Clark Jungle Hammock Review and WBBB Comparison

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12-28-2011, 19:44
Dudorino

Clark Jungle Hammock Review and WBBB Comparison

I spent the three nights of the Christmas weekend in my new Clark NX-200. My other hammock is a WBBB. This was my first time ever sleeping in the Clark, so I thought I would give you my impressions and comparison with the BB.

Suspension: I took one look at the stock Clark Suspension and scrapped the whole thing with a custom WS and strap suspension with an adjustable external ridgeline all connected with Dutchware. I wanted the Ridgeline so that I can use other tarps and still have a way to hold up the bug net. I also like the idea of dialing in the length to achieve that perfect lay every time and without the fiddle factor. This new suspension saves 5oz of weight. I'll do a video on this mod soon.

Side Sleeping: I'm a side sleeper and found it extremely easy to switch sides and to quickly find the sweet spot in the Clark. I do the same in the BB, but I can't switch sides and find the sweet spot as quickly. I like the lay in both, but feel that the Clark may be a little more comfortable than the BB.

Features: In my BB, I normally throw all my loose stuff into the shelf before entering and then organize it after I'm inside. Without the shelf in the Clark, I didn't have a good place to stage my gear and everything wound up under my back. The 2 pockets in the Clark are very small and have a limited use. On the other hand, the pockets on the outside of the Clark are huge. I need to get accustomed to using them. The Clark has a built in weather shield that I used. It helped hold in the heat, but not the condensation. I have a Bear Burrito Oven for my BB that does the same thing. The BB is great, but having it built in like a bug net is a nice feature. It also stows away in a built in pocket. Funny, but there was no place to store the unused bug net. So, I added a Peak Bag from 2QZQ at the foot end. Also with no internal RL, I had no good place to hang my glasses and head lamp.

Tarp: The Clark came with their XL tarp. The tarp has an unusual shape and is designed to hold up the bug net. It seem to me to be about the right size for a 3 season tarp and only weights 8.5 oz. Since I swapped out the suspension, I'm planning to use my SF with it for winter adventures.

The Bottom Line: Experimenting with different type of gear is what this sport is all about. The Clark Jungle Hammocks and the Warbonnet Black Birds are both excellent hammocks and I'm happy that I now have one of each. In general I like the Clark and believe that with additional experience with it, I will grow to love it like I do my BB.

Question: What do you Clark guys do with your glasses?
12-28-2011, 20:11
Owl

Cool review, Tony! I'll be interested to see which hammock you bring to the KC hang...I've not seen the Clark in person before.
12-28-2011, 20:33
DemostiX

Glasses and the Clark hammocks.

Easy:
Clark has sewn small loops at the top of the head-end hoods. Slide one arm or leg of your eyeglasses through and fold the glasses up to hang in front of you, where you can put them on before going into the sewn-in holster behind your left ear......or finding your way to a bush.

Interesting observation about habits, such as taking advantage of the shelf on the WBBB. I suppose there are Clark regulars who immediately sort their stuff into all of the six pockets........and remember where everything is. Once camping with a set of soft drawers, they'd be grumpy without them. Neatnicks.

Two Clarks here.

All smilies implied.
12-28-2011, 20:46
Dudorino

Quote:

Originally Posted by Owl

Cool review, Tony! I'll be interested to see which hammock you bring to the KC hang...I've not seen the Clark in person before.

Thanks, my friend. I hope to be bringing down some new Hammock Gear quiltage too if it gets here in time.
12-29-2011, 10:01
bigbamaguy

Dudorino:
The two grossgrain loops the DemostiX talks about are great places to hang your glasses or to run a shock cord ridgeline from. With the shock cord ridgeline I am able to hang my glasses, headlamp, gloves in cold weather, MP4 player, just to name a few things. I highly recommend the shock cord and not regular cordage, regular cordage will put too much stress on the netting when you get in the hammock.
12-29-2011, 10:11
Cali

I love my Clark NX-250 and I did the opposite of you, I just bought a WBBB and can't wait to try it out. I don't think I can compare it to my Clark since I mainly use my Clark for cooler/colder hanging, and will plan on using the WBBB for the warm-cool hanging. I love the weather shield on the Clark, definitely keeps the heat in and the cold and dampness out.
Welcome to the Clark crowd..... :)
12-29-2011, 11:01
bacon_grease

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudorino

Funny, but there was no place to store the unused bug net. So, I added a Peak Bag from 2QZQ at the foot end.

