Buying a Hammock for my Son

[MississipVol]

My son turns 10 later this month and he knows I am planning on getting a hammock for backpacking and has asked for one too.

I don't want to spend too much because I want to make sure he will take to hammock camping.

I am planning on purchasing a Grand Trunk Skeeter Beater Pro. It is budget friendly (app. $65) and has a incorporated bugnet which we would need here in the deep south. I had thought about the Hennessy Scout but was thinking the Grand Trunk SBP is one that is less money and he could keep it longer (as he grows in size), customizing as needed.

Are there any other hammocks I should be looking at for him in the $80 or less range? TIA.

[MississipVol]

Also, I have found this Hammock Bliss as well. It has good ratings on Amazon but havent really seen a lot about it here.

Again, thanks for any feedback!

http://www.amazon.com/Hammock-Bliss-...acking+hammock

[zukiguy]

Just a thought....Looks like Hennessy is still running the holiday special. You get a free Cub setup if you buy a hammock over $148. I'd get an explorer UL for you and the Cub for your son. Holiday Special

Also, don't forget....the Skeeter Beater doesn't include any kind of rain fly. As you mentioned, the South has bugs but also plenty of rain.

If you change your mind, the Cub will sell here on the forum within minutes so there's very little to lose. About half my son's troop have either the cub zip or a scout model.

Good Luck

[oldpappy]

Also, I have found this Hammock Bliss as well. It has good ratings on Amazon but havent really seen a lot about it here.

Again, thanks for any feedback!

http://www.amazon.com/Hammock-Bliss-...acking+hammock

Doesn't seem to be a tarp included with this - you might be better off with a HF cottage vender or HH full package special mentioned above.
P.S. for reference I'm 5'9" 170lbs and have used a HH Scout - it fit me fine and it's well made.

[Cali]

+2 on the Hennessey, you get two complete set-ups vs the Skeeter Beeter or Hammock Bliss that is cheaper, but you will have to buy two tarps.

Also, I am 5'9" and I found the smaller Hennessey's too confining. I prefer the Explorer or Explorer UL or the Deep Jungle XL. More money, but more hammock and space that will make you happier in the long run. No sense spending money on a hammock you may not like and end up selling. I see lots of Expeditions for sale in the for sale thread. Good luck to you.

[Dead Man]

Just a thought....Looks like Hennessy is still running the holiday special. You get a free Cub setup if you buy a hammock over $148. I'd get an explorer UL for you and the Cub for your son. Holiday Special

Also, don't forget....the Skeeter Beater doesn't include any kind of rain fly. As you mentioned, the South has bugs but also plenty of rain.

If you change your mind, the Cub will sell here on the forum within minutes so there's very little to lose. About half my son's troop have either the cub zip or a scout model.

Good Luck

I did this same thing with my son (I bought an Explorer got Scout free then bought an Expedition then got another Scout free) with the intention that he can move to the Expedition when he wants/needs to or use the scout when we are taking his friends hiking/camping with us (use his Expl for the other dad). He uses the Exped most all the time now except when the above scenario is in play. The weight limit is like 125 but I promise you it can hold a lot more. I know it will go to at least 150 (don't ask me how I know and your methods may vary). Plus it comes with bug net and tarp. We use the heck out of 'em with his friends and my daughter. Just a thought.

[MississipVol]

well I wasn't planning on getting a hammock for myself until my birthday later this spring and had planned to get a WBBB. Would you get the scout over the Grand Trunk hammock?

[MississipVol]

Also, the one you get free is the "Cub" model right now but I don't see that model listed. Is that similar to the Scout?

Also, the weight limit on their Expedition hammock is 250 lbs and, unfortunately, I exceed that by about 15 pounds right now. So I would have to step up to the heavier Explorer Deluxe correct? Since I will be backpacking with it I don't know that I would want to go that heavy.

[Cali]

You may want to get the Scout for your son, and then you can save for the WBBB.

[oldbiker]

+3 on the HH deal. I got one of my grandsons the Scout & he loves it.