To set the stage, I am about 275lbs, a little more then the weight rating for the ridge runner on Brandons website, and I have a 50 inch chest. After a few conversations with Brandon, I settled on a DL Ridge Runner with heavier bars. Brandon was good enough to offer a set of these bars at no additional charge, after I expressed how much I detested gathered end hammocks and that I had a very hard time finding a bridge hammock that met my needs.
First off, set up was a breeze. After a thorough inspection of the build quality (more on that later), i got in. In a word wow! The lay was flat and super comfortable, there was no hyper extension at the back of the knee, very little shoulder pinch despite my dimensions, and probably more encouragingly it held my weight without ripping or breaking the bars. It will be interesting to see how this all holds up over time mind you, but the initial results were very encouraging.
The build quality was also top notch with just a few personal notes. I felt like the saddle bags were on backwards, like the deeper part should have been toward the foot end. Otherwise I had to roll onto my side to reach the deepest part as they stand now. Brandon is it possible to get this as an option?
Secondly and as I said earlier it held my weight and was super comfortable but the ends of the webbing only have 2 small, very small, bar tacks, just for my peace of mind, as a bigger guy, and I am sure others a third or forth wouldn't add much production time or cost, but would give a huge confidence boost for the consumer. Before anyone corrects me or does some math, this is a point of personal comfort, nothing else.
I love that the bug net can basically disappear when you don't want it. But I felt like the triangles were unnecessarily long. I see that others have posted on this as well and some have gone as far as to do some math. I guess my question is why that long in the first place. Was there a reason? Currently their length limits the minimum tree distance I can work with with. Although this is rarely a problem it does mean I have to build a new hammock stand as my 12' one is too short now.
Overall, and despite the small items above, I would recommend this hammock to anyone and especially if you are a bigger guy looking to get out of the gathered ends.
Brandon did a great job and the amount of research and hard work really shows. I have laid in just about every bridge hammock out there and I have built a few of my own over the years , and this is hands down my favorite.
Ryvr
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