Backpacker magazine will not include Clark in it's reviews

[mataharihiker]

I don't know if many of you are aware of this but Backpacker has finally decided to test and review various hammocks...they picked 4 and Clark was not one of them...Here is what Spencer wrote us (yahoo group) about this....

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Hi all,

After 10 years of ignoring hammock camping as a legitimate option
for backpackers, Backpacker Magazine finally decided to publish a
review of the top four camping hammocks which will appear in the
June 2008 issue. They requested two samples of our products which
we delivered for testing ( a Tropical and North American model). We
were stunned today at Clark Outdoor Products when we learned that
the review will not include a Clark hammock. Backpacker Magazine
opted for what they consider to be the "best 4" camping hammock
brands.

Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter of Backpacker has notified us of two
complaints about our hammock which prevented it from reaching the
top four. First, the tester felt the rope was a bit more slippery
than that of other brands which "frustrated the pitching process."
The second complaint from the tester was that the Clark's pockets
did not provide as much insulation as the sleeping pad sleeve
available on other brands. We can only guess that the tester found
the storage pockets to be useless.

Backpacker's complaints are utterly absurd and indefensible,
demonstrating a lack of experience with hammock camping. We feel
that Backpacker ought to be embarrassed to publish a review ignoring
the Clark North American. Clark has always been wary of submitting
its products for review in the past because the testers are usually
far less experienced than our own customers.

If you agree with me, please contact Backpacker's Gear Editor
Kristin Hostetter (Khostetter@aol. com) and let her know why you
believe the Clark should have been included in their June 2008
review.

Meanwhile, Clark Outdoor Products will continue improving our
hammocks according to your needs, and not the concerns of
inexperienced reviewers.

Thanks,

Spencer

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I wrote Kristin right away...I am appalled at Backpacker magazine...imagine not including one of the top 2 hammocks in your review due to inexperienced testers!

[headchange4u]

You know which 3 hammocks are getting reviewed (I'm about positive HH will 1 of the 4)?

[mataharihiker]

no, I know as much as you do....

[jscalia]

I sent off my email today:

"I learned today from one of the hammock forums that you have decided not to include the Clark Jungle Hammock for review due to some particular dislikes. As one who has owned and extensively tested most of the major hammocks on the market today, I would argue that the Clark North American is the best of the bunch in terms of build quality and feature availability. Indeed, just the fact that it is the most expensive hammock and the only one to feature weather-resistent side panels should merit its inclusion in such a review. And not to be overlooked is the fact that this hammock is one of the only that are American made."


You know, I am very cautious about taking recommendations from big magazines. Their interests are skewed by money making (advertising) and too often I see that their top rated gear has big expensive ads in the adjacent pages. I have been too often screwed by those "editors choice" picks.

[alex30808]

That chokes...I sent an email off aswell.

[mataharihiker]

Indeed, just the fact that it is the most expensive hammock and the only one to feature weather-resistent side panels should merit its inclusion in such a review.

I find it strange that everyone thinks Clark's is such an expensive hammock...
I don't think the NA IS more expensive....I had the set-up listed below:


---------------------------------------------price---------weight
Hennessy ULTRALITE BACKPACKER A-SYM----$179.95-------1lb 15oz
----------undercover & pad-----------------129.95---------- 13oz
----------------------overcover--------------34.95------------6oz(?)
ordered Snakeskins so I could use covers------19.95------------4oz(?)

------------------------------------total---$364.80-------3lbs 6oz (est)

I don't see the NA as either more expensive or heavier than a set-up that offers comparable attributes.

[alex30808]

I think the initial expense is what was being refered to...

[photomankc]

Puzzeling to me as well since I see some models on the Hennessey site tipping the scales at around $250 dollars or more.



EXPEDITION ASYM WOODLAND CAMO $239


DESERT RAT $239


NEW SURVIVOR UNIVERSAL DIGITAL CAMO $439

[BillyBob58]

The really odd thing is: Clark is the only hammock I have seen advertised n BP mag. That was a Clark, wasn't it? Not sure, but I think it was.

[angrysparrow]

I agree with the other thread recently about Backpacker magazine...I'm glad they omit hammocking options from the review. The worse their coverage, the better off hammocking as a whole is.

To me, that entire publication is irrelevant. Does anyone still read print magazines? That's so 1980's...