View Full Version : Questions for Clark Owners
third_string_waterboy
08-02-2010, 23:06
So I am seriously looking into buying a Clark as my first hammock. I figure if I am going to start hanging I might as well go all out and hopefully get it right. So that said, I have a few questions to the different owners of Clark products. My goal here is not to make this into a "Which hammock should I chose?" but rather ask specific questions that will help me make my decision. Please bare with my inquisitive nature :eek:. If you want to know, I am pulling the trigger on this purchase sometime within the next one to two weeks.
As a reference, I am 6'0" 220 lbs with wide shoulders. I sleep about 70% on my sides, 30% on my back and toss a turn a bit. I backpack now but I am not an ultra-light backpacker. This set up will replace my tent, poles and ground pad providing me more room in my pack.
Tropical Owners:
Have you been able to find an UQ that requires no modification to the hammock for low temperature outings? If so, which ones? Atm, I am not qualified for any modifications to any hammock. :lol:
At about what temperature do you find that you need to use an UQ/TQ etc? Are there any drawbacks to using an UQ from a different manufacturer (ie fit, efficiency, etc)?
North American Owners:
At what temperature do the pockets and the hood provide too much insulation and not enough air flow? I live in a humid area and I am concerned that the NA would not allow for enough air flow to keep me cool or that the pockets would retain too much heat.
At what temperatures do you find that you need to use an UQ/TQ etc? Do you use the Z-Liner? What are you likes/dislikes about the Z-Liner?
NX/TX-200 Owners:
Have you had a Clark "standard hammock" and what differences have you noticed by sleeping in the larger hammock? How close to my height/weight are you? I ask this because I feel I am borderline in need of the larger sizes.
NX-150 Owners
Have you slept in a Clark "standard hammock" and what are the differences you have noticed when sleeping in the NX-150? How close to my height/weight are you? I ask this because I was wanting to know if the poles make the difference and I do not need the larger size.
How is the airflow inside the NX-150? Any problems keeping cool in warmer, more humid temperatures?
NX-250 Owners
Have you slept in a Clark "standard hammock" and what are the differences you have noticed when sleeping in the NX-250? How close to my height/weight are you? Again, more information to help me decide should I chose to buy the NX-150/250.
How is the airflow inside the NX-250? Any problems keeping cool in warmer, more humid temperatures?
Tarp Selection
I have read a lot of post from owners that say the standard tarp is not the optimal selection and that the XL should be considered the minimum. Do you agree with this? Do you think that the Vertex is more optimal than the XL? What size tarp and what model Clark do you own (if not included in your profile)?
What are the benefits from having an attached tarp versus a detached or vise versa?
If you have any additional information that you think is beneficial, please chime in. Thanks in advance for all your help and taking the time to answer my questions.
-George
So I am seriously looking into buying a Clark as my first hammock.
Good choice.
I figure if I am going to start hanging I might as well go all out and hopefully get it right.
My thoughts as well.
NX-150 Owners
Have you slept in a Clark "standard hammock" and what are the differences you have noticed when sleeping in the NX-150? How close to my height/weight are you? I ask this because I was wanting to know if the poles make the difference and I do not need the larger size.
No only the NX150
The poles do make a dif... lots of room
I fit in the 150 . at 190lb, 5'9"
What are the benefits from having an attached tarp versus a detached or vise versa?
I like to hang things in an order dictated by weather.
Also get the Vertex Rain Fly it is the biggest and the bestest. :D
If you have any additional information that you think is beneficial, please chime in. Thanks in advance for all your help and taking the time to answer my questions.
I like the all in one system . . .
. . . and posts with photos. :D
third_string_waterboy
08-03-2010, 01:24
Bradley,
Thanks for the information you provided. I had one more question that I added to the original post so I thought I would ask you directly. How is airflow inside the NX-150?
Thanks,
George
Hi George
If there is any breeze at all, I have felt it.
The no-see-um netting will likely slow air some-what as any screen will,
but my internal scientific measuring ability can't detect the amount. :D
On hot humid days, I have had the sweaty back thing, in an empty 150,
but I guess that is normal, and there may be a solution to that ????
Maybe that is why the tropical model has less pockets underneath.
Maybe a manufacturing option is to delete some pockets under a NX.
But then the Z-Liner wouldn't work for colder weather.
I would ask Clark about that.
There are others here that have more time in a Clark, and may chime in.
I'm a fair-new to it, all-be-it, Lovin' every chance to sleep in my CJH
TinaLouise
08-03-2010, 07:36
As a reference, I am 6'0" 220 lbs with wide shoulders. I sleep about 70% on my sides, 30% on my back and toss a turn a bit.
