more newbie questions

**mbiraman** · 11-05-2009, 18:31

Hi folks;
well i've been roaming here for a few days now and of course more questions keep arising , some that i can't quite find answers to. The reason i'm looking at getting new lightweight gear is because i want to start doing some bicycle tours and overnight hiking stuff. I do want to Hang but i was wondering by the time you get a hammock system, UQ, pad? etc are you generally lighter than a tent system , about the same,,,all things being equal, same $$ range etc. I know thats a tough question but what's your experience. It looks to me like i'll be lighter and warmer hangin. Is that correct???
The other thing i'm looking for is some kind of chart that shows options i have for hanging in terms of increased warmth, ie, sleeping bag and pad,,sleeping bag and UQ,, OQ & UQ , and how the weight and compactability compare.
I've seen in a few places where people will say "if your still using a sleeping bag" . when i look at an OQ for instance it seem like a barrel sleeping bag to me , am i missing something?
I'm trying to come in mid range on things price wise and i keep coming back to the HHEUL so i guess my questions will relate to that purchase.
Lastly , where's a good alcohol stove performance comparison for free. I'll probably go get a couple of coke cans but i may just buy.
Thanks you guys . I know these are hard questions to answer but any info is useful for the newbie. I spent 14 yrs camping in BC's outback, ( part of my work ), in allot of crappy weather. Never new about hammocks back then.
Much thanks ahead of time
mbiraman

**Cannibal** · 11-05-2009, 18:39

Maybe.

A solid system can be light(ish). But, I suspect it is much more expensive to go to the same temps with a light hammock set-up as it would be with a traditional ground set-up. In the direct competition with a tent, I think most hammock systems that backpackers use will come in lighter. It's when you start comparing tarptents and bivy systems that the hammocks lose, or are very close.

As for underquilts and topquilts; combined, they are probably heavier than just a sleeping bag. But, factor in that you don't (probably) need a pad to sleep on if you're using an underquilt.

Trail and error is about the only way to really know. It would be difficult to make an accurate chart concerning warmth. That is a very personal issue from hanger to hanger. What works for me, probably would not work for most others because I'm a very warm sleeper. I can stay warm with a lot less than most, so my opinions on warmth and weight are not typical.

**srestrepo** · 11-05-2009, 18:49

the other thing with this hammock thing is that of course there are certain weight savings, but the sleeping is unrivaled. being a heavier backpacker, i'm more susceptible to feeling pressure points and having limbs falls asleep regardless of the pad that i use. so of course if you're very weight conscious i.e. gram wheenie, you'll be better off with a tarp and a bivy set up. but if you want a good nights sleep and want to wake up feeling energized, i've never felt as good as i have in a hammock...

as far as alcohol stoves go, the zenstoves.net website is pretty extensive. Minibulldesign.com is also another good place to get alcohol stoves. as is antigravitygear.com. they sell an awesome caldera cone set up and many other things that will help you in your quest to lose weight off the back...

anyway best of luck!

**mbiraman** · 11-05-2009, 19:02

I don't want to be on the ground any more. My knees and wrists aren't as good as they use to be and i like my front porch hammock. I'm not a gram weenie, ( love that term ), and i don't expect to get it all worked out perfectly ahead of time but i'm hoping to get in the ballpark of what i need. $$ is short these days so i'll probably start with a pad and see about an UQ later if i need it. I spent yrs on the ground in non camp ground areas and its always hard to find flat, maybe in kansas , but not bc. Thanks
Hanger in the make

**tight-wad** · 11-05-2009, 19:27

For getting started cheap, just about any sleeping bag could be tied under the hammock to make an underquilt. You would need another something to put over you. This could be a neat sheet, flannel blanket, lighter sleeping bag, extra pair of pajamas, etc.

My experience is, it is more important to be warm on the bottom. If you've got that taken care of, then the top is easy.

**Quoddy** · 11-05-2009, 19:55

I've managed to get my hammock setup down very close to my tarp, bivy, pad, and quilt weight. Hammock (WB Traveler 15.9oz with suspension), OQ (Nunatak Specialist 16.0oz 30F rated), UQ (WB Yeti 12.3oz) , and tarp (OES Custom Spinntex 8.5oz... lines and stakes add 2.8oz). So if weight is a priority it can be done with a little planning.

Converting to hamocking is almost like entering the backpacking world from scratch. There are certainly things that you can use to keep the costs low, but an outlay should be expected when you start.

I used six different alcohol setups before getting the Caldera cone set (from Antigravity Gear) to go with my FireLite 550. I'm convinced that it is the one for me. It's the fastest system I've used, and also needs little fuel to achieve a boil.

**TinaLouise** · 11-06-2009, 06:42

I too reccomend the Caldera Cone set from

http://antigravitygear.com/

The whole set is very light weight and works great.
TinaLouise

**bear bag hanger** · 11-06-2009, 08:14

Lots of options. One important thing to remember is sometimes you have to go to ground, wheather you want to or not. Usually it's because of local regulations and not the lack of places to hang. A pad can do double duty, but is less comfortable than a underquilt, especially in a single layer hammock like the HH. As to weight, a single layer hammock with bug net and tarp will be lighter than a double wall tent, but an oz or two heavier than a single wall tent like a tarptent. A couple oz shouldn't bother you though, mostly because you will sleep so much better in a hammock.

Of course, if you go with a double layer hammock (Warbonnet double layer, Mosquito hammocks) the weight question gets more complicated.