Ultralight Hammock for Newbie

[Peter_pan]

JRB Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock and Clark hammocks are also a Made in the USA.

Pan

[Narwhalin]

Here's a list of where all the major hammock manufacturers make their products:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=4695

Happy hangin...

[DougTheElder]

With the SEHHA and MAHHA events right around the corner it's a good time for anyone interested in getting into a hammock to see a good cross section of what's available...plus getting to talk with a lot of folks with hands on experience. Ed Speer would probably bring one to try at SEHHA and I'd bet that the Jacks would do the same at MAHHA. Plus, lots of folks have (many) more than one hammock and would probably be happy to let you give one a try.

[Mocs]

I am now thinking

Speer Hammock III and a MacCat Deluxe? What do you guys think of that set-up? Is there anything else that I should get, slap straps etc...?

[Mocs]

How does the Speer Hammock attach to the straps? From some pictures it looks like it is just tied on.

[angrysparrow]

How does the Speer Hammock attach to the straps? From some pictures it looks like it is just tied on.

That's correct. The straps are tied in with the hammock end-whip.

[Mocs]

Is there any particular reason they are made that way, it gives them a little bit of a "homemade" look (of course technically, I guess they are made in the Spears home)? A carbiner end like the ENO ProNest would give it a more finished look and would seem more secure, of course it might add a little weight.

As far as the webbing goes, would you guys recommend something like the Jacks R Better Tri Glides (assuming the Speer Webbing is compatible) or just use the lines as they come.

Also for the tarp, does the MacCat Deluxe come with guylines? If not what would you recommend? What about tentioners?

[angrysparrow]

Is there any particular reason they are made that way, it gives them a little bit of a "homemade" look (of course technically, I guess they are made in the Spears home)? A carbiner end like the ENO ProNest would give it a more finished look and would seem more secure, of course it might add a little weight.

I'm not sure why Ed ties them in. It certainly works well, though. There's a reason whipped end hammocks are called Speer-type.

As far as the webbing goes, would you guys recommend something like the Jacks R Better Tri Glides (assuming the Speer Webbing is compatible) or just use the lines as they come.

I would recommend that if you get the hammock to just use it 'as-is' for a while. You'll then get ideas for any mods or improvements. There are almost as many different suspension designs as there are members of this forum. And that's part of the fun of it, IMO.

The JRB Tri-Glides can be made to work with Speer webbing, but only with modification. The Tri-Glides are intended for 1" webbing, but the Speer comes with 1.5" webbing.

Also for the tarp, does the MacCat Deluxe come with guylines? If not what would you recommend? What about tensioners?

No, the MacCat doesn't come with guylines but Brian sells them as an accessory on his site. I personally like to use the TripTease knockoff from Campmor as guyline, but some like simple mason's twine (or other cording).

For tensioners, there is the commercial route via JRB's STL's. Or for DIY, have a look at this thread.

[FanaticFringer]

If you get the Speer III model A, it should come with 1" wide webbing. Unless they've changed things since I last ordered one. Might e-mail them to be sure. The JRB Tri-Glides would be a great option.

[angrysparrow]

If you get the Speer III model A, it should come with 1" wide webbing.

My mistake. I thought Speer used 1.5" on all his hammocks, but that seems to be remiss. Thanks for pointing that out.