Hammocking, where to start?

[DaftHaggis]

Hi

Hi mate,

I am 6'4" and a good bit more than 100kg too! I am currently using a cheap Covacure hammock with a OneTigris underblanket and it seems comfortable enough. I have a Jura 2 XL too but its been a bit warm recently to try it out, so I've just been using an army issue wool blanket. I am considering the DD XL Frontline but I've held back as I'm not sure if my 3m x 3m DD Tarp will cover it in a diamond setup and if I will still be able to use my underquilt which is 280 x 120cm, even if it restricts a diagonal lay.

What are your thoughts after owning the Frontline XL?

Cheers

Good morning.

As it happens I am typing this reply while having a cup of tea next to my hammock after another test night! What great fun.

First up, I use the DD 4x4 tarp as I like that extra cover. I think it would be a bit tight with a 3x3 but the diamond formation would probably cover it, but it depends how "protected" you like to be.

The Frontline XL has been outstanding so far and I am pleased with how easy it is to use and it is comfortable for my dimensions!

But you're on to something about the underquilt. It is one part I do not quite have sorted yet. I am using the DD underquilt and I have it biased towards my head end. It does work but I also need to bias it to the right side at the head end to make sure my right shoulder is covered as the quilt wants to keep returning to the central position. I plan to fix this by changing the bungee in that corner with a short fixed line. That will be the subject of the next test night.

I hope that some of all that helps you in some way.

Happy hammocking mate.

 

[Dmo5]

Good morning.

As it happens I am typing this reply while having a cup of tea next to my hammock after another test night! What great fun.

First up, I use the DD 4x4 tarp as I like that extra cover. I think it would be a bit tight with a 3x3 but the diamond formation would probably cover it, but it depends how "protected" you like to be.

The Frontline XL has been outstanding so far and I am pleased with how easy it is to use and it is comfortable for my dimensions!

But you're on to something about the underquilt. It is one part I do not quite have sorted yet. I am using the DD underquilt and I have it biased towards my head end. It does work but I also need to bias it to the right side at the head end to make sure my right shoulder is covered as the quilt wants to keep returning to the central position. I plan to fix this by changing the bungee in that corner with a short fixed line. That will be the subject of the next test night.

I hope that some of all that helps you in some way.

Happy hammocking mate.

Good morning,

That's really helpful thank you! I will give it some more thought now that we are coming into the colder season, my smaller hammock may be better for me until the spring now as its easier to keep warm with my current setup. Then I can start again with a new setup as it warms up again!

Glad you had a good night, I'm doing the same tonight for the weekend! Bags packed and I'm itching to leave work and get set up now!!

 

[matarius777]

I use the Frontline XL with a DD 3.5 by 3.5 tarp, I find it’s brilliant, I also use the DD underblanket. Usually I use my Snugpak Elite 3 over me like a quilt, but intend getting an over quilt. I find it so more comfortable than ground dwelling- I always struggle to find anywhere flat enough in the woods I use, also you’re protected from bugs, bites and especially SLUGS!. I’m normally a side sleeper but in a hammock, I find I can sleep all night on my back it’s so comfortable! I often tie a string to the nearest tree so I can rock myself whilst reading! So, so relaxing!.

 

[matarius777]

Good morning,

That's really helpful thank you! I will give it some more thought now that we are coming into the colder season, my smaller hammock may be better for me until the spring now as its easier to keep warm with my current setup. Then I can start again with a new setup as it warms up again!

Glad you had a good night, I'm doing the same tonight for the weekend! Bags packed and I'm itching to leave work and get set up now!!

I use the Frontline XL with a DD 3.5 by 3.5 tarp, I find it’s brilliant, I also use the DD underblanket. Usually I use my Snugpak Elite 3 over me like a quilt, but intend getting an over quilt. I find it so more comfortable than ground dwelling- I always struggle to find anywhere flat enough in the woods I use, also you’re protected from bugs, bites and especially SLUGS!. I’m normally a side sleeper but in a hammock, I find I can sleep all night on my back it’s so comfortable! I often tie a string to the nearest tree so I can rock myself whilst reading! So, so relaxing!.

 

[Dmo5]

Good morning.

As it happens I am typing this reply while having a cup of tea next to my hammock after another test night! What great fun.

First up, I use the DD 4x4 tarp as I like that extra cover. I think it would be a bit tight with a 3x3 but the diamond formation would probably cover it, but it depends how "protected" you like to be.

The Frontline XL has been outstanding so far and I am pleased with how easy it is to use and it is comfortable for my dimensions!

But you're on to something about the underquilt. It is one part I do not quite have sorted yet. I am using the DD underquilt and I have it biased towards my head end. It does work but I also need to bias it to the right side at the head end to make sure my right shoulder is covered as the quilt wants to keep returning to the central position. I plan to fix this by changing the bungee in that corner with a short fixed line. That will be the subject of the next test night.

I hope that some of all that helps you in some way.

Happy hammocking mate.

