traveler vs blackbird

**bigwig** · 05-19-2010, 12:45

How is the footbox different in the blackbird? I've decided that it would only be about $25 cheaper for me to make my own dual layer 1.9 ounce hammock than just buying a traveler. Is the lay on the blackbird more comfortable than in the traveler? The hammocks that I currently have are a hennessey and a eno doublenest. I'm actually more comfortable in the eno than in the hennessey despite the asymetrical cut of the hennessey.

I'm not sold on the integral bug netting. I know that it may be all in my head but I feel a bit more trapped in my hennessey than I do in my eno with the bug netting surrounding the whole hammock. It's also easier to pull down the side of my hammock to see what kind of animal just snorted next to my hammock (or it feels that way to me).

Are there any other hammocks that I should be considering that are double layer and sturdy enough to hold about 285 lbs?

**beep** · 05-19-2010, 12:58

I'll let Brandon be the final authority on this, but it's my understanding that the "footbox" on the BB is not a shaping of the "bottom" of the hammock, but rather is the added "top" material that eventually transitions to the netting. The footbox material permits the netting to be symmetrical even though the diagonal positioning of the feet and head cause the hammock body (and the top edges of the Traveler) to be "pushed out". I hope this explanation makes sense...

I have both the BB and the Traveler, and the lay of the two is indistinguishable, though the lack of a "top" for the Traveler makes it a different experience.

**angrysparrow** · 05-19-2010, 12:59

Originally Posted by bigwig

How is the footbox different in the blackbird?

The BB has a footbox and the Traveler doesn't. The footbox is a triangular piece of fabric added to the edge in order to accommodate it's meeting with the shape of the BB bugnet.

Originally Posted by bigwig

Is the lay on the blackbird more comfortable than in the traveler?

The lay is the same.

Here's a good thread about the difference.

**lazyboy** · 05-19-2010, 13:01

claytor no net double, very well made and $40 shipped

**lazy river road** · 05-19-2010, 13:02

Originally Posted by beep

I have both the BB and the Traveler, and the lay of the two is indistinguishable, though the lack of a "top" for the Traveler makes it a different experience.

Hey Beep, this may be a bit off topic so sorry if this is a hijack but could you elaborate on how the "traveler makes it a different experience".

**bigwig** · 05-19-2010, 13:20

Thanks for the help.

**beep** · 05-19-2010, 14:17

Originally Posted by lazy river road

Hey Beep, this may be a bit off topic so sorry if this is a hijack but could you elaborate on how the "traveler makes it a different experience".

Umm....lessee now...the Traveler's lack of the upper fabric panels and netting that are present on the BB means less material to wrap around you overhead. There are no pullouts on the Traveler vs the two pullouts on the BB. The edges of the Traveler are thereby "looser" and less restrictive. The other part is that I feel much less enclosed. For me that's neither a positive or a negative...just...different!

I like both hammocks a lot, however, but they are different "flavors". My Traveler is dbl layer 1.7, while my BB is dbl layer 1.1. The packed bulk (volume) of the two is about the same because of the heavier fabric used for the Traveler. The different fabric also contributes to a slight difference in the lay...though frankly, I can't say one is better or more comfortable.

I hope that helps.

**Harpo63** · 05-19-2010, 14:22

If you dislike feeling the bug netting too close then I understand the switchback bug netting is held out and people reported it feels spacious inside. That is on my list of hammocks to try...

**beep** · 05-19-2010, 15:42

Originally Posted by Harpo63

If you dislike feeling the bug netting too close then I understand the switchback bug netting is held out and people reported it feels spacious inside. That is on my list of hammocks to try...

The BB bugnetting isn't "too close" (at least for me), but the feeling is definitely one of being enclosed (think "protected"

. The Switchback is very spacious, but it is also a bit heavier (around 30-31 oz without suspension) and bulkier than my Blackbird or Traveler when packed.

**Cannibal** · 05-19-2010, 17:56

I agree with ya beep. The Traveler and the Blackbird are just different experiences; same could be said of any hammock with netting and without. There is a certain freedom (for lack of a better word) in not having all that complicated stuff like tie-outs and netting. To be able to just flop in and fall asleep is kind of what was responsible for drawing me into the hammock culture in the first place.

Netting has its place, no doubt! But, sometimes it's nice to just go hang out and watch the sky go by.