Tropical Owners:
Have you been able to find an UQ that requires no modification to the hammock for low temperature outings? If so, which ones? Atm, I am not qualified for any modifications to any hammock. :lol:
At about what temperature do you find that you need to use an UQ/TQ etc? Are there any drawbacks to using an UQ from a different manufacturer (ie fit, efficiency, etc)?
North American Owners:
At what temperature do the pockets and the hood provide too much insulation and not enough air flow? I live in a humid area and I am concerned that the NA would not allow for enough air flow to keep me cool or that the pockets would retain too much heat.
How close to my height/weight are you? I ask this because I feel I am borderline in need of the larger sizes.
Tarp Selection
I have read a lot of post from owners that say the standard tarp is not the optimal selection and that the XL should be considered the minimum. Do you agree with this?
What are the benefits from having an attached tarp versus a detached or vise versa?
-George
My quilts are all hand made by me. If I could have afforded to buy something I would have because making them is a LOT of work. Listen to whatever advice you get from people that have bought quilts and how they like them. You will still have to test whatever you buy so that you know how to hang it on your hammock correctly. Even a properly fitted quilt can be hung on the hammock wrong and you can spend a cold night in it.
Above 75 degrees, all I need is a silk top sheet. I need an UQ at about 75 degrees and cooler. Also please note that I will hang the UQ loose at those temps. It's really just sort of a wind block at that stage. At about 65-70 degrees, I'll have the UQ snugged up tighter to the bottom. On top I'm using a silk sheet. Temps going to 50 and higher, same summer rated UQ, I'm wearing a bit more clothes to sleep in and I'm using a summer rated TQ. Temps going below 50, I need to either use my summer UQ with another blanket wrapped under it or I'll start using my winter UQ but hung a bit loose. On top I'm using my summer TQ unless the temps are going to freezing. Then I've switched to my winter TQ. After that, winter TQ and winter UQ with more clothes on and my silk sheet. This is my sleep system and it's taken me more than a year to figure it out by testing in my back yard.
Friend of mine has the NA. A lot of our trips are boy scout related and we'll be hanging. The NA has required less insulation than what I need but during the hot/humid summer, both of us use a small fan inside the hammock. For me, since I've tried the NA during the summer, I could tell a huge difference between how much cooler my hammock is than it. I also like being able to have the nylon hood at the head end opened up and able to see out.
I'm 5' tall (or is that short??) and I've got lots of room inside my hammock. Get the larger hammock so that you to will have lots of room inside!!! When you're boarder line on the length, go with the longer one.
Yes, get the XL tarp. It's not much larger than the reg size but it does the job. As far as it being "attached" to my hammock... well mine came that way but I soon disconnected it and now I carry my tarp in an outside pocket of my backpack. What I had to do was learn how to set up my hammock with it all just like it came from the seller. After I learned how to properly set it up and what all the ropes were doing, that's when I took it apart and figured out how to add whoopies to it. Now, if the weather is looking stormy, I'll set it up so that it "appears" to be connected (I still have one point on the head end that I can connect to if the weather is super awful). Only had to connect tarp to hammock a couple of times. When packing up, I perfer my tarp seperate because it's usually damp from heavy dew or it's rained. I do not want my wet tarp packed with my hammock. I found it fairly easy to figure out how to disconnect them from each other after I'd set the whole thing up and taken it down, a few times.
third_string_waterboy
08-03-2010, 09:17
The no-see-um netting will likely slow air some-what as any screen will,
but my internal scientific measuring ability can't detect the amount. :D
LOL. Yeah, my concern here was that the NX-150/250 series walls would be too deep to have any beneficial cooling from the netting. From your response I assume that this is not an issue. Thank you again for post.
I need an UQ at about 75 degrees and cooler. Also please note that I will hang the UQ loose at those temps. It's really just sort of a wind block at that stage. At about 65-70 degrees, I'll have the UQ snugged up tighter to the bottom. On top I'm using a silk sheet. Temps going to 50 and higher, same summer rated UQ, I'm wearing a bit more clothes to sleep in and I'm using a summer rated TQ. Temps going below 50, I need to either use my summer UQ with another blanket wrapped under it or I'll start using my winter UQ but hung a bit loose. On top I'm using my summer TQ unless the temps are going to freezing. Then I've switched to my winter TQ. After that, winter TQ and winter UQ with more clothes on and my silk sheet.
