Summary Questions: I want your input!

[stefprez]

For all of you out there that we can call "Hammock Vets," I'm looking for some general questions answered for a fun little project I'm doing. Don't want to spoil it yet, though. Here are my questions. (Many of these are an opinion, but I'm just looking for the general best answer. Not trying to start any crazy heated debate here! )

1. What is the most lightweight option to go in terms of a hammock?

I'm thinking Grand Trunk Nano 7?


2. What's the utmost durable hammock one can buy?

Clark? I have no experience with them so I don't know.


3. What is the cheapest way to get yourself in a hammock?

DIY if I presume correctly.


4. What is the best "all-around" hammock?

Warbonnet Blackbird? Hennessy?


5. What are the main ways to set up a hammock suspension?

Whoopie Slings, Straps with Cinch Buckles/Descender Rings, that it?


6. What is the best "max coverage/winter" tarp available?

Superfly?


7. What is the cheapest tarp option available?

Walmart Tarp? One of those cheap nylon ones?


8. What is the lightest tarp option available?

Cuben Fiber anything? Maybe custom Micro from OES? Not sure of all the companies working with cuben yet.


9. What is the best "all around" tarp option?

OES Standard/Deluxe, Warbonnet Edge/Mamajamba?


Anything else I missed? I'm trying to consider all the potential routes someone may want to go when looking for their first hammock/tarp combo. (Insulation is a different issue for a different day.) Trying to think about the different mindsets someone may have: light/ultralight backpacker, car camper, cost-effective camper/backpacker, average joe camper/backpacker. Let me know what else I may have missed, as well as your opinions on the questions above. Thanks!

[angrysparrow]

I think some of the questions are trying to boil things down into far too simplistic of terms. What's 'best' for one person does not make it the best for another.

Rather than fill out a checklist, each person is much better served by reading about a variety of gear and weighing the pros and cons of what specifically will fit their needs.

[stefprez]

I'm not suggesting this is a catch-all, final answer for everyone for each of these questions. I'm more or less trying to hone in on the different vibes and trends that the members here exhibit and compiling it into a fun project. Not trying to write a hammock buyer's guide Bible. At most it would be a, try considering this, while hopefully giving a few smirk and chuckles here and there.

[angrysparrow]

1. What is the most lightweight option to go in terms of a hammock?

In general terms, a single layer gathered end hammock made of 1.1oz/yd2 fabric or perhaps thinner. That is not appropriate for all hangers, though.

2. What's the utmost durable hammock one can buy?

Any of the double or triple layer hammocks made from 1.7oz fabric or heavier. Again, this is not the appropriate choice for all hangers.

Some bridge hammocks use less fabric than gathered end hammocks, and can be lighter. That doesn't include the weight of any necessary spreader bars.

3. What is the cheapest way to get yourself in a hammock?

Probably a DIY made from old folded bedsheets. Aside from scavenging materials, though, a simple DIY from locally sourced ripstop nylon is quite cheap indeed.

4. What is the best "all-around" hammock?

Generally speaking, any netless gathered end hammock provides a wide array of uses and can be accessorized as needed.

5. What are the main ways to set up a hammock suspension?

Generally speaking - all webbing systems, all rope systems, or some combination of the above. The specifics are entirely a matter of preference. Webbing huggers are recommended, in any case.

6. What is the best "max coverage/winter" tarp available?

Any of the large tarps with door kits, or a rectangular tarp of sufficient dimensions and tie-outs to stake the corners in for wind breaks. Of course hundreds of hangers have camped in every conceiveable condition before such large tarps were available...

7. What is the cheapest tarp option available?
8. What is the lightest tarp option available?

Probably a painter's plastic drop cloth on both counts. This is of course not appropriate for all weather conditions or for durability. Note that some Cuben tarps do rival those for weight, but the cost factor is significant.

Any inexpensive coated nylon tarp should work fine. Other choices are for lighter weight, packability, etc.

9. What is the best "all around" tarp option?

There are far too many choices. That question is entirely about what the hanger needs for the conditions they will encounter.

[G.L.P.]

1. What is the most lightweight option to go in terms of a hammock?

Nano 7 or a DIY 1.1


2. What's the utmost durable hammock one can buy?

Hard to say most hammocks are made out of Ripstop so you really can't say this 1.9 that they use is more durable then the 1.9 that other vendors use


3. What is the cheapest way to get yourself in a hammock?

DIY is not always the cheapest way... people tend to think it is but once you add in your time it really isn't ... i would say a Grand trunks UL


4. What is the best "all-around" hammock?

WBBB!!


5. What are the main ways to set up a hammock suspension?

there are many ways straps,ropes,Whoopie slings...take a pick


6. What is the best "max coverage/winter" tarp available?

JRB 11x10 ... it's BIG and can be set up many different ways


7. What is the cheapest tarp option available?

OES Micro ... it's just the right size but it does have a learning curve


8. What is the lightest tarp option available?

Cuben fiber then Spinn then Sil ... the Zpack Hex is 5oz so i would say that is the lightest out there for the size.


9. What is the best "all around" tarp option?

The OES Deluxe hands down ... it's size to weight ratio is just right and can be used as a 4 season tarp and it will work with any hammock out there

[TinaLouise]

2. What's the utmost durable hammock one can buy?

Of all my hammocks, it's the Clark.


3. What is the cheapest way to get yourself in a hammock?

Borrow someone else's and never get around to returning it!!!!


4. What is the best "all-around" hammock?

That would be the one that you are the most comfortable in. I'm comfortable in my Clark and in my Blackbird and the Hennessy. So any of those 3 for me.

!

I couldn't answer any of the other questions,
TinaLouise