New Exped hammock at Outdoor Retailer Summer Show

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08-07-2011, 14:40
bigfoot2

New Exped hammock at Outdoor Retailer Summer Show

From the Trailspace web site:
Link with pics:
http://www.trailspace.com/blog/

Exped

Founded by Heidi and Andy Brun in 1983, Exped was originally a Swiss distributor of outdoor products. But when no one made the products they wanted, the Bruns started designing and making their own gear. To solve the issue of sleeping comfortably outdoors, Exped took an old concept and rearranged it.

The Exped Ergo Hammock Combi

Hammocks have been around for a long time, but sleeping in a bendable bed can leave you waking with a bad back. Exped looked at hammock design from a new angle, and made its Ergo Hammock Combi asymmetrical.

The Ergo Hammock Combi is a one-person hammock system that uses a unique support web that allows the occupant to sleep flat.

It has both a rain fly and mosquito netting, and there's a double pocket underneath the hammock's bottom to hold a sleeping pad for insulation or for extra storage.

Kaj Bune, Marketing and PR guy for Exped in North America, is also an avid coastal paddler. He sees a use for the Ergo Combi when exploring the rugged and often bushy coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest. Travelers to tropical areas, where sleeping on the ground is often an invitation to nasty creepy crawlies, also may appreciate this hammock.

At 60 ounces and a packed dimension of 18 by 6.7 inches, the Ergo won't take up much space in your pack. Last month it won a Gold Award at the OutDoor show in Germany.

Exped Ergo Hammock Combi

Weight: 60 oz
Packed Dimensions: 17 x 6.7 in
Available spring 2012

Seems kind of heavy, but it's nice to see the big boys entering the hammock field.

BF
08-07-2011, 14:54
thejennabird

Wow, 60oz?! Must be that "unique support web". Wonder what it's made of...
08-07-2011, 17:12
rb_daniel

I just scrolled down further on that and saw that ENO is coming out with their own version of an SPE, called the Hotspot. Cool.
08-07-2011, 17:50
stairguy

Bought my exped combi on Fourdog's endorsement. Aquired mine from The Mountain Factor out of England. For comfort it's my goto Hammock, taking into consideration that I also have 2/hennessy's, a warbonnet, and a Grand trunk nano 7. Love my Exped:boggle:
08-07-2011, 19:46
weaver2469

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb_daniel

I just scrolled down further on that and saw that ENO is coming out with their own version of an SPE, called the Hotspot. Cool.

I saw that too. I was wondering when someone would jump on the idea since Speer isn't making them anymore. I will be interested in the reviews. The picture looks pretty basic, but it seems to come with the foam wings included. Might be pretty popular.
08-07-2011, 20:38
stairguy

Took a second look and noticed it is an ergo combi. Thought it looked oddly different the first time from my exped combi. Very unique. Will personally look forward to my first sighting.
08-08-2011, 07:09
NCPatrick

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfoot2

From the Trailspace web site:
Link with pics:
http://www.trailspace.com/blog/

Exped

Founded by Heidi and Andy Brun in 1983, Exped was originally a Swiss distributor of outdoor products. But when no one made the products they wanted, the Bruns started designing and making their own gear. To solve the issue of sleeping comfortably outdoors, Exped took an old concept and rearranged it.

The Exped Ergo Hammock Combi

Hammocks have been around for a long time, but sleeping in a bendable bed can leave you waking with a bad back. Exped looked at hammock design from a new angle, and made its Ergo Hammock Combi asymmetrical.

The Ergo Hammock Combi is a one-person hammock system that uses a unique support web that allows the occupant to sleep flat.

It has both a rain fly and mosquito netting, and there's a double pocket underneath the hammock's bottom to hold a sleeping pad for insulation or for extra storage.

Kaj Bune, Marketing and PR guy for Exped in North America, is also an avid coastal paddler. He sees a use for the Ergo Combi when exploring the rugged and often bushy coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest. Travelers to tropical areas, where sleeping on the ground is often an invitation to nasty creepy crawlies, also may appreciate this hammock.

