Testing the water...

[Hang Tough]

Other than dozing off once in a wood-spreader, poly-net backyard hammock, neither I or my wife have ever slept in one. So we're gonna try it with a closed cell foam pad under a cheap tarp in the backyard.

Just pulled the trigger on a WBBB/DL1.7. We'll take turns sleeping in it under a sleeping bag to see if it works for us. If it does, there's another BB and a couple of Superflies already in the cart.

Thanks to all who have contributed so much to this forum--it's a real treasure-trove of great info!

[MAD777]

Sounds like your off to great start! Welcome to the forums!

[DanglingModifier]

Welcome aboard!

[SteveJJ]

In prepping for a motorcycle tour where I'd hoped to have my first hammock camping experience, I thought I should try it before I left home. It was strange and my legs weren't totally happy with it. So I was determined to sleep a week at home before leaving. After about 3-4 nights, i was getting better sleep than in my select comfort bed.

After the trip I hung from eye bolts in the living room or out on the deck if pleasant weather. Have slept primarily in my DangerBird 72 for two years or more now, but that's changing a bit because of having a girlfriend.

If at first you aren't comfortable, commit to a week before leaving home. Some of us here have not only left the ground, but our beds as well.

I had a WBBB for a few hours, it was great and light and compact, but had a leg ridge I couldn't abide after sleeping in others. It passed along to another here who is happy with it. You may need to try a few to find what works for you. I motorcycle/car camp so size and weight are secondary to comfort to me.

It's a cheap experiment to get a tablecloth factory table cloth and some whoopie slings, huggers, marlin spike, and an adjustable ridgeline, to try different lengths widths and so on to assess how a ready made hammock will feel for you. That's how I chose the Dangerbird 72. Long and wide gave me greatest comfort, and that hammock fit the bill for me.

It's a personal choice and you'll see lots of slightly used equipment up for sale here. There is no "one size fits all". Don't be bashful to try something, if you don't like it, another buyer will take it off your hands before long. Just don't forget to part with what you aren't using, else your closet will become like Fibber McGees!

[Hang Tough]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. My wife and I have motorcycle camped with a Eureka Timberline 4-person tent and a thick Coleman queen size air bed. Those, and a couple of sleeping bags, fit on our tour-pack rack. But we don't ride anymore.

I'm 5'10" but she's closer to 4'10" so I just bought one Blackbird. I went for a blemished one at $25 off in case it didn't work out for me either. It just has a 1/8" hole in the mosy net we can fix. We're anxious to giving hanging a shot!

[Hanch1211]

Welcome from Texas!

[Hang Tough]

Welcome from Texas!

And to you, from Ohio.

[fgblueenohanger]

Welcome to the forums. I was skeptical four years ago, but when I had my first night in my hammock, I haven't looked back. Best sleep I ever had in the woods and haven't slept in a tent since. You're both going to love it!