I take my last comment back, I got the Frontline XL today after a snug sleep last night in the Covacure! Gonna head out to the woods tomorrow night to try it out with an air mat as I think my underquilt will be too short. Just fitted the whoopie slings and getting excited for tomorrow

 

[DaftHaggis]

I take my last comment back, I got the Frontline XL today after a snug sleep last night in the Covacure! Gonna head out to the woods tomorrow night to try it out with an air mat as I think my underquilt will be too short. Just fitted the whoopie slings and getting excited for tomorrow

Well, this thread got me thinking about underquilts and I've ordered a Tigris Night Protector given its greater length and width. Your comment backs that thinking up. Trying it out on Thursday!

Have a great trip and let us know how it goes. I recently fitted my whoopee slings correctly and it made a big difference.

Cheers

 

[Dmo5]

Well, this thread got me thinking about underquilts and I've ordered a Tigris Night Protector given its greater length and width. Your comment backs that thinking up. Trying it out on Thursday!

Have a great trip and let us know how it goes. I recently fitted my whoopee slings correctly and it made a big difference.

Cheers

Excellent, I hope you will be pleased with it and let me know how you get on too. Will do the same! Cheers

 

[DaftHaggis]

Excellent, I hope you will be pleased with it and let me know how you get on too. Will do the same! Cheers

The Tigris underquilt arrived today and I set it up in the garden. Immediately I can see it is a better fit and that it creates a slightly bigger air pocket for keeping me warm. I "tested" it by having a kip this afternoon! It was warm, but of course, not a real test. I will be out for a night this coming week so will see how it performs, even though it will be quite mild overnight (11 forecast).

 

[Dmo5]

The Tigris underquilt arrived today and I set it up in the garden. Immediately I can see it is a better fit and that it creates a slightly bigger air pocket for keeping me warm. I "tested" it by having a kip this afternoon! It was warm, but of course, not a real test. I will be out for a night this coming week so will see how it performs, even though it will be quite mild overnight (11 forecast).

Great stuff glad you liked it! I took the Frontline XL out for the first time last night with the Jura 2 XL and can't get over how large and comfortable it was! Seems to have a bit more movement when you roll around on the whoopie slings compared to the chunky tree hugger straps I had on the Covacure hammock!

I tired an air mat in the underlayer but it slipped all over the place so in the end I used a foam roll mat, but again that also moved about a bit. I think I will try the matching DD underblanket.

Has anyone tried the snake pouch for the XL frontline? Looks great but wondering if it will fit in the stuff sack while in the pouch!

 

[DaftHaggis]

Great stuff glad you liked it! I took the Frontline XL out for the first time last night with the Jura 2 XL and can't get over how large and comfortable it was! Seems to have a bit more movement when you roll around on the whoopie slings compared to the chunky tree hugger straps I had on the Covacure hammock!

I tired an air mat in the underlayer but it slipped all over the place so in the end I used a foam roll mat, but again that also moved about a bit. I think I will try the matching DD underblanket.

Has anyone tried the snake pouch for the XL frontline? Looks great but wondering if it will fit in the stuff sack while in the pouch!

Good morning friends. I write this to you after my best night of sleep in a hammock so far. So comfortable last night and the onetigris underquilt had performed very well. It was only down to about 8 degrees last night but I was lovely and cosy and the underquilt stayed in place really nicely. Very pleased and looking forward to the next night.

Dmo5, I use the DD snakeskin for my frontline xl and it works great. Really great. It is slightly shorter that the hammock but the ends poke in no problem with room for the whoopee slings too. I then clip my carabiner to the draw string so nothing falls out and I can easily see which end is which (I use two different coloured carabiners). I also use their bigger snakeskin for my trap. It packs away with a bit more bulk than folding it but it is super easy to deploy and the ridgline does not get tangled.

Happy hanging everyone!

 

[DaftHaggis]

Well, that was quite something. The trip is done and it was amazing, Away with 2 friends in the canoes and camping around the lochs of Scotland. Just wanted to say that the DD Frontline XL hammock, paired with the DD Jura 2 XL sleeping back and OneTigris underquilt was a very comfortable set up. Really pleases with how the whole set up worked and how easy it was to use. I am even more motivated to get out and about even more, even if the weather is about to change. I'm off to search this forum for tips on winter camping!

 

[billycoen]

Hello,i think i may have mentioned on another thread about a chap called Bex Bugout,he is a top bloke when it comes to all things hammocky.He's on youtube.

 

[Statts]

As an alternative you could look at Amok Equipment (www.amokequipment.eu) Draumr hammock XL (if you're tall)I'm 6'4'' and a side sleeper and the perpendicular (to the ridgeline) hang and completely flat lay were a revelation.

 

[AberSi]

I'm 6ft 1 and sleep really well in my normal size DD Frontline, you just need to make sure the hang angle is good and lay on the diagonal. Paired with a 3.5x3.5 DD Tarp, Snugpak underquilt and Softie Elite 3 bag it's a cracking sleep system, although I might try and replace the bag with a nice down quilt for a huge weight saving, as the underside of the sleeping bag is pretty much redundant anyway.