Pondering my options to finally getting my toes wet into hammocking. I’m specifically looking at the WB RR or other bridge hammocks (Banyon). What does everyone like/ dislike about their RR? What’s your setup? I’m a huge Dutch fan, which makes me wonder if I should wait for his Banyon Bridge hammock to become available. Pics are welcomed :)

Like:
Comfortable, can sleep on my side some with an inflatable pad in the double-layer sleeve
Dog can climb in with me for short stretches
Reasonably light with the Ruta Locura CF spreader bars
Bug net is great
Storage - the saddlebags - are really handy
Roomy

Dislike:
Without the pad, my shoulders get squeezed - a bit less comfortable for me
Requires trees to be further apart than other hammocks
Takes some fiddling to get the lay/tension right, or a lot of practice to get it right the first time every time
Longer setup time than most tents and some other hammocks
Wish they made a UL version...they could trim a few more ounces off if they were so inclined

Edit: you asked for pictures - think I have some in my trip reports.

I have my eye on an Amok Dramur UL as another option. Seems likely to be easier to set up, similar weight, and the gap between trees can be as little as 8 feet.

sns: "Like:
Comfortable, can sleep on my side some with an inflatable pad in the double-layer sleeve
Dog can climb in with me for short stretches
Reasonably light with the Ruta Locura CF spreader bars
Bug net is great
Storage - the saddlebags - are really handy
Roomy


Dislike:
Without the pad, my shoulders get squeezed - a bit less comfortable for me
Requires trees to be further apart than other hammocks
Takes some fiddling to get the lay/tension right, or a lot of practice to get it right the first time every time
Longer setup time than most tents and some other hammocks
Wish they made a UL version...they could trim a few more ounces off if they were so inclined

Edit: you asked for pictures - think I have some in my trip reports.

I have my eye on an Amok Dramur UL as another option. Seems likely to be easier to set up, similar weight, and the gap between trees can be as little as 8 feet."

Thanks for the info, sns. What pad do you use? My newest pad is an exped UL, with a width of 20.5 inches, would that suffice ya think?

I use a 25" wide pad - Thermarest Xlite large or Xtherm large in cold weather.

I have used a 20" wide pad, but had to stuff clothes along the sides to prevent cold spots under my arms...

sns: , "


Dislike:
Without the pad, my shoulders get squeezed - a bit less comfortable for me
Requires trees to be further apart than other hammocks
Takes some fiddling to get the lay/tension right, or a lot of practice to get it right the first time every time
Longer setup time than most tents and some other hammocks"

I agree with the likes SNS stated. You can get carbon fiber poles to lighten the load as well.
I have a different experience than he does with pad and set up though. I find the underquilt to be far superior in comfort. I don't get shoulder squeeze. It took me forever to set up my gathered end blackbird, could never get the lay just right. I can set up my RR in 2-5 minutes depending on the site. The only thing that takes me any amount of time is my 4 season tarp. If I use a CCS Tundra tarp it only adds 5 minutes with staking it out as well.
This is my second RR and I went with Woopies W/ Dynaweave straps and fishooks. The woopies have taken me some time to get use to, but they are lighter and easier to adjust once you get the hang of them.

I have been using a RR for 2 years now and love it. I have the double layer and I use a Klymit static V oversized pad that’s 26” wide. I found that using my 21” pad I would roll off the edge of it. It does effect the stability a little but you get used to it. The only thing I would criticize is the lack of a ridgeline to hang things on. I think WB has installed rings on the newer model that you can run a line. The Banyon has built in ridgeline.

MidwestFirecraft: "

sns: , "



Dislike:
Without the pad, my shoulders get squeezed - a bit less comfortable for me
Requires trees to be further apart than other hammocks
Takes some fiddling to get the lay/tension right, or a lot of practice to get it right the first time every time
Longer setup time than most tents and some other hammocks"

I agree with the likes SNS stated. You can get carbon fiber poles to lighten the load as well.
I have a different experience than he does with pad and set up though. I find the underquilt to be far superior in comfort. I don't get shoulder squeeze. It took me forever to set up my gathered end blackbird, could never get the lay just right. I can set up my RR in 2-5 minutes depending on the site. The only thing that takes me any amount of time is my 4 season tarp. If I use a CCS Tundra tarp it only adds 5 minutes with staking it out as well.
This is my second RR and I went with Woopies W/ Dynaweave straps and fishooks. The woopies have taken me some time to get use to, but they are lighter and easier to adjust once you get the hang of them. "

Thanks, MF. Sorry for the question overload here; What 4 season tarp do you have? Or recommend? Any issues with the spreader bars? Lastly, did you get the newer version of the RR? If so, what fabric did you choose? Again, sorry for the ACT quiz questions.

