POLL: What's Your Favorite Hammock?

[headchange4u]

I currently own two hammocks, a Hennessy ULBA and a Byer Amazona. I have been really getting into the whole hammock thing and I thought it would be fun to see what other hangers out there are using and which brands/models they like the best.

So please list the hammocks you own in order of preference and tell us why your favorite hammock is your favorite. I may have forgotten a couple of brands of hammocks in my poll choices so if you vote for "Other" please let us know the brand and model you are using. I also only listed companies in the poll choices so if you want to list the model of the hammock you are using (ULBA,Explorer, Expedition, Scout, etc...) feel free to do so.

I love my HH ULBA mainly because of the misquito netting and it's one of the coolest, most unique designs I have ever seen in a hammock.

Thanks and happy hanging.

[Just Jeff]

I like my HH, but my homemade ones are more comfortable and lighter (w/o bug net). The Crazy Creek Crib is pretty cool, too...nice and open, and VERY comfortable when I use the DAM.

[Smee]

Hennessy ULB
Mosquito from Claytor
Moskito from Byer
Traveller from Byer

In that order.

[headchange4u]

I forgot to put the DIY option in the poll. I can't seem to edit poll options.

[Hikerhead]

You left off The Clark Jungle Hammock so I had to use "Other"

[Hana_Hanger]

1. Homemade ~ Most Comfortable
2 .Hennessy ~ Easiest Set up
3. Siam ~ Most Versatile
4. Byer ~ Lightest

[Ewker]

I know very little about hammocks so this thread ought to be interesting

[headchange4u]

I know very little about hammocks so this thread ought to be interesting

That was one reason I started this thread. I hope that anyone new to hammocks may look here and get a better idea of what kind of hammock they may want to start out with.

[Ramble~On]

1. Hands down my favorite hammock is the Eagles Nest Outfitters "ENO"
DoubleNest. It's huge which allows me to lie almost flat, it's extremely easy and fast to set up using the Slap Straps and with the optional Guardian Bug Net I haven't found another hammock that comes close to it....It packs down small and was priced right. What I like most about this hammock is comfort...followed by the ease of setup, weight and size.
http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/

2. Byer Amazonas Moskito. At $19.95 and weighing in at 15.2 ounces on my scale...this hammock is impressive. The size for weight is something I am still puzzled by. This is a pretty big hammock and with the attached mesh properly tied there is a ton of usable space inside the hammock.
I am able to lie at the diagonal very comfortably and sleep soundly in this hammock. Being featherweight though means that care has to be taken with the zipper and mesh..I have had no problems with the zipper as of yet and perhaps it's sturdier than I think but I have ripped the mesh with a careless boot....it was easily repaired.
One thing to point out is that the 15.2 ounce weight does not include suspension or fly. http://www.byerofmaine.com/amazonas-moskito.htm

3. Clark North American Jungle Hammock When they say "Jungle" I think that they might be talking about some of the rhoddo jungles out there. This is a great hammock with a lot of really great design features...I like to use this one in really cold weather. I have made a number of modifications to mine and got rid of the stock fly altogehter. The mesh design is genius. The mesh is stretchable and it can be set in countless options or fully unzipped and tucked out of the way. The weather barrier is another great feature which provides warmth and privacy...likewise it can be removed. The pockets underneath the hammock are easy to access and
a great design feature...I am able to get all of my gear inside the pockets...including pack. So...it's a great hammock and has a ton of great features.....BUT !!!!! It isn't large enough on the inside to provide for sleeping on the diagonal therefore it maintains a banana shape and is not unlike sleeping inside a banana shaped canoe... I am able to get comfortable in it though, it is possible to get diagonal enough to get very comfortable...I have slept through the night in it and have woken up with my headlamp still on head and a book on my chest...I didn't move all night.
http://www.junglehammock.com/press.php

4. Homemade, DIY. I hope to have DIY hammocks rate in the number 1 spot but it is still a matter of getting what I want into a package that is light enough to be worth it. I look forward to and hope for a very cold and snow infested winter so I can try some things out.

