View Full Version : New Setup for BIG GUY...thoughts and questions
Pheonix6579
04-06-2015, 21:47
hello all. Been lurking for awhile and just recently got into the hammock scene, but now I'm really hooked. I'm currently using an ENO onelink system with a doublenest. I have discovered that while this hammock is great for lounging around and hanging out I question the overall comfort camping overnight, it's a touch short and it's hard to stretch out with the bug net, which is essential in FL. A little about myself. I am a big guy, and not a 250 big guy, but I'm about 370lbs and 6ft tall. I am looking for something in the higher spectrum length wise 10.5ft and longer. I have a few options that I am looking at, as I have done a bit of research, but wanted to look to more seasoned hangers for guidance.
Thoughts on...
Option 1: Warbonnet XLC double layer 1.7 with MJ tarp
Option 2: SMR Pares with Nube Shelter
Option 3: Kammock Roo with WB MJ tarp
Option 4: I am open to suggestion if you have an compelling argument 😃
Also a couple questions...
1. I am not going to be hiking the whole AT anytime soon but would like to use this backpacking. Are 1.8 amsteel whoopie slings and carabiners similar in strength/reliability? While I like the confidence I get from the atlas straps on my ENO,they are a touch heavy to a pack.
2. Any pros/cons to an attached bug net vs separate? And is there any suggestions for keeping bugs from biting you through the hammock on the attached bug nets?
Thanks in advance for the input.
I like your option #1.
Always be vigilant about the trees you choose to hang off of as well.
As to bugs, you will be on a pad or have a UQ. Also you can spray/soak your hammock with permethrin. I have never been bitting by a skeeter through my hammock. Also the double layer helps.
Carry forth.
Shug
IRONFISH45
04-06-2015, 22:52
I bet you are going to find almost everyone is partial to choice #1.
ENO is good to start or for casual Hanging. When you test out the camping hammocks you will quickly feel and see the difference.
My daughters companion is 6 ft. 5 in.ish. Well over the 250 lbs. he admits to. I finally managed to get him in my Hennessey Survivor. He really likes it and I suspect he will be willing to try it again. His back and legs bother him a lot, he found laying in the hammock very comfortable, nothing ached.
The problem is, in my humble opinion Hammocks are addictive. You buy one, then another catches your eye, you buy it, then a new design comes out or a new fabric, oops all the sudden you have 5 or 6 hammocks, next you are having your Dutch Ware delivered to your place of employment. Then there are the DIY projects, you will need a sewing machine, maybe two or three, each one does something a bit better than the other. Things never seem to end, always something new and attractive.
Everything comes down to personal taste, what fits you body, finances, use, taste and experience. Most of us find as we mature in Hanging our taste changes. I liked the bug net attached to the hammock in the beginning, now I feel too enclosed with the bug netting attached. Also I switched to a Bridge hammock, because I am able to see out of them and they are easier for me to exit.
Length makes a difference, type of fabric makes a difference. I like the double layer because the skeeters bite through the single layer.
Try before you buy is the best way to go.
I think you would be very happy with the WB XLC 1.7 DL. I'm 285lbs and it's awesome for my big frame. Thing is a beast.
I bet you are going to find almost everyone is partial to choice #1.
ENO is good to start or for casual Hanging. When you test out the camping hammocks you will quickly feel and see the difference.
My daughters companion is 6 ft. 5 in.ish. Well over the 250 lbs. he admits to. I finally managed to get him in my Hennessey Survivor. He really likes it and I suspect he will be willing to try it again. His back and legs bother him a lot, he found laying in the hammock very comfortable, nothing ached.
The problem is, in my humble opinion Hammocks are addictive. You buy one, then another catches your eye, you buy it, then a new design comes out or a new fabric, oops all the sudden you have 5 or 6 hammocks, next you are having your Dutch Ware delivered to your place of employment. Then there are the DIY projects, you will need a sewing machine, maybe two or three, each one does something a bit better than the other. Things never seem to end, always something new and attractive.
