speer hammock or HH hammock

[Sp2Go2Adventure]

Looking to get either the Speer 8.0a hammock or the ultralite backpacker a synfor mostly warmer conditions not going below 40 degrees. Trying to figure out which would be the best deal. Just wondering what your thoughts are from experience or other peoples opinions.

[neo]

i personally am a hennessey.hammock hanger,i have an ed speer one of a kind protoype synthetic quilt i really like,i plan on buying ed,s new segemented pad extender,anothe piece of gear i really like is my jacks are better silnylon tarp
i use a non asym 1.6 ultralite backpacker henn.hammock,i would also recommend
ed speer hammock camping book,i also added longer tree hugger straps 1x66 inch long,hammock hanging is great neo

here is a pic of my set up ,it wieghs 2lbs 2oz



http://www.speerhammocks.com/Products/SPE.htm

http://jacksrbetter.com/index_files/...Nyl%20Tarp.htm

http://www.hammockcamping.com/

[Hammock Hanger]

As with any piece of gear there is a following for both. I like some of the concepts that Ed Speers had brought to the world of hammock camping. That said I get the best nights sleep in my Hennessy Asym. Sue/HH

[SGT Rock]

With the options out there and the number of users, it would probably be best to try one of each and make a decision. I really like my Hennessy, but the Speer system is also pretty darn sweet. Of course you can get either of them and customize to your style.

[Just Jeff]

I like my HH and love my homemade Speer-type. You can make a Speer-type hammock for pretty cheap, try it out and see if you like it, then order the whole thing (tarp, bugnet, etc) if it's comfy enough.

HH is a bit lighter, but I've always been more comfortable in my Speer-type. I like being able to reach my gear without getting completely out of the hammock, too (or contorting myself to reach through the HH slit).

Both good systems, though.

[trippclark]

I own both of the hammocks that you are considering (Speer 8.0a and the HH Backpacker UL). I also have insulation systems for both (down peapod and JRB Nest). As others have stated, both have advantages, it really becomes a matter of personal preferences. I find myself using each in different situations. The HH has more "neat" features (bottom entry slit, ASYM, gear pocket & hooks, snakeskins) and is probably quicker to put up and take down. The Speer is, however, arguably a bit more versatile (separate tarp, removeable bug net to save weight when not needed, more easily used as a chair). I like having both, and sometimes mix and match components between them. I would not give up my HH because very often it is my hammock of choice for a particular outing, but if I had to choose just one hammock, I think I'd choose the Speer hammock because the the slighly greater versatility (IMHO).

[Youngblood]

As others have mentioned, ones choice often comes down to personal preferences. Some of the differences between the two are major and some are minor... but not everyone would likely agree which are major and which are minor and this is where the personal preferences come in. Folks that have used both don't all pick the same one. In my mind, to simplify this I look at each one as a specialist and see the Hennessy as designed primarily for jungle type conditions where it is warm and buggy (sewn-in bugnet, quick bottom entry and smallish tarp) while I see the Speer as designed primarily for moderate mountain conditions where it can be cooler and wind and rain is often more of an issue than bugs (easily position insulation, a large tarp and removeable bugnet).

Youngblood

[tlbj6142]

I do wish the bug net was removable on the HH. There is nothing like having fresh air roll across your face while you are sleeping. Its the biggest reason why I tarp more often than Hammock. Of course, when bugs are an issue, it can't be beat.

I don't believe netting is a integral part of the HH setup, so I guess I could cut it off and "convert" my HH into a Speer.

[Just Jeff]

I do wish the bug net was removable on the HH....so I guess I could cut it off and "convert" my HH into a Speer.

I saw a page explaining how someone installed a zipper along the HH bugnet. He unzipped the net and used a small string to secure it to the ridgeline when he didn't need the net.

Seems like and easy project if you can sew.

[Youngblood]

I saw a page explaining how someone installed a zipper along the HH bugnet. He unzipped the net and used a small string to secure it to the ridgeline when he didn't need the net.

Seems like and easy project if you can sew.

Jeff,

That was Brian from Tampa who posted that on the yahoo hammockcamping group site ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammoc...668?threaded=1 ). If you look at his photo album ( http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group...src=gr&.view=t ) you will see that when he put the zipper on the bugnetting that he was just getting started with his modifications... he's a clever fellow.

Youngblood

[trippclark]

Still thinking about this thread and I did some comparison of weight and cost (assuming everything is being purchased and not made from scratch or from kits). I am also making an assumption that at least as far as I a concerned, I would want either a Peapod (Speer) or JRB Nest (Hennessy) for cool weather camping.

In this case, the HH comes out less expensive and lighter.

Speer 8.0A -- 32 oz -- $199
Peapod (new 900 PF down!!) -- 28 oz -- $265
This comes to $464 and 3 lbs 12 oz.
I would suggest adding the Top Blanket (900 PF down) -- 16 oz -- $139
This brings the full system to 4 lbs 12 oz and $603. This is quite good when considering this replaces for ground dwellers tent and/or tarp, sleeping bag, pad (and provides a chair). It is a significant investment though!

