Sticker Shock

[Chum!]

I'm new to this whole hammock thing and have found it to be quite entertaining so far, but why is everything so expensive!?!?! I'm one of those guys where if I'm going to do something I want to do it right, but with these prices I'm going to be forced to come up with alternate solutions. I'd love to run out and grab a nice UQ, or super light weight and durable tarp, but instead I'll be making a run to Harbor Freight to pick up wool blankets and a cheap poly tarp...I guess this is how DIYers are born...

[Aardvark]

You can get thru this addiction on the cheap starting out. A lot of the high cost runs are for people needing to make quick decisions based on activities.... if you are a long distance hiker, you want low weight. If you are a car camper, you can hammock on a low budget, same basic way you are talking.

The hammock itself, there is no reason you can't make a very comfortable hammock yourself for low cost, it is the peripheries that run you up. And that is where DIY comes in.

[dakotaross]

Agreed somewhat. Depends on what you're looking at, and what you're comparing it to. Give me a tent setup to mimic the quality and temp rating, and we can probably help you find something similar in temp rating, probably better quality, and potentially less $$.

I think most folks new to camping in hammocks see an ENO and they think, "hey, that's pretty cheap to get into camping" and then they realize the UQ is where to be and, wala, sticker shock. I don't know exactly what UQ site you might have looked at, but most down UQs from cottage folks here compare more to Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering bags which you should find a bit more expensive than similar quilts due to more down and materials used for bags.

We can also probably guide you on how best to use what you have now, what to use now and what to spend on, so that you aren't breaking the bank at once.

[Chum!]

You can get thru this addiction on the cheap starting out. A lot of the high cost runs are for people needing to make quick decisions based on activities.... if you are a long distance hiker, you want low weight. If you are a car camper, you can hammock on a low budget, same basic way you are talking.

The hammock itself, there is no reason you can't make a very comfortable hammock yourself for low cost, it is the peripheries that run you up. And that is where DIY comes in.

Yeah, I understand that. Right now I'm gearing up for a motorcycle hang, so weight isn't as much of a variable as space. Most of my hanging will be from car/motorcycle or kayak.

[Dutch]

That is how I became a DIYer, I was too cheap to buy an UQ.

[craige]

It is expensive, but if you look after your gear it should outlast you. Bear in mind the cottage vendors are as good as it gets and they are very fairly priced. Look up the cost of the materials to diy to the same quality and you won't save much.

Saying that, camping is cheap once you've got the gear and compared to many hobbies it is even cheap to gear up. The cost of a top of the line set up (cf tarp, hammock with zippered bug net, down quilt set and a backpack plus odds and ends) is maybe 1500?? A top of the line full set of golf clubs is maybe $2000. Then it is expensive to play as well.

It can be done on the cheap and many people happily do. If you have tent gear then try your pad in a hammock. If you decide to diy then start doing your research there are some awesome tutorials in the diy section (check the stickies subforum).

[Chum!]

That is how I became a DIYer, I was too cheap to buy an UQ.

Dutch, you will probably see an order from me in the near future. I'm finding that I may be to impatient (or lazy) for knots and your "bling" does seem reasonably priced and extremely functional.

[Wanderlost]

Starting out can be overwhelming is you start looking at the high end products right away. It's easy to drop entire paychecks without blinking if you start with the 900 FP quilts and Cuben Fibre tarps. There are equally viable methods that can be significantly less expensive, especially if you're car camping or don't mind a little weight while backpacking. Also, lookat the for sale section on here. Often time, you can find a decent quality tarp for pretty cheap.

That is how I became a DIYer, I was too cheap to buy an UQ.

Dutch? A DIYer? You mean there was once a world without Titanium where people had to figure out other methods?! I cringe at the thought.

[Chum!]

I guess I should mention that I already have a hammock on the way. I went with a Grand Trunk Skeeter Beater Pro because of the bug net, which I think will be a must here in Coastal Georgia, plus I can flip it over and use it as a double layer in the winter. I bought it before seeing some of the quality work from some of our members here. Right now even some of the budget tarps are out of my price range. I'm looking at the Kelty Noah 12, but even that might have to wait for pay day.

[fishbait]

Watch the For sale Thread. I have picked up Several Quilts at reasonable prices. Look for Synthetics instead of Down. KAQ Quilts tend to be sold at a very reasonable price here. If weight is not an issue then look for an Owyhee Topquilt, a Jarbidge or New River Bottom Quilt. The Jarbidge is a 3/4 length and the New River a full length. You want the 3 season models. I have used both the Owyhee and a New River down to 8 degrees Fahrenheit with a little planning. In the mean time a camping pad and sleeping bag will work just fine. Went with this method down to the mid twenties, again a little planning helps for cold weather hanging.