I'm wanting to start "Wild camping" and have been looking into using a hammock rather than a conventional tent. I really like the idea of hammock camping, but which one to choose? Iv herd good things about both the warbonnet Blackbird and the dd jungle hammock. Has any one any advice on any of these or any I may have overlooked?
Which hammock? Please advise.
- Thread starter Daleios
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I'm new to hammocking and went for a DD Frontline and their 4x4 tarp. Five nights out now and I'm a very happy tree hanger. Had lots of help from folks from here at meets helping me get things set up perfectly.
DD jungle had served me well for a few years until a wayward knife tore it (my own fault not the hammock) and is a really good option. Saying that I replaced it hastily with a £13 generic parachute nylon hammock from Amazon including delivery as I was going camping and that weekend and was strapped for cash. Put it this way, I didn't bother buying another DD. To me they're much the same barring the mozzy net and I use a tube net anyway. That said I'm a shameless gear butcher and adapt pretty much everything I buy to suit me! That said DD you're guaranteed quality. And if you find you don't like sleeping in them it'll sell well on here. No exp with the blackbird but sure it's a fine hammock
I ( and Daughter) am a happy owner of 4 DD hamocks over the years. They are a quality built product that do exactly what is asked of them and have a range of hammocks on offer, explained on their web site. They can be used "out of the box" or with a few mods altered to fit your style / need. Even be used as a bivvi should there be no trees!! No connections and all that but well recommended.
I have two from Tenth Wonder, a compact (only £15!) and a much bigger XL for a few quid more - both are well built and a bargain. The extra size of the XL makes getting comfortable much easier by the way!
http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=fqff0e29qrgia1095kq3j70km4
http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=fqff0e29qrgia1095kq3j70km4
Thanks that's good to know, as I'm 6ft 3" if they are too short this could be a problem.
I got a TW ultralight hammock a good few years ago and it is still going very well, I'm 5,10 and think it's a reasonable size, but at 6,3 it maybe too short for you. I have a feeling if you talk to the chap at TW he may get one made to your specification [It depends on how well he's communication is with his production guy though]
They are said to cope with 80 kg - I'm just about that and I've been in it with 3 children as well, so it's definitely strong enough for that
I was happy enough to get another 3 so my kids will leave me along in mine - at that price [and weight] I can cope with carrying a couple
They are said to cope with 80 kg - I'm just about that and I've been in it with 3 children as well, so it's definitely strong enough for that
I was happy enough to get another 3 so my kids will leave me along in mine - at that price [and weight] I can cope with carrying a couple Being able to use it on the ground is one of the reasons I was drawn to the DD, that and that it already comes with a lot of the required gear (tree slings, carbs and mozzi net).
When u say it can get condensation, do u mean just when you us either on the ground or when hanging or both?
Check out hennesey Hammocks - they're pricey but offer a complete system with the shelter included. Personally though, I recently bought a hammock from ukhammocks and am very impressed. Hand made to order in the UK and they will also customise the hammock to your spec. I bought a basic hammock for £54 (inc whoopie sling suspension) but the top of the range hammock is £130 and is very similar design to the blackbird
I suffered from really bad condensation when hanging in the DD travel - that and the size issues made me move it on. Especially as I was taking a groundsheet to stand on anyway.
Hennessey hammocks are good but make sure you get the Deluxe (bigger). Only heard good things about the blackbird - but there are also other cottage vendors (check out hammockforums.net). The Dutchware hammocks are basic but come highly recommended too.
I got a hammock bliss sky bed bug free as it allows me to use my sleep mat but also gives me a flat lay.
That's definitely worth taking into consideration and to be honest has ruled that hammock off my list.
I have been looking originally at the DD jungle hammock that comes with a "detachable" waterproof layer attached by velcro underneath the hammock. Again please excuse me if this is a stupid question I'm new to this swinging in the trees, but if this layer was detached would this then mean that it would be breathable?
Iv looked on the DD website and obviously there isn't anything saying "not breathable when attached"
The waterproof layer would be used as a splash guard over a down underblanket. (You need insulation under you that isn't compressed otherwise you get a cold back.)
Personally having done it myself I'd steer clear of the DD's and TW hornets. The style of attached bug net doesn't let you lie asymmetrically.
I'd start with a simple large hammock, then add a separate bug net (but I have the benefit of hindsight).
Hammock:
http://www.dutchwaregear.com/netless-hammocks.html (Olive green Poly D single - I'd get the cinch buckle suspension, it's so easy to use, and a ridgeline)
Bug net:
http://www.dutchwaregear.com/fronkey-style-bugnet.html
There will be import duty though.
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If you drop them an email they often have them ready to go - they don't keep their website as up to date as they should
Sorry but I love my TW hornet hammock, its a great hanger and whilst the standard size may be too short for you, they are very reasonable for quality to price.
What he said but make your own, based on this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WsBGnwTi00
On hammock forums/ google its called the knotty mod.
Very comfy !!!
You won't go wrong with one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enjoydeal-O...e=UTF8&qid=1433360892&sr=8-2&keywords=hammock
It's pretty much the same as the old group buy hammocks that we had here on BCUK, that I used for years before I bought a Blackbird XLC. I still can't choose between the two; I want to like the BB XLC more because it was so much more expensive, but to be honest, I sleep really well in both.
I'm 6' 1" and I sleep really well in mine, and my 6'3" brother in law does the same in his.
If you do buy one of these, you'll have to get your own suspension etc. (either make or buy), and make a structural ridgeline to suit your height, but that's easy enough and I (or many others on here) will help you with that.
If the worst happens and you decide that you don't like sleeping in a hammock, you will still have a sweet, lightweight hammock for the garden, woods or beach that hasn't cost you a fortune.
Cheers, Michael.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Enjoydeal-O...e=UTF8&qid=1433360892&sr=8-2&keywords=hammock
It's pretty much the same as the old group buy hammocks that we had here on BCUK, that I used for years before I bought a Blackbird XLC. I still can't choose between the two; I want to like the BB XLC more because it was so much more expensive, but to be honest, I sleep really well in both.
I'm 6' 1" and I sleep really well in mine, and my 6'3" brother in law does the same in his.
If you do buy one of these, you'll have to get your own suspension etc. (either make or buy), and make a structural ridgeline to suit your height, but that's easy enough and I (or many others on here) will help you with that.
If the worst happens and you decide that you don't like sleeping in a hammock, you will still have a sweet, lightweight hammock for the garden, woods or beach that hasn't cost you a fortune.
Cheers, Michael.
