Does anybody have any oppinions about the following gear

[Magic City Matt]

• Hennesy Hammocks
• Gregory z55/Jade 50
• Golite Pinacle pack

We are looking into possibly getting one or more of these items and I wanted to get some local oppinion if at all possible.

[/list]

[Cuffs]

For a starter hammock, the HH is the best out-the-door setup by far!  Once you get into hammocking, there are so many variations on setups, it will blow your mind.  Once you hang, you 'll never go back to being a ground dweller!

Gregory packs are ok.  Its a matter of fit on the person.  They dont fit me well, I stick with Osprey (Atmos 50 & 65) and Golite (Galaxy)

[Lostsheep]

Just for the record: I love my Hennessy Hammock! I have the Ultralight Backpacker Asym and thoroughly enjoy it. The only thing I've done to it was to add a piece of closed cell foam (the cheap blue pad) as a liner between my sleeping bag and the hammock bottom. Otherwise, it's great! My suggestion is to wait, and check their websites for their clearance sections. I ordered mine as a clearance (color defect) and couldn't be happier. I saved nearly $75 and personally I can't see the defect.

Gregory z55: I have never used one, but I hiked with a guy that did. He either had very large gear, or that pack was too small for the trip. In a few instances he had to push his gear onto others b/c it wouldn't fit in the pack. Also, I did notice that his pack didn't have any water pouches so he was stuck putting his bottles inside his pack. Not something I'd want to do. My experience comes with their Shasta line a long time ago. I had one for a while and just outgrew it. Good pack and very durable.

I don't have any experience with the Golite brand. Sorry.

Hope that helps though.

[Cuffs]

I used to use CCF, but since I got and underquilt, I dont have to worry about carrying the bulk of that silly pad.  And with the UQ, everything is in the pack, I dont have to hang anything on the outside anymore, no more branches pulling chunks out of my pads!

[Skippy]

Hey Matthew,
I wish that I had bought a Hennesey.I bought a Clark a couple of years ago and paid way to much.The Hennesey works just as good.After I had bought my Clark,my friend bought the Hennesey and he loves it.I do like the 6 large pockets made on the outside of the Clark but you can almost buy 2 hennesey's for the price of the Clark,Needless to say if I had to do it over again I would buy the Hennesey.

I really like hammock camping mainly because the campsites are unlimited,just find 2 tree's and you are good to go!!The only drawback with hanging is when it get's below 30 deg. my shoulders get cold.I have heard the underquilt works well but do not have one yet.The foam pad works OK until I manage to slide off of it during the night and then it's hard to get the thing back under you.

[Magic City Matt]

So, What underquilt are people using these days. I really like the Jacks R Better stuff but man is it expensive. Is there some cheaper solution other than making your own? I really loath the idea of working with down. Apparently keeping high loft down in a contained area is akin to herding cats.

[Cuffs]

JRB, KAQ, Blackbishop, Speer, TH...

[Lostsheep]

Note to self: Begin construction of underquilt with underpad for Hennessey Hammock, before Feb!

[Magic City Matt]

This looks like a good pattern

http://www.thru-hiker.com...p.asp?subcat=5&cid=72

I read somewhere that the best way to work with down is apparently from the inside of a tent so it can't just fly everywhere.

[PastorLarryT]

Just got my HH at Christmas...  Haven't had a chance to try it out yet.  But I have high hopes for it!!!  Lots lighter than a tent.

[Cuffs]

I

Note to self: Begin construction of underquilt with underpad for Hennessey Hammock, before Feb!

If you use an underquilt, you wont need a pad...

[Cuffs]

If anyone is looking to get into hammocking, I highly suggest they look into the Bear Mountain Bridge hammock from JRB!

[Lostsheep]

If you use an underquilt, you wont need a pad...

So I could get away with making my own undercover and supplimenting that w/ an underquilt? I'm assuming the underquilt is closely similar to the underpad. By that statment, then it definitely won't be hard to make the hammock more cold weather.

[Cuffs]

I think you are confusing the terms.  What are you calling and undercover?  An underquilt is basically and open sleeping bag that attaches to the outside of your hammock and hangs underneath.  If you did use a pad, it should have been on the inside, under your sleeping bag.  (with the exception of a Speers hammock, which has a pad pocket).

