How many happy DD hangers are there? Good - Bad - Others for a new buy?

[bristolview]

Hi guys. I've been wanting a Clark for a bit, but I just can't justify the cost, especially when I want to convert my family to tree dwellers. The cost of one Clark is high, but 4... wow.

So, I've been looking for comfortable alternatives. The DD Frontline looks like a pretty decent hammock for the price. What do you guys think? I'm the tallest in the family, at only 5'9". I've heard that the DD's are short, but so are we. I also like the double bottom, so slip a pad into (mostly for warmth, not for padding). In our area, bugs are ever present except in winter, so netting is a must. So, what do you guys think of the DD's? Well made? Durable? Comfortable? etc. Please share your thoughts to a prospective new buyer. THANKS ALL.

[Cannibal]

I have the DD Frontline. I like it, for a cinched-end hammock. It is easily my favorite DD hammock, but they all seem to be very well built. My Frontline doesn't get a ton of use, but between myself and nights lent to others, it's probably got about 40-50 nights on it. It has held up just fine.

Hopefully some of the more dedicated DD users will chime in. Seems to be a growing group. :cool:

[Dangerous Dan]

Another happy Frontline user here, in fact it's my preferred hammock. I', 5'10 and it fits me perfectly. As for build quality, can't fault it and the bugnet does a great job too.

Every now an then I think I ought to make my own hammock but deep down I know I'll never make one that I would choose over the DD.

Hope this helps.

[OldnSlow]

I am over 6 feet tall, and over 250 pounds, and I slept just fine in a DD hammock. I was not the Frontline, but the traveller (one of the seconds purchased in a group buy) I found it incredibly comfortable, and the reason I continue to use a ccf mat between the two bottom layers.

[Rikall]

I own a DD traveller and I have spent many comfortable nights in. They are very well built and robust. The only issue I have with them is the stock suspension.

[resnikov]

6' here and I have a DD Frontline, love it. Sleep well in it every time. I have found it to be very well made. DD have great customer service on the off chance you get a dud one, very rare it happens but it can with any and all products from everyone.

I bought my wife a DD Frontline aswell for her birthday I was that imprssed with them.

[Festus Hagen]

I got my DD Traveler and DD Tarp in March of '09. I like them both very well, have used them on buggy summer hangs and down to the -30'sF in winter.

I soldiered on with the stock webbing-stuff for about a year, then used Slap-Straps for a little while, and finally upgraded to AHE Whoopie Slings and straps.

Here's a few thoughts on the DD, based on my slightly older generation example.

The hammock is quite sturdy. On the other hand it is not light. "Cheap, light, good... pick any two" I would say the DD is reasonably priced and good quality but not light. This applies specifically to my double-layer Traveler hammock, I can't speak for all others.

I have slept in the hammock pitched "taut" and also with sag, I get along with it either way. I'm 6'-3" and do fine, but someone used to a giant hammock might like it less, I don't know.

[welshchris]

I'm 6'2" and have a DD Frontline and find it really comfy and plenty big enough. Used the recommended way tying a bow round the tree I found the supplied webbing fine and it didn't stretch too badly. Doing the karabiner mod and running a single line to the tree I found it really stretchy and didn't really trust it so I swapped it to climbing tape. I've since bought 3 more for the rest of the family which says what I think of it.

[Indy]

My wife and I like ares very nice well built and sturdy.

[neo]

:)dd hammocks are a very good value.i have an earlier travel hammock.i also have a frontline hammock.2 dd tarps the rgular color,i also recieved a dd MC (multicam)tarp:cool:neo

[wabi]

I own several hammocks, but the DD Frontline is the one I take for all my overnight camping trips.

[bristolview]

Thanks everybody, sounds like a decent option. I haven't ever slept in one, but I have seen one on a table at a gun show. I have to agree, the quality seemed top notch. Since you all seem pretty happy with them...

...next question is the logical follow on. Which one? I'm in the North East USA, our falls and winters are great, but out summers are way too humid. I'm leaning toward the DD with the breathable base to help with that issue a bit. What do you guys think? In our area, there are trees a plenty - so the only time I wouldn't be able to go airborne would be if a ranger or someone said I couldn't use the trees. (I don't tent to hike on trails, or camp in designated camp areas - so I rarely see a ranger. I find making my own path is more interesting than hiking the premade trails. Of course, where the trails cross private property - I honor them since the land owner is granting passage. Can't abuse that niceness from the landowners. In state land though... I'm on my own). Thoughts on which is the best DD?

[resnikov]

...next question is the logical follow on. Which one? I'm in the North East USA, our falls and winters are great, but out summers are way too humid. Thoughts on which is the best DD?

If your worried about humidity I would steer clear of the DD Travel Hammock. Some people report it can get a bit humid in one of them in a British Spring. Its because the base of them is not breathable so it can be used as a bivi on the ground.

I would recommend a DD Frontline. It has the built in fly net and does not suffer from the humidity issues of the Travel. I have the Frontline myself and love it.

[wabi]

I selected the "Frontline" because it IS breathable. I can always use my tarp as a groundcloth if I have to go to the ground (but I don't plan on ever testing that option).

[Stavros]

I have 2 Frontline and 1 Travel. I use the Travel when I hike in high altitudes where it is a risk that there ain´t no trees available. The it´s nice with a waterproof hammock. The Frontline is for use in forest because it´s breathable and no risk for condensation.

