Newbie not sure what hammock to buy, please help!

**Shapeshifter** · 04-04-2011, 19:53

Hello all you tree swinging hammock lovers out there.. I need/want to buy a hammock system and need advice. I will be camping in southern Costa Rican rainforest at about 1000 ft. elevation so temps drop a little at night but not terribly and it doesn't get too hot in the day but does tend to rain at least daily and then in rainy season (which I may use it in as well) quite a lot.. so it is humid and warm but not too buggy though I definitely want a good bug net. And I am on a bit of a budget but also want to consider that it is an investment and I want to not cut corners too much either.. AND I am a side sleeper and though I love hammocks in general and can nap in them I have not tried an all night deal and am definitely interested in something that I can side sleep in comfortably enough (is also an issue in regular tent camping which I have overcome by using cheap inflatable blow up rafts in lieu of expensive air mattresses but sometimes one will have a leak, so that bites! :^).. pads.. well I haven't really found a decent one I like, so am also thinking a good hammock could be more comfy than the ground IF I can sleep on my side okay..)

I was looking at Hennessy hammocks first but then a friend said NO get a Clark they are much better and flatter/easier to sleep in.. I have been reading specs and reviews and am still confused about that issue..

So any advice would be welcomed.. I need to decide soon.. like this week so I have time to get it shipped..

THANK YOU!!!!!!

**Shug** · 04-04-2011, 19:57

You may want to peruse this section of the Forum...."Hammock Gear - Manufacturers and Services". It will help you see what other think.
My opinion would be a Warbonnet BlackBird. Wonderful integrated bug-net that stays up off your face.
Ultimately your choice though.
Have fun searching.
Shug
BTW...I had the best tomato sandwich of my life in Costa Rica.

**salamander42** · 04-04-2011, 20:14

If at all possible, actually try out whatever models you're considering. . . Though I just read that last bit about needing to order soon, so that may not be an option.

I side sleep, with my legs pulled up into a semi-fetal position in my Hennessey. In my girlfriend's Clark (which I've only used once for an over-night) I was not as comfortable pulling my legs up like that, but I still slept fine. . . On my side for most of the night, but on my back for part of it. The Clark's built in weather shied may serve you well with the rain, but if you go for the hex fly with a Hennessey, you'll have more room under the tarp than you will with the Clark. Basically, they're both very good hammocks, and I find them both to be comfortable,but they're very different from one another.

**Joey** · 04-04-2011, 20:15

Originally Posted by Shug

You may want to peruse this section of the Forum...."Hammock Gear - Manufacturers and Services". It will help you see what other think.
My opinion would be a Warbonnet BlackBird. Wonderful integrated bug-net that stays up off your face.
Ultimately your choice though.
Have fun searching.
Shug
BTW...I had the best tomato sandwich of my life in Costa Rica.

Can't beat Shug's advice. Just add a +1 to it!

**^shane^** · 04-04-2011, 20:24

Give the Tree to Tree Trail Gear SwitchBack a look as well. I cannot sleep on my side in my Warbonnet Blackbird, but can sleep on my side with no problem in my SwitchBack Light Hiker.

**DuctTape** · 04-04-2011, 20:29

Claytor Hammock.o.the two models you will probably want to look at are the jungle or expedition, though the basic mosquito hammock is an inexpensive option which would also work well. IIRC the Claytor design is what the Switchback was designed from.

**BreckDown** · 04-04-2011, 20:35

If you can make a local hang do it, even if you go there an use a tent. Hangs are like going to car/boat/RV shows. You get to see a good blend of products and configurations. In the hangs I've attended, many have let me try out their hammocks to get a taste for what's out there.

**Yakfoot** · 04-04-2011, 20:36

Better, easier and flatter are all rather subjective terms. It might be quite true for your friend but not so for yourself. Also your friend may not have been using his favorite hammock under the same conditions that you plan to, that makes it a whole different ball game. The Hennessy is tried and true and in conditions such as you mention and I can vouch that they are built very well, but there are other excellent choices. The Hennessys come with tarps but the tarps tend to be rather small in my experience, just big enough to cover the hammock well, not big enough to do much other than sleep. Other brands may or may not come with tarps at all so you might need to add the cost of a tarp to that of the hammock when comparing prices. I own a Hennessy Expedition, it is rated for people up to 6 ft. tall. I am 6ft and 165lbs so I am not a big broad shouldered, or big bellied guy. Still, while it works OK, things would have worked better if I had gotten a bigger size.

**Shapeshifter** · 04-04-2011, 21:06

Thanks everyone! Such a great forum, so many quick responses! I did start looking at the section that one of you mentioned and will do as much research there as I can and maybe post my question there too (being new still finding my way around this site)... I didn't realize there were so many different hammock options.. which is good but also overwhelming.. I should have mentioned that I am long and skinny (6 feet tall, about 135-40 lbs) so maybe I will not have side sleep issues with some models as others have because of that? (though I am broad shouldered..) Anyway have been looking at the sites for the hammocks that have been mentioned so far, so thank you.. also have noticed the tarp issues and saw that Clarks have options for larger tarps and that in some cases they don't come with so will be additional cost.. have been trying to note the 'full' costs in all cases with the accessories I need included..

I would love to go to a 'hang' but how/where do I find them? I am in the DC metro area..

Thanks!!!