View Full Version : Simply Light Designs Trail Lair
Coldautumndays
10-06-2017, 23:42
This is my Simply Light Designs Trail Lair. I ordered the hammock on a Tuesday. It shipped Wednesday and arrived Friday!
This is a double layer Hexon 1.6 hammock. I probably didn't need the double layer but this has the opening for a sleeping pad and it'll be nice to have the option to use either a sleeping pad or under quilt. I got the double zipper option so the bugnet is retractable. It stows away in a mesh pouch in the upper corner of the hammock. It came with an organizer attached to the structural ridgeline. It's a symmetrical hammock so you can lay at either end. At 11 feet long it's plenty big enough to lay at an angle so that you're almost completely flat. It also has side pullouts so as to keep the bugnet pulled away from your head and feet. It is very spacious inside the hammock too. Paired with my Warbonnet Mamajamba tarp I think this will be a wonderful backpacking kit.
The craftsmanship is really good and it appears very well made and the stitching is beautiful. I ordered the hammock with continuous loops and used my Dyneema tree straps and cinch buckles from Dutchware. I also have whoopieslings to use with it but the weight savings between my cinch buckle setup and the whoopies is negligible. I have a camping trip coming up next weekend and I'll be able to really put it through its paces and I can't wait!
~Anne
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TrailSlug
10-06-2017, 23:45
Congrats and Jimmy Johns fast as usual. Jarred is a great guy to work with.
mirrorslap
10-07-2017, 01:09
I am so jealous right now - my TL does not have the SLD logo on the bug net! Nice touch, very nice touch to a very nice hammock! Enjoy - I just ordered my 2nd hammock and first tarp from Jared. Quality stuff!
EDIT: I just found the little logo! It is a small "label/tag" at the end of the hammock and not on the actual bug net. It was hard to see when the hammock was not hung.
Don't know how I missed it but I do like it! Thanks for posting the pictures!
Cory Hess
10-07-2017, 01:37
Very nice looking hammock. I have an SLD hammock that I use all the time. Jared really makes a great product, and is awesome to work with.
michigandave
10-07-2017, 07:18
Nice looking hammock. Jared made mine out of hexon 1.0 and I'm on my 2nd season with it. You'll be a happy hanger for sure!
SLD is great to deal with. I have a trail lair a SLD tarp and some odds and ends for DIY. Every order has been super fast and the products wonderful.
I've accumulated 4-5 Hammocks now and the Trail Lair is the most comfortable I own.
You'll love your new lair!
IRONFISH45
10-08-2017, 06:04
Simply Light Designs makes wonderful, functional gear.
SLD has the only gathered end hammock I am able to exit from, with some degree of dignity. I believe it has to do with how he whips his hammock ends.
Coldautumndays
10-08-2017, 18:24
Thank you all for the feedback. It really does seem like a very nice hammock. I'm coming from using a Hammock Bliss single (which is a very nice basic hammock) but this is much better and roomier. I head out for a 4 day weekend camping trip on Friday and I'm excited to have my first overnight in this with the SLD.
You'll love it! Truly one of the best available hammocks! Jared is a master craftsman!
Thanks for the review-I’ve had my eye on the 10’ SL version in 1,6 for a while. Been really happy with my SLD purchases. Which weight netting did you go for?
Sam
Coldautumndays
10-09-2017, 13:02
I got the .9 oz netting. Next time around I will go with the nano netting. I'm likely going to be ordering a single layer hammock from SLD soon for a light weight option.
Absolutely love my trail lair. Thursday will be my first long campout without it.
I got the .9 oz netting. Next time around I will go with the nano netting. I'm likely going to be ordering a single layer hammock from SLD soon for a light weight option.
Good deal. Leaning towards .7 net and #3 zips. I’m thinking the net will be put away often enough that ultimate durabilty shouldn’t be a constant worry, and the weight saving is always nice. Trying to restrain myself until after SLD vacation, and the bugs around here are gone for now anyway. Nevertheless, it’s fun anticipating a package from SLD on the way.
Sam
. Nevertheless, it’s fun anticipating a package from SLD on the way.
Sam
honest question!
does it even take long enough from order to arrival to build anticipation? ;)
honest question!
does it even take long enough from order to arrival to build anticipation? ;)
You got to purchase Friday afternoon before a long weekend during hurricane season. Then, kinda.
Very cool. I am currently rocking a DL 1.6 HyperD XL (Dutch was still sold out of wide Hexxon at the time). From the time I placed the order until it was shipped (including time for Jared to order and receive the fabric from RSBTR) was less than a week. It is currently my favorite hammock.
Coldautumndays
10-16-2017, 00:21
Here are a few pics from this weekends trip. This is with my Warbonnet Mamajamba tarp.
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I made what I call TarpSlings. These are whoopieslings made from Reflective Dyneema that are used as tarp tieouts. They work really well!
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And some of the scenary.
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And my nifty new Evernew Titanium Alcohol Stove. :)
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Good photos. Really like the looks of the Trail Lair in that nice bit of woods. The Evernew is really cool as well. I have one of those, and discovered in my video watching that it can be used at a bit lower output without the postand which makes it exceptionally versatile.
Anyway, thanks for the Trail Lair setup photos. If netting helps warm inside the hammock as I’ve read, there’s a good reason to order one regardless of whether it’s insect season.
Sam
Ordered a new Trail Lair yesterday evening as a backup/hammock for the wife. Shipped this morning. Body is Dark Olive Hexon 1.6. In place of the netting, I had him use the 1.1 Digital Marpat.
Arrived today!
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Coldautumndays
10-20-2017, 19:38
Very nice!
kitsapcowboy
10-20-2017, 20:32
The Trail Lair is STILL one of the greatest camping hammock designs of all time. :thumbup1:
hewittdallas
11-03-2017, 19:18
Like many others here I went through a phase of picking up and trying many, many hammocks. In the end, the Trail Lair won my heart and has firmly established itself as my primary backpacking hammock. Great design, incredible craftsmanship, unparalled customer service from Jared—it really is one of the best hammocks out there.