From the outset, I apologise for the lack of photographs to illustrate my review but, when out giving it a try, I had neither 'phone nor camera with me!
https://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/robens-trace-ultimate-hammock-set-63060-p.asp
I hope the above link works so that you can see the set-up that I ordered and have tried.
Tarp and hammock is most definitely my preferred way of sleeping out, as I love the flexibility of what you can do with both. I had hoped that this Robens iteration was add to the possibilities offered me by my Warbonnet hammock and one or other of the tarps I own.
Certainly, it is well-made: the hammock fabric is light and the tarp seems to be of a suitably burly fabric; the underblanket feels as though it would keep my kidneys warm when suspended between trees. I had watched the Robens video about putting it up and, true enough, it was easy enough to do. The daisy-chains on that link the hammock to the trees were very good, offering a degree of flexibility while also feeling secure. The cordage supplied for the prussik loops on the ridge line did eventually 'bite' and hold the tarp in place but that is where my concerns began: the tarp does not cover the gathered end of the hammock. This is not a deal breaker if you only camp out in fine weather but, from bitter experience, it is definitely not something I would wish to see in my sleeping equipment.
The video also showed grommets and tape loops midway along the length of the edge of the tarp; on my tarp, these were absent.
I have always enjoyed using the other bits and bobs made by Robens that are in my kit cupboard but I feel that, for me at least, this tarp-hammock-underblanket set-up is not going to suit my purposes. It was, perhaps, a little unfair to pitch it against the Warbonnet equivalent that I'm used to but I hoped that it might just provide me with an alternative, maybe for those nights closer to home. Sadly, I don't think it will.
The Bushcraft Store were efficiency itself in getting the Trace hammock and underblanket to me, so many thanks to them for their service.
Overall, then, I am not fully impressed and will happily send the tarp, hammock and underblanket to any interested party for, say, £70 (less than half the cost of it new) + postage to a mainland U.K. address. If you're interested, drop me a p.m..
Richard
https://www.thebushcraftstore.co.uk/robens-trace-ultimate-hammock-set-63060-p.asp
I hope the above link works so that you can see the set-up that I ordered and have tried.
Tarp and hammock is most definitely my preferred way of sleeping out, as I love the flexibility of what you can do with both. I had hoped that this Robens iteration was add to the possibilities offered me by my Warbonnet hammock and one or other of the tarps I own.
Certainly, it is well-made: the hammock fabric is light and the tarp seems to be of a suitably burly fabric; the underblanket feels as though it would keep my kidneys warm when suspended between trees. I had watched the Robens video about putting it up and, true enough, it was easy enough to do. The daisy-chains on that link the hammock to the trees were very good, offering a degree of flexibility while also feeling secure. The cordage supplied for the prussik loops on the ridge line did eventually 'bite' and hold the tarp in place but that is where my concerns began: the tarp does not cover the gathered end of the hammock. This is not a deal breaker if you only camp out in fine weather but, from bitter experience, it is definitely not something I would wish to see in my sleeping equipment.
The video also showed grommets and tape loops midway along the length of the edge of the tarp; on my tarp, these were absent.
I have always enjoyed using the other bits and bobs made by Robens that are in my kit cupboard but I feel that, for me at least, this tarp-hammock-underblanket set-up is not going to suit my purposes. It was, perhaps, a little unfair to pitch it against the Warbonnet equivalent that I'm used to but I hoped that it might just provide me with an alternative, maybe for those nights closer to home. Sadly, I don't think it will.
The Bushcraft Store were efficiency itself in getting the Trace hammock and underblanket to me, so many thanks to them for their service.
Overall, then, I am not fully impressed and will happily send the tarp, hammock and underblanket to any interested party for, say, £70 (less than half the cost of it new) + postage to a mainland U.K. address. If you're interested, drop me a p.m..
Richard
