Grrr... I'm Rabid Deer

**Rabid Deer** · 02-19-2011, 01:41

Hello, this is Rabid Deer (Dan). I live in Clearwater, MN currently. I'm here because of Shug, even though I've never met him. I am not a hanger yet, I'm currently a bear pancake. Not sure if I can afford hammocking.

So far I am thinking of getting a Hennessy or an ENO because they offer relatively cheap kits. I figure I can always tinker and improve my system if I like hammocking. Any advice would be great. If you've purchased one of these systems and have a recommendation, that would be great. If I go Hennessy, I'm looking at the expeditions. If I go ENO, I'm looking at the one link with double nest and insect shield. Very early stages so far.

Looks like a cool site and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you.

**KerMegan** · 02-19-2011, 02:11

Welcome!
start slow, build up as you go...
and in the words of our previous motto- "any day above ground is a good one!"

**Veto 65** · 02-19-2011, 02:12

Welcome to the hammock world.

Take a look at the DIY section and see if there is something you can make.

**Gumbo** · 02-19-2011, 08:35

Welcome from Florida!

Timberrr and I started with the ENO for the same reasons you mentioned. The doublenest is a sweet hammock and the material ENO uses feels really nice. Also living in Florida the 360 degree bug net is a win. The dry fly does it's job. For ours we did not get the insect shield on them, but I did upgrade the stakes.

One thing about the one link that we did change out was that we got rid of the slap strap pros because nylon webbing stretches too much. Some folks immediately redo the whole suspension due to weight, but for now that is the only change we have made.

I did buy a Hennessy Scout so that we would have an extra hammock if someone wanted go give hammocking a try. I find it less comfortable than my ENO. I'm hoping anyone who wants to try hammocking is shorter than 5'8 so they can use the scout and I'll sleep in my ENO.

The right hammock can be different for everyone. Good luck in your search!

**bigbamaguy** · 02-19-2011, 09:43

Welcome to HF from Bama.......definitely check out the DIY section for some ideas on projects that are easy to do. The ENO, Grand Trunk.....etc. are all good intro hammocks. I have the ENO DN and you can't go wrong, stay away from the slap straps!!!!

**richtorfla** · 02-19-2011, 09:45

Welcome! I started out with a HH. Have used it many a time. Good stuff that lasts a long time. That ol Shug sure is drummin' up the biz for the hammock manufacturers!

**Fronkey** · 02-19-2011, 10:52

Welcome from a fellow Minnesotan. Making your own hammock can be rewarding and very cheap. The guys are right in checking out the DIY section.

Fronkey

**Danvandanne** · 02-19-2011, 18:41

Rabid Deer,

My wife and I started with DoubleNests and we both love them. They are very comfortable to sleep in. Just follow the advice and do not use the slapstraps. You can start out with the hammock fairly tight and wake up laying on the ground due to stretch. We are switching over to some tree huggers and Dutch clips that can be found on the Jacks R Better website. Our kids will inherit the Slap straps as they are lighter and should not stretch them as much.

Welcome to HF. Maybe we will meet sometime and hang.

-Dan

**gunner76** · 02-19-2011, 18:59

welcome to the madness.

My ENO DN is the hammock I take with me on day hikes or for hammock studies in the back yard (taking a nap). I also have a Grand Trunk double and I find of the two the the ENO has a nicer feel to it.

Try and test your gear before you take it out into the woods as not every gear setup works as expected. You can learn alot about reading about other hanngers as they report what has and has not worked for them.