OK, school me

**reuben** · 03-20-2014, 17:21

New member from Maryland. Yep, I read the FAQ and some other stuff (you realize that the FAQ is something like 26 pages, right?), watched some Shug videos, etc., so I have a tenuous grasp of the basics.

I live in the woods so a hammock is a natural fit. I'm considering an ENO DN, WB bug net, ENO silnylon tarp, and TBD slings.

This has to be simple, and it can't harm the trees too much. I know a lot of people like whoopie slings but their thinness makes me wonder about tree damage. ENO Atlas straps are apparently better than their slap straps (less stretch), and since I'm not the 160 lb triathlete I was two or three decades ago strap stretch is an issue for me.

I'm leaning toward the ENO silnylon tarp since I know that I can pull it tight and expect it to stay there (my backpacking tent is silnylon, and yes, I know how to seam seal).

I don't generally base camp, but I could leave it up for days or weeks at home, hence my concern regarding tree damage.

This has to be a simple setup. I know I can get a WB BB setup for less, but I like the modularity of the ENO. Besides, I have some dividends to burn at REI.

All simple suggestions gratefully accepted.

Thanks.

**JToon** · 03-20-2014, 17:31

I have an ENO one link with the double, which I do like. I bought it before finding the great people of this forum. I have since bought table cloths and did a couple DIY. I dont know weights but it is really just as nice if not a touch better. My diy gives me a flatter lay since the ENO is a touch short for me. The table cloth would also give you dividends to spend on something else. Just a thought. I am sure someone with more experience would have a better idea of weights. Since I am not a gram counter I dont have a scale to weigh it for you. I will admit though now my rain fly is a bit short and opened a whole new can of worms for me.

**pgibson** · 03-20-2014, 17:34

Tree straps are used with Whoopies too. Every suspension type starts off with some sort of strap to go around the trees to protect them from damage. Wider straps like 1.5" or 2" would be a good consideration for long term hanging.

You get as much or more modularity with most of the cottage hammocks as you would out of an ENO system. WB makes the Traveler, similar to an ENO but lighter weight or double layer or different colors or....options, you get it.

Most tarps that are made by the shops that frequent here are going to be Silnylon, cost less, weigh less and come with more designs, coverage and color options than ENO offers so shop around.

Would recommend getting a copy of "The Ultimate Hang" by member Derek Hansen. It's the most up to date book on hammock camping and is the most inclusive and easy to follow introduction to hammock camping available.

**AaronMB** · 03-20-2014, 17:56

I'm new at hanging but feel comfortable also recommending shopping around, as well as reading "The Ultimate Hang." I hope Derek gets a cut of the Kindle version (it's only a few bucks)!

**Nhott** · 03-20-2014, 18:01

Where in MD are you? I have a few types of hammocks and suspensions you could look at if you are close.

**reuben** · 03-20-2014, 18:38

You folks are fast. Many thanks.

OK, I'll look for wider tree huggers, although regular 1-1.5" should be fine for starters.

Had not noticed the WB Traveler. I'm trying to figure out the difference between the Traveler double 1.1 and No Net Ridgerunner double 1.1. WB's description doesn't tell me much, but that's probably because I'm a hammock newbie. WB says that the Traveler has a structural ridgeline, which I thought might be the difference, but the name "Ridgerunner" makes me think that the RR has one as well. I see a "spreader bar" with the Ridgerunner - that's a new term to me. Looks like I'd get a separate all-encompassing bug net for the Traveler, but the Ridgerunner bugnet attaches to the hammock. If I'm right, then I'd probably prefer the Traveler, but whaddiknow?

I'd already emailed some questions to WB about Cloudburst v Mamajama tarps, and they stated that one is a hex shape and the other is a rectangle. Looks like the Mamajama is the hex shaped tarp, so I might save a few ounces there.

Ultimate Hang is already on order, forgot to mention that.

Nhott, I'm near the Annapolis area - not exactly close to Hagerstown, but thanks for the generous offer.

**Shug** · 03-20-2014, 18:50

Originally Posted by reuben

You folks are fast. Many thanks.

OK, I'll look for wider tree huggers, although regular 1-1.5" should be fine for starters.

Had not noticed the WB Traveler. I'm trying to figure out the difference between the Traveler double 1.1 and No Net Ridgerunner double 1.1. WB's description doesn't tell me much, but that's probably because I'm a hammock newbie. WB says that the Traveler has a structural ridgeline, which I thought might be the difference, but the name "Ridgerunner" makes me think that the RR has one as well. I see a "spreader bar" with the Ridgerunner - that's a new term to me. Looks like I'd get a separate all-encompassing bug net for the Traveler, but the Ridgerunner bugnet attaches to the hammock. If I'm right, then I'd probably prefer the Traveler, but whaddiknow?

I'd already emailed some questions to WB about Cloudburst v Mamajama tarps, and they stated that one is a hex shape and the other is a rectangle. Looks like the Mamajama is the hex shaped tarp, so I might save a few ounces there.

Ultimate Hang is already on order, forgot to mention that.

Nhott, I'm near the Annapolis area - not exactly close to Hagerstown, but thanks for the generous offer.

Here is a peek at the Ridgerunner......and some of my other hammocks for your interest.
Have fun choosing and enjoy your hammock quest.
Shug

**Wraith6761** · 03-20-2014, 18:51

I'm relatively new to hanging as well...here's a few things I've discovered so far:

The ENO Pro Fly is an alright tarp, for fair weather and light rain. It does not handle high winds or heavy rainfall very well however. I found this out the hard way last weekend; I'm now saving up for a new tarp (looking very hard at a Superfly). I'd seriously suggest looking for a wider tarp, that 6' just isn't wide enough for any real coverage.

While the atlas straps are far superior to the slap straps, they are pretty narrow (especially for heavier hangers, like me) and they're overpriced IMO. I found these straps from Algoma to be a better overall deal: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XNMEZK

If I'm not mistaken, the WB Ridgerunner is a bridge style hammock (thus the spreader bars), while the Traveler is a gathered end style hammock, but don't quote me on that.

**doc_mosi** · 03-20-2014, 18:53

Well, I'm pretty new myself, but I believe a spreader bar is part of a hammock that is forced apart at the ends, via the spreader bar (Bridge hammock), versus the gathered end type of hammock. Does that make sense?

I'll leave the rest of the explainin to the more experienced on here.

Welcome to the Hammock Forums btw.

**climbing.kevin** · 03-20-2014, 18:57

Welcome fellow md hanger. I understand yoy wanting to get an eno due to rei dividends, but I personally couldnt recommend warbonnets products enough. The blackbird has a built in shelf and footbox which makes a big difference. Personally, if you are strapped for cash, I wouldn't get the eno double, but would get the Yukon outfitters double hammock for $25 on woot.com and then go for a diy fronkey bugnet, and then a warbonnet superfly. That trap is well worth the money, and you can then spend your dividens on other nice lightweight backpacking gear rei like the snowpeak ti cooksets. Although if you do go for a warbonnet hammock, I would go for a double layer since then the bugs wont bite through the hammock in the summer. Also for suspension, I would consider the arrowhead marlin spike hitch toggle suspension or the warbonnet cinch buckle suspension which comes with his hammocks.