Tina- My research regarding the Tropical has led me to many of your posts and I think this one clarifies the temperature ranges best for the Tropical. My fear was that the Tropical could not handle the mid-range low temperatures as well as I would hope (without the addition of quilt). Here, in the Kansas City region, I experience approximately four to five months of 50-60 degree range lows and I was wondering how it would hold up. Thank you for your valuable input.
bigbamaguy
08-03-2010, 09:31
TSW:
I have the NX-200 and absolutely love it. I am 6'1" @ 300lbs and shaped like a fireplug, just to give you an idea!!!!!! I tried a NA bed, CJH let me try just a lower portion of the hammock as a trial, before I made the purchase of the NX-200. I found it to be long enough but it was just not wide enough to get comfortable. This is what led me to the purchase of the NX-200, that and the 250 series was not available at the time of my purchase. I find the larger stock tarp to be adequate in most situations but have since purchased a Winter Dream Tarp from Backwoods Daydreamer to give me a true all weather, all season rig. As UQ's go, I have two of the KAQ New River UQ's that are manufactured by Arrowhead Equipment. One is used as a UQ the other is used as a TQ and I have comfortably slept in temps down to the mid 20's with this set up. I would recommend the NX-200/250 for a person of your size and location as well as the KAQ UQ's for insulation. As far as tarps go I would get the largest stock tarp that is offered and then decide if a larger one is needed for your camping lifestyle.
I have the NA and it is hot. It is comfortable at 80 degree or less . If it's hotter than that you better have a fan. I don't use an underquilt and have been comfortable at 40 degree's with a Northface Cats Meow and a pad. If you don't have a mosquito problem just unzip it. This time of year , I don't use a sleeping bag or a pad and just sleep in my clothes. But you gotta have a fan to create some breeze.
i am 6 foot and 200 pounds and fit in my nx 150 with plenty of room. stock tarp seems to cover it fine also.
third_string_waterboy
08-03-2010, 16:19
TSW:
I would recommend the NX-200/250 for a person of your size and location as well as the KAQ UQ's for insulation. As far as tarps go I would get the largest stock tarp that is offered and then decide if a larger one is needed for your camping lifestyle.
Thanks Bama! I knew I would need to get quilts at some point and this will give me a starting point. I also appreciate the recommendation based on your experience with the standard sizes.
I have the NA and it is hot. It is comfortable at 80 degree or less .
My research thus far has said the same thing about the NA getting hot in some of the upper temp ranges. Truthfully though I am surprised that at 80* it is still comfortable. Good to know.
i am 6 foot and 200 pounds and fit in my nx 150 with plenty of room.
Thanks as you have been one of the closer people to my height/weight. Just curious, how flat do you lie in it?
TinaLouise
08-04-2010, 07:53
something you need to watch is temp ratings by all of us... Look at where we live and camp at. I may say it's not hot till you get over 95 degrees and someone else that lives further up north will say it's hot when it gets to 75 degrees. The same goes for the other direction, cold!! Someone up north will still think it's fairly warm temps when I'm thinking it's down right cold.
Someone saying the NA is comfortable at 80, you need to look at what kind of temps they are used to and compair it with what YOU will be camping in and are used to. I too would say the NA is comfortable at 80 but take someone from up north and ask them and you're liable to get a different answer.
I can sleep in my HH reasonably comfortably without under insulation in temps dipping down to the mid 60s. Reasonably.
But I am equipped with "extra insulation" and I can understand how a thinner person would sleep colder in the same environment. And you are right about a person's conditioning due to how far north or south they live. Last time I was in SC I was floored by the heat & humidity, but the locals thought it was fine weather.
Jim
Cocksy_86
08-04-2010, 17:25
The universal Molly Mac UQ (http://www.mollymacpack.com/new.html) is good with my Tropical Clark Hammock.
NX-250 Owners
Have you slept in a Clark "standard hammock" and what are the differences you have noticed when sleeping in the NX-250? How close to my height/weight are you? Again, more information to help me decide should I chose to buy the NX-150/250.
How is the airflow inside the NX-250? Any problems keeping cool in warmer, more humid temperatures?
I used to own a Clark North American, and sold it to "upgrade" to the NX-250. To me, the 250 is much roomier than the NA, and the weight difference and packed size is not much different. I'm 5' 11" and around 275-280.
The airflow is fine most of the time (with the Weathershield open), and so is keeping cool in warmer and more humid temps... but truthfully, much of this depends more on site selection and set-up, rather than hammock features. The noseeum netting lets in plenty of breezes, if they're available.
The #1 recommendation I will make, regardless of what Clark you end up with, is to order the hammock without a Clark tarp! The Clark tarps are garbage, IMO. The hammock can be ordered without a tarp, and you can purchase an "aftermarket" tarp from somewhere else. I prefer a 12X12 or a 10X10 pitched like an A-frame. The 10X10 barely covers the ends of the 250 set up A-frame style, but is more than adequate when pitched on a diagonal.
That's my $0.02...Hope it helps!
NX-250 Owners
Have you slept in a Clark "standard hammock" and what are the differences you have noticed when sleeping in the NX-250? How close to my height/weight are you? Again, more information to help me decide should I chose to buy the NX-150/250.
