Hammock weight

[wilderness monk]

Brothers & Sisters,

I completely understand that weight issues are very personal. But, I am joining the group of ultralight backpackers after amny many years of back breaking weight of old.

What is a good weight for hammocks?
What is a good hammock design? (with flys, no-see-ums, etc..)


Thanks for your advise.

[FanaticFringer]

Do check out www.hammockforums.net
Here is a link to the more popular models www.hammockforums.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2
Also be sure to check out this great site www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

[Cannibal]

My winter set-up is a little over 5 lbs. for my hammock, tarp, underquilt, topquilt, and hammock suspension. I could go a little lower by using rope instead of webbing and changing out the hardware, but I'm pretty happy with it as is.

Problem is, the hammock I use is no longer available (collector's item now :D). The Warbonnet! It has a built in bug-net, but my tarp is separate. Personally, I prefer to have separate components just because it makes it easier to customize to my personal taste.

Do what FanaticFringer suggested and come over to hammock forums. You'll find lots of opinions and set-up suggestions.

[Tinker]

With my new sleeping bag (Golite Feather-lite), I used this basic setup for a section hike in NY last weekend. Temps got down below freezing. Hammock, bag, and 10x12 full coverage winter tarp weighed 4lb.
http://community.webshots.com/album/237103382ByZIeG

[Just Jeff]

Check here for weights of some real-world hammock and ground systems, compared by temps:
http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockGroundWeights.html

Good weight? 4-6 lbs for three season hammock, tarp, bottom insulation, top insulation. About the same as a ground setup, if you compare feature per feature.

Good hammock design is completely personal. Some folks like the simplicity of the HH, some folks don't like the attached bug net and bottom entry so they get a Speer. Some folks like the heavier and feature-rich Clark North American. Some folks like the price of the ENO style hammocks and add a Gear Guide tarp. All depends on what you want out of your system.

Or you can make your own...one of the simplest DIY projects around.

Hammocking is very easy, even in cold temps...but it does have a learning curve in the beginning. Some of us like to complicate things by examining every gram and every component...don't let that scare you off.

[River Runner]

Hammock & fly

http://www.hennessyhammock.com/specs-hyperlite.html (1 lb 10 oz manuf. weight, mine weighs 1 lb 8.1 oz)

Underquilt:

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/Under%20Quilt.htm (20 oz manuf. weight, mine weighs 20.3 oz)

Top quilt:

http://www.nunatakusa.com/Sleeping_Bag_Ghost_Blanket.htm (Weight depends on fabric & size, but mostly 1 lb or under - mine was custom ordered with 1 oz less down for warmer weather, and weighs 12.7 oz in a medium with Quantum fabric.

I add a thinlight pad and swap out the quilt for a WM Ultralight for colder weather, although I am also experimenting with using the quilt & insulated pants & jacket.

Total - 57.1 oz or 3.7 lb for a system good to about 40-45 F for me. Add a little over a pound to make it good to around 25-30 for me.