Speer III

[optimator]

Thank you Sir. As a rookie (hell I don't even own a hammock yet) those are points well made that I hadn't even thought about.

[Cannibal]

The world needs stealth velcro!

I agree that the velcro is pretty easy to deal with. I just got my Speer hammock and haven't had as much of an issue with the velcro as I thought I would. However, it is still loud and I don't like that part of it. Still, having the bugnet completely removable is a very nice feature. Don't even get me started on how nice it is to mate-up the SnugFit to the Speer hammocks. You'd just be drooling anyway.

[JayS]

The world needs stealth velcro!

... However, it is still loud and I don't like that part of it. ...

Cannibal - that's my primary issue with velcro... the noise.

My wife and I were hanging in a lean-to in the Adirondacks last summer. Nature called and when I put my feet through the HH slit I almost jumped out through the bugnet! The night was so quiet and the velcro was so loud it scared me. I did find a fix for the velcro noise in this case. I sent the HH to Zipper Queen, who fixed the problem very professionally.

[NotToWorry]

[QUOTE=Cannibal;106573]The world needs stealth velcro!

Let me know if you ever find quite Velcro--I'll be the first convert! I understand that the US Army uses Velcro on some battlefield sleeping bags because it is easy, quick & never fails--I guess the exit noise isn't a big issue on the battlefield!

[Ewker]

Once you've been trapped inside your hammock because the zipper slider is caught on fabric, or you've torn the hammock, an expensive sleeping bag or quilt, you'll know what I mean. If it hasn't happened to you yet, it's only a matter of time until it does. Likewise, I don't even like the zippers on my sleeping bag, jacket or pants when inside the hammock for the same reasons.

I know a guy who had the zipper get stuck on his sleeping bag. He tried and tried to get it open but couldn't. He had to yell out for some help. His buddies came over and after a good laugh they finally had to cut the sleeping bag to get him out. No it wasn't me but when he told the story one night around a campfire everyone was rolling with laughter.

[optimator]

With quality gear, I've never had a problem with zippers. My MB bags don't snag. My MSR, Marmot, Sierra Designs, tent zippers don't snag. Maybe this is just an issue with the zippers on the cheaper hammocks? I know with my cheap start up backpacking gear I spent more time unsnagging zippers than hiking!

[Cannibal]

Nah, it still happens. It is just easier to unjam with the better gear. I've snagged my quilts a number of times closing the Blackbird zipper. It's usually when I'm tired and just grab and pull. No biggie as it clears pretty easily, but it does happen.

[optimator]

I see, I posted too soon... I'm sure I'll make the mistake of zipping stuff into the zipper, it's not the zipper snagging on itself. I can't wait to get into one of these!

[BillyBob58]

With quality gear, I've never had a problem with zippers. My MB bags don't snag. My MSR, Marmot, Sierra Designs, tent zippers don't snag. Maybe this is just an issue with the zippers on the cheaper hammocks? I know with my cheap start up backpacking gear I spent more time unsnagging zippers than hiking!

I've had the darn things hang up on the very best gear- Marmot, TNF, whatever. Never to the point of being trapped in a bag or not being able to close it, but enough to be a real PITA when you are cold and tired.

That is one thing about the PeaPod. It might be a little noisy(Velcro), and a bit slower to get it all sealed up, and it might pop open more than I want it too sometimes. But getting out of it when you desire is accomplished virtually instantaneously.

I think the Velcro like stuff(name?) on my BMBH is quieter? It also has a weaker connection, but it still gets the job done.

[Narwhalin]

I think the Velcro like stuff(name?) on my BMBH is quieter? It also has a weaker connection, but it still gets the job done.

I am pretty sure this is called omni-tape...