How is the airflow inside the NX-250? Any problems keeping cool in warmer, more humid temperatures?
I'm a little taller than you and slightly lighter at 6'1" 207. I have not slept in the standard Clark, but I did spend time in a Hennesey. I have to say, I like both hammocks. I'm finding the Clark, with mostly, all original rig, easier to set up. I just spent a week in the Clark at Scout camp. Temperatures went from 80 overnight to 50 overnight (gotta love New England) and I was comfy the entire time. The airflow was nice on hot nights but I had the tarp up fairly high too. I think that's one thing I like better and that I'll change if I use the Hennesey again, seperating the tarp makes a huge difference.
Tarp Selection
I have read a lot of post from owners that say the standard tarp is not the optimal selection and that the XL should be considered the minimum. Do you agree with this? Do you think that the Vertex is more optimal than the XL? What size tarp and what model Clark do you own (if not included in your profile)?
What are the benefits from having an attached tarp versus a detached or vise versa?
If you have any additional information that you think is beneficial, please chime in. Thanks in advance for all your help and taking the time to answer my questions.
-George
The 250 came with the largest tarp from Clark, so... that's the one I've used. It's good. As I said before, seperating it from the hammock is how I'm going to do stuff from now on.
I've only been using a hammock for a little over a year, so others are going to have more to say. I sleep almost exclusively on my side in the bed, but in both hammocks I find I'm comfortable enough on my back that I spend most of my time there. And, I don't wake up with a sore back, unlike bed or ground.
third_string_waterboy
08-13-2010, 22:40
First off, I wanted to say a sincere "Thank You!" to all of you that chimed in and gave very valuable feedback that aided in my decision. It made it much easier down the stretch.
Secondly, for all of you that want to know, as of about 3.2 minutes ago I pulled the trigger and ordered my first hammock from Clark. My decision:
Camo NX-200
Clark gave me some information that some of you may find valuable as they have changed the suspension on there standard models and the NX/TX-200 line. Below is a quote:
"... two major upgrades to the North American, NX-200, TX-200, Tropical, and UltraLight models. First, we upgraded the rain fly to be more protective and to have catenary curves to shed wind better. Second, we started using a new system for hanging the hammock that makes it much easier to deploy. The new hanging system allows you to tie only two ropes to hang the hammock (instead of four). The new system also allows you to tie the hammock with the perfect curve every time."
Hope that information helps someone and that I can start giving back to this forum like you all have given help to me. Again, A BIG THANK YOU!!
Lastly, as soon as I get my hammock and some time I will post pictures of the new suspension (as well as pictures of my hammock :D). Might be a little while as I have a trip planned at the end of the month.
Regards,
TSW
photomankc
08-23-2010, 10:21
I have an older Clark NA and I can say that for me I can get pretty warm in it past 75 with no breeze. With some clothes I can hang in the early fall / late spring without much other than a very light UQ and a top sheet or also some careful packing of the pockets before I had an UQ. My body is a royal pain. I have a very narrow comfort zone, can't sleep at all with a bead of sweat anywhere, but let my feet get just a tad cold and I'm cramping so I carry an UQ in almost all my camping trips and I never really camp in the heat of summer.
In the daytime the tarp will provide shade but heat seems to come right through and be held in by the tarp. Since I camp a lot without leaves on the trees it can be interesting to see how it goes from chilly to too hot to nap. That said, there is nothing better than to lay down and take an afternoon nap in the woods with a cool breeze and a sunny day. My tents were never comfortable to be in during the day where the Clark can be.
I have been using the JRB quilts and find that they are alright but probably not optimal. I have trouble getting them to really snug up to the body and that becomes a growing issue past 50 degrees as my arms can turn to ice from contact with the sides. I have successfully used the hammock in the mountains at 9,000 - 11,000ft in Colorado though with those quilts. It was an easy 35* up there at night even in June.
I'm 5'10" and 210-230# and I would have gotten the larger hammock were it available at the time. The NA for me can be quite comfortable but only when hung at exactly the right sag angle. Even then it's a touch small I think. My Daughter is begging to have a hammock on our camping trips and so I may well get a larger one and hand down the NA to her.
I keep my rain fly separate. The XL is the minimum I would take. It offers better end coverage and is less sensitive to perfect position when hanging. I would hand with it attached first and then look for ways to detach it so that it can be hung higher or lower as needed. I rigged it so I generally hang the tarp first, then attach the hammock by the netting and then set the main ropes so that the netting stays standing up just like it was hanging loose and find that is pretty close to ideal. I can then adjust things from there.
Good luck. If you are camping in any of my common haunts around Missouri this fall maybe we can meet up and I can take a look at the new stuff out there from Clark first-hand.