+1 on the Whoopies & FishHooks

sns:

I have my eye on an Amok Dramur UL as another option. Seems likely to be easier to set up, similar weight, and the gap between trees can be as little as 8 feet."

Bought an Amok Dramur a year ago. Slept in it 10 days. Not a fan of it. You can lay in it how ever you want but if you get too much weight towards your head or feet, your going for a ride. Just hope your going feet first.

Been using the double layer RR for two years, my set up consist of: Dynaweave straps with Dutch Clips, connecting to tree, Fish Hooks connect to whoopies , double whoppie hooks on whoopies connect to hammock dog bones. Takes me about 5 minutes to set up. Use an under quilt with a protecter. Converted the metal spreader pole hardware over to Bridge Buttons, had to order the dog bones to convert, was an easy conversion, don’t have to worry about poles coming in contact with tarp, picked up a 12’ Thunder Fly Sil~poly this year. I’ll never go back to ground, the comfort of the RR is really unbelievable, set tarp in porch mode, wake up looking at lake and enjoy.

Lawnchair107: "Thanks, MF. Sorry for the question overload here; What 4 season tarp do you have? Or recommend? Any issues with the spreader bars? Lastly, did you get the newer version of the RR? If so, what fabric did you choose? Again, sorry for the ACT quiz questions."

Sorry for delayed response, just got back from an overnight canoe trip!
I have the Winter Haven XL which I am super impressed with, just any time you add doors, etc, there is more setup. For the money the Warbonnet Superfly is a great tarp as long as it is setup for the Ridgerunner with pullouts. No issues with spreader bars. I have both versions of the RR, the newest is Dream-Tex double layer, love the Dream Tex!

MidwestFirecraft: "I have both versions of the RR, the newest is Dream-Tex double layer, love the Dream Tex!"

MF: Welcome back - hope it was a great paddle!

Tell me about the fabric difference please...

Funny story - two years ago I ordered the 30D fabric. Discovered after using it a year that it was ~4oz heavier, and figured out I got the 40D Dream-Tex instead. (Also got the wrong color and failed to notice! :-)

It feels great, but I'm thinking about getting a 30D RR for the weight savings.

So how do they compare?

sns: "

MidwestFirecraft: "I have both versions of the RR, the newest is Dream-Tex double layer, love the Dream Tex!"

MF: Welcome back - hope it was a great paddle!


It feels great, but I'm thinking about getting a 30D RR for the weight savings.

So how do they compare?


"

It was a great paddle. Beautiful weather, only negative was the motor boats on the St. Croix had all but one of the water campsites:(

To be clear I have a double layer 1.1 double layer Blackbird XLC, RR double layer 30D nylon, RR double layer 40D Dream-Tex. The 1.1 and 30D are slippery compared to the Dream-tex. The biggest difference is the stretch you get with the Dream-tex. I don't know if you would appreciate it with a pad, but I like the way it forms around you with an underquilt. It also holds you in place a lot better than the other fabrics.

Understood and thanks for the synopsis!

I'm still pretty new to hammocking. Last summer I bought a Chameleon and got it out on one canoe trip. Loved it.

My son wanted a flat lay, so I bought him a RR for Christmas and just set it up on Saturday for the first time. It seems great. Yes, there are rings insides for hanging stuff and saddle bags for storage which my hammock does not have. Good luck!

pastorjsackett: "I'm still pretty new to hammocking. Last summer I bought a Chameleon and got it out on one canoe trip. Loved it.


My son wanted a flat lay, so I bought him a RR for Christmas and just set it up on Saturday for the first time. It seems great. Yes, there are rings insides for hanging stuff and saddle bags for storage which my hammock does not have. Good luck!"

Initially, I was very interested in the Chameleon. But, with playing around with other cheap gathered- end hammocks I tend to experience shoulder squeeze and cannot for the life of me get comfortable. With that being said, I am fairly confident a bridge hammock, with the addition of a pad, will most likely bring me my breakfast from the hammock happiness.

Thanks everyone for the info.

Does anyone have experience with the single layer? That’s all WB has left in stock. I would plan to eventually pair witb a UQ and UQ protector.

No, but I can say I have tried a thermarest Xtherm on top of both layers in my DL and it was not good. So I'd guess you'd want to avoid a SL with a pad.
Single layer with an UQ could be great however.

Our group tried a Eureka Chrysallis. Also a bridge hammock. Although heavier then the Ridgerunner, we found it sets up far faster, has an integrated bug net and rain fly, storage front and back and as more comfortable. We now have 6 of the men using the Chrysallis.

ockycamper: " 6 of the men using the Chrysallis. "

I'd spring for at least one more, then it's only 3 guys per hammock.

