Warbonnet vs Explorer UL vs BMBH????

**DawgU** · 12-24-2010, 08:46

I've got a HH Hyperlite. I'm 6'0 195lbs. I enjoy it, but I struggle sometimes with the hyperextension of my knees. Wondering if moving to a longer hammock would solve that.

I prefer to sleep on my stomach, but sleeping on my side in a hammock has never been a problem. On significant backpacking trips where weight is a primary concern I will probably use the Hyperlite, but looking for something more comfy when car camping. I do have the 4 season set of UQ from JRB, and do not want to have to invest in any other UQ.

Any suggestions where weight is less of a concern and comfort is main concern? I am not into DIY.

**Trooper** · 12-24-2010, 09:18

I have the Hyperlite and the Blackbird. While both are great hammocks, I find the Blackbird slightly more comfortable and I don't have knee issues in it as I do in the Hyperlite. I'm 6' and 185 and I'm a side-sleeper.

If you sleep on your stomach, the BMBH might be the best if weight isn't an issue. I haven't tried the BMBH, though. The Blackbird has some other conveniences like the zipper and the shelf that make it my preferred hammock over the Hyperlite. Your quilts should work on any of those hammocks.

**chillyhiker** · 12-24-2010, 09:19

hello dawgu, having had both a hh ultr backpacker and then the BMBH i did notice that the BMBH was much easier on the knees, having said that the only thing i didnt like about it was the need to carry the spreader bars and when your in the hammock its like laying in a bathtub,you cant see much out the sides. hope this helps.

**Peter_pan** · 12-24-2010, 09:22

The UQs have nothing to do with hyper extension of Knees ... That is a hammock issue.

Those JRB quilts will fit every hammock except the Clark double...so you are good to go regardless of your hammock choice.

There has never been a BMBH user who had your hyper extended knee issue.

Pan

**G.L.P.** · 12-24-2010, 09:38

JRB UQ will fit any hammock out there...besides the clark like Pan said...
for car camping any of the 3 hammocks will do i have tried all of them and i really liked the BMBH ...it's a solid hammock and it's a really flat lay
The WBBB is my goto hammock...i really like the feel of the WBBB
and the foot box rocks

**BillyBob58** · 12-24-2010, 10:48

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

The UQs have nothing to do with hyper extension of Knees ... That is a hammock issue.

Those JRB quilts will fit every hammock except the Clark double...so you are good to go regardless of your hammock choice.

There has never been a BMBH user who had your hyper extended knee issue.

Pan

Certainly that is true for me.

Wow, what a bunch of hammock variables and pros and cons to consider!
I think I ( 6'1" 210) probably have at least minimal knee hyper-extension in my WBBB, HH UL Expl, and every other gathered end/channel hammock except maybe the HH Safari. More important to me I get left calf pressure to one degree or another in all of these except Safari. This even varies by either exactly how the hammock is hung or how I lay in it. Sometimes it is barely noticeable pressure, other times it is unbearable. Bottom line is: I just put something under my knees or legs for both hyper-extension or pressure. Sometimes a leg pad is enough, but usually some form of "pillow" under the knees. For me, flat on my back, comfort in my HH Expl UL and WBBB 1.7 double ( or Claytor No Net) are essentially equal above the legs. The difs come down to suspensions, nets, shelves, etc. All need a knee pillow for me, though some more than others.

I'm beginning to think there is a significant dif between the expedition size HHs and Explorer( and especially safari). For one thing, ever notice that Explorers for sale here are rare as hen's teeth?

But my UL Explorer remains one of my favs, for one reason it allows me to use my HHSS. The Explorer ( and Safari) have a unique quality I have only recently discovered. If I lay on my RIGHT side in full fetal, (my back against the side of the hammock where my left shoulder normally goes, feet/knees against the other side) they are the most comfy hammocks in this specific position. Certainly 100% as comfy as any ( the BMBH would be equal plus comfy on left side, but I can not go full fetal in it).

There is only one gathered hammock that I can avoid knee/calf problems pretty much 100%: HH Safari. Even then, I usually have to find the exact right sweet spot, but I can always do it. But the only hammock guaranteed for me to be free of those problems is the BMBH, period. That is it's forte, there really is no competition. There is not even any hunting for the sweet spot. It is also consistently the best for side sleeping with legs straight or slight fetal, as far as side "torque" or extension goes. Plus, it is hands down best with a pad. Plus, it is a no hassle joy to use with the JRB MW4. The best quilt/hammock idiot proof combo I know of. ( second most idiot proof: some GE hammocks and PeaPod, and 1st place if you consider top warmth)

But as always, pros and cons. I prefer the shoulder room available in the WBBB, HHExpl/Safari and Claytor. It is not at all that my shoudlers are uncomfortable or squeezed in the BMBH, I am quite comfy overall. But I do enjoy the extra room in the others. The spreader bars/tarp are an additional challenge(can be solved though). I can not lay full fetal. I can not use my beloved Pea Pod.

I seem to lean towards the BMBH as over all favorite for the last year or so. Probably because I tend to have more trouble with calf pressure than most. Though lately I have been using my other hammocks more, mainly due to a desire to play with the Pea Pods IX UQs, HHSS and/or WB Syn Yeti. And combos there of. But I have kind of been missing my BMBH and may have to get back there.

So what is for you: WBBB, HH Expl or BMBH? Who the heck knows, they each have their advantages.

So, you probably need all of them!

**Rolloff** · 12-24-2010, 22:56

Nice write up. Sums it up pretty much in one post, what it will take you hours to discern by wading through all the other similar threads. (Although I wouldn't trade the time spent getting my feet wet in any of those either).

These are pretty much the three I had narrowed things down to.

Although the Claytors, and Clarks going off in th FS thread, have been tempting

**The RidgeRunner** · 12-24-2010, 23:47

I have the WBBB and JRB bridge, been it the bridge alot lately, but then again it's the newer of the 2 I own. The bridge is like a bathtub, but I can get on my side easier in it. I like both but the
bridge lays flatter if you want to try your stomach

**BillyBob58** · 12-25-2010, 09:23

Originally Posted by Rolloff

Nice write up. Sums it up pretty much in one post, what it will take you hours to discern by wading through all the other similar threads. (Although I wouldn't trade the time spent getting my feet wet in any of those either).

These are pretty much the three I had narrowed things down to.

Although the Claytors, and Clarks going off in th FS thread, have been tempting

Thanks, glad it was helpful. All just my opinion of course. People vary on their experiences wit various hammocks. IOW, YMMV!

Originally Posted by smitty7997

I have the WBBB and JRB bridge, been it the bridge alot lately, but then again it's the newer of the 2 I own. The bridge is like a bathtub, but I can get on my side easier in it. I like both but the
bridge lays flatter if you want to try your stomach

Yes, a BH is a unique hamm. experience. I also love the extreme ease of changing position. I brace the under side of my upper arms on the STIFF upper hammock edges and I can be flipped from side to side faster than Santa came down my Chimney last night! Or, grab the edges over my head and pull up as far as needed.

I love the way my JRB UQ wraps a bit up the sides and foot/head ends. It is impossible to turn and come off of the quilt or have it slip off of your shoulder or feet. Simply never happens, plus my head is insulated.