Ridgerunner - How light can it go?

**hodad** · 01-11-2016, 15:52

I just wrote this for http://sectionhiker.com/warm-camping-hammock/ and it has some relevance here.
If you plan to stay in hammocks and invest in a UQ there’s a good argument to go with a 0 degree UQ first and swap with a pad in warmer summer months. I find that my 0 degree UQs are comfortable up to 60 degree nights with some venting and will take me below 0 with some augmentation from pads and pods. My current favorite is the WB Bridge and the LYNX 0 full Length UQ http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com. The WBB and 0 UQ does weight in at 2.5lbs rigged but the temp range allows me to pack a 13 oz top quilt down to the mid 30’s. The double layer allows the use of the http://gossamergear.com/thinlight-hammock-pad.html pad (at 3.9 oz) for summer months and tropics. My WBB bridge has been modified with dynaglide bone legs, dynaglide whoopies, dutch double bridge hooks/kevlar tree straps http://www.dutchwaregear.com/ and carbon spreader bars. If I want to go stupid light I take my 11 ft DIY and a 3/4 UQ but the .5-1lb pound savings is hardly worth the comfort. Coupled with a CF tarp the 3 season WBB as described above still comes in at a little over 3 pounds of above ground luxo-comfort sleep system.

**CeeVee** · 01-11-2016, 18:25

Carbon spreader bars sound like a good idea. Can you give detail? Where you got them and price?

**ChacMool** · 01-11-2016, 20:31

maybe also how much you weigh, too, since there was an old report about one of the head-end carbon fiber poles breaking...

**hodad** · 01-18-2016, 20:18

[email protected] will make you some. I paid $85. Remember to insist on the solid ferrule.

**hodad** · 01-18-2016, 20:28

Originally Posted by ChacMool

maybe also how much you weigh, too, since there was an old report about one of the head-end carbon fiber poles breaking...

200lbs wet. I'm the kiss of death on these spreader bars. I also broke one of my son's stock poles while he was in his hammock by grabbing it. The carbon head pole that broke was likely due to the initial hollow ferule. The solid ferrule head pole has lasted many trips since then. Josh at Rutalocura sent an extra solid ferule which I was able to use to salvage the old broken head pole by cutting down to a foot spreader bar. Another dynamic that I failed to mention is that I had Josh make the head 2 pieces instead of three. Anyway, love the bridge, the weight not so much.

**barchetta** · 01-19-2016, 18:41

Originally Posted by hodad

200lbs wet. I'm the kiss of death on these spreader bars. I also broke one of my son's stock poles while he was in his hammock by grabbing it. The carbon head pole that broke was likely due to the initial hollow ferule. The solid ferrule head pole has lasted many trips since then. Josh at Rutalocura sent an extra solid ferule which I was able to use to salvage the old broken head pole by cutting down to a foot spreader bar. Another dynamic that I failed to mention is that I had Josh make the head 2 pieces instead of three. Anyway, love the bridge, the weight not so much.

The first poles that broke were a different design than the ones he makes now. I too have a set of carbon poles and they are bullet proof. I spent about 40 nights in then with no issues

**hodad** · 01-23-2016, 12:55

Originally Posted by barchetta

The first poles that broke were a different design than the ones he makes now. I too have a set of carbon poles and they are bullet proof. I spent about 40 nights in then with no issues

That's great to know. It'd be great if Branden would add the CF poles as an option to get more in the field.