first hammock

[HangingKayaker]

It's worse than buying a car...lol. Too many things to consider. Maybe I should just be looking at the basics but I am leaning towards a Warbonnett BB but I think their website does not have the quality info Clark or HH does. I like the shelf and the simple suspension system. Thanks for youtube and the many videos to watch and compare with. Do you think I'm worried too much about my first hammock with such things as whoopie slings??
Any thoughts and comments about selection would be very helpful.

sd

[Cannibal]

There are very few people that bought a Blackbird and were not pleased with the choice. Worst case, you resell it here for darn near what you paid.

You aren't too worried, just that first hammock anxiety lots of folks experience. It's fine, you'll be one of us soon enough and we can begin your training of the dark side.

[mbiraman]

The information can be a bit overwhelming and people rarely get everything on their first buy. The Blackbird is a great hammock, very good quality as many here can tell you. An Underquilt from any of the suppliers here will make you happy. Same with the top quilts. Allot of the stuff you see being talked about on the forum is top quality. If you get the Blackbird and for some reason don't like it , it would sell very easily , same with the quilts. I bought a Blackbird, yeti and jack r better top quilt, sight unseen, and am happy with every piece of gear. You don't need whoopie slings or a spinn tarp or gear bag to be a happy hanger. These are things you can get later if you feel urge. Start with basics and let things evolve over time. Don't worry.

[Bradley]

As our esteemed mbiraman says, take it slow,
I have not tried any hammock other than the Clark,
and I am very happy with it.

As you look and research, you will see that each has their list of plus's,
and the plus's and minus's are different for each of us.

[flatline]

i purchased my first hammock this past Christmas. i did a bunch of reading and utube-ing before i ordered my WBBB 1.7 dl. i'm very happy that i chose the bb. Warbonnet also has a very impressive client list, myself Not included. so far i have only had the time to catch 2 naps each a little over an hour. they were the best power naps i have ever had.
i have no experience with any of the other mfgs or diy so i have nothing to compare. for me, the only thing i would mod on my bb would be a completely removable bug net for winter. that said, i will just purch a 2nd hammock w/o a net, prob wb-traveler (maybe a separate bug net and tarp so that i can let my friends exp hanging). they are very cost effective and i'd be supporting small business in America.
good luck,

[Richard Scout]

If I could recommend a few good ones for first timers, I really, really like Hennessy, but a cheaper route to start might be ENO Hammocks. They are easy to customize and pack up tight and light! So maybe try those out.
http://www.imaginegear.com/Camping-G...ocks/sc373201/

[Deadphans]

ScottD I am in the same position. Intrigued to hang, but like you, overwhelmed with the different tidbits and selections. Trying to get a good bang for the buck, but not cheap cheap.

Its like buying deoderant and toothpaste, too many selections!

[Knotty]

If you've got the cash for the Blackbird and a tarp, then by all means write the check.

There's no guarantee that it will be perfect for you but the odds are in your favor.

[MrClean417]

Pick the one that you like the most, that has the features you want the most, that has features not duplicatable that you want and go with it. They're all good systems from what I've read. It's possible that the feature that you'd like in one that isn't available in the one you're thinking about buying can be added by you.

Find the one you like the most and buy it. If for some reason it just doesn't work out like you'd like, resell and try again. Like the man said, this forum is full of mods that you can do to any and all of the Hammocks, so modding is allowed.

[SnrMoment]

I was about to pull the trigger on a Eureka when I stumbled upon the Blackbird info here. Got a barely used 1.1 dbl with Whoopie Slings at a very good price within a couple of days after posting a WTB on the forum.

After reviewing the features of the WBBB and seeing some of the vids, it had everything that I, as a total Noob, thought I needed. Already had a rain fly tarp and have no plans to winter camp.