Hello and request for suggestions!

[rock_rat]

Hi,

First let me introduce myself. My name is Eric but you can call me Rock_Rat. I'm from northern West Virginia and I've been hiking and camping since my cub scout days but have only gotten into backpacking this year. I found your site by happen chance and have enjoyed reading some of the articles.

I currently use a Eureka Solitaire tent, a cheap Walmart self inflating pad, and a slumber jack 30 degree bag. I've decided I want a more comfortable place to lay my bones after Hauling my gear up and down West Virginia's finest hills and have settled on a hammock for my next trip. I'm a big guy (5'9 300lbs) and want to make sure what ever I get will work for a someone my size. My next trip will be to Dolly Sods the first week of October, which will most likely mean night temps in the 40's with a chance for lower temps. Since I've never owned a hammock of any kind I would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions on the brand, model, and associated gear(bags, pads, etc). I'm not really a cold sleeper but I'm probably on the cool side of moderate especially toward morning. I've been considering two potential models. The first is the Hennessy Safari Deluxe. The second is the Clark North American. These two seemed suitable because of there weight limits. I've come up with $300-$400 for the gear. I would like to avoid carrying my bulky pad if I can. What gear combo would you suggest for this price range and my expected temps.


Sorry for the lengthy first post and thanks for your help.

[FanaticFringer]

Welcome to the site. That's a loaded first post.
Obviously many options and directions you could go in.
Here's and idea that fits that budget:
Look into the ENO line of hammocks. They have 2 models both rated to 400lbs. The Singlenest:http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.c...t-hammock.html
The Doublenest:http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.c...t-hammock.html
I own 2 Hennessy hammocks and I've tried a ENO out and it was about as comfy.
You would'nt need to worry about a bug net in October. Worry about it later.
Get yourself a JRB No Sniveller underquilt. Very versatile piece of gear. Can be worn as a down coat at camp and save you from having to carry some kind of coat. I have one and love it: http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_fi...ng%20Quilt.htm
Get yourself a Sportsmans Guide 9x9 tarp. Pretty famous here for the budget minded camper. I have one and it works well:www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=97247
That would put you in the $350.00 plus area including shipping.
Add the ring/buckle support system and your in hanging nirvana: http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ghlight=buckle
Most of us here carry some kind of pad. Great lightweight insurance when using a hammock. You could cut the closed cell pad down in size and save some bulk.

[rock_rat]

Cool,

Thanks for the reply. From reading the site I had a feeling brining up Clark and Hennessy in the same breath might be a little loaded. That looks like the kind of set up I'm wanting. Two questions though.

1.) It appears the "No Sniveller" is the same dimensions as the "The Nest" which is used in there 4 season kit. I'm guessing this means it would be appropriate for winter weather with an appropriate bag or top quilt. Since I've not had a hammock before I have no good feel for how much insulation is really needed.

2.) I have never owned any thing that was stuffed with down but understand that it looses it's insulating ability when wet. How waterproof is the JRB stuff and how much of a concern is having down outside and underneath your shelter in real life.


Thanks again

[Peter_pan]

Cool,

Thanks for the reply. From reading the site I had a feeling brining up Clark and Hennessy in the same breath might be a little loaded. That looks like the kind of set up I'm wanting. Two questions though.

1.) It appears the "No Sniveller" is the same dimensions as the "The Nest" which is used in there 4 season kit. I'm guessing this means it would be appropriate for winter weather with an appropriate bag or top quilt. Since I've not had a hammock before I have no good feel for how much insulation is really needed.

2.) I have never owned any thing that was stuffed with down but understand that it looses it's insulating ability when wet. How waterproof is the JRB stuff and how much of a concern is having down outside and underneath your shelter in real life.


Thanks again

Rock Rat,

Welcome to the Hanging Gang....

Nest and No Sniveller quilts were originally designed as a balanced top and botton set.... They have equal insulation capability and may be doubled up on the bottom if necessary for the winter.

DWR treatement on fabric is more than enough on modern tight weave nylons to protect against lght or ocassional moisture.... Hammockers don't have near the wet out issues as ground dwellers....Some others may chime in here...note, I may be considered biased on this subject.

Pan

[headchange4u]

If you are worried about down, member blackbishop351 make a synthetic under quilt for a hammock. You can contact him for the details.


Welcome to the forums.

[angrysparrow]

Welcome to the forum rock_rat.

I agree with FF above that you might want to give a serious consideration to a top-loading hammock. They offer a lot of benefits for camp lounging, reaching in/out to get at equipment, unobstructed views, etc. While toploaders don't have the integral bugnet, you can always add a removeable one later.

The ENO would be a good choice for your weight capacity considerations since they are rated at 400lbs. I recommend the DoubleNest over the SingleNest, even for one person, because it's width allows you to lay more diagonally for a flatter sleeping position.

Most of your concern for getting a down quilt wet could be eliminated by getting a tarp with good coverage. And when talking about tarps, it's hard to go wrong with an OES MacCat. A MacCat Deluxe would be more than large enough to offer great coverage for falling water, and any 'splash' from underneath during stormy conditions would be handled by the DWR fabric of the quilt itself.

For the underquilt, JRB does have some great offerings. Their Nest underquilt is particularly popular. As an alternative, though, you might check out the synthetic Potomac underquilt. Either way, you can use your current sleeping bag unzipped as a top quilt until you decide exactly how much insulation your sleeping style requires in a hammock.

If you shop carefully, for your stated price range you can get a really nice setup. An ENO, a MacCat, and a Potomac can be had for around $355. The JRB nest would increase that a little, but should compress to a smaller size for your pack.

[JackRabbit]

If I were you, I would look at a top-loader. The whole bottom slit in the Hennessy sounds cool, but I have decided it is more hassle than useful. Still, they are nice hammocks and I'm otherwise quite pleased with mine (Hennessy Scout). Of course, YMMV.

[rock_rat]

Thanks for the suggestions and information. I think I'll be going with the ENO Doublenest and the MacCat Tarp. I've also PM'd blackbishop351 about his underquilt. That sounds like a pretty good set up to me. Thanks again I'll let you know how it goes.

[FanaticFringer]

Thanks for the suggestions and information. I think I'll be going with the ENO Doublenest and the MacCat Tarp. I've also PM'd blackbishop351 about his underquilt. That sounds like a pretty good set up to me. Thanks again I'll let you know how it goes.

That would be a sweet set-up on a budget or not. Happy hangin.

[eflat7]

rock rat

I am about 340 lbs and 6'3... I use an eno double, slap straps, and a GG 9x9 tarp. I also have a 3/4 length thermarest pad and 20 degree down bag. Keeps me pretty comfy to around 40 degs. I worried about the weight limit at first, even though I was under, I was still a little skeptical. After the first night of me floppin around like a big fish in a little net, the hammock had, and still has, no issues. I trust my Doublenest 100%.