First, dealing with Marty was great. He promptly answered all of my questions. Thanks!
I love hammock camping. I love being off the ground, having a nice view, and lots of room under a tarp instead of a small tent vestibule. Also it is so much fun to customize your system versus just buying a tent.
However, up until this point my efforts at enjoying hammock camping have been thwarted. I first had a WBBB and MambaJamba for a couple of years but never could get a good night's rest from it. After a break from backpacking to have another child I bought a Tarptent but longed for the experience of hammock camping. I then bought a WBRR and Cloudburst. In my opinion, a bridge hammock takes a lot of fun out of the experience. It was harder to get the angles right, I felt like I was about to flip whenever I moved, and the tarp was so big and required more stakes and time to get it just right. I sent it back.
Please don't take this the wrong way, I think Brandon makes a wonderful product which is obvious from reading on this board. Those hammocks just didn't work for me.
I gave up for a second time and hit the ground.
Shug brought me back. There's nothing like a Shug video to scratch that itch when you wish you could get out. I saw his Snipe review and it re-kindled my desire for hammock camping.
After some help from the wonderful people on this board, I decided on a Snipe and Tad Pole. I received it last Wednesday.
All of the slathering praise on these boards seems to be correct. The hammock and tarp are extremely well made.
I've only gotten to sleep in it one night in the woods. I didn't order an underquilt due to my previous problems so I opted for a 1/8" piece of foam. Despite the foam pad, I think I had the very best night of sleep ever in the woods. The lay was very flat and I had no problems with calf pressure like I did with the WBBB. Finally noticing that bugs rarely bother me, I opted to go net less. I really enjoyed having that unobstructed view and the feeling that I was that much closer to nature. The next morning I couldn't get out of the Snipe. Why leave paradise? (That may be a slight exaggeration) I could hear thunder in the distance and hoped for a downpour to enjoy in my hammock. Alas, all I received was a short lasting drizzle.
I have to throw in one negative. For the price of a Snipe it should at least include a static ridgeline. I did not like the added $15 cost of an adjustable ridgeline which is all that is offered.
Now to order an underquilt and some Dutch goodies! I'm back again!
Chris
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