Time to put away all the canoe gear for the year and time to try and get some hikes in before the snow. After doing three trips this September and October and sleeping on the ground I thought I would give Hammock sleeping under a tarp for next year. Any advice on what hammock to get with all needed accessories underquilt, overquilt, straps . And yes I did watch some of Shugs videos, any advice will be great.

well i will begin. you will get a few personal choices for what you are asking.
i started with a hennessy hammock. i used a pad with that and used the tarp that they sold. i stayed warm and dry, and camped in warmer temps as well, so insulation was not needed as if in the early spring and fall trips.
i then sold that and went with a warbonnett xlc. this had an attached bug net. again i camped in warmer months, but made an underquilt out of a down blanket and it kept me warmer in cooler temps and the search for underquilts began.
next and last, i sold the xlc, and bought a dutchware chameleon hammock. it comes with the necessary straps and hardware, with the attached bug net.
in my honest opinion, this for me, is the finest hammock i have owned. i have a 20 degree top quilt from enlightened equipment, and a 30 degree underquilt from loco libre. 2 very fine vendors.
my tarp comes from dutch at dutchware.com as well.
the chameleon, strung properly, gives me the best flattest lie.
so, this is MY journey. there are many successful stories out there with gear.
good luck on your journey.

I'm very happy with my Warbonnet Blackbird but if starting over I'd buy the chameleon. I'd still use the Superfly by Warbonnet though. I love that tarp. I use a 20 degree "Incubator" under quilt from Hammock Gear and love that too. My top quilt is a name I forget at the moment but top quilts rock.

My first system cost $65 and I used an existing pad and sleeping bag. Then came the upgrades going through the warbonnet blackbird and now ridgerunner with under and top quilts, and tarps. The evolution will likely continue. Most of the gear regular hangers use seems to come from cottage industries and trying it out can be an issue. And there is a lot to try. I get your asking, but not sure anyone can tell you what will work for you.
You might want to check around some other forums for groups in your area that hang. If you can meet up with them at a gathering you likely could do some good research. There will be some BWCA groups meeting again in the spring and a few hangers show up.
The double layer is a feature not often discussed, but has come in really handy in colder weather. I can insert a pad and still use the underquilt giving me some great support and insulation.

hammockforums.net is a great resource. you will find good sale items there as well on a regular basis.

oh i wanted to add, with loco libre quilts, i did not want a full underquilt ( i am not a winter hammocker), so i was able to order the length i wanted. it is 58 inches long, longer than most 3/4 underquilts. nice feature.

I made the switch from tent to hammock camping this year. After a lot of research here, on hammockforums.net and reading The Ultimate Hang book and the author’s web site as well as the great Shug video series I opted for a full Warbonnet Roadrunner kit—hammock, under and top quilts, and tarp. WB offers shipping me nice “bundle” discounts. I also upgraded the RR aluminum spreader bars to carbon fiber. I love the WB RR set up but it was a significant investment! Luckily I had a big milestone birthday this spring and a wife and family who spoiled me.

There is a lot of good advice on the above resources to find solutions that fit your budget. I am a big fan of Warbonnet gear. Simply Light Designs and DutchWare make great hammock gear too. I used SLD and DutchWare mostly for the accessories but they make good hammocks and tarps as well.

If you like the Sperior Hammock the the built in underquilt the price is going up next week.

I've been hanging "for real" for a couple of years. I use a Warbonnet Blackbird two layer and a CCS 10'x14" 1.9 oz. tarp when I'm in a car camping or BWCA/Quetico type trip.

When I'm backpacking, I have a Chameleon single layer and a CCS 10'x12' 1.6 oz. tarp. The weight difference between the two systems isn't really that much but the backpacking outfit packs so much smaller.

If I were just starting out, I'd go with the Chameleon, and the 10'x14' tarp.

I use a Hammock Gear 30 degree Econ underquilt on both systems. It fits the Chameleon better. I use a sleeping bag laid over me as a top quilt.

Good luck starting down the hanging road and let us know how it turns out.

Chameleon on Cumberland Island National Seashore

I have a Blackbird and a Chameleon - prefer the Chameleon, but only slightly - both work well for me. Like TomT, I do prefer the Superfly to the Dutch tarp due to size and doors. I think I have eight Enlightened Equipment quilts, four top and four under in various weights/temp ratings. Obviously I'm a fan of theirs.