Going to jump onto this discussion as I just pulled the trigger on a RR. Have it set up in the backyard with a Kelty 12' tarp and may try to sleep in it tonight.

I have the double layer and plan to slid in my older thermarest pad, then sleep in my Nemo sleeping bag. I am using straps that I had from my ENO doublenest with a couple of caribiners I had laying around to connect to the Whoopie slings on the hammock.

My son has been using the ENO for sleeping so we will need another Tarp and set of straps. I have already got the straps but looking for suggestions for the tarp. I'm leaning towards a Kelty 16' but what do you all use? And pros/cons to consider on different sizes/styles/makes?

Thanks!

Cricket67: "Going to jump onto this discussion as I just pulled the trigger on a RR. Have it set up in the backyard with a Kelty 12' tarp and may try to sleep in it tonight.

I have the double layer and plan to slid in my older thermarest pad, then sleep in my Nemo sleeping bag. I am using straps that I had from my ENO doublenest with a couple of caribiners I had laying around to connect to the Whoopie slings on the hammock.

My son has been using the ENO for sleeping so we will need another Tarp and set of straps. I have already got the straps but looking for suggestions for the tarp. I'm leaning towards a Kelty 16' but what do you all use? And pros/cons to consider on different sizes/styles/makes?

Thanks! "

Let me know what you think of the RR. I was actually ready to order one when they went out of stock. I keep checking periodically. My plan was to order a Superfly, nice and big for those spreader bars.

The more I wait, the more I hold out for a Dutch Banyon Bridge. I love his gear, so I would suspect his bridge hammock is phenomenal.

Since it took me this long to find a couple of nights to sleep in the setup it's been awhile since posting.

I found it plenty comfortable and was able to fall asleep pretty quickly. Unfortunatly I found out we have a very noisy family of Racoons that enjoy the Neighbor' pear tree that was all of 10 feet from where I was set up. Their party lasted for a good couple of hours from about 1am to 3am. After that the deer that came by for a snack smelled me at stood there and snorted for another 10 minutes.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting awoken by some BWCA critters in a couple of weeks.

I still think I want a better tarp than the Kelty 9 that I was using. On the Warbonnet website now seeing what lead times are.

Cricket67: "I still think I want a better tarp than the Kelty 9 that I was using. On the Warbonnet website now seeing what lead times are. "

Unless your going ultralight, a CCS Tundra tarp works great as well.

MidwestFirecraft: "

Cricket67: "I still think I want a better tarp than the Kelty 9 that I was using. On the Warbonnet website now seeing what lead times are. "

Unless your going ultralight, a CCS Tundra tarp works great as well.
"

MidwestF, please don’t make this harder than it already needs to be

Besides CCS and Warbonnet, hammock gear makes both a 11 & 12 foot journey tarp, if i did it again i would probably get this vs the superfly. Its lighter, maybe cheaper, has the center tieout (which my stock superfly does not) and they use to accommodate the panel pulls for the ridgerunner for free, don't see this now but maybe just a phone call to see if they still do.

Not to hijack, but if anyone is considering parting with a 30D double-layer RidgeRunner with a net...I'm a buyer.

sns: "Not to hijack, but if anyone is considering parting with a 30D double-layer RidgeRunner with a net...I'm a buyer."

You selling your 40D dream-tex?

Lawnchair107: "

sns: "Not to hijack, but if anyone is considering parting with a 30D double-layer RidgeRunner with a net...I'm a buyer."

You selling your 40D dream-tex?"

Not immediately. I've never tried the 30D, and would like to try/compare both. Then maybe sell one of the two or see if another family member can get into hanging. The 40D dream-tex is comfortable, but I am admittedly obsessive about cutting pack (& canoe) weight.

sns: "

Lawnchair107: "

sns: "Not to hijack, but if anyone is considering parting with a 30D double-layer RidgeRunner with a net...I'm a buyer."

You selling your 40D dream-tex?"

Not immediately. I've never tried the 30D, and would like to try/compare both. Then maybe sell one of the two or see if another family member can get into hanging. The 40D dream-tex is comfortable, but I am admittedly obsessive about cutting pack (& canoe) weight."

Gotcha. Let me know what you think of the two once you find out. I’m slowing picking up gear (purchased a UGQ Winter Dream13 a couple of weeks ago) to make my bridge hammock build. - I’m trying to tell myself to slowly buy gear so Dutch’s Banyon will be available when I need it. But knowing myself, I’ll probably end up buying the RR.

MidwestF, knowing what you know of both the 30 & 40D, what would you order if you had to choose one?