Henessy Hammock Backpacker UL -- 31 oz -- $170
Jacks R Better Nest -- 20 oz -- $219
This comes to $389 and 3 lbs 3 oz ($75 less and 9 oz lighter)
Here too I would add either the JRB No Snivler quilt ($219 & 20 oz) or the Speer top blanket ($139 and 16 oz). BTW, JRB offers a combo offer of the Nest and No Snivler for $395 (about $50 less than the individual prices).

Arguably the top blanket is not needed since you can always just use an open sleeping bag as a top blanket (I did this for a while before buying the top blanket), but that was an extra pound of weight since a sleeping bag is larger and heavier.

My conclusion is still the same as my earlier post, but the weight and price comparisons are interesting to consider.

[Youngblood]

I don't think the nest is a direct comparison to the peapod since the peapod also provides topside insulation.

[trippclark]

I don't think the nest is a direct comparison to the peapod since the peapod also provides topside insulation.

Good point, the PP does provide top insulation, although in most cases you'll probably still want a top blanket or some additional insulation on top (unless the low evening temps are above 55/60 degrees IMHO).

[Youngblood]

Good point, the PP does provide top insulation, although in most cases you'll probably still want a top blanket or some additional insulation on top (unless the low evening temps are above 55/60 degrees IMHO).

Yeah, it's really hard to made direct comparisons when they function a little differently but if you make some allowance for the topside insulation then the cost and weight issues are closer; the 900 down PP is more expensive and probably a little warmer that the 700 down PP. If you look at the cost of buying hammocks and down insulation you are reaching a dollar amount that some folks will have a hard time swallowing in one gulp for camping gear. For those folks it might be easier to spring for a hammock and use as much of their current gear as they can and see how that goes.

I've said many times that picking out a hammock can be tough because very few people get a chance to 'kick the tires' before they commit. You usually don't even get to lay in one, much less take it on a backpacking trip or compare it side to side with other backpacking hammocks. It would be nice if there were more gatherings where folks could at least see different hammocks, maybe lay in them and ask questions. I know the first hammock gathering I went to opened up my eyes... I switched hammocks because of what I saw there and have never regretted it.

Youngblood

[Just Jeff]

The JRB 3 Season Set (750 down) gives 3" of loft for 40 oz (plus connectors) and $395, and I've been comfortable to ~40F in it.

The PeaPod 900 gives 3" of loft for 28 oz and $265, for a recommended temp of 40F.

The PeaPod also surrounds the hammock completely, which some people claim keeps you warmer. Other than a windblock (which doesn't need to be insulated), I'm not sure how much it helps. I haven't used a PeaPod, but I've heard only good reviews of them.

The JRB is much more versatile, and can be used on any model of hammock. The PeaPod can only be used on a Speer.

[titanium_hiker]

I LOVE making my own gear- that's why I went with a speer-type. (besides other nasty issues with cash and living at the end of the earth. shipping-gahh!!!)

I would advocate making your own- but then I'm biased. Remember also that you can use a JRB on a speer. There was an interesting thread recently about hammock insulation. I decided on the speer- but both points were well 'argued'/disscussed making it easier to make a well informed descision.

titanium_hiker

[Sp2Go2Adventure]

Thanks for all the great information guys, its been really great. One last question is do you know anywhere i can go to test them out? Im in orange county california and im not really sure if there is any local who carries them. I know rei carries the hh so i might buy it test it out and if i dont like it take it back. Not sure if the speer is local anywhere to test. Thanks for all the great info

[neo]

Thanks for all the great information guys, its been really great. One last question is do you know anywhere i can go to test them out? Im in orange county california and im not really sure if there is any local who carries them. I know rei carries the hh so i might buy it test it out and if i dont like it take it back. Not sure if the speer is local anywhere to test. Thanks for all the great info

rei is the way to go,if ya dont like it take it back,if ya love it,its guarenteed for life at rei neo

[Youngblood]

Thanks for all the great information guys, its been really great. One last question is do you know anywhere i can go to test them out? Im in orange county california and im not really sure if there is any local who carries them. I know rei carries the hh so i might buy it test it out and if i dont like it take it back. Not sure if the speer is local anywhere to test. Thanks for all the great info

This site is very heavily weighted to the east coast since it is AT driven, you might want to check out the yahoo hammock camping group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hammockcamping/ and see if there is anything going on close to you. Ed Speer, who lives in western North Carolina, moderates that site and has informal hammock camping get togethers in the southeast a few times a year that is open to all, regardless of whether they use hammocks or which hammock(s) they use. Seems like recently a few folks have tried to do the same in different areas of the USA, but to be honest I didn't pay enough attention to them to know how well they went. A lot of folks have more than one hammock from more than one manufacturer and will often go out of their way to show you what they have.

Youngblood

[c.coyle]

35 degrees and up:

HH Ultralite Backpacker Asym 31oz 170.00
Big Agnes Horse Thief 35 deg bag 24oz 179.00
Big Agnes 35 deg Air Core Pad 22 oz 50.00

77oz (4 lb 13 oz), $399

This compares very favorably, weight and price wise, to the other setups described above, such as trippclark's. It's simple, easy to set up, and gives you the option of (yuck) sleeping in a shelter if the weather's really awful.

Only inflate the Air Core halfway. It remains flexible enough to conform to the hammock, but still keeps your butt warm.