If you own a Clark North American I'd like your opinion on the hammock.
Thanks,
d
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If you own a Clark North American I'd like your opinion on the hammock.
Thanks,
d
I have an NX-250 which is bigger, but I love it more than any other hammock I have ever slept in. However it's a little heavier in conjunction with the quilts I need to keep me warm. So I'm selling it.
I have a North American and it is the most comfortable hammock I have ever slept in, I don't use the pockets for warmth, as I already have a JRB underquilt. I use the pockets to store stuff when I am hanging. AS for quality of material, Zippers and stitching, it is first rate. I haven't liked any of the tarps which come with the hammocks I buy, so I use a MacCat. For bad weather, the NA zips up and this adds about 10 degrees of warmth.
The CONS are it weighs more than my other hammocks, for long distance I wouldn't take this one. I am 5'4" and need to keep my pack as light as possible. I use it for weekends and short winter trips. Some people have mentioned the shoulder squeeze, I have never noticed it. I traded out the rope suspension for Brandon's stock WBBB suspension, I like easy in putting up a hammock.
And, GASP, it is much more comfy (for ME) than my WBBB :scared:
I have the NX-200 which is the bigger version of the NA. This is the first hammock that I ever owned, my DIY GE hammock is my go to hammock, and still like it. The only issue that I have found with the hammock is the weight It is a bombproof hammock and will last many many years...........I see that you have a HH, are you thinking of upgrading or getting a new hammock?
I have an older HH Expedition 2.5 and thought it may be time to upgrade. I think it will be easier to use as the bottom entry at times can be troublesome to use especially if a sleeping pad is used. Hammocks have been improving for sometime now and I think it may be time for me to upgrade.
d
As a second option, because the hammock is still in great condition, I've contacted HH about sealing the Velcro bottom entry and adding a side zipper for entry.
d
2QZQ specialize in adding several zipper options to HH can also seal that bottom entry if you want.Quote:
Originally Posted by db144
Dudorin:
Thanks for that information. I'll check it out.
d
I have owned the North American for about 4 years. This is my go to hammock in the winter. The extra weight of the NA in the winter doesn't matter as I would be adding some sort of storm shield to a different hammock that time of year any way.
The storm shield is the only reason that I have not sold the NX........it is such a great way to keep extra heat in the hammock.
I have the Clark Ultra Light ... as for the Clark quality I can attest that it is indeed bombproof ... I use a DIY tarp ... PluQ with a layer of Insul-Fleece ... with a DIY pad .. if you want a hammock that you can depend on ... A Clark is one of them ...
** note.. one of the design elements I like about the Clark is the way the material comes up to the bug-net ... I DWR'ed these panels ... it allows me to be able to keep my tarp open a bit more during heavy rains giving me lots of ventilation and the rain off me
I had a Clark Tropical, loved it but found that I wasn't using it at all after I bought my BlackBird. Another female leader in my scout troop kept borrowing it and I finally sold it to her. She loves it. I found the Tropical to be just about perfect for the hot humid conditions that I normally camp in, in my area. My friend, another female scout leader, has the Clark NA. She made the mistake of allowing her husband to use it and he now wont return it back to her. She's had to go back to using her Hennessy hammock.
If I had to say anything negative about either the Tropical or the NA it would be about the XL Clark tarp. I didn't find anything "XL" about it!!! It did keep me very dry in extream downpours but at the price of having to be closed up like a taco.
TinaLouise
I was disappointed in an XL tarp because, as recounted in another thread on the size of Clark tarps, the design of the XL you and I had is different from and smaller than the current XL. I'm sure the previous design, expensive as it must have been to sew, was expected to be used in ways Clark owners will not discuss here today.Quote:
Originally Posted by TinaLouise
The current XL fly / tarp is 8' x 10.5'.
Every Clark tarp I have covers the hammock better than any HH tarp I have.
I agree that only in the context of first parameters of the tarp being acreage is the old XL fly meager.Quote:
Originally Posted by Riverpirate
I've accepted the uniqueness of the bird, usually setting it up instead of an available and much larger Vertex fly over NX-250 for which it would the X would seem too small. Most frequently for me, on a bed for the night, an apron to the sides of the foot-end of the hammock is of no use. So, I Velcro the short sides together and have maximum protection from falling or blowing rain. The fly slopes down toward the foot end, where I'd rather rain wind up. If I weren't alone or stealth, someone would ask me what the beak or tail is about. I suppose, to achieve tighter ridgeline when the corners at that are tied out, but don't really know.
i have had the clark na for about 5.5 years slept in it about 200 times.it is holding up excellent,zippers still good,bugnet unholed,seams still tight.very well biult.i do allot of winter camping and this is my go to hammock for that.i use no underquilts just stuff the pockets full of extra cloths,coat,bags of leaves,cattail fluff,ext.kept me warm to -18 degf so far...
xl tarp was to small to do more then cover the hammock.
love my clark
bill