The New 2010 DD Travel Hammock / Bivi is what I got for X-mas!! Lovely piece of kit, along with there 3x3m tarp!
Bonuses:
As you've probably read, the DD Travel also converts lovely into a ground dwelling unit because of the double waterproof base layers! (Unlike the Frontline! which is breathable instead!)
The Fly is zipped in, rather than hanging, and the weave is supposed to be the finest on the market, so you'll have no problems with any Barstool mozzy's!
+ FREE Hammock Sleeve
+ FREE T-shirt on orders over £50
+ FREE Whistle/Compass/Thermometer
Plus its made in the U.K. (always a good thing!)
Here's one made into a chair too!
DD Hammock Chair
Minuses:
After testing it out in mid Jan (when we had that very cold/wet spell!) there are a few alterations im going to give it.
Firstly the webbing, (as on all hammcoks, not just DD's!!) a different system is required! As it comes the webbing is one continuous cord. This means rain runs down the tree's, soaks into the webbing like a sponge, and eventually onto the end of your hammock! Im solving this problem by incorporating a carabiner 6inchs from the hammock. This creates a water drip/block, allowing the rain to only soak the webbing attached to the tree, and preventing going beyond the carabiner. If you have-not seen SilverFox on YouTube, here's the system!
DD Hammock Webbing Modification.. Plus once made, its supposed to be easier to adjust the tension. With a conventional system of tying around a tree, I found I had to adjust the webbing 3 times, undoing all the Knots around the tree, and re-tying them, just to get it right!
Secondly, if your planning to put a thermarest between the base layers (for extra warmth/comfort), it will slip in the night and end up at your side! I have thought of velco to hold it onto the base layer, but a trusted friend told me to put it inside your sleeping bag instead!
That's about it for my advice on hammocks, here's my blog of
my last set-up!
What I like compaired to ground dwelling, is how neat and tidy everything is kept! I find when im under a tarp on the ground, things end up being pulled out and put everywhere.. because you have the floor space! In a hammock, it disciplines you to only get out what you need! Then put it straight back in the bag where it belongs! I created a simple A-Frame to store my bag, If it rains, just pull it in further under the tarp! Its a 3x3 tarp in a diamond!