Howdy from Wisconsin

**gotta run** · 07-24-2012, 17:59

Hello all.

New to the forums and to hammocking. Since I need to camp now (scouts) but don't really know what I want, I made a minimal investment in a GI style jungle hammock. It is not a true surplus, just a modern replica made by "Fox," but of the type you can see on amazon and whatnot if you look up GI jungle hammock.

Even this cheap and crude (by comparison to others) setup has addressed a lot of the comfort problems I had on the ground. I even salvaged a nylon tarp from an unused dining tent I had to make a full rain fly. The plan is to find what I like and what I don't and at some point make an upgrade...probably.

In the meantime any advice anyone has who has used this type of older hammock is appreciated.

**WetRivrRat** · 07-24-2012, 18:24

Welcome to HF - Boy do I miss Devils' Lake and the awesome climbing that you guys have up there -

**cwciwatch** · 07-24-2012, 20:31

Hi, welcome from NH.
I have a hammock like yours and used it in the past, I found it a lot more comfortable than the ground but heavy and kinda tedious to set up. I sewed ripstop under it to make a place to slide in my sleeping pad which made it much warmer. I also made spreader bars for it from straight sticks, for both the bottom where the ropes meet the hammock and at the ends of the roof, which improved the comfort greatly. It didn't come with tree straps do it took a while to find a setup that worked with it.

Lately I have been using a DIY hennessy style setup I recently finished making and I love it. I found it was actually quite easy to make. There is tons of info on these forums. After a little research I Was able to make everything including the tarp, the hammock with zip in bug net, the down under quilt, a gear hammock, and the suspension, which saved me a ton of money and is much lighter.

My daughter and my brothers still use the army hammock and have had no trouble with it either.

Well, I hope you have as much fun as I have been having. Take care.

**crackrbilly** · 07-24-2012, 20:45

welcome from east tenn

**dragon360** · 07-24-2012, 21:06

Hello and Welcome to the Forums from Canada!

**Atlas918** · 07-24-2012, 21:21

Welcome to the world of hanging, from DC

Try out some different set ups, whether it be at group hangs or friends with hammocks.

Hennessys and ENOs are the most accessible, as they're sold at REI, and other outfitters.

**Bic** · 07-24-2012, 22:21

Welcome from another Wisconsin hanger

**rbinhood** · 07-24-2012, 22:29

Welcome from another Wisconsin hammock fan.

**RootCause** · 07-24-2012, 22:48

+1 on the welcome, from a Minocqua native.

I can't comment on your setup, sorry! But you are in the right place for learning about other options. Some of the greatest people in the outdoors hang out on this forum....

BTW, check out Shug's video series for newbies: "Start Here"