Warbonnet

[Rick Reno]

I'm just about ready to order myself an early birthday present- Warbonnet Blackbird XLC 1.7 DL- and a Mamajamba Tarp, for 3-season use in New England, where the temps. range from about freezing on up. Just over 3# and $300 for starters.

I don't really want to go all-in with TQ and UQ until I have a better idea about how much I enjoy hanging vs tenting, and figure out how al the pieces work together. My plan for this summer is to get some good CCF ( GG 1/4" thin light?) and trim it to fit, and use a light 30* down bag as a TQ.

If I enjoy hanging as much as I think I'm going to, I'll clear out a few sleeping bags and tents, and start shopping for quilts…

Does this sound reasonable to those of you who know more about this than I do (I.e., everybody!)? Any last minute advice, words of warning, or little bits-&-pieces I shouldn't be without?

Last chance to talk me out of it or offer to sell me your good-as-new setup wicked cheap… Speak now or forever hold your peace, and thanks in advance for any shared wisdom!

[John Myers]

Congratulations! I don't have a Warbonnet but hear good things about them.

The GG thin light did not work well for me as hammock insulation. It seemed to collect condensation which made me damp and therefore even colder. Plus it just wasn't comfortable for me. Sticky and hard to turn over on during the night. Also, a hammock is noticable colder than a tent, so your 30* bag as a TQ likely isn't enough insulation to keep you warm below 40.

Can you test this system in your backyard before taking it on the trail?
Hammock insulation effectiveness can vary widely between individuals so that system might work for you and it surely is less expensive than an UQ.

UQ's are pricy but they work really well.

Best of luck. I LOVE my hammocks.

My son and I used them on the CT and it was awesome.

[Rick Reno]

Thanks, John!

I've heard good things about Evacote, and am hoping that sticking the pad between the layers of the hammock will relieve the stickiness issue and the dampness from condensation (a little). I plan to play around in the yard and nearby woods to iron out any rough spots and have a few other bags to the if 30* isn't enough. I also have a few other pads. Can experiment with…

I can easily see myself getting at least a UQ before the summer's over, but it looks like the learning curve with all the other bells and whistles is pretty big and I want to get my priorities right. On the other hand it's much more about the walking than the camping for me, s I'd like to see if I like it and the get things dialed in well ASAP, so I can quit thinking about it!

Thanks again, and I hope to have si ilarly sage advise to share wit other rookies before too much longer…

[Jolly Green Giant]

I've owned several different Blackbirds, to include the latest XLC, and this pretty much sums up my hammocking expertise. However, after investing in a nice underquilt and not feeling I achieved the success I had hoped, I looked around a bit more for other options on how to keep warm and came across Tom Hennessey's insulation technique videos. In essence, he uses a CCF + emergency blanket, and if warranted, a cover to keep out moisture. He may also add the equilavent of Reflextix or a reflective bubble pad in lieu of the emergency blanket. It's an inexpensive and lightweight option as a whole and may be worth a try to allow you to avoid the underquilt. Good luck.

http://hennessyhammock.com/media/C19/#content

[John Myers]

Richard,
I forgot that the Warbonnet had that second layer for the insulation pad.

If that works I'd consider getting one. I'd love it if the thinlite worked for insulation. Please let us know how that works out.

[Rick Reno]

Thanks- I'll keep you posted and wager that before summer's over I'll be the proud owner of a UQ or three ;-)

[Steven McAllister]

I Have a double layer Warbonnet as well and tried a 24"x72x1/8" Evazote pad.

I found that it moved around a bit through the night and wasn't quite wide enough. I also experienced a little bit of dampness/condensation pooling.

I think the Hennessy system works better because it is wider and uses a more open cell foam, but I may be wrong.

People have had success by various methods of attaching the pad to the bottom layer.

I am an underquilt fan.
They do only work well when hung correctly.
Hung loose with any gaps or hung too tight compressing down are a no-no.

I have used sleeping bags for top and bottom quilts with much success.
Just unzip the sleeping bag most of the way and you have a top quilt.

A full zip sleeping bag works as a bottom quilt with the right suspension components.

I used paper clamps and thin bungee.

Some sleeping bags can act as a peapod and so no suspension needed.
My Exped Wallceeper is one good example.

[Rick Reno]

Thanks, Steven!

The EVA I'm thinking about is a Gossamer Gear Thinlight pad, 39 X 60 X 1/4.

I'm pretty sure it'll be wide enough, and I can tril a lot away; maybe enough for a little sitpad/foot section. I'm hoping that at 1/4" it'll be warm enough for summer (about 40 and above).

I'm not sure how much of an issue condensation and pooling are likely to be, or hwo to work around that. One step at a time, eh?

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted. Prolly tell you all about my new UQ after a night or two freezing in the backyard!

[Dale Wambaugh]

Nice hammock!

I use an undercover with the Hennessy open cell foam pad and space blanket for summer, cloning the Hennessy SuperShelter system. The undercover is like a windshirt for your hammock. I use a sleeping bag like a quilt in warmer weather and all-around if colder. A left-hand zip is helpful.

A CCF pad is the lightest and least expensive option, IMHO and having a double layer hammock helps. It isn't as nice as an UQ and there will be a little wrestling, but it will work. Another option is to use your conventional 20" wide pad with an Eno Hot Spot sleeve that has insulated wings to cover your shoulders and hips.

Do leave yourself all the time needed to set up and fiddle with the hammock the first time around. I highly recommend creating a back yard hanging area and spending a few nights before heading out. I sunk a couple 4×6 posts for my test area. Once you learn the relationships of the span, height of the tree straps and ridge line tension, setting up will be a snap. There are some good videos to those points on the Warbonnet site.

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