Hey guys, I'm trying to get started hanging.. on a budget and would like some recommendations of a setup I can start for anywhere around 40 - 60 dollars that I can mod up later on and use for backpacking and whatever. I'm a smaller guy ( 5'6 and 130lbs) so I'm really worried about the weight the hammock can hold.
But I'd really appreciate any help..
Thanks
Chris
A full rig w/hammock tarp and some kind of under insulation is going to be tough for that price. You could buy an inexpensive hammock, Skeeter Beeter or Skeeter Beeter Pro comes to mind and find something to use as a tarp. A cheap closed cell pad might work for you for insulation. But that will be just over your high point if I figure correctly. An open top loader ENO or something like that might bring it down but then you will not have a bug net which I suspect you will need by where you live.
Unless someone has a used set up somewhere they would be willing to get rid of. DIY is an option if you can sew. But again... It can be tough to save money if you include your time and practice into that figure.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Yeah, I was planning on trying an open top, and maybe doing a DIY bug net, and maybe DIY or hand-me-down tarp. I just wanna get started in it and see if I really wanna invest a lot into it.
If you got the DIY chops for bugnet and tarp do a DIY hammock. They are reasonably simple and the toughest thing about them is getting the sag right. Plenty of info here on how to make them. Pick up some $1.50 a yard material at wally world and have at it. You can sew a hammock in less than an hour. Then you rig up your suspension and you are good to go.
Start with a piece about 12' long and 5' wide. Just about any kind of nylon or plyester will do for a prototype,
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Yeah, I might buy a 20 dollar hammock just to get a feel for the sag, cause I really have no experience with hammocks. I really appreciate the help.
$20 hammock won't sag any different than a DIY open top loader.
But you won't save a whole lot of money on a DIY unless you don't count your time. You'll probably want to do a different suspension on the cheapo too. Some folks like the stock suspensions but I personally would swap them out for something that allowed more options for setup.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
you mean like set it up with a ridgeline? excuse my newbiness
the cheaper hammocks that I am familiar with come with hanging straps the use knots or something like that . You hook onto the straps at those pre=positioned points. I like an infinately adjustable system where I can set the sag anywhere I want. You can read through the options in the suspensions forum. Probably enough info there to keep you busy for a while.
I may be slow... But I sure am gimpy.
"Bless you child, when you set out to thread a needle don't hold the thread still and fetch the needle up to it; hold the needle still and poke the thread at it; that's the way a woman most always does, but a man always does t'other way."
Mrs. Loftus to Huck Finn
We Don't Sew... We Make Gear! video series
Important thread injector guidelines especially for Newbies
Bobbin Tension - A Personal Viewpoint
Awesome man. Once again I appreciate all the help.
Chris,
Welcome aboard.
And a couple more low cost suggestions.
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40705
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___40677
Both nice single bottom hammocks, one on sale. But, ditch the ‘S’ hooks that come with it ( S hooks are NOT fail safe) use carabiners or steel rings (from Lowes, at your rated weight).
For bottom insulation pick up a $10 blue closed cell ½ inch thick camp pad from Wal-Mart. Use a sleeping bag or Army surplus wool blanket for top insulation.
Worry about tarp selection after you get the feel for how you want your hammock to hang/sag. Some like it low, some high, some tight or loose, youll figure it out.
Have a blast!!
Travels with Samantha
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