5. Last on my list is Hennessy. I know that there are more HH users out there than probably all other combined and HH users seem to be a pretty loyal group. Why do I not prefer HH ? I never got used to the "birth canal" or having to stake a hammock. I am either in my HH or out. There is no in between with the HH. I enjoy the freedom of my other hammocks and being able to use them as a chair, camp lounger...perhaps someday HH will incorporate a side entry zipper system.
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

[scope]

I enjoy the freedom of my other hammocks and being able to use them as a chair, camp lounger...perhaps someday HH will incorporate a side entry zipper system.

The Hennessy site says it can be used as a chair/lounger - can you elaborate on why this is not the case?

[Just Jeff]

The fixed ridgeline rubs the back of my head and the non-removable bug net keeps me from really laying back. I can easily use the HH as a chair to change clothes, cook, etc - but it's not as comfortable in "lounge" mode as top entry hammocks, IMO.

[Ramble~On]

The Hennessy site says it can be used as a chair/lounger - can you elaborate on why this is not the case?

The HH have mesh sewn directly to the hammock body and an attached ridgeline. The mesh does not have a zipper and can not be removed or moved out of the way. Therefore when you are "in" a HH you are in fact inside the hammock and things around you are not accessible due to the mesh. The HH have a slit opening in the bottom of the hammock to enter and exit from. It is possible to reach through the slit and get things that you place under the hammock and it is possible to cook while "in" the hammock but you are still "in" the hammock while doing this.
All other hammocks either have no attached mesh or have a zipper on the mesh that allows for entry and exit into or out of the hammock...this allows for you to sit in ("on" would be more correct) and it is possible to have you legs hang over one edge similar to a chair. Such as in this photo http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/double-nest-hammock.html
HH can be turned over (upside down) and an edge of the hammock can be used as a chair. The HH have a ridgeline running the length of the hammock and for me this impedes it being used comfortably as a chair...also when set up there are two cords running from the hammock and staked into the ground..

[scope]

Thanks, good thread. I had all but decided to go buy a HH any day now, just couldn't decide if I wanted to spend the extra $$ on the ultralite.

So, the size of the Doublenest is what allows you to sleep flat? I assume that you could not do that in the Singlenest? All together with straps and bugnet, this seems like a heavy option as compared with HH , although I understand what you're saying about the HH setup and lack of flexibility.

Thanks a lot! :mad: Now I have something else to think about and overanalyze before I finally make the purchase!! :D

[RobK]

Hey I'm a Clark fan.

I like the side entry and how you can hang it alittle on the flat side.

I have a Tropical and an older Deluxe.

Thanks for the pole...

Rob

[Just Jeff]

What do you mean by "hang it a little on the flat side"?

[rpettit]

I voted for HH. I have only used a HH and a Byer Moskito. I prefer the HH of the two.
The HH is designed for back country use, to me it is a turn key solution for backcountry camping. The Byer is a backyard, campground hammock. The ropes for the Byer tangle with themselves and forest duff, it is very difficult to set up in the dark or low light conditions.

The Byer hammock material and netting is fragile in comparison to the HH, though the Byer would sleep cooler in the summer for this reason.

Though I have never tested the Byer in the rain, I think that the HH would fair better because you have only one support rope on each end to divert rain off of, compared to multiple ropes on the Byer. And a properly hung Byer would be lower to the ground and further away from your rain tarp than a HH, increasing the possibility of getting wet from splash and windblown rain.

HYOH, whatever set up you use, only needs to work for you.

