Newbie Doing His Research

[gottshalld]

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is David Gottshall. I live in Massachusetts, but have hiked, camped, and backpacked most of my life.

I am a light-packing ground-dweller who has been following the hanging exploits of Shug on YouTube. I have carried a net hammock for relaxing on the trail, but have never used one as a shelter.

I am a bigger guy, tipping the scales at 260 lbs. I am looking for advice for a first hammock. Lighter weight is better and skeeters and black flies are a reality.

Advise is welcome and appreciated.

Dave Gottshall

[lazy river road]

Welcom...have you checked out The Warbonnet Black Bird...its a great hammock its my first , but good luck on your search you will find a plethera of information on this forum, have fun

[srestrepo]

oh man, if you EVER make it up my way... i'm more than happy to let you try out my blackbird with the yeti... trust me. you'll realize that the ground is only for walking on...

let me know if you're hiking in the area sometime. i'm sure you wont regret it.

[kayaknut01]

i was like you but I never hiked or backpacked til my first hang out on the nct, i was a kayak camping dude, i also am a 270lbs guy and feel the wbbb 1.7 is the only way to go and if you don't like it you can always sell it at what you got into it here, heck i'll buy it, check out the wbbb. my first hammock was a eno dble nest, and loved that but the blackbird is awesome the cadilac of hanging my opinion. good luck and welcome you could not have found a better site to hang out at

[MacEntyre]

Welcome!

You could do like some recent new members, and skip the first hammock! Since you are a big guy, go right to a Switchback! They are large, and comfy. Recently, someone let me try theirs, and I was able to switch ends without getting out. I'm only 35 lbs lighter than you...

- MacEntyre

[mbiraman]

Welcome to the forum. I don't know anything about the switchback but my Blackbird is great.Good luck

[Coldspring]

Another vote in for the Blackbird, and when I was close to 260, I had no trouble switching ends in my Double 1.1.

[Shug]

A Wicked Whoooo Buddy Welcome to you gottshalld........
Good you found your way here and you will find a hammock to suit you with no problem on here. Lots of opinions on your query ...... I like my BB.
Shug

[srestrepo]

never tried a switchback but i gotta say i was a healthy 310 when i got my blackbird...

no worries about that thing. held me like a champ. slept in it the first night and stretched teh straps a bit. after that though, can't say i've have a bad night of sleep

[JC785]

Welcome to the forum! Tons of great info. Can't go wrong with the WBBB!