What is the BPL Consensus on the Best Hammock with Bug Protection?

I have never used a Hammock before, but doing a long Costa Rica trip and then South America, and assuming a hammock will be my best choice. Thoughts?

http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/

You may want to ask at Hammockforums.net.

+1 for

http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/

This might be one of those situations where there is no "best" solution. What works best for one person might not be best for another.

The only hammock I've use is from Warbonnetoutdoors

I agree with Andy,
but is not this always the case?

The "best" question is usually a big no no on forums. Rather then say what is best, specify guidelines that you would need, and hopefully a product with a good match can be found.

For example:
- Lightweight
- Bug Protection
- Hammock Design (feet up or level, I'm not a hammock guru)
- Type of suspension required
- Type of material used
- Your weight

I've tried the Hennessey Ultralight Backpacker, and the Warbonnet Blackbird and Traveler. The Traveler has an add-on bug net; no bugs, don't bring it.

Either of the Warbonnet hammocks are more comfortable than the Hennessey. The Hennessey is supposedly lighter, but that disappears when you include the straps (HH doesn't include the weight of the straps in its literature)and get comparable tarps.

The Warbonnet Blackbird (built-in bug net) and Traveler have the same lay; the Blackbird has a "shelf" which is handy for keeping items near you but out of the way at night. The Traveler is lighter, unless you bring the bug net.

LOL!!! Has the BPL community ever achieved a consensus of the BEST gear piece (whatever it is) for all users on all occasions?

Does the Warbonnet come with a fly, and does the listed weight on the Henessey include the regular asym fly?

The WBBB is big. I believe it fits people up to 6'4''. I'm 5'4''. That's a lot of fabric that could be trimmed. When I make a DIY hammock, it's going to be sized for me. But I do like the looks of WB hammocks and I will probably try one at some point.

Agree with the recommendation for hammockforums.net. Lots of great info there.

I've used Hennessey, Eno, Warbonnet, and several DIY's. They are all "best" in their own way.

The Warbonnet Blackbird recommended by many is the most comfortable hammock I've used, but it can be done lighter if that's your criteria. My current DIY is very similar in dimensions to the Blackbird, but weighs over 12 ounces less (includes hammock, bug net, and suspension). But I'd suggest looking closely at the Blackbird if you're looking for an off-the-shelf solution.

"LOL!!! Has the BPL community ever achieved a consensus of the BEST gear piece (whatever it is) for all users on all occasions?"

agreed Ben, but only since ive recently come to the conclusion that the best thing for backpacking is a backpack.

i like the WB traveler. the bug net is a neat addition, as a combo lighter than the BB.
im considering the combo as a kit.

If best is defined as flatest... Hands down the best is the JRB Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock...tip zipped bug net, spreaders, tri-glides for knot free hanging...2lb 5 0z comparable to any other double botton gathered endn hammock such as the WBBB as tested by BGT and the larger HH, lighter even than some.

Pan

OP was looking for best UL hammock. The BMBH is not UL. Nice try.

neither is the blackbird...

Hennessy Hyperlite Zip, 1#10oz. Comfy, light, tiny, easy.

I thought the BB vs the traveler also included the traveler didnt have the offset foot box?

I will be testing my new (and first) backpacking hammock out somewhere this weekend. I have everything but my bug net (which I am making) and tarp (which is coming from MLD in another week or two). My setup is based around the Grand Trunk Nano, which without the included carabiners weighs in at about 6 oz. I would be more than happy to take some pictures of my setup this weekend and post them. I expect my final weight to be around 1 pound but there are a few caveats:

- My tarp won't be sufficient for really bad conditions. I plan on making or purchasing a second tarp for winter. A larger tarp would weigh considerably more than the one I'm using, but would provide more options for pitching, better protection, and could be easily used if I had to sleep on the ground.

- My bug net is not no-see-um proof. If this proves to be problematic, I'll make another bugnet that is. This would add a few ounces.

- I will be making or purchasing an underquilt for colder weather. I'm putting this off because the weather is warming up and I don't really know what my needs will be.

I'm kind of learning the whole hammock thing as I go but believe I've got a pretty good setup for now.

Without an underquilt make sure you have a pad of some sort - your sleeping bag will compress to nothing under you and you could easily have a miserable night with temperatures in the 50's or 60's. I've done okay with just a torso-length pad but you will need something.

I've found I don't like using a pad for insulation...I've gone with underquilts and will be having Te-Wa make me one of his Summer Breeze UQ's for my summer trips.

Seems that "Best" is rather subjective and subject to your personal preference (comfort, weight, ease of setup, etc).

UL...perhaps better to chose the hammock based on comfort first (if you can't sleep decently in it to begin with, what's the point of having the lightest). Most hammock setups can be modified to some degree (changing out the suspension, using hiking poles for bridge hammocks, smaller or lighter tarps). Even the JRB BMBH that Ken sniffed at can be modified substantially if the desire is there (change to dynaglide/whoopie suspension, use hiking poles for spreader bars, remove bug net or cut it back to a partial net, remove the pad pocket from the bottom).

I could sleep on the ground on a 1/4" CCF mat under a cuben poncho tarp with no bug protection. It would be really light. Doesn't mean I'd like it.

Just my thoughts. One setup can't please everybody...

Edited by BER on 03/18/2011 07:26:35 MDT.