[neo]

my tom claytor jungle hammock
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/junglehammock.html

with my 12x12 camo guide gear tarp

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247



my son hanks set up
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247

my set up
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=12097&catid=member&imageuser=3462


i love this combo:cool: neo

[neo]

i own a travel hammock


http://www.actiongear.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/agcatalog/level4s.tam?xax=18540&M5COPY%2Ectx=27074&M5%2Ectx=27074&M2%5FDESC%2Ectx=Bivouac%20%2D%20Sleeping%20Bags%2C %20Shelters%2C%20Modular%20Sleep%20Systems%2C%20Bi vy%20Bags&level3%2Ectx=results%2Etam&query%2Ectx=hammock&backto=%2Fagcatalog%2Fresults%2Etam

byer hammock

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=10246358&parent_category_rn=4500553&vcat=REI_SEARCH

hennessey ultra light hammock
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=12304729&parent_category_rn=40003488&vcat=REI_SEARCH

tom claytor jungle hammock,my current favorite
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/junglehammock.html

my favorite tarp is my 12x12 camo guide gear tarp
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247

neo:cool:

[neo]

I know very little about hammocks so this thread ought to be interesting

:D yep great thread,i guess it is time for me to do another hillary clinton thread,the sexiest woman alive:cool: neo

[FanaticFringer]

Mines a HH Expedition A-SYM. If I could do it again I would have probably bought the Scout model off off the Hennessy web site. Summer sale of $79 with free shipping. Seeing as though I'm under 5'10". Would have saved a couple of ounces also.

[porkbutter]

My vote goes to the Speer. It is very comfortable, lightweight, versatile as it gets, and a great place to start with making your own gear. It is very simple, but has all that is needed in a hammock. I do like it better with the ends whipped instead of the original end knot, though. Most of the homemade ones you see seem to be largely modeled after the Speer.

[jazilla]

Hennessy as a chair. I love mine.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=12037&catid=member&imageuser=8502

[hogn8r]

My vote goes to Speer as well. I do own a HH, (Exped ASym) that is a great hammock, well built, easy to set-up and bomb proof. But for overall enjoyment of hammocking, my homebrew Speer gets the nod. It's just a more flexible design IMO.

I am more of a camper than a hiker tho. I like to set up camp early and just hang around, fish, read, take pictures of flowers, nap, whatever. I think if I were more of a hiker who just hiked to the last hour, set up camp, ate and crashed, the HH would be the best bet.

[Crash]

I think if I were more of a hiker who just hiked to the last hour, set up camp, ate and crashed, the HH would be the best bet.
I have the original HH. I suits me fine.
The others have great features too.
But in the long run I want a shelter to keep me high & dry and bug & worry :sun free.

[neo]

I have the original HH. I suits me fine.
The others have great features too.
But in the long run I want a shelter to keep me high & dry and bug & worry :sun free.

Have Hammock, will Backpack!
i like your slogan.:cool: neo
Have Hammock, will Backpack!

[peanuts]

ENO all the way!!! Comfy...easy to set up (luv those slap straps)

[kyhiker1]

1. Hands down my favorite hammock is the Eagles Nest Outfitters "ENO"
DoubleNest. It's huge which allows me to lie almost flat, it's extremely easy and fast to set up using the Slap Straps and with the optional Guardian Bug Net I haven't found another hammock that comes close to it....It packs down small and was priced right. What I like most about this hammock is comfort...followed by the ease of setup, weight and size.
http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/

2. Byer Amazonas Moskito. At $19.95 and weighing in at 15.2 ounces on my scale...this hammock is impressive. The size for weight is something I am still puzzled by. This is a pretty big hammock and with the attached mesh properly tied there is a ton of usable space inside the hammock.
I am able to lie at the diagonal very comfortably and sleep soundly in this hammock. Being featherweight though means that care has to be taken with the zipper and mesh..I have had no problems with the zipper as of yet and perhaps it's sturdier than I think but I have ripped the mesh with a careless boot....it was easily repaired.
One thing to point out is that the 15.2 ounce weight does not include suspension or fly. http://www.byerofmaine.com/amazonas-moskito.htm

