Does anyone know why the Clark NA is 3 times as expensive as most other brands?
Does anyone know why the Clark NA is 3 times as expensive as most other brands?
'Cause it's so pretty... =o)
In all seriousness, the Clark has a heck of a lot of features, probably takes a lot of work to produce compared to, say, a Claytor. Not that all of the features are necessary or even effective, but they're there none the less.
The North American is a good hammock, and a lot of fun to play around with, but in retrospect I myself found that simpler is better.
"Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it"
Cavediver2
CLARK HAMMOCK HOW TOO VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD2pPSXdHTg
http://www.hammockforums.net/gallery...&imageuser=826
http://www.junglehammock.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Clark-Hammocks
it is all set for 4 season use. zipper bugnet, ws, tarp, pockets, pockets, pockets, made in US.
So it's expensive because it's made in the US? I don't understand that rationale. It's expensive because of the pockets? How much is it relative to the other models?
"Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities." - Mark Twain
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” - John Burroughs
Because American workers demand to be paid a reasonable wage with some benefits. That has a dramatic effect on the cost of manufacturing. But, I tend to agree that the fact that it is 'feature rich' right off the shelf probably has more to do with the cost. Add up everything you'd buy to go with a DIY hammock and it probably isn't too far off. Of course, that assumes you don't DIY everything else too.
It is a complete package. If you bought a HH, a supershelter, and an overcover you will spend more. The Clark NA has the pockets that insulation can be added in and the weather shield is like an overcover. I personally would not use the NA for hiking because I think the weather shield and pockets are not worth the weight. The Clark pockets are about as effective as the HH supershelter
I bought 2 Clarks - one for me and one for my son. I returned mine because I felt it was too small for me (6'3", 240 lbs) but my son loves his (5'11", 200). I still think the Clark is the best designed commercial hammock on the market. I just wish it was bigger and that the bug net and weather shield were fully removable.
And yes, american labor is way more expensive than the nickle-an-hour slaves used in asia. American manufacturing also has to incur the expense of safety and environmental laws. And if you rent or own a factory in the US you'll be paying property taxes to support the local school system, in addition to other taxes that support our quality of life.
I don't think the NA IS more expensive....I had the set-up listed below:
---------------------------------------------price---------weight
Hennessy ULTRALITE BACKPACKER A-SYM----$179.95-------1lb 15oz
----------undercover & pad-----------------129.95-----------13oz
----------------------overcover--------------34.95------------6oz(?)
ordered Snakeskins so I could use covers------19.95------------4oz(?)
------------------------------------total---$364.80-------3lbs 6oz (est)
I don't see the NA as either more expensive or heavier than a set-up that offers comparable attributes.
It is, for me, more practical...I like sticking stuff in the many, available pockets rather than leaving them on the ground, in my pack, in a plastic garbage bag...the Hennessy pad was not enough to keep me warm below freezing so I always carried my own pad...I found the undercover sagged as it was all one unit where the NA's pockets distribute weight more evenly...
I chose gear that works for me...it's nice if it's American made but not imperative for me...
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