I would not even consider a top quilt if you already have a sleeping bag, start with the sleeping bag and just open it up down to your legs. I probably wouldn't buy anything new right away and try to buy from the hammockforums For Sale section, many listings and typically high end gear for discount.

I have a bridge hammock, the ridgerunner from warbonnet, i really like it but havnt tried gathered end hammocks to many times, so i may be missing out but i have alot invested in this system and dont see changing.

My hammock is used only in the BWCA/Quetico so weight is not a big deal, i roll with a superfly tarp and i also have a spindrift that i got at discount cause it was a prototype, im pretty much covered for any big storms with this setup, its probably overkill.

Campnfish, how do you like the spindrift? I have a ridgerunner and as mentioned the blackbird. I think the spreader bars reduce the squeeze on my shoulders and hence more comfort. My tarp covers well, but does not drop down to trap heat well. On a recent trip where it was 28 when I woke up I wrapped an extra poncho liner around the foot creating a very nice cocoon trapping the heat. I have been curious about the spindrift.

Franzenrp, are you still around? anything been helpful?

bhouse, i used the spindrift in September and only had the one cool night around 40, but im certain it will add some warmth. On warmer nights i had to make sure i had both windows zipped open or it got very hot, those nights were probably in the 50's. I really like the idea of being able to have a smaller tarp and if it rains hard and blowing i wouldn't have to worry, however i have a superfly, so for me it may be too much coverage. The fiddle factor is alittle of a pain, meaning when its time to pack up and i want to take off or put back on my underquilt its a bit of work. If i had a lazy slug to stuff the spindrift, quilts and hammock altogether into i think that would probably be better. Then i could just grab it all stuff it in the lazy slug and into my pack. I have the second generation version, so the spreader bars are on the outside, which make things easier. Im not sure if your in Minnesota, but if you wanted to try it out for a weekend or trip let me know, happy to let you try it.

BWCA.com nice again! Thanks for the offer to try it out. Probably pass, but you might hear from me some day. Evergreen is not too far from Denver and in nice hiking country. I plan to stop by the Warbonnet shop next spring to check things out. Until then the poncho liner wrap worked really well and not an issue in set up/breakdown.
It is always the "fiddle factor", isn't it!

I'm still here, and thanks everyone for all the info. With all the info around I think I'll pull the plug on one of the Warbonnet Hammocks and see about getting some spreader bars. I plan on using one of the many CCS Tarps I have with it, and then I'll be in the market for both top and bottom quilts. My plan would be to get something that would work at about -20 F , and then do the BW this winter snowshoeing and pulling a small pulk.

I love my Warbonnet, love my Chameleon, love my DIY, and STILL think my Dream hammock (sparrow) is the most comfortable one for me. They should be on your short list of considerations.

Would a - 20 degree hammock setup be possible with an underquilt and top quilt or am I expecting too much ? I have no problem staying warm on the ground with a system of close cell foam and a Exped down mat and use a Big Agnes -20 degree elk park and slipping a down 15 degree Lost ranger inside. This system has worked at -30 degree cold camping, but I'm trying to go tentless and would like to hang this winter.

I would think a primary issue differing hammock and tent camping is the air movement. In a tent you capture the warm air and do not have wind moving it away. In a hammock being off the ground increases loss of heat due to air movement. The primary advantage the spindrift seems to offer for the ridgerunner is that cocoon effect. I find it very hard to achieve a cocoon with my CCS and ridgerunner, but not so much a problem with the warbonnet and noah tarp or superfly. Your bag and current sleep system seems adequate except for the loss of heat due to air movement.

Got a copy of The Ultimate Hang book today. By Derek Hansen.

After I give it a read I'll make hopefully a more informed decision on what system to start with.

