Having decided to get up in the trees for the first time I would like your learned advice and opinions please. Along with the kit you use and the kit you recommend. Thank you 
Hammock Campers! Your advice please Gentle-ladies and Gentlemens???
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I'd borrow someone else's to try it first of you can. Tw super xl is a very comfy hammock and cheap. No bug net though, but I don't tend to use mine on my other hammock.
I've had a DD travel but I had condensation issues. Although others don't. I have a tw grey hornet. And it's good. But my cheaper tw super xl is now my goto hammock. Packs small and light. Flat lay. I swapped out the suspension for whoopies and tree huggers. For the super xl you'll need at least a 3.5m ridgeline on your tarp.
I've tried a hennesy asym deluxe and I think the super xl is at least as comfy.
I've had a DD travel but I had condensation issues. Although others don't. I have a tw grey hornet. And it's good. But my cheaper tw super xl is now my goto hammock. Packs small and light. Flat lay. I swapped out the suspension for whoopies and tree huggers. For the super xl you'll need at least a 3.5m ridgeline on your tarp.
I've tried a hennesy asym deluxe and I think the super xl is at least as comfy.
Hammocking - or should it now officially be Hanging? Has really taken off of late - that positive in so many ways, but in the process there is a risk of confusion and techy speak creeping in.
The principles are pretty straight forward and the key phrase to keep in mind is 'there's more than one way to skin a cat'.
There is a bewildering array of gear about these days - a quick search will throw up lots of names being used again and again. Quality wise, sticking with these is unlikely to be a bad move. However, individuality is the key - some things may suit you more than others and vice versa. So really just a long winded way of endorsing what MountainM says. If at all possible, try before you buy.
It'll be a great journey though!
The principles are pretty straight forward and the key phrase to keep in mind is 'there's more than one way to skin a cat'.
There is a bewildering array of gear about these days - a quick search will throw up lots of names being used again and again. Quality wise, sticking with these is unlikely to be a bad move. However, individuality is the key - some things may suit you more than others and vice versa. So really just a long winded way of endorsing what MountainM says. If at all possible, try before you buy.
It'll be a great journey though!
hammock-forums.net is full of hammockers, kit, DIY projects and advice. good starting points are The Ultimate Hang, a book by one of the members on HammockForums.net and videos by Shugmery on Youtube, specifically the "Hammock How-To For Noobs" playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB8752777861C2AA8 and of course not forgetting just getting out there and using good ole trial and error 
As someone else pointed out on another thread (bigstu I think?) there are differences between makes of hammock I have the DD camping hammock which as I'm over 6" means I struggle to lay diagonally but in my Hennessy hammock explorer delux it has a built in bug net and it's big enough to lay diagonally, some of the other makes which I've not tried have a foot box type thing so your feet lay level. So there are loads of options and as mentioned a ton of ways to hang your hammock of choice, so try as many as you can. Then there's the tarp!!! Now that's a whole thread on its own!!! 😉
Sent from somewhere?
Sent from somewhere?
I would seriously reccomend trying some out.I personally have the hennessy explorer deluxe.it pre side zip but I had one put in by Matt at ukhammocks.I swapped to Whoopi slings with straps and marlin spikes.again from Matt I bought his very warm full length underquilt using a snugpak sf2 as a top quilt.I've recently swapped out the original tarp for the excellent alpkit rig 21.a massive sil nylon with many tie outs.lots of admin room.I've uses marlow 2mm cord for tie outs.I'm 18 stone and can shuffle around lie on my side in fact how I like.
One source of info is the famously funny shug emery on you tube.
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One source of info is the famously funny shug emery on you tube.
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I mostly dwell on the ground but occasionally swing. Hang. Whatever.
My take on it is that a hammock is useful when the ground isn't suitable for sleeping on and that's about it.
I much prefer the convenience of having my kit handy when I'm on the ground. Hanging it on a ridge line or trying to stow it somewhere so I won't wake up on top of it is a real pain.
I don't like having to struggle in and out of a hammock in the middle of the night if I need to answer nature's call, although there are alternatives to that of course.
If it's very windy I like good shelter and it's easier to get that on the ground than half-way up a tree. The ground doesn't sway so much either.
Having said that you can get a really good night's sleep on a calm night in the right hammock, and a lot of hammocks come with built-in insect protection which is a big plus in many areas.
My main hammock is a DD 'Travel' hammock. It has the insect protection but the base fabric doesn't breathe, which some people don't like.
It doesn't bother me as I usually use a closed-cell foam (i.e. also non-breathing) mat in it for insulation and an ex-issue bivvy bag to keep dry.
It's not very heavy but it's a bit bulky.
I use tree hugger tapes to prevent damage to the trees, but it isn't always trees that I hang it from.
I use a couple of cheap shackles to prevent water wicking along the suspension.
The whole lot stows in a dry-bag. I forget what size it is, probably about ten litres.
My take on it is that a hammock is useful when the ground isn't suitable for sleeping on and that's about it.
I much prefer the convenience of having my kit handy when I'm on the ground. Hanging it on a ridge line or trying to stow it somewhere so I won't wake up on top of it is a real pain.
I don't like having to struggle in and out of a hammock in the middle of the night if I need to answer nature's call, although there are alternatives to that of course.