3. Clark North American Jungle Hammock When they say "Jungle" I think that they might be talking about some of the rhoddo jungles out there. This is a great hammock with a lot of really great design features...I like to use this one in really cold weather. I have made a number of modifications to mine and got rid of the stock fly altogehter. The mesh design is genius. The mesh is stretchable and it can be set in countless options or fully unzipped and tucked out of the way. The weather barrier is another great feature which provides warmth and privacy...likewise it can be removed. The pockets underneath the hammock are easy to access and
a great design feature...I am able to get all of my gear inside the pockets...including pack. So...it's a great hammock and has a ton of great features.....BUT !!!!! It isn't large enough on the inside to provide for sleeping on the diagonal therefore it maintains a banana shape and is not unlike sleeping inside a banana shaped canoe... I am able to get comfortable in it though, it is possible to get diagonal enough to get very comfortable...I have slept through the night in it and have woken up with my headlamp still on head and a book on my chest...I didn't move all night.
http://www.junglehammock.com/press.php

4. Homemade, DIY. I hope to have DIY hammocks rate in the number 1 spot but it is still a matter of getting what I want into a package that is light enough to be worth it. I look forward to and hope for a very cold and snow infested winter so I can try some things out.

5. Last on my list is Hennessy. I know that there are more HH users out there than probably all other combined and HH users seem to be a pretty loyal group. Why do I not prefer HH ? I never got used to the "birth canal" or having to stake a hammock. I am either in my HH or out. There is no in between with the HH. I enjoy the freedom of my other hammocks and being able to use them as a chair, camp lounger...perhaps someday HH will incorporate a side entry zipper system.
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/ Thanks for the info on Eagles Nest.I have been leaning toward the complete system but didnt know for sure if I needed the single or double,sounds like I must get the double system...Thanks Again

[Dan Wilson]

I think the ENO Dounble Hammock it the best out there and with the Slap Straps set up is a breeze! if you have not tried ENO Hammocks you should as they are awesome! the company has a very cool vibe to check out there site www.eaglesnestoutfit.com (http://www.eaglesnestoutfit.com)

happy hammocking!

[Dingus Khan]

#1 - HH ULEX - great for longer trips and bug free nights with or without tarp. I have had no probs using it as a lounger or chair yet I am currently looking into cutting one end of the ridgeline, tying off a biner and having it be optional. Note - I have been hanging for just 2 months and will never go back to ground pounding!
I do agree that the fixed netting is a tradeoff, yet it is one I am very willing to accept.
#2 - Byer mosquito - for weight, versatility and day to day back yard or fairweather hammock this one can't be beat. For whatever reason I have really abused mine and it has not one scratch or tear. I have a ridgeline attached to control sag, something that i have noticed is critical with these to get the right flatness. As I am a side sleeper I find using a torso length ccf pad helpful to help create a flatter more even position. Also of note, if used with the Byer microrope (or whatever they call it) it can go up very fast - faster than my HH ULEX I might add. I use one end as directed, the other rope I loop around and through itself, then through the hammock loop and back to itself with a truckers hitch. A tight ridgeline is difficult to get using the Byer ropes otherwise. This is a great hammock to bring along as a spare BTW or to hang at base camp (if you are a day trekker) for the lazy moments when your HH is packed away. I leave my Byer up, would never do that with my HH simply for the theft/price aspect.

But for a good nights sleep the HH rules. Larger, accomodates gear better and I like the feel of secluded space that I sometimes need (yeah, my own little hanging world with everything I need in it)

I have never tried any other brand or the homemade versions. Speers look impressive with their pod systems and I would definitively give them a try if it weren't for the fact that I was so content with my other two options.

Great thread I might add!

It is supposed to drop to the low teens this Wednesday here in Mass... I look forward to FINALLY testing out my system, I have done very well during this warm weather (30-40's) with my EMS (yeah, i know) Mountain light 20, wally world CCF pad, some long johns, fleece balaclava and smartwool hikers. I am leary in venturing to the underquilt world simply due to space and weight. I have a (15yearold) Lafuma 3000CI bag that is pretty full (pack weight of 14 1/2lbs (no food/h20)) so I am more concerned with space than weight at this point. CCF pad lashed to bag...
Any ideas?
I could talk about this stuff forever.:D

[rainmaker]

Though it may be a bit heavy, you just can't beat a Pawleys Island Hammock. Now what did I do with my mint julip?