Disclaimer - this is way too long....

After spending all of my life in a tent I have finally had enough.

I have considered switching in the past but I just didn’t think I could get comfortable in a hammock and the steep learning curve with setup seemed like too much.

My research has led me to bridge hammocks, and I’m fairly confident this will be the answer for me. The question is which one. I know many are fans of the warbonnet ridgerunner, does anyone have any experience with the Dutchware Banyan Bridge? The pre-set double ridge line seems like it will help this noob get it set up correctly every time. Is the ridgerunner tricky to set up or just plug and play? Are there any other models I should be considering?

The next question is which tarp to get. The most pressing issue in my mind is should I get doors or not. I like the idea of no doors for ease of setup and entry/exit. But I don’t like the idea of getting wind driven rain on my face.... Does anyone use a bridge hammock with a doorless tarp in the BWCA? If so, which one? As far as I can tell the best door option is the warbonnet superfly 13 footer. If I go with doors are there any other models I should consider?

Any other tips and tricks are greatly appreciated. Like I said, this was way too long.

Congrats. As for tarps, I wouldn't go without doors because I've experienced sideways wind driven rain WITH the doors on my Superfly and would have been very wet and uncomfortable without them. Sure they take a few more minutes to stake out but you also have the option to fold them under on those clear nights or when you want more airflow. In short - get the doors bc you won't regret it one bit.

I have a used a Ridgerunner on my last 2 trips and love it. I feel some much better in the morning. I was new to hammock camping when I bought it and I find it very easy to set up. I have the 13’ Superfly tarp with exterior pole mod. I recommend the pole mod for added room.

I'd normally say try and find one to demo first, but they are so popular if you didn't like it you could sell it pretty easy. I'm a side sleeper and I was pretty leery of a gathered end model. I have a BB and a BBXL and I sleep very comfortably and pretty flat lying at a sideways angle. The Superfly's are awesome.

As far as doors/no doors, I've got a WB ThunderFly and when not needed, you just fasten them back. WB ships the tarp with a couple of small carabiners that work great.

+1 on the exterior pole mod. I find the ridgerunner takes more width under the tarp and the pole modes give room so the bars are not rubbing on the tarp.

I'm sold on hammocks after last week in the BWCA with my homemade bridge. Definitely plan on a better/dedicated hammock tarp as my next purchase.... The tarp with exterior pole mod seems like the right direction to go - does it have doors too?

My current setup is using a Guide Gear 12' tarp, which in a sideways rain would probably result in some dampness.

I have both a WB Ridgerunner and the Blackbird XLC. I started with the RR as I am a side sleeper in a normal bed and thought the gathered end hammock might feel too claustrophobic. But after trying both I prefer the BB XLC but just a little more. Both great hammocks.

I use a WB Thunderfly with the BB XLC. The ‘beaks’ (vs. full doors of the Superfly) work well for me. If the forecast is driving sideways rain I bring an underguilt protector but lowering the tarp, picking a location with shelter from wind, and using my hanging pack as a screen on the exposed end of the tarp have kept me dry in some howling thunderstorms.

For the Ridgerunner I have the older WB Cloudburst hammock with the door kits. If I did it over I would probably go with a Superfly with pullouts to better fit the spreader bars. Or the mountainfly to save a few grams. Spoiled for good choices with Warbonnet!

Be careful as hammock camping can become an expensive rabbit hole!

TipsyPaddler: "Be careful as hammock camping can become an expensive rabbit hole ??"

Ha! I have definitely found that to be the case. It’s ok though, I have been completely outfitted for quite a few years now. Kinda fun to be in gear acquisition mode again.

Hammock and pimped out tarp looks like it will come in somewhere around $500. Definitely not cheap but if I don’t ever have to crawl in and out of a short tent while letting rain in from the vestibule to sleep on slanted ground again it will be worth every penny.

Already looking forward to the backyard test runs.

tarnkt: ... but if I don’t ever have to crawl in and out of a short tent while letting rain in from the vestibule to sleep on slanted ground again it will be worth every penny. "

THIS is why I made the switch. I sleep way better in the BWCA in a hammock and my back thanks me every morning.

Biggest challenge is I go into such a restful, deep sleep I need to set an alarm to avoid sleeping to late when I need an early morning start!

tarnkt: " if I don’t ever have to crawl in and out of a short tent while letting rain in from the vestibule to sleep on slanted ground again it will be worth every penny. "

Not to mention the river of running water through and surrounding your tent when it rains.

For those that use the exterior poles on the superfly, do you have to use a continuous ridgeline to support them? I would think so but maybe not.

Having lines on each end of the tarp seems easier to rig in my mind.

I just wrap each end around the pull outs. They stay in place.

tarnkt: "For those that use the exterior poles on the superfly, do you have to use a continuous ridgeline to support them? I would think so but maybe not.


Having lines on each end of the tarp seems easier to rig in my mind."

I just lay the poles across the top of the tarp. Suppose you could lay them over the CRL but never tried it. This is my BBXLC with Thunderfly tarp.

And this is my RR with the Cloudburst tarp. The exterior poles are a little wonky as I had the lake facing side in porch mode but they weigh very little so just laying them over peak of the tarp works fine.

No CRL on this tarp. Learned I prefer using a CRL as easier to center over hammock and/or between trees.

I prefer a CRL on my superfly. I find it easier to center my tarp. I put poll mods over the CLR. I attached looped pieces of Zing it line to the pull outs,I find it easier to put poles on and not as much pressure on the pole.

