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TCon17
member (8)member
  
01/30/2023 12:58PM  
Do outfitters rent hammock sleep systems, or is it best to bite the bullet and buy one? I haven't been on a trip in 10 years (over 30 before that) and have little interest in a rock in my back in a tent. My wife has little interest in the cost of purchasing this option though!

Also... how does one keep all your gear dry overnight if you aren't using a tent? Just dry bags inside the pack? Do you take your clothing for the next day in to the hammock at night?
 
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01/30/2023 02:02PM  
Welcome to BWCA.com!
I have not read anything about outfitters renting but am unsure about other options such as REI or similar outdoor gear companies. You might check your city/area recreation departments. I took the plunge and have two systems so haven't been paying attention.
Helenox and others make some lightweight cots for ground dwellers. Rocks and root problem solved, not sure about sliding off if not level.
I have cut several 50# plastic bags corn and sunflower chip come in (from feeding the birds) into 30x30 sheets. In the packs they add a layer of water protection and in camp cover firewood, packs and serve as ground cover.
Clothing goes into my chair which works as a nightstand just outside the hammock and under the tarp.
 
TCon17
member (8)member
  
01/30/2023 02:32PM  
My wife surprised me after this post and agreed I should go the full hammock system route if it's more comfortable. I'm shocked. Guess I'm off to a few stores to start checking gear out!
 
01/30/2023 10:53PM  
Great news! Hammock systems can be a little tricky to figure out but in my experience it has been worth it. I spent many hours watching Shug YouTube videos and reading forums like this one. My wife was supportive but rather skeptical. I bought a bridge style hammock for myself and an asymmetrical one for her. The day finally came when we could try them out together in the backyard. She crawled into hers and in only a few minutes she was fast asleep. We’re both in our 50’s and we both have bad backs but switching to hammocks has made it possible to sleep very comfortably and wake up pain free.

Read and watch as much as you can before buying. This forum is also a great place to ask questions. I wish you the best of luck.
 
Tbridge56
member (23)member
  
01/31/2023 01:07PM  
Awesome that she gave you the go ahead! My advice would be to shop the cottage vendors and aske them questions. You will get way better gear than going to a store. Superior Gear Hammocks or Hammock Gear are 2 great companies that I have gear from. You can order a package that will contain everything you need.
 
TCon17
member (8)member
  
01/31/2023 01:25PM  
Thanks for all the advice! I'm sure I'll be back soon with more questions.
 
01/31/2023 10:37PM  
I agree with shopping the cottage vendors mentioned and would also include Warbonnet in that group. These are no doubt more expensive but are high quality and have great customer service. The good news is that the cottage vendor models tend to hold their value. If you should decide it’s not for you in the end you can sell them and likely not be out much more than what you would expect to pay for a rental. (For the record I’m not aware of any rental options).
I mentioned the videos by Shug. Adventures with a Marine also has good tutorials and both are avid BWCA visitors.

Good luck.
 
02/01/2023 08:44AM  
+1 on Warbonnet. My RidgeRunner setup is my best gear purchase to date. After seeing my hammock and how well I slept in it my jealous trip partners all bought the same rig and love it!
 
02/01/2023 09:09AM  
Another happy war bonnet hammock user here I started out with their blackbird and several years ago I moved to their bridge hammock called the ridge runner and I'm very happy there is a learning curve to the hammocks use though so make sure you get one well before you go on your trip

As far as keeping things dry I usually stacks my stuff under my hammock at night and put most of my stuff in my packs that I'm using and like bhouse I also put stuff in my chair which I also use as a nightstand to put my water bottle and other things I might need during the night

Tony
 
Othello
distinguished member (139)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
02/01/2023 06:58PM  
+1 on the cottage vendors, and I highly recommend the Trail Lair by Simply Light Designs. Most comfortable hammock I've tried to date. Numerous customization options and outstanding speed of service.
 
02/08/2023 04:53PM  
There's lots of storage room under a hammock tarp. Plus I made the switch to waterproof packs a few years ago.

I can't imagine outfitters getting into the hammock renting business. If you don't know how to set up a hammock and a tarp, a back-country canoe trip is no place to start in my opinion. And if you are a hanger, you already have your own gear. As mentioned earlier, the learning curve for hanging is much steeper than with tents.
 
mags459
senior member (51)senior membersenior member
  
03/24/2023 07:52PM  
Hammockgear.com makes great hammocks both my kids have them. I have a dream hammock and I really like that one also but for the money I would buy a hammock gear one. We have tarps from dutchware, UGQ and hammock gear. Cottage vendors are far superior. If the hammock is not actually 11’ it will not be comfortable. Plus American jobs and the price is about the same.
 
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