At 60 ounces and a packed dimension of 18 by 6.7 inches, the Ergo won't take up much space in your pack. Last month it won a Gold Award at the OutDoor show in Germany.

Exped Ergo Hammock Combi

Weight: 60 oz
Packed Dimensions: 17 x 6.7 in
Available spring 2012

Seems kind of heavy, but it's nice to see the big boys entering the hammock field.

BF

I have a friend attending the show, and he texted me this picture. I'm not sure if it's the hammock you're mentioning here, but it does look interesting! He says it's a "side hammock with built in slot for padding/underquilt". I'll have to chat with him once he returns and see if he can tell me more about it...
08-08-2011, 07:37
oldgringo

That almost looks like big shock cord on the suspension.
08-08-2011, 07:47
NCPatrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldgringo

That almost looks like big shock cord on the suspension.

Well that would get you seasick in a hurry... :p
08-08-2011, 08:45
Ramblinrev

They should hire WV as a consultant. He's been working on the same idea for a while.
08-08-2011, 09:54
warbonnetguy

i was there, laid in it, checked it out
08-08-2011, 10:07
beep

Well, it weighs almost 4 pounds! I'm guessing they aren't targeting the backpacking market. Makes me wonder who they ARE targeting as buyers! :confused:
08-08-2011, 10:30
WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep

Well, it weighs almost 4 pounds! I'm guessing they aren't targeting the backpacking market. Makes me wonder who they ARE targeting as buyers! :confused:

Some of my early insulated hammocks were heavier than that, and I happily lugged them around for quite a while. I don't think the backpacking market is the same as the ultralight bp market, or even the lightweight bp market, and it's a lot bigger. If their product is 3 lb.+ with tarp and insulation (not sure about that), then it's competitive with what most backpackers carry.
08-08-2011, 11:00
fourdog

Most of EXPED wts are the total package (hammock, suppension, tarp & ropes) .
They take pride in making there gear with lots of add on user freindly features.
There Hammock Combi Deluxe can also be used as a modifed bridge hammock.
I have a sample of the new hammock that will be here this week and will post pcs by pcs weights as well as photos of features, with luck by this weekend.

fourdog

www.fourdog.com
08-08-2011, 11:31
johnnyh88

Cool hammock - looks comfortable but seems like it would be difficult to get into.

What kind of tarp would work with this style hammock? I'd think the tarp length between trees could be reduced significantly (as could the distance between trees you hang the hammock on), but the width perpendicular to the trees would have to be increased. Wouldn't your head and feet be running into the tarp as its sides slope toward the ground? I guess you could use trekking poles or other trees to tie off to.
08-08-2011, 11:39
LilDutchBoy

i can't even tell how to lay in it.
08-08-2011, 12:42
Oxblood

I loved this bit of editorializing:

Quote:

Hammocks have been around for a long time, but sleeping in a bendable bed can leave you waking with a bad back. Exped looked at hammock design from a new angle, and made its Ergo Hammock Combi asymmetrical.

I guess the author of the blog post is not that familiar with the modern world of camping hammocks.
08-08-2011, 13:19
WV

To EECH his own...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxblood

I loved this bit of editorializing:

Quote:

Hammocks have been around for a long time, but sleeping in a bendable bed can leave you waking with a bad back. Exped looked at hammock design from a new angle, and made its Ergo Hammock Combi asymmetrical.

I guess the author of the blog post is not that familiar with the modern world of camping hammocks.

Possibly, but he may just be addressing readers who aren't.

HF members are still a small minority in the camping market. We are not the target market of the larger equipment vendors. I don't know who the author of that blog is, but if he's not an Exped spokesman, then he's adopting the language of one, except that he's stumbled onto the term "asymmetrical" somewhere (go figure) and has figured out that it's usually associated with comfortable hammocks. In fact, if the Exped Ergo Combi Hammock (hereinafter "EECH") really lets you lie at 90°, then it is symmetrical.

