What do you prefer to hang out in?

[yakmaster]

Putting the question out to the hangers in the group...

 

You know who you are...

 

The question is Hennessy or Clark? Or is there something even better?

 

As the new season approaches, it's time to start buying new toys! I think a hammock is the next addition to the stable, but do I want to bottom load or side load?

 

What have you used? what do you like/dislike?

 

From what I've read, Clark is more "bugproof" and sleeps "flatter", Hennessy is lighter & cooler. Am I right? am I wrong? what's the deal on the tradeoffs for our country? We don't deal with sub-zero nights, but we do have cold nights & nights where the sheets stick to your body and the no seeums will carry you away!

 

What says the collective experience?

 

Has anyone slept in one on a chickee?

[Miami101]

I picked up an Eagle nest work nice for me. I'm thinking about picking up the bug net for it.

Check out the site:
http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/

[vivian]

I love my Hennessy A-Sym and use it mostly for backpacking trips.

On the islands you do need to get into the tree areas to pitch it and that is where the bugs like to hang out too. Unless you have a very windy day prefer to have the space in my tent to change clothes, etc having more space it is also easier to kill the bugs you inadvertently bring in with you. Trying to kill no see ums when you are inside your hammock is not easy...trust me on this. For the chickees they are a very nice option if you travel solo. Makes it hard to pitch one when sharing the platform with another tent or two.

The only draw back is that if it gets very cold you need to find a creative way to insulate the hammock. There are commercial add ons available that insulate the hammock but they are expensive. If I was using this as my main shelter it would be a good investment. For the few trips I use it for have found a truck windhield insulator and or a Ridgerest pad works well.

[Michael Crutchfield]

I picked up the Crazy Creek LEX w/ tarp at a retail hiking outftter in Sarasota on sale. It list for $179.00. For this price it comes complete with hammock, bug net, tree straps and a nice tarp. If you look at ENO and Hennessy and combine all of those options they are far more expensive.

I used it on my last two nighter to Pic Nik Island. It was very comfortable and easy to get in and out of.

Go to the link below to check it out
http://www.crazycreek.com/product/7/33/

[Keith W]

I sprung for the Hennessy underpad and cover for my A-Sym. Keeps the underside of the hammock well insulated and bug-proof. The cover by itself acts as a second layer to keep the bugs from biting through the material. Well worth the extra $ and it packs smaller than any of the other alternatives I've tried. the Hennessy fly can fold down flat against the sides helping to keep it warm inside on cool, breezy nights.

The A-Sym design lets you lie nearly flat, not something I've seen in any other hammock. All of the other hammock photos I've seen show a pronounced curve in the center which would destroy my back in one night. I have never actually slept in a Clark or other hammock, so I could be wrong about this.

[Jay]

Picked up the Hennessey Expedition Asym with zipper entry.  Hangs nicely diagonally on Chickee's.  Used my conventional inflatable pad which did two things - insulated and helped hold the hammock bottom out away from my shoulders a bit.

 

They were running a special and through in the "Snake Skins".  Those are pretty cool.  Take down and stowing the hammock is about a 2 minute operation. Thumbs up.

[Jonathan]

I'm considering a hammock as well. I'm usually a tarp camper, but tarp- (or even tent-) camping can be difficult in areas where it's hard to find dry ground.

 

There's a hammock out there called "Blackbird" made by a small company called Warbonnet, and it's getting consistently good reviews from backpackers on the backpackinglight.com forum (and some other backpacker forums like the practicalbackpacking one) for being comfortable and light.

 

I've read enough reviews by people saying they've tried it after the Hennessy or Clark or other hammocks and liked it better that at the moment it's the only one I'm seriously considering. I would take a look at those forums and take a look at what people are saying about their hammocks. Some of those guys have several hammocks of different brands and can really compare them; it'd be a good place to ask questions

 

But I'd certainly check out the Blackbird along with the others if you're looking for a hammock, especially if you'd be using it for backpacking as well as kayaking and want something light.

[1n0x8zwu8zl3t]

Tent vs hammock for www trip?  Im planning a trip for nov-dec and own a eno hammock with tarp and bug net.  trying to deciede what to take my tent or hammock?  Im paddling a sup so space is a premium and will mostly be paddling inside to avoid as much wind as possible.  I plan to chickee camp as i hear ground sites are more buggy.  any advice??

[Jonathan]

Well, a lot of people find hammocks more comfortable, especially when the alternative is sleeping on a hard surface like the slats of a wooden chickee, but they're also usually colder, which might not be so great for a November/December trip.

 

You could mitigate either problem, at least somewhat, by bringing an extra piece of gear -- a good sleeping pad if you bring a tent, or an underquilt or insulation pad if you go with the hammock -- but you said space is a premium so that might not be appealing.

 

I'd watch the weather forecast closely before you go and take it into consideration when you make your decision; the tent would be a better alternative if the weather will really be cold. Otherwise, you might find the hammock more comfortable because it keeps you up off the hard wood of the chickees.

 

 

[Gary M]

Well, I know this is very old school, but here is a photo of my customized military surplus hammock.  I've used it for years and have added enough features that I can't find a "modern" replacement that improves upon it.  Notice that it only requires 2 supports to hang *and* stretch the rain fly... very important for me as I usually camp literally "out of my canoe".