Hammock to start with?

This is less of a recommendation but since you said you're looking to buy from REI, I figured I share my experience with ENO since it's one of the few they sell.

I have the ENO Double Nest,

http://www.rei.com/product/754773/eno-doublenest-hammock

Atlas Straps,

http://www.rei.com/product/840700/eno-atlas-hammock-suspension-system

and guardian bug net.

http://www.rei.com/product/754781/eno-guardian-bug-net

I'm 6'3" and can sleep asymmetrically in the double nest comfortably.

The Atlas Straps are bomber, easy to use, but heavy. I'll eventually swap out the cordage, biners, and Atlas Straps for whoopie slings to save some weight. I wouldn't buy these straps again but will likely keep them for car camping adventures.

Here's the whoopie slings referenced above:

http://www.whoopieslings.com/

The ENO Guardian Bug Net works fine but is in my opinion an inefficient way to get the job done vs a hammock with integrated netting like the Hennessy Hammock (available at REI) or Warbonnet.

http://www.rei.com/product/830552/hennessy-hammock-hyperlight-asym-zip-hammock

If I had to do it all over again, and bug netting was critical for me, I would have skipped the ENO and gone with Hennessy Hammock or Warbonnet. I'm fine sleeping under a tarp with just a headnet so I purchased a Humming Bird Hammock 1+ which I hope to take on its maiden voyage in the near future.

http://www.hummingbirdhammocks.com/vjmailicx8g0sondtiemw8kixfvt1q

Hennessy hammocks are many people's entry point into the hammock world and considered pretty darn good. REI now stocks a pretty decent selection of those. They may come out cheaper (and lighter!) than the equivalent ENO system because they are sold as camping bundles with tarp and integrated bugnet. Perfect use for your 20% coupon and dividend.

That said, if you look outside of REI, Warbonnet makes a really nice hammock system for a reasonable price too. My best friend has one as his primary camping setup and it is quite nice.

With the REI provision, a Hennessy Ultralite Backpacker Asym Zip would be a great start. Any of the Hennessy models will work, but get a zip model.

http://www.rei.com/product/814263/hennessy-hammock-ultralite-backpacker-asym-zip-hammock

I recommend changing the suspension ropes to whoopie slings and you will aslo want longer tree straps and carabiners, but it will work as sold.

Include budget for a bottom insulation system:
Wide foam pad (cheapest and lightest, but least comfortable)
Hennessy SuperShelter system (light and easy to use— for summer)
Underquilt (best results for 3-season but most expensive)

Tarps tent to be larger than UL backpacking models. a 10'x12' tarp is not unusual. Hennessy's diamond fly is okay for good summer weather, but a large tarp will provide more protection. Add that to the budget with the insulation.

If not Hennessy, then look at the Warbonnet Blackbird
http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/blackbird/

Note that I recommend hammocks with integrated bug nets– the only way to fly if you need bug protection. Otherwise, you can go with simpler plain fabric hammocks like the Warbonnet Traveler.

Be prepared to spend some time experimenting with hanging the hammock. Small changes in length and angles can make a big difference in comfort. If you plan on learning at the campsite, you may not be happy with the results. I put a couple posts in the back yard so I could experiment and sleep as many nights as I wanted to learn the tricks. It's not difficult once you understand the principles, but it isn't a 15 minute process.

A cheap hammock will be as miserable as a cheap tent or any other cheap gear. With experience and tweaking you can get any hammock to a workable state, but you end up nickle and diming yourself. The hammock body is the cheapest part of the setup: you need to add suspension, insulation and tarp to make a workable system. A $15 hammock is okay for a nap, but not for camping in North America.

If you sew, it is an easy project to make a basic hammock.

And there is a hammck forum here too :)

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/display_forum.html?forum=66

I'll echo the above recommendations for either a Hennessy Zip model or a Warbonnet hammock. My current hammock is the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC. It's longer than most and very comfortable.

It's up to what you find most comfortable. My hiking buddy uses a Clark hammock, and finds that perfect for him. Try doing as much research as you can before pulling the trigger.

Start with http://theultimatehang.com/ and spend the $4 to buy the Kindle version of his book. Best intro I know to all the different fun stuff to consider when you're starting out.

For lightweight/good weather/bugs, I've been pretty happy with the Grand Trunk Ultralight and a bug net from http://www.buttinasling.com/buginator.html .

Thanks for all of the responses. Sounds like the Hennessy Asym Zip is the way to go for now. I really like that Warbonnet Backbird – but with needing to use my REI dividend, I'll have to go with the Hennessy for now.

Looks like I'll invest in the Whoopie Slings as well – is the 6' good enough, or should I invest in the 8'?

If you had to make one bigger investment outside the of the "out-of-the-box" set up, would you say a CF tarp, or an underquilt (vs. a foam pad) would be the way to go?

Thats definitely good advice for me to play around with it ahead of time, fortunately we have a pine forest for our backyard, so I guess my husband will have to understand when I tell him I'm going to sleep in the backyard for the night :)

Thanks!
Erica

Just about a year ago I was in your position. I did a lot of shopping and a lot of on-line research and ended up with a Warbonnet (http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/) XLC, Yeti underquily, and Superfly tarp. It was lot more than I wanted to spend, but it turned out great and I love them all.

A couple pieces of advice. First, check out
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/search.php?searchid=2640881
a real treasure trove of information.

And, keep in mind that hammocks are a lot like other specialized gear… you can feel a little more comfortable about spending loads of money on really good stuff because if you don't like it, you can sell it for very close to full price on the forums.

Keep us posted on wha tyu get an dhow it works out for you… and have fun!

