View Full Version : clark jungle hammock
Hello, Wanted to find out from someone, other than the cpmpany.Has anybody used the Clark Jungle Hammock? "The north american" is it as comfortable as stated . sleeping on side, easy of getting in and out and stability. Also packing I wanted to see if it was worth it for a thur hike in the next couple years, (waiting to retire and live a dream) Thanks Golwaz
Kerosene
09-14-2009, 11:01
Contact Hikerhead on this site, as he is a long-time, very satisfied owner of this hammock. Personally, I love a lot of the design elements, but I wish they made a substantially lighter version.
Cannibal
09-14-2009, 11:11
Solid built hammock, but Kerosene is right about it being on the heavy side. There are much lighter systems out there that are just as well built that may, or may not, be better suited for a thru IMO.
sasquatch2014
09-14-2009, 11:43
I love mine but as stated it is not the lightest on the market However if you go with a lighter version you may then end up with underquilts and all that stuff in which case it may start to balance out. I have hung in mine down to 9* with nothing more than gear and ziplocks stuffed in the gear pockets and the correct bag. when it is winter I do bring a inflatable sleeping pad as well.
I can sleep on the side easily enough and once you have pitched it a few times you will know what angle works best for you and for comfort. I will say that the size of the fly that comes with it does nothing more than keep the hammock dry if you want a space to stow gear and cook under easily than you will want a bigger one.
medestar
09-14-2009, 13:50
I also own on the the Clark Jungle Hammock North American model. I used it this summer on a 12 day trip to Isle Royale. I loved it ! As the others stated, it is a bit on the heavy side. There are lghter models out there. I also replaced the stock tarp with a larger one from Cooke Custom Sewing. The whole setup is around the size of a standard 2 man tent when packed. But you have no poles to break. I do plan on replacing the ropes it comes with. As far as comfort, it is very comfortable. Depending (as mentioned) on how you learn your setup, you can adjust the tension to your comfort level. The storage on the bottom of the hammock is very useful. Keeping things from crawling into boot is handy. I have not had any problems sleeping on my side, and I do move around at night. It is very stable, and works fine as a place to sit also (as would most hammocks). If you are looking for weight reduction, you could probably do better with other brands. But overall, I think it is a good investment.
LyttleBryan
09-15-2009, 11:40
Add another for the "heavy" side.
WILLIAM HAYES
09-18-2009, 10:02
I have a clark and a hennessy the clark is heavier but has some nice features like the pockets underneath that eliminate the need for an underquilt the clark has a storm cover that zips up which is really cool I stayed in a clark near max patch when the temps were in the teens and only needed a bag and closed cell pad from wally world to stay warm.my hennessy which is lighter requires a JRB underquilt in the low teens to stay warm. I use a Mc Cat tarp with my hennessy along with JRB over and underquilts in the winter and it works well for me. all in all I prefer the hennessy especially afer adding a side zipper and sewing off the velcro entry makes it easier to get into
Hillbilly
Old Hiker
09-22-2009, 21:56
I have had a Clark Tropical for several years now with an extra large rain fly. 4 pockets underneath instead of 6. I got tired of tossing from one hip to the other on the ground. I was skeptical: I"m 6'2" and I didn't think I would fit, but it is very roomy. Regular hammocks cause me to hyperextend my knees and this one does not. I can turn on my side and I have yet to flip it! I use a closed cell pad in the bottom to keep it spread out instead of wrapping me like a burrito and to keep skeeters from biting me in the butt from underneath. Here in FL, it gets HOT inside. Late fall, winter and early spring, it's not too bad. In the GA mts, it does fine. Not a lot of room when it's raining and the fly is in an "A" configuration, but I like it. I learned to tie the fly up and away from the hammock during good weather to improve the air flow. At 2.5 pounds, up off the ground (I have seen water 2 inches deep below me during thunderstorms), no insect probs on the ground, I really think it was worth the $$$. One possible future prob: I'm right at height of a bear's head to think about a midnight burrito snack!
Old Hiker
Contact Hikerhead on this site, as he is a long-time, very satisfied owner of this hammock. Personally, I love a lot of the design elements, but I wish they made a substantially lighter version.
