A question for the new hangers

**Cannibal** · 06-10-2009, 10:00

This post got me thinking:

Originally Posted by cavediver2

I can say with out a doubt I wish that when I had ordered my first of 3 Clarks there was so much input about those same questions that have been brought up and the reviews that have been done on so many different brands lately and all the video's showing off all the different brands makes and models over the last year. When I posted the first video on here I would have never thought that it would have transpired to what Ultimately has become a wealth of information for experienced hangers or beginners I am constantly amazed at what people do on here and for that I am glad to be a part of.

So I wonder, how many folks did their research before buying a hammock? cavediver2 is absolutely correct in that there is so little out there about hammock camping and soooooo many choices these days that it's bound to be confusing. The last year there seems to have been an explosion of growth here on HF and the number of reviews, opinions, and videos. Enough to make my head spin sometimes. So, did you make use of all the info? I'm not talking about a $20 or $30 hammock that you bought just to see if it was even a consideration. I'm talking about spending your money on what you think (at the time

) will be your full-time camper.

Did you do your research here on HF, elsewhere, or not at all?

**GrizzlyAdams** · 06-10-2009, 10:09

Originally Posted by Cannibal

...
So I wonder, how many folks did their research before buying a hammock?

hey I used to be a new hanger!

When I started HF had been in full swing for over a year, but I don't recall it playing a big role in my buy decision. Not sure really when I tripped across it. I was all over the HH site and lots of reviews of people that had them, I was all over the Clark site...fewer reviews available there and lots of questions...I hit JustJeff's site, Risk's site...then HH had a 1/2 price sale going and I jumped on it. I was buying for three of us you see. That more than anything steered me away from the Clarks.

It is true that there seems to be a lot of information out now. Maybe some of it was there when I jumped in, but I didn't happen upon it.

Grizz

**fin** · 06-10-2009, 10:25

When I was looking for a replacement camping hammock after my very last ever miserable tent experience, I read a lot of posts here on HF. I just lurked and lurked for months, reading everything. I made my own hammock while I lurked, and I still like the hammock but laugh at how simple it was compared to what I own now. I didn't find a lot of info on Clark hammocks at the time, but went and bought one anyway based on the marketing of the Clark website, the personal communications from their representatives, and from one particular member here. There was lots of info on Hennessey hammocks and Speer hammocks and even Warbonnet El Dorado threads, but very little on Clark. I had already owned a Hennessey and discarded it several years back due, so I ignored Hennessey threads. But Matahari (May the pebbles have been counted in her favor, and the winds be at her back) convinced me in her posts about the Clark NA. I still love my Clark, but this site has definitely made me more interested in the quality of my gear, even if I don't get to use it as often as I like, and has turned me into a full-blown hammock junkie.

**cavediver2** · 06-10-2009, 12:53

Originally Posted by FishinFinn

But Matahari (May the pebbles have been counted in her favor, and the winds be at her back) convinced me in her posts about the Clark NA.

FishinFinn you could have not put that any better

Amen

I sure do miss her I have allot of fond memories of her and I's phone conversations and email/PMs before she bought her's what a great Spirit.

**Sweetpea** · 06-10-2009, 13:02

What got me started was reading an AT 2007 trailjournal of a hammock user. She wrote how much more comfortable a night in the woods was with a hammock (no back or hip pain)and mentioned the HF site. So for 4 months, I lurked on this HF site. It took me a while to learn the lingo and learn to tie knots, but I learned alot from HF and from Justjeff's site. I then check out a hangout event to get a good idea of what it would really be like. That was back in Sept 08. I signed up for HF after that trip b/c I knew hammocking was the way to go for me. Since then, I've not bought much, just a cheap $10 ripstop tarp. But I've been having fun making a few things.

The hammock was easy to do, just had to work out the whipping a bit, but got it down so I'm comfortable. I think the sewing was the hardest thing to start. A bit intimidating with flash backs of 8th grade home ec, but I've gotten over it.

The suspension system took me a while to figure out what I wanted. I went with tree huggers/carabiners/rope set up. The bug net is another interesting project that I am still working on. Not sure if I want to loop it around my ridgeline or tie it to the carabiner, or attach it to the hammock.

As for an underquilt. I think I can make one, but for the hangout event this weekend, I'll use my down mummy bag inside the hammock. I tried to use an old sleeping bag and just wrap it around the underside of the hammock and tie it to my carabiner with some shock cord and that was way to heavy.

My set up might be pretty ghetto right now, but I am having a blast learning to do it on my own. Gives me a sense of accomplishment. Plus, like most of you, I'm always trying to find what the latest/lightest option are out there.

**animalcontrol** · 06-10-2009, 10:19

I voted "took a chance" but that is because HF didn't exist when I bought my first HH. I did research the HH website. Does that count? lol

**Cannibal** · 06-10-2009, 10:22

Originally Posted by animalcontrol

I did research the HH website. Does that count? lol

Reading is reading. Just Jeff, Risk, and HF were my only options other than vendor sites. But I admit to buying my first HH from Coffee mostly because the HH site sold me.

**animalcontrol** · 06-10-2009, 10:26

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Reading is reading. Just Jeff, Risk, and HF were my only options other than vendor sites. But I admit to buying my first HH from Coffee mostly because the HH site sold me.

yea, but back in the oldn days, HH website still recommended a windshield reflector (no pad or uq) and a winter system didn't even exist (I still remember reading about the 'possibilities' of winter hanging)!

BTW, i musta not read very well back then cause my first hang was MISERABLE = froze my arse off

**shrek** · 06-10-2009, 10:37

I did piles of research here and elsewhere. My first hammock, actually, was a gift. My mom bought an ENO Single NEst at the local outfitters. It is a good hammock, but that didn't stop my research. Have now added a BB to the arsenal, and am still looking at other models. All have their good and bad points.

**Cannibal** · 06-10-2009, 10:20

Yes Grizz, you're right; I unintentionally left out us former-new hangers. I think you and I started around the same time period and I agree that the amount of information available to us, even here on HF, was nowhere near as abundant as it is now.

I think I'm a little jealous of the folks just getting started. They seem to have an unfair advantage. The question is, do they take advantage of it or do they just go ahead and order a Blackbird and be done.