I would go to REI, ask for cash instead of buying anything there with the dividend, and spend the money on a cottage made, either a Warbonnet or a Dangerbird.

my first Hammock was also Hennessey. I didn't sleep in it very many nights before I figured out that there were bigger more comfortable hammocks to be had. Also lighter ones.

Depends. Tarp is pretty critical. If you have a tarp that you can get by with, then I'd get the UQ first. I've tried sleeping on a pad in a hammock and thought it was not a great experience. Some people make it work though.

But if you don't have anything to keep the rain off of you, then get the tarp now and get the UQ as soon as you can.

I've yet to buy a top quilt and will use my sleeping bag in the meantime. I'd save this for last, if you get one at all.

+1 on using a sleeping bag. If warm enough, I just use it over me like a quilt. You can wiggle into a mummy bag and it is warmer, with no leaks on the sides and whatever warmth you can gain from the fabric layers and compressed insulation. A left hand zip bag is better. If you get up often during the night, a quilt is easier to live with.

For summer bottom insulation, I have an under cover made of light nylon and it works just like a windshirt. I bought the Hennessy open cell foam insulator from the SuperShelter system (it is available alone) and use that with a space blanket and the undercover for a clone of the SuperShelter. You can try using an automobile windshield sunscreen for insulation too. That is they type of material Hennessy supplies for their Jungle hammock.

CCF pads are usually too narrow, leaving your elbows and hips cold. Wide ones can buckle and are generally a pain to get oriented and keep them in place. You don't get the nice feel of the smooth supporting fabric of the hammock either. Eno makes a pad extender that has wings with CCF foam padding and a sleeve to slide your 20" pad into (http://www.rei.com/product/830279/eno-hotspot-hammock-sleeping-pad-wings). It isn't a half bad compromise and leaves you with ground insulation should you need to "hybrid" camp, sleeping on the ground (shudder) should you run out of trees :) A short pad can be supplemented with a sit pad for your feet.

You'll need the longer whoopie sling for the hennessy. I always get my accessories through dutchwaregear and he makes a specific 15" lead for the hennessy. I made the mistake the first time of not researching properly the way to install the whoopie on a hennessy and did not give it the proper amount of wraps because I was out of length. I ended up ripping out the end of the hammock. I use a Simply Light Trail Lair now but had a good many trips in my hennessys.

I suggest watching the Shug hammock videos. He is a wealth of information. I'm a huge Warbonnet fan as well. Great hammocks!!

I have to admit something…I feel so enlightened right now….I HAD NO IDEA YOU COULD GET CASH BACK WITH YOUR DIVIDEND! I shared this piece of info with all my backpacking buddies, and they all had no idea as well (and we had just been joking about how it's too bad you can't use a dividend at zpacks…you actually can! Ha!). This just blew my mind!

So, based on that, I actually think I am going to take the cash and go for a Warbonnet.

I'll have to look into the tarp investment now as well….and probably get by for a bit without an underquilt.

Won't be the lightest thing in the world but you can use a poncho liner from a surplus store and make an UQ out of it. Couple how to videos on YouTube on how to do this.

Keep an eye on Gear Swap and post a WTB when you're ready to make a purchase. That's where I got my UQ.

After much debate, I just pulled the trigger on a WBBB XLT. Good features, good weight for a hammock. Wider than most at 63" wide. Lots of great reviews.

Shug is a hoot and while you are being entertained, you get to see the hands-on details of hammock camping. He has camped at -26f!

https://m.youtube.com/#/user/shugemery

Good choice on the hammock. I'd recommend going with an underquilt. I basically found hammocking MISERABLE until I ditched the pad for an underquilt. It made a world of difference for me. A good tarp that won't break the bank is the "tadpole" from Wilderness Logics (http://wildernesslogics.com/TAD-POLE-Tad-Pole.htm).

+1 for the Tadpole, nice tarp at a reasonable price.
Door kits are available as is a larger tarp for a little more money more if you want more coverage or privacy.

As other people mentioned get the ultimate hang book and watch Shug's videos if you have not already.

An under quilt is much more comfortable than a sleeping pad but you can get by with a pad and use what you already own. If you go with a double layer Blackbird you can slip the pad between the layers and it slides less. I use my EE top quilts as under quilts and then either a Katabatic gear quilt or a sleeping bag for top insulation (sometimes both if it is cold enough). Then add a nylon under quilt cover if it is windy or very cold, or use it alone if it is too warm for an under quilt.

I've started w/a Wabonnet blackbird (two layer, 1.1) ,and their Edge tarp, and like it.

I maybe could have gotten the one layer, but want to experiment w/CCF (from Gossamer Gear). I had some issues with the under quilt popping out of place on a demo/loaner. If I hate the CCF, I may see if I can rig up a kid's size quilt as an UQ. (cause I wouldn't be using the hammock on a kid trip)

Erica you need to go over to the Hammock Forums and do a little reading although all the hammocks listed above are good There are better choices based more on you and your needs. My favorite hammock maker is Dream Hammocks, Papa Smurf will make a hammock with any fabric in any color with any option and the quality is perfect. I have tried every brand out there and Dream Hammocks are now the only one I will buy. War Bonnet makes a great tarp the Supper fly but that may be to much tarp for your needs. the Edge is a more simple tarp from WB and fairly inexpensive. As far as insulation you will need it! I vote go directly to a UQ don't even mess around with poncho liners or pads it a waste of time and money. Arrowhead equipment makes great synthetic quilt that are fairly inexpensive if you have the cash Hammock Gear makes beautiful quilts but get one 20 degrees warmer that what you think you will need the 20 degree is a great all round temp rating for a under quilt. Hope this helps