...if weight is the overriding concern...

[lazarus]

Is this as light as it gets?

here are the parameters (yes, these are my parameters... your parameters may vary!) :

--stock stuff with minor modifications
--has to be reasonably comfortable
--does not need to provide more tarp coverage than necessary to protect the hammock alone


1. ultra-light travel hammock
modified to HH hanging system with lashing and web tree huggers, no rings or 'beeners or hooks. cut off the pocket. spray with permithrin.

2. bug head net

3. HH silnylon stock tarp

4. 3/8 inch ccf (is there a supplier other than walmart that makes this lighter but with same r value? ccf is the lightest way to go?) torso length for layer 1 -- used below 65 degrees, full length second layer for colder hangs.

5. 15 degree 1 pound 14 oz down women's mummy bag. as quilt often, as bag in winter.

well? ...and thanks, as ever, for your help!

[Tobit]

3. HH silnylon stock tarp

What is the weight on this? IIRC, I think they are around 20 oz. or more. You can find much lighter tarps. A MacCat Micro is only 7.5 oz. but should meet your minimal size requirement.

[Narwhalin]

A MacCat Micro is only 7.5 oz. but should meet your minimal size requirement.

And then you could go even further and look for something in Cuben fiber. That would drop your weight a few more ounces, or allow you to get a bigger tarp for less weight penalty. Just plan on spending more $$!

[Tobit]

If I wasn't chicken and thought I could pull it off, I'd have no problems spending the money on a 12' x 10' Cuben Tarp for my Claytor.

[te-wa]

looks like a great UL setup.
for a tarp, you might consider the MacCat micro. I have attached a pic of THUL w/ a micro.
End coverage is about 10 inches with no flapping noise from the catenary cut sides. Just my $0.02

[Tobit]

For stakes, may I suggest Simon Metals Ti Needle Stakes? I have a set of these and the entire set of 8 stakes weighs only 2.6 oz. For line, I am very partial to Gossamer Gears EZC2 line for some reason. It weighs 0.03 oz. per foot.

[BillyBob58]

What is the weight on this? IIRC, I think they are around 20 oz. or more. You can find much lighter tarps. A MacCat Micro is only 7.5 oz. but should meet your minimal size requirement.

I think on the large one for Explorers, it's about 11 oz, and 8 oz or so on the smaller tarp for the ULB.

The optional large 12 foot RL HH Hex Sil-Nylon tarp is 19 ozs.

[Tobit]

I think on the large one for Explorers, it's about 11 oz, and 8 oz or so on the smaller tarp for the ULB.

That could be about right. I was just reading the specs on the ULB and see that the tarp is made out of 30D SilNylon so it's probably pretty close in weight to the MacCat Micro. I think the Micro might be a tad lighter though and I do prefer the configuration of the MacCat vs. the HH Diamond.

[Fiddleback]

Ya' might take a look at the bag/quilt.

Only once have I used a quilt in a hammock...I've never used a sleeping bag. For me, a 3/8"X40"X60" (7oz) pad and my cold weather clothing works to well below freezing. I gain a weight savings because I always have cold weather clothing with me...the summer nights are crisp in Montana and at elevation freezing is common. I put the cold weather clothing to dual use as the main part of my sleep system.

Still, successful sleep systems are vary much dependent on the locale's climate, the weather encountered, and the individual. And sleep systems can change and adjust as the seasons change. Just remember that weight is only one determinant of 'comfort.' It's more 'comfortable' to carry less weight but it's also more comfortable to have a good night's sleep, to be warm, and to remain dry. Don't compromise (too much) one comfort factor in favor of another. None should be the 'overriding concern', IMO.

FB