Newbie still trying to decide....

**Shapeshifter** · 04-05-2011, 18:34

Hello all you WB fans! I am new to hammocks and this forum. I posted yesterday under the general hammock talk and was directed to this area so am going to post under a couple different forums for the different brands to help in my decision making..

So I have been reading a lot all over this forum and the web and looking at youtube videos and still not able to decide..

So basically I am going to be primarily needing something for the jungle in Costa Rica (but at elevation so can get a little cooler at night and can rain a lot)...
I should mention I am a long skinny light weight (6' at about 140 lbs).. and I am a side sleeper.. I am interested in budget but also in comfort and if I have to spend more for comfort I will.. unfortunately I don't have time to 'test drive' anything as I need to order for my trip coming up at the end of the month.

The WB Blackbirds do look promising. What I like is the rigging with the webbing which looks easier than some other brands and the double layer bottom for a pad which i will probably need as I think I (being skinny) could get chilly at night even in that climate. Also the whole shelf and footbox thing look cool too.. I was originally recommended to get a Clark and I liked that it had all those pockets and a lot of head room and the weather shield option but the cost for the tropical with the weather shield and larger tarp and shipping came to about 350! Which is a lot for a newbie and I am hearing that it's maybe not so comfy for a side sleeper due to the narrowness of the thing (though in photos it looks pretty flat but I keep hearing about the banana bottom..).. but I wonder if being light weight as I am (I see most of the posters are much heavier than me and I don't know it if shows it on my profile but I am a female, just FYI) if maybe I wouldn't have an issue sleeping on my side in the Clark as some posters have?... Also someone said he can't sleep on his side in a WBB but can in a switchback which someone else said is actually a Claytor.. now I was also considering the Claytor Jungle because of hearing that and the cost being really low and I hear it is sturdy but maybe heavy and not easy to rig?.. Also I hear it may take a long time to ship..

Sorry for the length.. I really am just having a very hard time deciding and have been spending far too many hours on this decision right now!

Any help will be appreciated! And sorry for the redundancy for any of you who may have seen my other post in the other section...

Thanks!!!

PS- If I do get the WBB any advice as to the best rain fly (definitely will need that!!).. for a lot of rain?! Also maybe a less expensive fly option from somewhere else because I see that the actual hammocks are not too expensive but tarps seem to be... I don't think I care too much about weight for this particular trip btw...

**Mule** · 04-05-2011, 18:39

I can get way farther onto my side in my WBBB than I could my Claytor. I loved my Claytor, but I cannot go back. If you are serious about getting on your side, maybe a Bridge Hammock is for you?

**Shapeshifter** · 04-05-2011, 18:50

Thanks Mule. I was hearing about the bridge hammocks too but so far just saw the JacksRBetter and did not look like they had a bug net (very much needed) and also were out of stock.. any tips as to which bridge hammock to get? do any come with netting? Thanks! Also good to know that it isn't such a prob to side sleep in a WBB.. any recommendations on tarps with the WBB for a lot of rain..? (also cheaper non-WB tarps?)

**Mule** · 04-05-2011, 18:55

Originally Posted by Shapeshifter

Thanks Mule. I was hearing about the bridge hammocks too but so far just saw the JacksRBetter and did not look like they had a bug net (very much needed) and also were out of stock.. any tips as to which bridge hammock to get? do any come with netting? Thanks! Also good to know that it isn't such a prob to side sleep in a WBB.. any recommendations on tarps with the WBB for a lot of rain..? (also cheaper non-WB tarps?)

The JRB Bridge does come with a bugnet. It is removable. Some time back I widened mine to 36 inches instead of 30 and made a new bugnet with a zipper. It was for sale again here a while ago. If I see it I will send you a link.

**Mule** · 04-05-2011, 19:13

Originally Posted by Mule

The JRB Bridge does come with a bugnet. It is removable. Some time back I widened mine to 36 inches instead of 30 and made a new bugnet with a zipper. It was for sale again here a while ago. If I see it I will send you a link.

Here's the link.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ht=mule+bridge

**gunner76** · 04-05-2011, 19:19

I am 6ft 2+ and 290 and have no problem sleeping on my back or sides in my BB double 1.7.

I use a wallyworld pad instead of the UQ

**ChrisH** · 04-05-2011, 23:17

I think that you will find that it is just as comfortable if not more so to sleep on your back in a WBB. I'm a side sleeper in my bed but not in my DJ, too comfy on my back to go to the side! Plus it ruins the view!

I'm currently selling a 1.1 double in perfect condition for $185 in the for sale section if you're interested. I could get it out to you as soon as payment is sent if you choose to buy it. Either way, I hope you find what you're looking for in a hammock and I'm super jealous! Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for quite some time!

**Shapeshifter** · 04-06-2011, 11:16

Originally Posted by ChrisH

I think that you will find that it is just as comfortable if not more so to sleep on your back in a WBB. I'm a side sleeper in my bed but not in my DJ, too comfy on my back to go to the side! Plus it ruins the view!

I'm currently selling a 1.1 double in perfect condition for $185 in the for sale section if you're interested. I could get it out to you as soon as payment is sent if you choose to buy it. Either way, I hope you find what you're looking for in a hammock and I'm super jealous! Costa Rica has been on my bucket list for quite some time!

Thanks ChrisH! I'm not sure if I could do full nights on my back. I have had naps in hammocks on my back (but not proper camping ones, just regular, so I know there is a lot more sag in those generally speaking) but I really do have problems on my back for the long haul even if it feels comfortable I think that honestly it is more of a breathing issue.. I think I breathe too heavily and then get sleep apnea while on my back so that's what wakes me up.. def prefer my side that way.. But I am going to see what it feels like in a Warbonnet this weekend as someone near me on here said I could test his out! So if I like that I will def get back in touch..

Thanks for your wishes! I have been to CR a bunch as i actually ended up buying property there is a, get this, tree house community.. so I have an acre and half of jungle that is my very own, so that is where I will be camping out.. actually in my very own 'backyard'! So I wanted to spend more time on it for my treehouse planning purposes.. don't know when I will be able to afford the actual house but until then whatever hammock I get for my visits will have to do, hence I want to take a lot of care deciding.. You should definitely visit!!

**Wags** · 04-06-2011, 10:56

1.1 double layer blackbird. that will give you extra protection underneath to give you peace of mind concerning bugs. it is easy to set up, and there aren't any spare parts and what not to worry about.

buy it with peace of mind...