If it's very windy I like good shelter and it's easier to get that on the ground than half-way up a tree. The ground doesn't sway so much either.
Having said that you can get a really good night's sleep on a calm night in the right hammock, and a lot of hammocks come with built-in insect protection which is a big plus in many areas.
My main hammock is a DD 'Travel' hammock. It has the insect protection but the base fabric doesn't breathe, which some people don't like.
It doesn't bother me as I usually use a closed-cell foam (i.e. also non-breathing) mat in it for insulation and an ex-issue bivvy bag to keep dry.
It's not very heavy but it's a bit bulky.
I use tree hugger tapes to prevent damage to the trees, but it isn't always trees that I hang it from.
I use a couple of cheap shackles to prevent water wicking along the suspension.
The whole lot stows in a dry-bag. I forget what size it is, probably about ten litres.
I am a ground dweller but mulling over taking to the trees. I am sure that it is total rubbish, but I saw a Gelert hammock on sale for £9.99 in Sport Direct yesterday...has anyone seen or used one? I am thinking that if I don't take to the boreal life then I wouldn't have wasted any precious.
I guess it all depends on if your going to be carrying it? If you are I would look at things like the warrbonet blackbird and superfly tarp!! Both are very light and pack able. If it's mainly car camping you could even buy a bridge hammock which is the ultimate comfort
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What Mr. Mountain said. I use the same 2 hammocks and agree that the bug netting isn't needed unless your going somewhere really midgie.
So my current set-up:
TW Sargasso tarp
Dyneema ridgeline and guys
TW XL hammock or TW green hornet extra wide
Woopie slings
Caribiners
Tree Huggers
Snugpak Underquilt
The hammock and tarp plus all the rigging, pegs etc and packed into a couple of dry bags comes in at 1.83kg. So not overly heavy, the UQ brings the whole lot up too 3kg.
(Tarp folded back to show interior)
Not quite the same hammock...
http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/Hammocks/Compact-Hammocks/Green-Super-XL-Hammock-3x1.8m
Tw super xl 3m x 1.8m @ £23
http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/Hammocks/Compact-Hammocks/Green-XL-Hammock
Tw xl 2.8m x 1.45m @ £17
http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/Hammocks/Compact-Hammocks/Green-Super-XL-Hammock-3x1.8m
Tw super xl 3m x 1.8m @ £23
http://www.twhammocks.co.uk/Hammocks/Compact-Hammocks/Green-XL-Hammock
Tw xl 2.8m x 1.45m @ £17
Whittler Kev
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Most of my stuff is homemade. I use straps to go around the tree and adjustable rope ties with snaps to hang a hammock I was given
Personally if you can wait I would go straight in for the best stuff. I'm using a warrbonet blackbird 1.1 dbl hammock, war bonnet superfly tarp, uk hammocks down top quilt and under quilt. Whilst I can vouch for the top quilt I prob wouldn't buy the under quilt again.
The reason I say go straight for this stuff is because eventually you will want to up grade to lighter more pack able gear, I ended up buying twice when I wish I had of gone straight for the best stuff.
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The reason I say go straight for this stuff is because eventually you will want to up grade to lighter more pack able gear, I ended up buying twice when I wish I had of gone straight for the best stuff.
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Warbonnet blackbird here too... but the 1.7dbl because I like 'em sturdy!
same uk hammocks UQ and TQ and Superfly... great setup but it cost me a lot in unwanted hammocks to get to this point.
Try and borrow one for a few nights and if you are ok in it, jump in with both feet.
same uk hammocks UQ and TQ and Superfly... great setup but it cost me a lot in unwanted hammocks to get to this point.
Try and borrow one for a few nights and if you are ok in it, jump in with both feet.
Ukhammocks woodsman double skinned hammock, a DIY down UQ similar to the ukh 4 season uq and a diy tq made from a down sleeping bag.
DD 3x3 tarp and/ or a UK basha.
Still a few tweaks to go.
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DD 3x3 tarp and/ or a UK basha.
Still a few tweaks to go.
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EdS
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Yep. Hammocking heavy weight camping that lets you free to the midges.
Pkenty of tents thstvweight less than a hsmmock and tarp set up
Pkenty of tents thstvweight less than a hsmmock and tarp set up
We all have our favourites and so it comes down to what fits YOU best. I didnt get on with a DD hammock and changed after 1 night . Others love them. Never tried a TW but i imagine they will lie pretty flat by virtue of the longer lengths they use. I use a warbonnet BB 1.1 double and superfly tarp and hammock gear quilts. I have a uk hammocks UQ too and its ok but not a patch on the American stuff.
The best advice i can give you is whatever hammock you get, get a tarp with doors. Pitch a tarp with doors correctly and you will completely kill any wind in your shelter area which stops wind blown rain and will stop the swaying Ged refers too.
. Others love them. Never tried a TW but i imagine they will lie pretty flat by virtue of the longer lengths they use. I use a warbonnet BB 1.1 double and superfly tarp and hammock gear quilts. I have a uk hammocks UQ too and its ok but not a patch on the American stuff. The best advice i can give you is whatever hammock you get, get a tarp with doors. Pitch a tarp with doors correctly and you will completely kill any wind in your shelter area which stops wind blown rain and will stop the swaying Ged refers too.
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