[ke4uzi]

I have a HH and love it for warm weather camping.Everyone do yourself a favor and hang in your back yard many times at different temp ranges before you do any back country hanging.
For me it just requires too much weight in quilts blankets and ways to stay warm.Yes there are under blankets,over blankets that are really light and pack well but for me it's too much trouble and heavy when I can just pack a solo tent and lite pad and I'm ready to go...I'll keep it for warm times.

[Lostsheep]

Well I was thinking the undercover was simply a liner that covers the bottom. Inside it you would place underpad which is equivalent to a quilt or open cell foam to help with insulation. Guess I may have been wrong.

When I do take the hammock, I put my Prolite3 under the bag on the inside and use as a barrier. It seems to work well at least for me. That alone has taken me into the 40s without any issue. I'll eventually get working on something warmer, but in the meantime, I'll stick with my solo tent for winter weather.

[Cuffs]

LS, what brand/model hammock do you have?  The Speer models do have a "liner" sewn to the bottom to insert a pad or other filling (clothes not worn) Most of us hammockers are finding that an underquilt combined with a good down bag is sufficient to 30's.  Below that, overquilt comes in as does warmer clothing.  But to add a pad to an underquilt is not needed...

[Lostsheep]

I have the Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker A-sym and it seems to be excellent.

I typically use it for soloing and it hasn't let me down yet. My normal setup is currently the following:
Marmot Never Winter 30* down bag
Thermarest Prolite3 self inflating pad

Both go in the hammock and I usually sleep in a drywick shirt and boxers. This has worked very well into the 40s unless I slide off the pad. A little adjusting and I'm good.

I'm currently working on the winter modifications, but just haven't gotten there yet. There is no problem in me grabbing my tent for winter hiking though. The weight is fine and it packs well too.

Both have their advantages.

[Cuffs]

Just add an underquilt and you can go alot lower in temps!  HH has them specifically for theirs and the JRB's fit most hammocks (Im a Nest owner!) 

[Skippy]

Hey Cuffs,just curious about the lowest temp that you have been with your UQ?
I have looked at the JRB's but have not bought one yet because I'm not sure it would work on the Clark

[ke4uzi]

I have hung in the 24 f range with just sleeping bag and wool blankets no underpad/pespod or anything but that last night got cool due to condensation.

[Cuffs]

32* in the Smokys in October with light rain!  And that was in an older model KAQ (no longer being made) that is synthetic fill.  The Nest, from JRB is now on my HH Desert Rat.  I have slept in it, but the temps have not been low enough to test for a "cold" night!  Well, not on a night that I can get out... 

The Nest (and most of the others by JRB) are a universal fit.  If you open it up all the way, it is rectangular in shape... the drawcords make it elliptical.

KE, are you backpacking with wool blankets or is that just in your back yard?  I cant see carrying such heavy gear.  Its eider down for me!

[ke4uzi]

Well sorta, I was at a scout training (woodbadge) and since it was a short 100 yards to camp I didn't mind the weight of those old military wool blankets. No I would not carry that for any distance more than that. I know that a heck of a way to try out your hammock in cold weather but I trusted the people I was with in case I got cold.
I am now looking at a 1-2 man tent,I kinda like the fact you can store your gear out of the elements in a tent.Since I normally sleep alone while camping this should work out find.
I hike/backpack with the scouts mostly but hope to get the family out in the woods this year.

I have been asked to plan a hike for our troop this year (December) ,have been looking at the walls of Jericho, Tuskegee nat. forest, Pinhoti. But need one to keep 11- 18 yr boys interest, Last one was Tannehill park and I heard a lot that it seemed too much like a park and not like the back country so I'm looking hard now for something out but not too far from central Alabama (wet).Anywhere in the state really.

That's what makes these forums so good ,research..lol

[Skippy]

How do you like the KAQ? I thought about trying to make one of those,I know that a underquilt is the best way to stay warm.I can use the pad down to about 30 but I really dont like sleeping on it inside the hammock and like you said  packing the bulky thing is a hassle to me when you have to carry it.Oh yeah,I have carried the wool blanket ONCE on a 3 day trip and wont do that again(It was warm) but not worth all the extra weight.

