Thoughts on pak-it-lit fob?

[ylnfrt]

Unicorn feathers- that's coffee thru the nose funny. Can't drink and read anymore- boss's orders.

[Time to Hang]

It's claims like that last one that make me lose all faith in this. Using a 3.5 R-value pad at that temp means the hammock is made out of unicorn feathers.

I have a Pak it lite Scout, so it's not a direct comparison and I only have a Therm-a-Rest SOLite sleeping pad, I only had a poncho liner top quilt, but 50 * with a 50* dewpoint was too cold for me ! Where can I buy some Unicorn Feathers ! All kidding aside, no matter how tight or loose I hang it(yes, I have the cheater line), I get a hyper extended knee and a lot of shoulder squeeze. I have very wide shoulders so I could be just me.
It's well made though and could be just right for some ! and I'd still like to lay in an FOB.
Good luck, Hang Safe n keep your charcoal dry !

[fallkniven]

....I've slept in mine down to minus 7* with a wind chill of 25 below with just a Ridgerest Solar pad and stayed warm....

Yeah, I think there may be a typo there too, or I'm looking at the wrong pad. I just don't understand how that could be true. -7*F is pretty chilly, and to be warm with such a thin pad, I'm having my doubts.

[TZ75man]

Ok, first I was replying about the use of a pad instead of an underquilt. I didn't go thru my entire set up as I was referencing to the fact I didn't get CBS when using the pad at those temps. I also used the military modular sleep system without the bivi cover. I also used the pockets along the sides of the pads which come with the hammock. I stuffed those with a small lightweight fleece blanket in each pocket. While you don't lay on those pockets, it does help insulate around you. I also have a poncho liner draped over the hammock: and then I took a cheap Walmart twin size comforter, ran shock cord down each side and paracord across each end, put the ends thru barrel locks and strapped it over the hammock:

This helps me retain heat inside the hammock. I also use a small battery operated 5" fan to help with condensation. When it was 7* below zero, that was the first time I had noticeable condensation in the hammock. I only wear a T shirt, sweat pants and socks when in the hammock. Really sucked taking my coat off to climb in lol.

[fallkniven]

So there was a lot more to your setup than a small pad and a sleeping bag. We knew something more had to be there. Don't want anyone inexperienced to think that all they need is a small pad for winter.

[theseakayaker]

So there was a lot more to your setup than a small pad and a sleeping bag. We knew something more had to be there. Don't want anyone inexperienced to think that all they need is a small pad for winter.

When you look at TZ75man's photos, take into consideration he is covering the hammock from the top. He has done this to trap more heat from escaping the top of the hammock. Where you will loose more heat is from what is coming up through the bottom of the hammock. Using a good quality foam pad, not one from Walmart, it will retain 98% of the body heat that can escape from the bottom of the hammock. And yes, the claim of my hammocks being tested to -2º is not a falsehood. This was done using a Ridge Rest CC pad with a sleeping bag rated below zero.
An underquilt can be used with my system that would take it into temps well into the sub zero range. I hope to have underquilts that match the signature hang of my hammocks soon. It will lock into the hammock ends in the same way the fly does and cover the hammock from end to end.

FYI - The Snow Blind was tested to temps to 5º. The forecast had called for snow but that never happened. With the new Full Coverage fly the temp inside the hammock, with only a CC pad and sleeping bag, was 54º. But then I also had an unexpected guest show up on the side of the mountain who camped out with me (see photos)JK-Snowblind DO.jpgIMG_4961.JPGguest.jpg

[theseakayaker]

Hey Shawker, Let me know when you get the silnylon fly. Set it up and test it out for me. All the test I did look promising but long term, in the field testing, will prove more results. And, please, send me some photos! Thanks!

[theseakayaker]

+1 on most of what Pheonix6579 is saying, though it looks like they do use straps. Its a little funny that they use the amsteel for suspension, and then they use ridiculously thick rope for the ridgeline. Speaking of ridgeline, its 8', which equates to a usable hammock length of less than 10' typically. I'm sure its not 11.5' as indicated on the site, but might be longer than 10' and perhaps that works with the pad-friendly design to get a flat lay. Also, the tarp has more than plenty of coverage for rain, but no doors to block wind. And although the site says to use a hiking pole to prop the tarp up, it sure looks taller than any hiking pole I've used in the pics. Looks more like a tent pole to me.

All in all, not a bad product, but I would want more of a discount for the heavy materials used. Paying for a bit of overengineering for sure, but its not the worst design like that I've seen. Seems pretty practical if you want a hammock setup that is more like a tent. For me, I don't want a tent, I want to be sheltered from rain and wind with the option to shelter from bugs as needed, I want to be comfortable and off the ground, but I don't want to be couped up like a tent. And if I'm carrying it, I don't want my setup to weigh 5 lbs, that's for sure. My definitely not ultralight setup is half of that. Summer setup is a quarter of that.

Hey dakotaross,

I see you are in Chamblee. I am over in Woodstock. Any time you want to stop by and try out one of my hammocks to see how they feel and work, let me know. I'll set one up for you and it will answer a lot of your concerns. I'm not sure what you were speaking of with the "ridiculously thick rope for the ridgeline". The ridgeline of my hammocks is sewn in. If you are speaking of the cheater line, this is not the ridgelnine of the hammock but a tool used to help hang the Scout and Lightfoot Scout, which have no fixed ridgeline. What is shown on the current video is the older support system, which is no longer used. The new support system does not require the cheater line for the F.O.B or ReconMN. To make hanging the Scout or Lightfoot Scout easier (not having to figure the 30 deg rule), the cheater line is needed. I hope to have the new video out soon showing how to set the hammock up with the new support system.
Again, feel free to come by and try one out to see how it really works.

[theseakayaker]

I have a Pak it lite Scout, so it's not a direct comparison and I only have a Therm-a-Rest SOLite sleeping pad, I only had a poncho liner top quilt, but 50 * with a 50* dewpoint was too cold for me ! Where can I buy some Unicorn Feathers ! All kidding aside, no matter how tight or loose I hang it(yes, I have the cheater line), I get a hyper extended knee and a lot of shoulder squeeze. I have very wide shoulders so I could be just me.
It's well made though and could be just right for some ! and I'd still like to lay in an FOB.
Good luck, Hang Safe n keep your charcoal dry !

I'm not sure if you got my last email. The hyper extension in your knee may be from how you are hanging the hammock. If you are using a webbing support system and your trees are too far apart, no matter how tight you hang the hammock it will still sag out of the signature hang of the design. Here is a photo of your hammock before I shipped it out to you. This is how it should hang when properly set up. If your still will not hang right, let me know and I will fix the problem.IMG_5033.jpg

[WanderingBob]

Seems a bit overkill. I like the minimal coverage I get from hammocking vs. being enclosed in a tent hanging between two trees. You can get a good setup for significantly less than that.