Franzenrp: "I'm still here, and thanks everyone for all the info. With all the info around I think I'll pull the plug on one of the Warbonnet Hammocks and see about getting some spreader bars. I plan on using one of the many CCS Tarps I have with it, and then I'll be in the market for both top and bottom quilts. My plan would be to get something that would work at about -20 F , and then do the BW this winter snowshoeing and pulling a small pulk. "

I have the BB XLC as well. As far protection from the wind goes you can get the Warbonnet Topcover and Underquilt Protector for it and zip them together creating a sock (or use them separately from another depending on your needs or the season). The downfall of nylon in cold temps is the build up of frost however. For better breathability (you will have to deal with condensation regardless) you could take a look at the Molly Mac Canvas Sock instead. A sock would also add a few degrees of warmth. At the very least I would get an Underquilt Protector. For wintercamping you could either go with a sub zero Underquilt or you can stack quilts, meaning get a 0F and a 20F for instance and hook one underneath the other increasing your loft that way. That would also make your system more versatile in warmer weather as you would pretty much cover the entire range of temps (other than summer maybe). Downside is obviously having to buy two quilts and also having to make sure to adjust them correctly to avoid air gaps. Inside I line my hammock with a wool blanket and then stack my quilts as well (for sub zero). Depending on what temps you are expecting you could use a 0F Topquilt and then throw a light summer sleeping bag up top.

I am still in the hennessy hammock phase (newer to hanging), but really appreciate the progression laid out by bwcasolo. Because I only bring a hammock when solo paddling, I leave the Hennessy tarp, and use a larger CCS tarp instead. It gives better coverage than the Hennessy and I can also use it on group trips.

paddlinjoe: "I am still in the hennessy hammock phase (newer to hanging), but really appreciate the progression laid out by bwcasolo. Because I only bring a hammock when solo paddling, I leave the Hennessy tarp, and use a larger CCS tarp instead. It gives better coverage than the Hennessy and I can also use it on group trips."

i always have my ccs tarp with me, i may string it this year over my hammock.

bwcasolo: "

paddlinjoe: "I am still in the hennessy hammock phase (newer to hanging), but really appreciate the progression laid out by bwcasolo. Because I only bring a hammock when solo paddling, I leave the Hennessy tarp, and use a larger CCS tarp instead. It gives better coverage than the Hennessy and I can also use it on group trips."

i always have my ccs tarp with me, i may string it this year over my hammock."

A big tarp with doors works great in the BW. You don't want wind blown rain coming under the tarp and it can get you on the ends if there's no doors.

I choose to use my CCS 10'x14' 1.1 for a community tarp, and hang under a Warbonnet Superfly which with the doors provides a nearly bomb proof hang in even the nastiest weather.

unshavenman: "I choose to use my CCS 10'x14' 1.1 for a community tarp, and hang under a Warbonnet Superfly which with the doors provides a nearly bomb proof hang in even the nastiest weather. "

Do you have an 11' or 13' Superfly?

SinglePortage: "

unshavenman: "I choose to use my CCS 10'x14' 1.1 for a community tarp, and hang under a Warbonnet Superfly which with the doors provides a nearly bomb proof hang in even the nastiest weather. "

Do you have an 11' or 13' Superfly?"

11'. Absolutely LOVE it.

I love my Warbonnet 13’ superfly. I use the pole mods to make it bigger for my RidgeRunner hammock. I haven’t used it in bad weather yet but I’m sure it will keep me dry.

I have an original WBBB and a superfly. Really like the combo. Typically I use either a JRB down underquilt, if it's cold, or an underquilt I made for warmer travel. I started with a Big Agnes inflatable pad, which works, but definitely knew when I was off the pad. I've gone down to about 15F with the JRB underquilt. I think if I was trying -20, I'd go for underquilt plus pad.

I tried an Amok Draumr, which was comfy, but a bit more challenging getting in and out. I think there's a reason the video always shows 6' tall guys, and not women closer to 5'.

I am thinking of getting a Dream Hammock Sparrow. Just haven't fully committed yet.

I did recently buy one of the $30 hammocks Dutch had for sale, which was a little over twice that with an added ridgeline and whoopies for hanging.

Last couple years I've been in Canada where I've been in a tent. Hoping to be in Canada this year, but a little further south so I'll be back in a hammock.

I have had a "journey" like many on here and I have two boys that hang also so get the excuse of needing 3. I love my Dream Hammock Raven. You can zip of the net and leave the bulk at home during non but season or add a over cover. I agree that if you have good bags that is fine for a quilt but I did by a Hammock Gear Quilt and love it. The quality is better than any of our other bags, North Face, Marmot or Kelty. We have 3 UGQ tarp but our 10x12 CCS always comes for someone. It makes a great hangout spot for the group until its time to call it a night.

My only advice is stick to cottage venders, quality is way better, price is better than most of REI type prices and you support small American businesses.