New to hammocking

[landcruzr]

Being new to the hammock scene- go easy on me as well-

1)-I just got a jungle type hammock and cant wait to start hangng in it- but am I understanding this correctly? you put a mat or quilt in the bottom of the hammock?
2)-any suggestions on line to use for hanging the hammock and tarp that wont stretch as much
3)-any suggestions on tarps would be appreciated- I just ordered 20 yds of silnylon to start making some of my own stuff- links to helpful websites would also be appreciated
Thanks in advance
landcruzr

[Just Jeff]

1 - Above 70F or so you may not need any insulation on bottom. Below that you'll need something to keep the wind from stealing your heat. A pad inside the hammock or an underquilt below the hammock (not inside) will keep you warm. Pads are cheaper, but underquilts are much more comfortable, IMO.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingWarm.html

2 - Use something with a working load of 600+ lbs. I've broken 550 cord twice now so I'd recommend avoiding that. It stretches too much anyway. So go to a climbing or sailing shop (or online) and get some Spectra if you want cord, or get the 1" polypro webbing from www.speerhammocks.com (http://www.speerhammocks.com). There are some links to cordage suppliers here (http://www.tothewoods.net/). Remember to use tree huggers if you go with cord.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearHammockSupports.html

3 - MacCat and JRB make very good lightweight hammock tarps, but you'll pay for them (worth it, IMO). Otherwise there's a 24 oz Gear Guide tarp from www.sportsmansguide.com (http://www.sportsmansguide.com) for $40 that seems to be popular if money is more important than ~12oz of pack weight. And Kelty makes a 9x9 tarp that's suitable for hammocking, too. There are several others...most tarps with a diagonal of 11-12' or more will work.
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingDry.html

Welcome to the club!

[peter_pan]

Welcome to the hanging crowd.

Pan

[Just Jeff]

...JRB make very good lightweight hammock tarps, but you'll pay for them (worth it, IMO)...

These are on sale for a few more weeks, btw. And a free pair of tensioners.
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/8x8%20SilNyl%20Tarp.htm

Hey Pan - I've been eyeballing that cape modification on your DIY page (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/DIY.htm). Since it averages .11" of rain here in summer months, I might do that instead of bringing stand-alone raingear (just got a good deal on a Packa that I'm pretty excited about testing, but not much use in carrying it with those odds of rain!). I haven't even been hanging the tarp on my last few trips anyway. Have you tested it in the rain? How well is the front protected with those buttons in the wind?

And any new exciting products on the drawing board? Or better yet in prototype?!

[neo]

:) happy hammock hanging to ya:cool: neo

[peter_pan]

These are on sale for a few more weeks, btw. And a free pair of tensioners.
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/8x8%20SilNyl%20Tarp.htm

Hey Pan - I've been eyeballing that cape modification on your DIY page (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/DIY.htm). Since it averages .11" of rain here in summer months, I might do that instead of bringing stand-alone raingear (just got a good deal on a Packa that I'm pretty excited about testing, but not much use in carrying it with those odds of rain!). I haven't even been hanging the tarp on my last few trips anyway. Have you tested it in the rain? How well is the front protected with those buttons in the wind?

And any new exciting products on the drawing board? Or better yet in prototype?!

Jeff,

You are correct on the Summer Blow Out Sale ending soon...Just a few more B/H quilts left... We sold out of the super light Shenandoah quilts...But... JRB is rushing to complete another batch, should have them available about the 15th of Aug for the closing days of the sale...14 oz down quilts at below $150 proved wildly popular.

The Tarp modification to serve as a rain cape works pretty well....Walking into a blowing rain unprotected will have its issues with a button closure....But, think of it as a poncho with only one flap opening vs two....and close button closure vs 2-3 snaps on each ponch side... That is to say, within its design limitation it is good....Recognize it is an alternative approach, probably best used when not expecting hard or continuous rains.

As to new items....Yes there are a couple new, items and a minor improvement or two for existing quilts that will be introduced this fall....BTW...Andy Skurka is currently testing a JRB prototype for us on the Colorada Trail.

Check in on the JRB web site through out the fall for product improvement and new item announcements.

Pan

[jgreene]

What holds the quilt inplace underneath???

[Just Jeff]

jgreene: http://www.tothewoods.net/JRB.html second topic down.