I'd like to see the forum's reaction to this new product focus on how it works and what it does well or badly, without getting too worked up about whether it borrows our language or infringes on our territory. :)
08-08-2011, 16:50
Craig2112

Quote:

Originally Posted by warbonnetguy

i was there, laid in it, checked it out

Impressions?
08-08-2011, 21:01
spidennis

Exped has a Hammock?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mpNi9BQbJ...%2BCombi_s.jpg

I'm not quite sure what to make of this .....

http://www.expedlife.com/2011/08/exp...or-spring.html
08-08-2011, 21:07
jtbradyl

price of combi

The Ergo Hammock is planned to be in full distribution by March 2012. If all goes well, it may start popping up before then, but that is yet to be seen...It looks like some of your closest retailers are URE Outfitters in Hope Valley, RI, New Headings LLC in Monroe, CT, and Ski Hut/Outdoor Stores Center in Wilton, CT. I realize these aren't right in your backyard, so you'll likely be able to find the hammock at some of our online retailers as well, including Amazon, Moosejaw, and Sunny Sports. It will retail for $340.

I hope that answers the question, but don't hesitate with any others.

Thank you!

Brendan Collins
Customer Service Specialist
Exped LLC (North America)
P: 866-326-4586 x. 14
F: 866-633-2406
08-08-2011, 21:42
weaver2469

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=37186
08-08-2011, 22:20
BER

It looks neat and I'd be interested in trying one. My only issue is the marketing. "The first hammock that allows horizontal sleeping!" Seriously, do these marketing people do any research?
08-08-2011, 22:21
jtbradyl

price

price of combi
The Ergo Hammock is planned to be in full distribution by March 2012. If all goes well, it may start popping up before then, but that is yet to be seen...It looks like some of your closest retailers are URE Outfitters in Hope Valley, RI, New Headings LLC in Monroe, CT, and Ski Hut/Outdoor Stores Center in Wilton, CT. I realize these aren't right in your backyard, so you'll likely be able to find the hammock at some of our online retailers as well, including Amazon, Moosejaw, and Sunny Sports. It will retail for $340.

I hope that answers the question, but don't hesitate with any others.

Thank you!

Brendan Collins
Customer Service Specialist
Exped LLC (North America)
P: 866-326-4586 x. 14
F: 866-633-2406
08-08-2011, 22:22
Mikums

They said they are the first to allow horizontal sleeping. LOLOLOLOL!
08-08-2011, 22:42
DemostiX

Fresh thinking and approaches welcome Doesn't make sense that a hammock be symmetrical end for end when the mass of head, and shoulders is so different from that of feet, calves and knees.

Unless what we're mostly here for is to protect our investments.
08-08-2011, 22:48
mbcruzin

$340 :scared: yeah that's a fair bit out of my target market. Still it would be interesting to try......... At least once.
08-08-2011, 23:21
Catavarie

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbcruzin

$340 :scared: yeah that's a fair bit out of my target market. Still it would be interesting to try......... At least once.

Agree $340 seems like an awful lot for just a hammock. Although if it comes with a decent tarp and bottom insulation well that's easily $300 to piece together for oneself. And if it really is as comfortable as they claim it may well be worth the price of admission. :cool:
08-09-2011, 05:08
Joey

That actually caught me in a bad mood. I sent a constructive email to their service dept. hopefully making them aware of this false statement and it's implications. I hate false advertising, and just can't shut up about it. As someone once said, I have the right to remain silent, but not the ability.

I does look like a nice hammock.
08-09-2011, 05:39
Catavarie

Hmm...I've never slept vertically. Not even in a hammock. :laugh:
08-09-2011, 05:54
thejennabird

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catavarie

Hmm...I've never slept vertically. Not even in a hammock. :laugh:

BAHAHA! :lol: I can just imagine that advertising scheme: "Introducing the new Verti-Hammock - the only hammock that allows vertical sleeping! Now YOU can sleep just as comfortably as your bear bag does!"
08-09-2011, 07:28
spidennis

there's also a lot of suspension lines to get tangled ..... and the pic doesn't do a lot for me. I do appreciate an Exped guy coming to the forum though. I've talked with them on a number of times sorting out this and that. They are a good bunch of guys, and they were right on top of this post, so they are out there looking, watching and getting feed back. Nice!
08-09-2011, 07:53
KerMegan