Awesome stuff, thanks guys.

I am intrigued by the idea of a continuous ridge line but I’m not up for fussing with prussik knots. Is there any sort of easily adjustable knotless hardware hack that can be used to secure the tarp to the ridgeline?

I use figure 9s for cinching up my kitchen tarp and they’re super slick but probably not ideal for this application.

We just did.
We went with the Chameleon from Dutchware and we also got 11' rectangle tarps from there as well. Partly because they were the only vendor who could make them and ship them in time for our upcoming trip, and because I knew that they would be good, dependable tarps. I may opt for a tarp with doors in the future, but I'm 100% satisfied with the route we went.
Congrats and good hanging.

tarnkt: "I am intrigued by the idea of a continuous ridge line but I’m not up for fussing with prussik knots. Is there any sort of easily adjustable knotless hardware hack that can be used to secure the tarp to the ridgeline?”

Yes. One is the Tato Connector. If you look at Dutchwaregear.com and check out his Continuous Ridgeline product page there are two tarp connector options: soft shackles (i.e prusiks with a knotted loop) and the Tato Connector. There is a video that shows the Tato Connectors in use. I started with the Tato Connectors but I found the soft shackle/prusik lighter and less fuss. I use soft shackle prusiks on all my tarps now.

I have a pair of the Tato Connectors sitting unused in my spare gear box if you are interested but if you go the CRL route probably best to buy all in one package.

There is A LOT of hammock/tarp hardware out there with many points of view/favorites. Its basically a sub-fetish of the broader hammock fetish.

I do not recommend the Tato tarp connectors. They don't position well on the ridge line and the tarp tends to hang offset. Much better to just prusik a zing-it soft shackle or continuous loop onto your continuous ridge line and hook it to the split ring on the tarp. it only has to be attached once and it's a no-brainer. The world of hammock camping inevitably involves endless variations of attachments for the hammock suspension and tarp and should be embraced, not feared. Jump in and enjoy!

Another “knotless” option is the NAMA claw but I have only read reviews, not personally tried them.



NAMA Claws

I use a continuous ridge line on a 13' Super Fly for my WB RR. Loop Aliens as anchor / tie outs on each end, Tato Tarp connectors on tarp. Tarp is in a 1 piece snake skin. For me this works very well, the key for me was not to get my ridge line super taunt , left enough slack to operate Tato connectors, and if I needed to snug up ridge went to Loop Aliens and adjusted . I have the exterior poles to open tarp up, planned to place over the ridge line if need. I used porch mode. Nice to look at the scenery from the hammock. I slept very well, best rest I've experienced in the BW.

I'll second unshavenman's comments on prusik's for connecting tarp to continuous ridge line. Once you get them setup, they are "fire and forget"... no additional tying, etc. SUPER easy to setup, adjust, and take down.

My tarp setup is
* WB Thunderfly
* Continuous ridge line using Lawson ironwire
* Tarp ridge ends connected to the CRL with ironwire prusiks
* 6' ironwire lines for tarp tie out (attached via lark's heads to the tie outs)
* v-stakes with WB tarp ticks connected via small ironwire loops
* 2 piece snake skin (LOVE these... I struggled with getting the tarp taken down and bagged up prior to getting... they were a game changer. Also nice to be able to neatly and cleanly corral the tarp when the weather is nice and I'm not using it but knowing it can be quickly deployed if necessary.)

The ironwire is 2mm which is theoretically too large for the tarp ticks (supposed to be 1.75mm line) but I have not had any issue... the line doesn't fully go into the "legs" of the tick but they lodge in well enough to hold in a strong wind.

But, in the end, you need to figure out what works for you. As others have noted, there are an almost overwhelming number of ways to do all things related to hammocking. Much of it comes down to personal preferences.

After a fun long off season of research I finally have the kit fully assembled.

I decided I should give a well fitting gathered end hammock a shot before fully committing to the bridge hammock, thinking I would have a good lounger if it didn’t work out.

I bought a Dutchware 12 footer and the first time I got in it I knew it was the one for me. To complete the kit I added a simply light designs trail winder under quilt, a bottom entry bugnet, and a 12’ rectangle tarp. I decided against doors on the tarp because I am planning to have things rigged high and wide most of the time. If a huge storm does roll in I can buckle things down enough to get by.

Thanks for all the helpful tips and inspiration, I’m very excited to take this rig up north. It has been awesome for a few naps (one perk of working from home) and one backyard overnight so far this spring.

Congrats! It will certainly be cheery under that tarp in dreary weather. It's amazing how colors can affect your mood. Do worry if little things come up the first few hangs in the woods. It takes everyone time to get things dialed in, but it's worth the effort. Enjoy:)

Not only can you go down the rabbit hole with buying all kinds of really cool new gear, but you will also want to talk about it a lot! I recommend the warbonnet ridgerunner. I am 6'2" 205lbs and fairly broad shoulders - I get shoulder squeeze in gathered hammocks. The bridge helps significantly with shoulder squeeze and I can sleep on my side. I also have the superfly with doors and would not go w/o them unless it is guaranteed clear skies. not only do the doors help keep me dry, but they keep my gear (which is under me) dry as well. Happy Hanging!

TipsyPaddler: "Another “knotless” option is the NAMA claw but I have only read reviews, not personally tried them.



NAMA Claws "

I have been playing around with these the past week. They’re an awesome option for 1.75mm cord. Highly recommend.