I have noticed that DD hammocks are great for backsleepers but not as great for sidesleepers. Because it´s pretty narrow it is difficult to avoid shoulder squeeze when laying on the side. DD Hammocks are supposed to hung pretty tight and that means problems when you lay on your side. I´ve tried setting it up very loose but I haven´t got it really perfect. It works but I´m not very satisfied.

Instead I´ve bought a Warbonnet Blackbird and that one works better when I´m laying on the side.

So:
If you mostly lay on your back while sleeping DD Hammocks will work fine for you.
If you mostly lay on your side something else, like the WBBB or similar would probably work better.

But that´s only my opinion, I could be totally wrong:)

[Andy2112]

I've got the travel model, love it, not had any experience with condensation problems either.

[kåtanfrans]

I bought a dd travel hammock and slept one night in it. Not bad .
But my son took over,so i bought a new one. That one was taken by my daugther
now I sleep for the first time in 15 years alone again with my wife in our tent

[zyhano]

I bought a dd travel hammock and slept one night in it. Not bad .
But my son took over,so i bought a new one. That one was taken by my daugther
now I sleep for the first time in 15 years alone again with my wife in our tent
Hey Frans, welcome fellow dutchman!

I'm happy with the frontline, it's a good quality, low cost hammock.
The standard suspension is only good for tossing it into the fire, they stretch a lot.
After getting other suspensions I'm very happy with my dd.

I modded the bugnet (made a hole through the bugnet suspension, it won't tear there) so I can get a ridgeline in/under the bugnet and raise the bugnet without other means.

It's a strong and comfortable hammock. I'm 6'-8" and 100 kg and do fine with the dd frontline

[alienjeff650]

I love the DD frontline its pure heaven in the Australian summer & the travel hammock is just awesome in winter. I use 24mm seatbelt webbing with smc descender rings on each end all to easy. And the tarps are great too the 3x3 is nice and well made, the XL 4.5m x 3m can be enclosed to make a hang more weather proof too. Cheers.

[BackPackHiker]

I know there are some followers to the DD hammock, I am not one of them, not because it sucks but because I have better options. Check out my youtube review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9aQpv8AmvY
You will see it in full action as a bivy and hammock

[BackPackHiker]

I have 2 Frontline and 1 Travel. I use the Travel when I hike in high altitudes where it is a risk that there ain´t no trees available. The it´s nice with a waterproof hammock. The Frontline is for use in forest because it´s breathable and no risk for condensation.

I have noticed that DD hammocks are great for backsleepers but not as great for sidesleepers. Because it´s pretty narrow it is difficult to avoid shoulder squeeze when laying on the side. DD Hammocks are supposed to hung pretty tight and that means problems when you lay on your side. I´ve tried setting it up very loose but I haven´t got it really perfect. It works but I´m not very satisfied.

Instead I´ve bought a Warbonnet Blackbird and that one works better when I´m laying on the side.

So:
If you mostly lay on your back while sleeping DD Hammocks will work fine for you.
If you mostly lay on your side something else, like the WBBB or similar would probably work better.

But that´s only my opinion, I could be totally wrong:)

I 150% agree with this comment and I think it explains the hammock well

[usok]

I have a DD Frontline and very happy with it. I also keep the frontline in their hammock sleeve and it works well. They are great to deal with, when I placed my order on their website it only took 2 days from the UK to US and shipping was free.

[BackPackHiker]

So I have based my opinion on the 2011 model of the DD Travel hammock and have heard that there is a newer version that came out in 2012 that is supposed to be much better with multiple improvments. So I withdraw my previous comment because it is based on an outdated model. So if you are looking for one before 2012 it is not the best but I hear past 2012 models are great.

[Tobit]

I still have a 2008 model DD Traveler in the closet. It was one of my first hammocks and the most comfortable I had tried at the time. However, I was never really too fond of the bug net design as I had to fabricate some wooden spreaders, or find sticks on the trail, to make it work properly and I was too lazy to modify it to add a ridgeline.

After sleeping in the DD for a while, I upgraded to a WBBB but stopped hanging in 2011 due to health problems and sold everything. I have returned and now have a BIAS WW on the way to try out but, if that doesn't end up working for me, I may dig the DD out of the closet and start experimenting with it again.

[spyro]

I just got a DD Travel hammock 2012 model and a 3x3 tarp, only put it up today , it felt quite comfy , i cant compare it with anything because its my first hammock but as i use it more often ill keep you informed ie condensation. I cant comment on the tarp because i havent used it yet. The hammock seems quite well made it did have a couple of loose threads but not enough to complain about , i just cut them back, the zips all work fine , the bug net mesh is also fine to see through. The small rods which hold the bug net up work very well they are much better than sticks(as seen on YT vids) and cant move about. I placed my gelert xtreme mat inbetween the bottom layers and it didnt seem to slide about ( its quite narrow). Its supplied with shock cord which needs to be cut to length. Its early days yet but atm im very happy with it, very fast shipping btw...

[savagesicslayer]

My 2012 Travel hammock and I have spent many, many nights down by the river near my house. 12 nights including 2 thunderstorms and a massive rainfall that flooded the river. I slept like a old world king under my DD XL Basha.I set it 3/4 to one side so I have a large "living area" as well as a superb bed with a great view.I'll post pics when I get home.

[BillyBob58]

I'm just starting to read up on this hammock, interesting! I did not really see even one negative overall opinion, and I saw zero calf pressure issues.

I did see a couple of "not great for side sleeping" comments, but maybe not applicable to the newest models?

It looks much like a Claytor. My Claytor No Net is one of my very best hammocks for side sleeping.