Everything comes down to personal taste, what fits you body, finances, use, taste and experience. Most of us find as we mature in Hanging our taste changes. I liked the bug net attached to the hammock in the beginning, now I feel too enclosed with the bug netting attached. Also I switched to a Bridge hammock, because I am able to see out of them and they are easier for me to exit.
Length makes a difference, type of fabric makes a difference. I like the double layer because the skeeters bite through the single layer.
Try before you buy is the best way to go.
SOLID post. This guy gets it.
I feel like you just penned my unfolding hammock journey. Get out of my head! :lol:
Fellow big guy here. I would skip out on the whoopie slings. I tried that system on one of my hammocks. I just don't trust it. It always felt a bit sketchy and one night I had my foot end slip and drop about 4 inches. It may hve been user error, but it scared the stuffing out of me. I now use a cinch buckle system on my XLC and have has no issues with it. It feels sturdy and safe.
As far as the XLC, it's big and comfy. I would just say be aware of which direction you lay. I always use to lay head right feet left. My XLC is the opposite. I have gotten use to it, but if I could do it all again I would contact them first and see if they could switch it up for me.
I decided to make my own and camped for a long time with a 1.4oz ripstop nylon single layer hammock using straps and felt it was a solid setup. Loaded up to 400lbs with no issues and routinely slept 2... regardless of which system you choose, longevity will be determined greatly by how you handle or care about your hang. Don't scuff the bottom and you shouldn't have problems falling through. Wrapped ends (not the channeled gathered ends) have worked best for me too...
Welcome to the club!
mountainhanger
04-07-2015, 10:01
Good information here, as fellow big guy I've had a numerous amount of different hammocks, including the xlc, and that is choice you can't go wrong with, affordable has length and width and ease of set up with cinch buckles. But as noted above its a obsession as we find ourselves moving towards different fabrics , options and priorities as your hiking and camping styles evolve. For me it definetly has to be straps and cinch buckles less fiddle more strength. I also am looking at the cinch bug from dutch ware. Whoopi carabiner work fine but don't give me the security and ease of set up.
With all that said this is my current line up of hammocks and uses
SIMPLY LIGHT DESIGNS double layer of 2.3 use mainly in backyard and some backpacking and all car camping it's 72" wide and 11' long. Total weight for set up is 58 ounces.
HAMMECK envy-s. Double layer of 40d. Acu camo it's 64" wide and 11' long. It has a peekaboo cover and I am also getting a separate bugnet for it. Used for backpacking mostly some backyard, at about 40 ounces it's durable well made has what I want for backpacking, I also have two net less hammocks
a single layer 2.3 from simply light design, and a double layer 1.9&1.6 hyper d from hK2001 from here on forums. I use these in between or in winter .
as far as tarps the wb super fly is hard to beat price wise but any of the vendors here are great if all your needing is basic coverage then check out wilderness logics tadpole or ahe toxaway tarp.
I would suggest to check out Hammeck and their hammock line up and simply light designs too. Price wise easier and craftsmanship is top notch.
one final thought I always have a bugnet from may to october, wether it's attached or added on. That for sake of peace of mind and slumber. Any questions shoot me a pm.
Brandon at Warbonnet can make the XLC in either left or right side sleeper. Just ask when ordering.
Can't speak to the Nube or Kammock. Having been using an XLC DL for quite some time, very happy, solid product. My 'specs', 5'11"/350lb. By the time my gear and dog(s) were loaded in the hammock, load was about 400lbs. Only ever used stock straps, triangles and Dutch clips with this setup. No complaints after several hundred nights of use.
Have 1/8 amsteel whoopies and some 7/64ths as well. All work well, no slippage issues. I like them for my lighter weight, day hike setups.
I happen to prefer triangles to cinch buckles and the cinch buckles can twist. A little extra attention, some strap stays and you're good to go with cinch buckles. Liking the looks of the new Dutch options but haven't laid hands on yet.
