Ultimate Hang vs. Speer's Hammock Camping

[redrob]

If you could only get one, which would you buy and why?

Thanks,
Rob

[Ewker]

A lot has changed with hammocks since Ed's book came out. I still have a copy of it and read it every now and then. I don't have a copy of the Ultimate Hang so I can't compare the two

[Cannibal]

Very different books in substance and style.
Only prudent choice is to have both!

Neither are terribly expensive and both are informative and fun.

[Fronkey]

You can't go wrong with either.
The Ultimate hand is the more updated version. But, Speer's book has some cool info in there as well and it's great to see where it all started by reading the first hammock book.

I have given The Ultimate Hang to friends to kick start them into hammocks.


Fronkey

[NickoftheWoods]

I have both and enjoy them both. Ed's book was the first to really tackle techniques and concepts associated with modern hammock camping but is a little outdated. His book for example predates under quilts and top quilts and you won't find anything about whoopie slings. It is still full of good hanging information and info for suppliers of gear and materials. The Ultimate Hang Book is very user friendly and up to date with lots of fun illustrations. It covers all the basics as well as advanced techniques and concepts. It explains how different set ups work and covers new gear from some of our favorite cottage industries. If you had to choose only one I would probably purchase The Ultimate Hang. Both books can be found on Amazon for about $12.00. You might as well buy both and get the super savor free shipping

[Shug]

Yep....both is the prudent choice. Dejoha's book is up-dated and the illustrations are tremendous.
I also recommend this to anyone starting in hammocks. The ultimate primer.....
Shug

[dragon360]

Each is great in its own way! Both worth the read!

[redrob]

Well, full disclosure time. I already own the Ultimate Hang. I was wondering if Ed Speer's book is redundant or should I pick it up.

Thanks,
Rob

[BillyBob58]

Well, full disclosure time. I already own the Ultimate Hang. I was wondering if Ed Speer's book is redundant or should I pick it up.

Thanks,
Rob

Well, shamefully, I have not read Dejoha's book, only Ed's. Someday I will ( maybe the next edition even more up to date! ).

But I can speak highly of Ed's book. I had already completed my 1st ever hammock trip, actually did that September ( but cold weather ) trip as a total ignorant NOOB, figuring it out as I went with my brand new HHSS. Yes, I know, STUPID! However, I was still able to go to ground when needed. So I had that week plus a couple of other overnighters behind me before I ever read Ed's book, but it was still a big help at coming to understand some principle's which remain unchanged.

Don't know how UH handles things, but what was really helpful to me were the interspersed personal experiences Ed reported about. Reporting some of his truly far out adventures and how he used hammocks to make them more pleasant and even safer, often hanging in normally unusable ( for ground dwelling) places. How about, on long solo Kayaking trips in AK, hanging way high in the trees, or out on rocky islands with just enough trees for his hangs, in order to avoid grizzly bears? And especially several examples of when the wind was about to blow him off a ridge, dropping off of the ridge and camping on a steep slope which was blocking the wind?

Lot's of stuff like that, from his real life experiences, which made me realize how versatile and handy a hammock could be, allowing camping in otherwise unusable places while still being more comfortable than ever! This made me realize more than I had from my own experiences, the many benefits of sleeping in a hammock rather than on the ground.

Highly recommended, but just get both!

[kayak karl]

you can't have too many hammocks
or books about hammocks.............
or quilts for hammocks
or tarps,
amsteel,
dutch gear,.......