Good suggestion. He has it down to a science, whether I am tenting or hanging, he has his hammock up and is in it while I am still farting around with tent poles or detangling my ridgeline!
redick1955
09-23-2009, 21:10
I also have used the Clark Tropical. It's a good hammock but I just couldn't get comfortable in it. I prefer the Speers hammock.
johnnybgood
10-02-2009, 22:00
The whole hanging idea has piqued my interest for hikes where I've seen ideal places to hang and either no room for a tent or ground thats too rocky.
My question is ; where can you go to try different brand hammocks in one location ?.
I'm more a side sleeper but would like to experiment to see what would work for me.
sarahgirl
10-27-2009, 06:23
The whole hanging idea has piqued my interest for hikes where I've seen ideal places to hang and either no room for a tent or ground thats too rocky.
My question is ; where can you go to try different brand hammocks in one location ?.
I'm more a side sleeper but would like to experiment to see what would work for me.
I have a clark na and a warbonnet blackbird. I would be willing to lend them to you for a [B]short[B]period of time.
sarahgirl
10-27-2009, 06:26
...anyway I was trying to emphasize SHORT. pm me if you'd like.
scooterdogma
10-27-2009, 07:54
Skip over to Hammockforum.net and check out get togethers, Those are organized hangs where lots of people show up. I went to the Hot Springs hang and everyone was great about letting me crawl in their hammocks and very patient with all my questions. I made my decision on a hammock after that trip. I choose the NA, I like all the options which come with it and it was the most comfortable for me. It is about a pound heavier than the other brands, but, if u need to u can set it up as a tent. One of the options I liked. Good luck.
Cannibal
10-27-2009, 14:19
My question is ; where can you go to try different brand hammocks in one location ?
Come to Colorado, I've got at least one of them all and 1.5 acres to hang on. :banana
Just got to watch out for mini donkeys nibbling on your toes. :eek:
sarahgirl
10-27-2009, 16:55
Come to Colorado, I've got at least one of them all and 1.5 acres to hang on. :banana
Just got to watch out for mini donkeys nibbling on your toes. :eek:
You've got at least one of them all?!!
Actually that doesnt really surprise me.
There you are johnnybgood, your own personal vendor... although something tells me Cannibal doesnt part with any of his goods :D
Cannibal
10-27-2009, 16:59
You've got at least one of them all?!!
Actually that doesnt really surprise me.
There you are johnnybgood, your own personal vendor... although something tells me Cannibal doesnt part with any of his goods :D
Well, I still need a Bridge from the Jacks and a Clark NX model; then my transformation to the dark side will be complete and I'll rule the universe. :D
No I don't part with them, but I'm always happy to let others take a ride in them. Got a fella coming over this weekend to try out my Speer Hammocks.
.......My question is ; where can you go to try different brand hammocks in one location ?.......As someone suggested in a previous post, the Hot Springs hangs are a great place to come see different hammocks. There ae about as many different hammock setups as there are people. No two people really hang the same setup at all. Watch for dates on these hangs, but in general, one is held on April, June and September of each year. They're always well-organized, fun, family-friendly events.
.......I'm more a side sleeper but would like to experiment to see what would work for me.I'm a dedicated side sleeper and have been hammocking for 3 years now. I've used 3 different hammocks, the ENO DoubleNest, Speer IIIa and the Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 Double Layer. All 3 provide plenty of space and comfort for side sleeping, IMO.
Well, I still need a Bridge from the Jacks and a Clark NX model; then my transformation to the dark side will be complete and I'll rule the universe. :D
No I don't part with them, but I'm always happy to let others take a ride in them. Got a fella coming over this weekend to try out my Speer Hammocks.
You're such a hammock pimp, Cannibal. :D
johnnybgood
10-27-2009, 22:04
I have a clark na and a warbonnet blackbird. I would be willing to lend them to you for a [b]short[b]period of time.Thanks for the offer saragirl . I'll wait till Trail Days.
There are hammock vendors there ... Right ??
