Just came across this video. I have been tempted to try hammocks but old habits are hard to break. So I'm curious of the experienced hangers opinion of this item. I'll thank you in advance for your opinion.

Rei

It all comes down to the dreaded "personal preference" thing on this. The reason why is that it is a bridge hammock. A bridge hammock will lay a bit different than the gathered end hammocks and will be a bit heavier to pack due to the extra "bridge" ends. Other than that it has the ups and downs of other hammocks.

I've used bothe gathered end and bridges and I liked them both. The bridge felt roomier yet I personally was more comfy in the gathered end style. Other people swear by one or the other.

The one I tried was the one being reviewed here: Warbonnet Ridgerunner Bridge Hammock

I'll give my personal preference. This hammock looks like it would be too much of a bath tub shape, but you'd have to lay in it to know. As was mentioned, bridge hammocks have their ups and downs. I'd say if you bring trekking poles with you anyways or something to use as spread bars, the Warbonnet Ridge Runner it the best hammock money can buy, and it is about the same price as this REI gig. It's been my preferred hammock since the first time i used it. I'll never turn back to gathered end hammocks.

quote VaderStrom: "I'll give my personal preference. This hammock looks like it would be too much of a bath tub shape, but you'd have to lay in it to know. As was mentioned, bridge hammocks have their ups and downs. I'd say if you bring trekking poles with you anyways or something to use as spread bars, the Warbonnet Ridge Runner it the best hammock money can buy, and it is about the same price as this REI gig. It's been my preferred hammock since the first time i used it. I'll never turn back to gathered end hammocks. "

Have you backpacked with it? If so I assume you feel the increased weight is worth it, even if you use trekking poles as the spreaders?

quote WonderMonkey: "

quote VaderStrom: "I'll give my personal preference. This hammock looks like it would be too much of a bath tub shape, but you'd have to lay in it to know. As was mentioned, bridge hammocks have their ups and downs. I'd say if you bring trekking poles with you anyways or something to use as spread bars, the Warbonnet Ridge Runner it the best hammock money can buy, and it is about the same price as this REI gig. It's been my preferred hammock since the first time i used it. I'll never turn back to gathered end hammocks. "

Have you backpacked with it? If so I assume you feel the increased weight is worth it, even if you use trekking poles as the spreaders?"

I have. Honestly I've felt it would be worth it even with the spread bars weight. Its the only form of backcountry sleep systems that has caused me to accidentally oversleep. You can use a sleeping pad just as easy as and underquilt. I prefer the underquilt option. I'd say it's 100% worth just trying if you're trying to compare it with other options. Making sure you set up correctly is key though. It's a little different than a gathered end setup. Warbonnet's website has great videos of it in action and how to make sure it's set up right.

I've bought 2 as gifts after letting folks try mine out. I haven't had someone use it an not immediately decide they can't live without it. I'd be interested to hear if anyone has tried it and had it not work out for them...?

I spent one night in it and enjoyed it, but liked my gathered end hammock more. However, I know that it took me a few nights of my gathered end to really get in tune with it. Maybe a few more nights in the spreader bar one would have sold me.

What spread bar did you try? Like with gathered end hammocks, they are all VERY different to spend a night in.

Are these set up in the REI store to try or do you have to try it and return if you don't like it?

My first experience sleeping in a hammock was a bridge hammock (was set up outside my friend's RV when I visited in Florida). Slept like a baby.

I've been using a gathered-end hammock and it's harder for me to get comfortable and I strongly dislike that I can't see anything when I'm in the hammock "cocoon" that forms when you lay down. They're certainly comfortable for lounging in but I had to take a sleeping pill last Sept. because it was harder for me to get comfortable.

The one difference was I don't have under or over-quilts so I was sleeping on a Therm-a-rest that was wedged in my gathered-end & inside a sleeping bag. That limits how you can lay and the sleeping bag can be constricting. If the pad slips out from under you you also get some very cold spots.

I really enjoy sleeping in a hammock and love having them for lounging since they are so comfy, but I don't think I would ever buy an under/overquilt just due to the cost. I'll probably take up sewing (have my grandma's old Singer) to make my own if I go further down the rabbit hole of hammocking.

I am thinking about purchasing one of these - I have $700 in REI dividends this year, so it would essentially be free. I am a side sleeper and gathered end hammocks have been an issue for me to sleep on my side. No matter where I start, I end up on my back . Does anyone have experience sleeping on their sides in a bridge hammock? The REI in Bloomington, MN does not carry them in stock yet.
I don't think I would use the fly that comes with it, I would bring my ENO Housefly tarp (it has "doors" to keep out the elements).

I sleep on my back all the time in my bridge hammock, but they're all different depending on type and how you set it up. My brother and I have the exact same hammock but set it up completely different based on our preferences. I'd guess you can find a way to make side sleeping work. I'd recommend pulling it a little tighter than normal and using an underquilt, but feel free to experiment with a sleeping pad. With the Warbonnet Ridge Runner there's a sleeve under the hammock to hold your pad in place.

Well Jim, you got me to "buy" one (used my dividends). Here is my review:
I have used hammocks for several years and, as a side sleeper, never got the greatest night’s sleep. The flat lay of the bridge hammock will hopefully help with this. I have only slept one night in this hammock but overall I was very impressed with its design and comfort.

The Pros: The Quarter Dome hammock has everything you need right out of the box to camp overnight and all for a very reasonable price. It comes with rain fly, hammock, straps, whoopee slings, bug net, stuff sack and stakes. It is not bare bones either; REI has thought of all the little touches that make hammock camping more enjoyable such as: hanging loops, tension locks, side pockets, stake bag integrated into the stuff sack, and even drip line cords. The adjustable bug net design is fantastic. It will definitely keep the net off your face, and allows you to hang light items from the loops on its ridgeline. I hung my Luci light from one of the loops and it held it there with very little sag. My full length under quilt also snugged up well so I see no issues with that. Finally, my son who is 6’4” definitely fits in the hammock, so it is plenty long.

The Cons: I would prefer to have removable spreader bars so I could put them on the outside of my pack when I hike. The whoopie slings attach permanently to the tree straps. I would like it better if they were attached to the hammock suspension instead. That would give me more flexibility to use other straps if I need to hang on very large trees. The biggest issue I see with this hammock system is the rain fly. It will definitely keep you dry if you have a straight down rain. However, if there is wind, I don’t think it is large enough to keep you dry. I will probably use mine as a cook fly and use my ENO House Fly with the hammock. The final issue is shoulder squeeze – I am 6’2”, 210 lbs and have fairly broad shoulders. If the bottom of the hammock was a couple of inches wider, it would be much more comfortable. As, I said earlier, I am a side sleeper, so this will not be a big issue.

Overall, it is well designed and I will definitely keep it. My first night’s sleep went very well and I was able to comfortably sleep on my side the entire night.