Wannabe hammock hanger questions

[jackfl]

3 miles of late-in-the-day, gone-20-miles and REALLY want to stop walkin' through beautiful woods that had nothing but boggy and or uneven ground has convinced me. Like the lightbulb just went off over my head - "hammock!" Doh!

So I'm trying to figure all of this out, with somewhat limited success so far. I'd sure appreciate your thoughts on a few things...

I have gone and purchased a Hennessy Hyperlight and tried to sleep in it with limited success. I found that the entrance slit forms a "ridge" that cut across one calf quite uncomfortably. I think that the lack of stretch in the velcro makes this worse. My first question is - Any thoughts on whether this is normal or a potential defect in the hammock?

I've called Hennessy a couple of times without any clear opinion. I've talked to nice people who are willing to take it back, but don't seem to have very detailed product knowledge or experience. I'd give it a second go if there is a chance that a replacement would work differently... FWIW, I am 5'10" and 170# - I don't think that the size of the hammock was the issue.

My second question is - has anyone used the Mountain Laurel Designs Trinity hammock and with what experience? In particular, assuming that I go for the gusto and spring for a synthetic underquilt...I have no idea whether any are made would provide a good fit. I am gravitating to synthetic mostly to control cost.

Thanks!

[hammock engineer]

I have a different HH. I have the Ultra-light Exployer. It is made for us big people, I'm 6'4" and 220. I have not experienced any problems due to the velcro.

Is the hammock hung from the tree tight enough. The only thing that I can think of is having the hammock hang loosely will cause the nylon in the hammock to hang more looser than the velcro. Making the velcro take up more of the slack.

Try hanging it a few different ways, on different trees, tighter of looser, and with the foot end higher or lower. Your problem sounds like it just needs to be set up different.

[neo]

3 miles of late-in-the-day, gone-20-miles and REALLY want to stop walkin' through beautiful woods that had nothing but boggy and or uneven ground has convinced me. Like the lightbulb just went off over my head - "hammock!" Doh!

So I'm trying to figure all of this out, with somewhat limited success so far. I'd sure appreciate your thoughts on a few things...

I have gone and purchased a Hennessy Hyperlight and tried to sleep in it with limited success. I found that the entrance slit forms a "ridge" that cut across one calf quite uncomfortably. I think that the lack of stretch in the velcro makes this worse. My first question is - Any thoughts on whether this is normal or a potential defect in the hammock?

I've called Hennessy a couple of times without any clear opinion. I've talked to nice people who are willing to take it back, but don't seem to have very detailed product knowledge or experience. I'd give it a second go if there is a chance that a replacement would work differently... FWIW, I am 5'10" and 170# - I don't think that the size of the hammock was the issue.

My second question is - has anyone used the Mountain Laurel Designs Trinity hammock and with what experience? In particular, assuming that I go for the gusto and spring for a synthetic underquilt...I have no idea whether any are made would provide a good fit. I am gravitating to synthetic mostly to control cost.

Thanks!

i am only 5 ft 7 in,so my ultralite henn.hammock is great,i sleep more
comfortable in my tom claytor jungle hammock that is 2 foot longer:cool: neo




