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  1. #1
    Senior Member jbrianb's Avatar
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    Ultralight question

    Ultralighters:
    What would be the narrowest comfortable width you could "enjoy" for a hammock? The narrowest commercial product I've seen is about 48 inches.

    Next question:
    What would be the ideal length you would like to have when comfort and light BOTH matter?

    I expect a lot of folks to have different answers. Getting light probably means sacrificing comfort and vice versa. Some folks are more concerned about light; others care about comfort. As such, the answers may be different. That's OK. Bring it on!

    Thanks!
    Last edited by jbrianb; 02-23-2012 at 13:47.
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  2. #2
    Senior Member kayak karl's Avatar
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    how tall are you?
    "Tenting is equivalent to a bum crawling into a cardboard box, hammocking is an art" KK

  3. #3
    Senior Member BullFrog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kayak karl View Post
    how tall are you?
    That's a good point. It comes down to personal preference, too. I'm about 6'2 and I couldn't get quite comfortable in 54". Now I have a 64" and it's bliss, but there are taller guys than me who can be comfy in a GT Nano at 48". I think it's the kind of thing everyone has to try out themselves.

  4. #4
    Senior Member G.L.P.'s Avatar
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    all depends on the persons taste and needs ....
    "Getting light probably means sacrificing comfort and vice versa"
    not really thats a Misconception being UL or going with UL gear does not mean you will be cold all the time or give up comfort just need to find the right gear for the job and know your gear and it's limits
    if you are trying to save weight and don't want to go with a narrow hammock you can always shave weight in other areas like your cooking kit,cloths,quilts
    you name it there is some compromise just need to pick your poison as they say
    It puts the Underquilt on it's hammock ... It does this whenever it gets cold

  5. #5
    Senior Member jbrianb's Avatar
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    Your preferences

    I know it depends... lots of factors. I am asking what your preferences are. That's why I expect different answers. I have some numbers in mind that make sense for me, but I am curious what others think.

    Tradeoffs are part of life. I realize that. What I am willing to trade off for weight or comfort may not match others... It's all good. Again, just curious what others' views are.

    For purposes of this argument, assume ideal conditions... 75 degree nights, warm days.
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  6. #6
    Senior Member BullFrog's Avatar
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    I love my 64", but I think I could be quite comfy in 60" too. 54" was just a bit too narrow for me.

  7. #7
    Senior Member kayak karl's Avatar
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    mine is 11'9"- 64"
    "Tenting is equivalent to a bum crawling into a cardboard box, hammocking is an art" KK

  8. #8
    Senior Member MAD777's Avatar
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    I came to hammocking from an ultralight background looking for comfort.
    In my mind, having a hammock that's too small defeats the purpose and will only save a couple of ounces. I still weigh the rest of my kit in grams.

    Having said that, I don't think there is a singular answer to you question; and it's not because folks have individual opinions. I own three commercial hammocks and have made four DIY's. The two most comfortable ones are 48" wide and 67" wide - go figure!

    I start out making my hammocks 11' long and generally find them comfy. However, just this past weekend, I made one out of crinkly parachute material and had to keep cutting the length down to get it comfortable and ended up with a 10'-4" hammock - go figure, again!

    I'm becoming a believer that the material plays a very important roll in comfort, not just size. This Grasshopper is still learning the mysteries of hammocks
    Mike
    "Life is a Project!"

  9. #9
    Senior Member G.L.P.'s Avatar
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    i like wide myself as well... if you get to narrow you can't get a nice flay lay IMO the new Dream hammocks look nice i like the 90" wide one
    i wouldn't worry too much about weight with your hammock most GE hammocks are around the same weight give or take an oz
    It puts the Underquilt on it's hammock ... It does this whenever it gets cold

  10. #10
    Senior Member G.L.P.'s Avatar
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    " material plays a very important roll in comfort"
    thats a very good point MAD777 i feel the same way ... i don't care for the stiff feeling i get from 1.9oz ripstop i love the feel of 1.1 it's more smooth and soft
    It puts the Underquilt on it's hammock ... It does this whenever it gets cold

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