Skins. The Hennessy Hammock is very comfortable. In the video I say that its like a condo, and it really is. Many tents and other hammocks have shortcomings and downfalls. The Hennessy Hammock, at least during my testing had none that I could see (no need to find a flat stretch to set up your tent). If you go on any remote trips, or military personal serving abroad, or anyone that ventures in the outdoors.You should invest in the Hennessy Hammock. You wont be disappointed.
I will continue using the Hennessy Hammock and periodically update on its servicability