INFORMATION

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http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockSide.JPG
http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockYKKzip.JPGhttp://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockNoRainFly.JPG (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockNoRainFlyBig.jpg)The Jungle Hammock is designed for extreme wet conditions. It is extra-long and extra-strong with a sturdy YKK zipper which you can open from the outside or the inside. The dark colored netting is very fine mesh which is easy to see out of. It will keep out mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and black flies, and the elastic cords will keep the netting away from your face and body. In many countries of the world, with different types of resistant malaria, sleeping sickness and dengue fever, the best prophylactic is "not to get bitten." This hammock is designed to keep you from being bitten from insects and prevent disease.http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockEnd.JPGhttp://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockNet.JPGThe hammock comes with two 12 foot long (1/2" nylon web) straps. It is important to use the Correct Knots (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/hammockknots.html) in hanging the hammock. The ends of the hammock are reinforced for the strap to pass through, and these straps can easily be slid out and replaced by a longer rope if desired. Jungle Hammock Review (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/junglehammockreviewbear.html). Comments from our customers (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/hammockcomments.html).http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockSack.JPGhttp://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockGround.JPGThe stuff sack for Jungle Hammock and Fly measures 13" high x 6" wide and weighs 1.6kg (3.5lbs). This hammock can also be used on the ground or on your bed as a personal "mosquito tent" if you don't like sleeping in hammocks (or if there are no trees nearby). It also very useful for keeping out snakes, scorpions and everything else while you sleep. The lines can attach to a tree branch or a stick to hold up the netting away from your face. For more information, read Allen Leigh's basic instructions for "Camping in a Hammock (http://www.shire.net/mormon/hammock.html)." http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockRainFlyLoop.JPGhttp://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockRainFlyRope.jpgThe Diamond Rain Fly comes with 4 lines for the 4 attach points. There is also an additional long line as a spare. The attach points on the corner of the Rain Fly are reinforced with nylon web, and we suggest you use a double sheet bend for attaching the line to the Rain Fly loops. Double Sheet Bend Knot (http://www.realknots.com/)http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockEndViewCrop.jpg (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockEndView.JPG)http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockJeep.JPG (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/images/picJungleHammockJeepFlash.JPG)The Diamond-shaped Rain Fly Sheet is made of waterproof Nylon Tafta (210T) and provides the maximum rain shelter with the minimum amount of material. This rain sheet only has 4 attach points, so that you can tie two lines to the tree and then the other two lines you can stake out perpendicular to the hammock. The rain sheet extends 50cm. beyond each end of the hammock. If you want more information on mosquitoes, please try www.mosquitobuzz.com (http://www.mosquitobuzz.com/) or www.mosquitosolutions.com (http://www.mosquitosolutions.com/) or www.zapmosquitos.com/mosquito (http://www.zapmosquitos.com/mosquito).

ORDER HAMMOCK (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/)

[Just Jeff]

The MLD is still on backlog - I haven't heard of anyone who has received one yet. Looking forward to some reviews!

Patrick on this board sells synthetic underquilts www.kickassquilts.com (http://www.kickassquilts.com)

I have the HH Backpacker UL Asym and I can feel the velcro on my calf, too. Doesn't really bother me as it kinda supports my knee, but you might try getting on more of a diagonal. How many nights do you have in it? It's probably worth several nights before you decide it doesn't work for you. But if not, I'm happy to take it off your hands for ya! :p

[attroll]

Theoretically it should not matter if the HH is hung a little lose or tight. The reason for the ridge line is to ensure that you get the same distance and sag in the hammock when hanging the hammock every time. At least this is what I have been told.

[Seeker]

the ridge line only works if it's tensioned... if you let it sag, the hammock will hang differently. if you let it sag more, the hammock sags more... but you're right about it going the other way... you can only tension it so far, and then it doesn't change the 'hang' if you tie it tighter... what ends up happening is the hammock just hangs higher off the ground.

i've got the HH ULB-A, and never thought the velcro might be an issue... sure, it itches some, especially getting out. when i used to use a foam pad under me, the velcro didn't touch me... once i went to an underquilt, i guess i never paid attention to it because i always put a little something under my knees to prevent hyperextension/pain... maybe try that?

[Footslogger]

I own an HH ultralight (pre-asym) and like it a lot in warmer weather. But ...from everything I've seen and read, if I had it to do all over again I'd probably go for the Mosquito Jungle Hammock. Main reasons being the following. Side access and a pocket that holds your mat in place.

'Slogger

[peter_pan]

Welcome to the hanging crowd...

Scoot your head and shoulders 1-2 inches more to the left and your feet the same to the right and you should miss any contact with the entrance slit/ridge.

Winter is coming...get your bottom insulation squared away.

Pan

[Chalumeau]

I have the HH hyperlite and as long as I am sure to sleep on a slight diagonal the velcro is not an issue because I am not lying on it. If you find this still a problem you might like to try using a pad like a thermarest inside the hammock as your insulation - this was the way I first slept in a hammock (the HH ultralight) and did not notice the velcro at all. If you go this way you will want to use a segmented pad extender (someone else on this discussion can give you much better information on this than I).

Happy hammock hanging :)

[River Runner]

I agree the problem sounds like you are not sleeping diagonally enough. Put your shoulder to the far left, your feet to the far right, and you should be in the right position.