I think it means we've hit the big time!
it is nice of them to include all the components, hammock, tarp net (removable) so you can grab and go; 60 oz seems a reasonable weight for everything but your insulation.
KM(who thinks a more modular approach would allow for variable conditions, but that's just MHO)

PS can't wait to see how their patent application works out, what with all the R&D archived on this site..
08-09-2011, 10:18
Cannibal

Color me unimpressed and in no hurry to add it to my hammock trove.
08-09-2011, 10:24
NCPatrick

Once I win the lottery I'll buy one... and a Clark Vertex too.
08-09-2011, 10:31
angrysparrow

The pic above looks like the bugnet would be quite close to your face when it is occupied. Perhaps that's an illusion, though.

The orientation of the fabric bed should allow hanging from trees that are quite close together indeed. That might make it possible to use tarp shapes that hammockers don't typically favor.

Interesting concept. I'm sure we'll see more info once they are available for sale.
08-09-2011, 10:35
lymphocytosis

It seems like that mass of ropes on the side suspensions would get tangled. Half the time I can't even mange the side tie outs on my blackbird without making a mess of it. I'm quite talented with rope that way.
08-09-2011, 16:30
Joey

Exped Ergo hammock reply

In response to an email I sent to Exped on their listing their new hammock as the first asym. horizontal lay hammock. My email to them noted that while it looks like a very nice hammock, advertising this as the first hammock to provide a horizontal asyemetrical sleep is not true. I pointed out the various other hammock manufacturers, and the fact that many hammock users often tought the fact of how well the sleep horizontally or on their sides in these different hammocks. I noted that it should state how comfortable it is to lay horizontally in a hammock, but they are not the first to create this. Kaj's response simple states his apology for his enthusiasm and has corrected this listing on the sites blog about the new hammock.

I invited Kaj to join hammockforums, which he said he would. He's going on a paddling / hammock trip this weekend and will post a report and photos upon his return.

Quote:

Hi Joe:

Thanks very much for your email and your words of wisdom. You are entirely right in your criticism of my blog post and I wholeheartedly apologize
to you and the community of expert users you represent. We certainly meant no disrespect to them or to other manufacturers and I've changed the
blog post to reflect a more humble approach. When I wrote this up yesterday I wanted to speak directly to the many potential hammock users who
are not as well versed in hammock use and I clearly stepped over the line a bit in my enthusiasm. Thanks for speaking up and giving me a chance to explain.

In developing the Ergo, Exped founder and product guy, Andy Brun (cc'd on this email) , worked very closely with a user in Switzerland who came to him with
the initial idea. This gent is a Swiss geologist who had gone through many prototypes. In fact, he is planning to do the PCT next year with the Ergo as his shelter and we're
looking forward to following his trip. This is an example of how we develop the vast majority of our products - close cooperation with expert users. For a small company
like us it is a very important thing.

Once again, I apologize for my over-enthusiastic approach to my blog post. Just so you know, my penance for this transgression is to go paddling for a week and
spend as much time in the hammock as possible.

Thanks again for keeping me in line and feel free to contact us any time.

Sincerely,

Kaj Bune
Director of Marketing
Exped LLC (North America)
Seattle, Washington
Phone: 866.326.4586 x 12
Fax: 866.633.2406
Skype: kajbune
[email protected]

www.exped.com
www.expedlife.com
www.garbagescows.com
www.thefamilypaddles.com

Become a fan of Exped on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Exped-...3447121?ref=ts
08-09-2011, 16:45
angrysparrow

Why don't you post the email you sent, along with that reply? We're only seeing half of the story.
08-09-2011, 17:53
Joey

Quote:

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

Why don't you post the email you sent, along with that reply? We're only seeing half of the story.

I don't have a copy of the email I sent, so I edited my post above to generalize what I said, which better explains the response. As well I added an additional response I got from Kaj who may join this forum.
08-09-2011, 18:46
LilDutchBoy

I think the response was clever and well worded. I also think a week of paddling and camping is fitting penance. In fact i think we should all do such penance.