[Cuffs]

Skip:the KAQ is good for warmth, but being synthetic, it is very bulky, even when packed in a stuff sack...  Down is the way to go.

KE:  using your pack cover, you can hang your pack under your tarp, off your ridge line.  stays high and driy!

What distance are you looking to take your scouts KE?  The area around Cheaha is overused, but there are some other great places with good access but feel remote with great views!

[Skippy]

That's what I figured,  I'm going to the winter hangout at the end of this month in Va. and hope to get some good ideas there and then make a decision about what works best for me

[Cuffs]

youre going to mt rogers!?!?!?  Im jealous!!

[Skippy]

Yep, can't wait. Just hope its not to cold cause I don't have the UQ yet. I think that some of the other hangers might bring a spare but if they don't I will have plenty to stay warm with back at the car.Gonna leave  Friday morning and come back Sunday if anybody wants to go.

[ke4uzi]

Cuffs, we have done the cheaha thing to death.Just hiked Tannehill this past Dec. but looking for more of a back country trip.I would say no less than 5 miles and no more than can be done by kids in a day (that's one way in and a return trip out.),maybe 10 miles.

Anywhere really would work, just different than Cheaha..lol

[Skippy]

KE: What about the Pine Glen area? you can go north or south on the Pinhoti to a shelter in either direction.Lots of Scouts make this trip and you have good water at both shelters

[Cuffs]

SKIPPY:  are you on HF too?

[Rob]

I tried to research the JRB Bear Mountain bridge hammock and haven't found much info, one site directed me to whiteblaze.net which has been hacked and thoroughly p***** me off. The others are not very informative. Can any direct me to the correct site? Thanks, HopAlong

[Cuffs]

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/

Go to "Products"

then the BMBH link...

[Rob]

Gotcha', Thanks Cuffs.  Hennessy Ultra light backpacker A-sym and "Nest"  look like a great combo. Nest is a bit pricey though.

[Cuffs]

Nest is worth every penny!  I just got mine and cant wait for the colder weather!

[Cuffs]

FYI:  Jacks R Better may have a display of their goods in the near future right here in Alabama!

[Skippy]

Hey Cuffs,
Yep, that would be me

[Magic City Matt]

Has anybody had any experience with the Speer hammocks? The more I look at them the more I am intrigued.

I like the removable bugnetting and it seems to be the only one that does that.

[Cuffs]

The new BMBH netting is attach/detattachable. 

If anyone really wants all the ins and outs and finesse of hammock camping, go to www.hammockforum s.net

[Rob]

Matthew, How is the Z55 working out for you? I would also like to get some feedback on the Jade 50, my wife is interested in doing a little hiking and needs a pack, didn't Merlesray get one? Maybe she can give us some insight as to how it is compared to other women's packs.

[Lesley]

On one trek my mother, suzglass, and I swapped packs, so I've hiked with both the Jade 50 and a GoLite womens pack.  Both are really great packs and are similar in design.   Both have one main top loading compartment and a front pouch.  The Jade 50 has another smaller pouch that covers the top of the main compartment and can cinch down to really compress the load.  That is where my headlamp lives.  I found the weight of the frame vs frameless to be negligible, but my mom preferres the light feel of the frameless GoLite.  The GoLite hugs the body better and fits closer than the Jade, which had some suspension built in to add some air flow to the lumbar region - a lifesaver for me.  Both packs fit well and neither has any slouch once you get them adjusted.  As far as actual sizing goes we had some fun.  I'm a solid medium in both circumference and torso lenght.  My mom has a long torso but small middle and finding a pack to fit her middle and length was a challenge. I'm really pleased with my Jade 50 and would recommend it to any woman getting into backpacking, but it's all personal preference. My feeling is: less is more. Try a few on, see what fits and doesn't, and what pinches where.  Matt will probably go on for day about his z55, be warned.
Happy trails...

[Rob]

Thanks for the reply Merlesray. It is always good to get the opinion of those who are actually using the gear. We recently went to A.O. and I had her try it on, she seemed to like the fit but said she wasn't sure about the capacity........ ....... You see she only wants a pack big enough to carry a Snickers bar and a bottle of water! LOL
But take her to the mall and she can easily lug six of those oversized shopping bags. Guess that's her way of letting me know she doesn't intend on going on any overniters.  Happy Trails...... Rob