If you are broad shouldered, wider fabric might be something to consider. Dream Hammocks offers plenty of options along these lines.
My preference is for an integrated bug net, removable is a nice option, though honestly, when using it, I rarely remove it entirely. I do like the tie outs in the WBBB/XLC to keep the bug net off your face.
Another setup which I am really enjoying at the moment is a DIY 11.5' - 12' single layer hammock out of HyperD 1.6 or a Double Layer using Argon 1.6 and some 1.1. The extra length isn't that much extra weight and allows for some serious lounging options, no calf ridge, no ridgeline hitting you in the back of the head when using it like a chair.
A removable bugnet works, have several, but I find that the netting often hits me in the head when I'm lounging on a serious diagonal. That give the bugs a chance to bite me on the old noggin.
You have nothing but options and if you have a chance to make a group hang, you can try many of them on for size. Best of luck on your search.
scoffman
04-07-2015, 11:45
I'm a big guy too 6'4" 375 lbs. I made myself some whoopie slings out of 1/8 amsteel. Being a bigger guy I increased the size of the rope for the popular 7/64 to 1/8, and also made the constrictor 12+ inches long instead of the favored 10 inches. The information I found stated 1/8 amsteel average strength was 2500 lbs and it's minimum strength was 2300 lbs. Compared to the 7/64 ratings of 1600 and 1400 I felt the increase weight was worth it. Currently I'm using a Yukon Outfitters Double hammock because of the length. It holds me up just fine with very little stretch.
However I'm working towards a double layer bridge hammock cause the diagonal lay is just not working for me they way I would like. It could be because the hammock is single layer, and the length is less than 11 foot. I really like the look of a bridge and how flat and straight you can lay in it.
Check out this thread it might be what you're looking for https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/99086-Mackinac-Bridge-Hammocks
Pheonix6579
04-10-2015, 10:55
Well I took everyone's advice and weighed out a few options...Ended up ordering the Blackbird XLC w/ Superfly to get the whole shelter. I debated on the edge tarp and the MJ, but 20 extra for doors now vs 75 later kinda sealed the deal. Originally I was leaning towards the SMR but WB has a lifetime warranty vs. a 2 year, plus the cost was cheaper of the WB setup.
I'm a big guy too 6'4" 375 lbs. I made myself some whoopie slings out of 1/8 amsteel. Being a bigger guy I increased the size of the rope for the popular 7/64 to 1/8, and also made the constrictor 12+ inches long instead of the favored 10 inches. The information I found stated 1/8 amsteel average strength was 2500 lbs and it's minimum strength was 2300 lbs. Compared to the 7/64 ratings of 1600 and 1400 I felt the increase weight was worth it. Currently I'm using a Yukon Outfitters Double hammock because of the length. It holds me up just fine with very little stretch.
However I'm working towards a double layer bridge hammock cause the diagonal lay is just not working for me they way I would like. It could be because the hammock is single layer, and the length is less than 11 foot. I really like the look of a bridge and how flat and straight you can lay in it.
Check out this thread it might be what you're looking for https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/99086-Mackinac-Bridge-Hammocks
I am also a very big guy and the ridgerunner bridge will not work for us big guys, not strong or wide enough, i ended up building my own bridge awhile back, double layer 70 d ,1.9 ripstop and it holds me ok..
I have not found any vendors that make a bridge for big guys.
A custom made Dream hammock made from 1.6 Hyper D dl or an XLC dl will work for you just fine unless you have the skills to diy yourself a bridge.
Briguy114
04-10-2015, 12:43
There is a forum member who was making bridge hammocks for bigger guys. I don't think he's been doing it due to some personal situation but it may be something to look into if he decides to start making them again
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php/99086-Mackinac-Bridge-Hammocks?highlight=mackinac+bridge
Option #1 would be my choice.
swoodrow
04-10-2015, 14:04
Check out dreamhammock.com good cottage vendor plenty of custom options and very affordable.