Skip over to Hammockforum.net and check out get togethers, Those are organized hangs where lots of people show up. I went to the Hot Springs hang and everyone was great about letting me crawl in their hammocks and very patient with all my questions. I made my decision on a hammock after that trip. I choose the NA, I like all the options which come with it and it was the most comfortable for me. It is about a pound heavier than the other brands, but, if u need to u can set it up as a tent. One of the options I liked. Good luck.Thanks for the info. I'll definitely check out the website.
Come to Colorado, I've got at least one of them all and 1.5 acres to hang on. :banana
Just got to watch out for mini donkeys nibbling on your toes. :eek:Not if I keep my shoes on. :p
As someone suggested in a previous post, the Hot Springs hangs are a great place to come see different hammocks. There ae about as many different hammock setups as there are people. No two people really hang the same setup at all. Watch for dates on these hangs, but in general, one is held on April, June and September of each year. They're always well-organized, fun, family-friendly events.
I'm a dedicated side sleeper and have been hammocking for 3 years now. I've used 3 different hammocks, the ENO DoubleNest, Speer IIIa and the Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 Double Layer. All 3 provide plenty of space and comfort for side sleeping, IMO. Any of these considered ultralights ?
Hikerhead
10-27-2009, 22:41
I've had my Clark NA for about 9 years now. Sure it's a little heavier than some others but I wouldn't trade it. I have a piece of 1/4 inch closed cell foam folded twice over that fits into the back of my ULA pack, where the hard sheet of plastic used to go, so it takes up no room in my pack. That keeps me warm down into the 20's along with a 10 or 20 degee bag. One person on here that will remain nameless likes her Hennessey but I've seen her climb out of it twice to go to the ground to get warm...that's just the few times I've hiked with her. I wonder how many times she's actually done that, probably a lot. And then she complains about my hammock being too heavy. Better heavy and warm and off the ground than light and cold and in the leaves...ha ha.
Any of these considered ultralights ?A hammock in and of itself, IMO, can be an ultralight option. It's when you start adding insulation options that you add weight to the deal. OF the three hammocks I named, the Speer IIIa is probably the lightest because it includes suspension.
Hikerhead
10-27-2009, 22:52
Back in 2000 when I was trying to figure out which hammock I wanted to buy it was only 2 or 3 selling them. I didn't know which one I wanted and I wanted to try it out first. I called Hennessey and Clark and ordered the light and heavy weight model from each company. When all 4 came in, me and a buddy took them out into the woods and set them all up at once and tried them out. I kept the heavy weight model of each and sent the other 2 back and they happily refunded my money. I told them up front that I would send one back. Now a days you have the get togethers with the Hammock Forum folks and also Ed Speers has a get together a few times a year. I would go to one of those if I was in the market for a hammock, there's more on the market now and one of every kind would be there.
Ramble~On
10-27-2009, 23:57
There are a couple threads on here somewhere about the Clark.
It's a good hammock and I fell asleep in mine several times the second I got in it...I woke up in the same position..I never moved all night!
It is heavy compared to some.
I made some changes to mine. The stock tarp is a joke and I don't know what the designer was smoking when they came up with this idea but it must have been some whacky stuff! I use a 10x12...doesn't mean you have to..but I like my 10x12.
I ditched the rope and put on webbing...later I came up with home made "slap straps" I use webbing straps now for all of my hammmocks and life is good. I have some pics in my gallery of a spreader bar that i came up with for the Clark to fully ballon it open. Great hammock with a ton of options on opening and partial opening..easy to get in and out, makes a great chair and lounger. It's not an asym though...but you can get diagonal enough to be plenty comfy.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/7/8/5/Sept2005ShiningRock066_thumb.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=8988&catid=member&imageuser=2785) http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/7/8/5/Shin.Rock10-23002_thumb.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=9448&catid=member&imageuser=2785) http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/7/8/5/Shin.Rock10-23001_thumb.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=9447&catid=member&imageuser=2785)
take-a-knee
10-28-2009, 10:02
Never used a Clark. A Hennessy Hyperlite/JRB 3-season set works for me.