Just aft of the zipper on the bugnet is are two pockets located on the exterior of the upper portion of the hammock (one on each side of the hammock.) The storm shield goes in one, the bug net in the other.
12-29-2011, 11:07
BillyBob58

Thanks for this unusual test: a BB owner going to a Clark to compare. Looks like it is a serious competitor alright! This is one of the few hammocks I have never tried. Yet.
12-29-2011, 12:55
keikepono

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacon_grease

Just aft of the zipper on the bugnet is are two pockets located on the exterior of the upper portion of the hammock (one on each side of the hammock.) The storm shield goes in one, the bug net in the other.

I think he was talking about the bear burrito but I'm not sure either
12-29-2011, 13:03
Jsaults

Glasses in a Clark

I have a NX-250 which has two pockets sewn into the head end - one Velcro'd and one open. I use the open one for my glasses - they have never fallen out.

I also have a WBBB, and think of it as a warmer weather hang. The CJH Weathershield is a fine piece of kit for keeping the typhoons at bay.

Both great hammocks; Just "different". Allows me to be fickle!

Jim
12-29-2011, 13:15
rip waverly

how cool - glad to see this thread.
clark, like some others have mentioned, i have yet to try. -probably due mostly to sticker shock.

but they look very appealing
12-29-2011, 13:18
DemostiX

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacon_grease

Just aft of the zipper on the bugnet is are two pockets located on the exterior of the upper portion of the hammock (one on each side of the hammock.) The storm shield goes in one, the bug net in the other.

That and this is off- topic for glasses, but not stowage:

But there is a design glitch. Access to the pockets is the same on all models with a weathershield (ws). But, you cannot access and store net and WS independently. Zippers for one get in the way of stuffing the other.

Another solution for stowage would be to hot-cut a long,neat access slit from underneath the foot-end hood into the stowage pocket obove.The slit would be hidden from above and stopped from tearing with several stitches at the ends. Then stowage would be independent of usage on the tented models, because you would by-pass the zipper of the other sheet.

On the hooped models, or at least an NX-250 here, the WS is zipped as a WS to the netting, so the net must be deployed for the the WS to be zipped on.
12-29-2011, 19:03
bacon_grease

Quote:

Originally Posted by DemostiX

But there is a design glitch. Access to the pockets is the same on all models with a weathershield (ws). But, you cannot access and store net and WS independently. Zippers for one get in the way of stuffing the other.

OK, I see what you're saying. I agree that it is a bear to stow the bugnet and set the ws. However, it is possible to accomplish by moving one pair of sliders to the foot and using the other pair for getting in and out. It is a hassle and there is a risk of a zipper eating your bug net, too.

I simply zip the bugnet up enough to keep it out of my way when the ws is up. The wrapping it around a ridgeline is a pretty good solution as well.

The NX-250, though, made it easy. In and out with one zipper to mess with and no worries about the bugnet.
12-29-2011, 20:08
Dudorino

You guys have given some good ideas. I'm going to need to do a little experimentation.... followed by some more mods.

New question.... Does putting stuff in the under pockets negatively affect the performance of an UQ? I'm thinking it would cause a gap and a cold spot. What are your thoughts on this?
12-29-2011, 20:10
Dudorino

Quote:

Originally Posted by bacon_grease

Just aft of the zipper on the bugnet is are two pockets located on the exterior of the upper portion of the hammock (one on each side of the hammock.) The storm shield goes in one, the bug net in the other.

What model Clark do you have?
12-29-2011, 20:25
DemostiX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudorino

You guys have given some good ideas. I'm going to need to do a little experimentation.... followed by some more mods.

New question.... Does putting stuff in the under pockets negatively affect the performance of an UQ? I'm thinking it would cause a gap and a cold spot. What are your thoughts on this?

Works for me,depending on the UQ and where the ends fall. In another thread I claim, from experience, that there's no better seal of the HQ ends than a pair of some pillows in the end pockets. Reason? Furrows are sealed by the pockets and the cinch cord of the typical UQ falls against the pillows, which act as a gasket.
12-30-2011, 17:44
bacon_grease

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudorino

What model Clark do you have?

I have both an NX-200 and NX-250. The pockets are found on both hammocks.

On the 250, you cannot deploy the ws without setting the bn, but the bn can be set without the ws.

On the 200, you can use them independently, but stowing the bn appears to be an issue to some folks when setting the ws without the bn. I simply zip the bn up and enjoy my evening.
03-06-2012, 11:23
tikhon

Thanks for the excellent notes and side by each comparison of the WBBB & the Clarks. Anyone been able to solve the AHE Bear Burrito Oven (BB-O) Flapping in the breeze issue?