Hello,

I’m planning a BWCA trip for next June with my 12 year old son. This will be his first BWCA trip. I don’t sleep well in tents but sleep much better in my hammock, so I would like to introduce my son to hammock camping so we can both hang together. He is excited to try it but I want to make sure to get him started in the best setup possible so he has a good experience.

Considerations:
He moves a fair amount when he sleeps.
I prefer some way to hang near to him though he would probably be ok hanging farther away in his own setup if need be.

Some options:
Buy another gathered end (I have Warbonnet XLC) and use a spreader bar or same trees at head end to stay close. Probably would need a separate tarp for him which may defeat the purpose of trying to hang closer. Spreader bar may be a problem due to his movement when sleeping transferring to both of us. But it would allow us to sleep under a double wide winter tarp.

Buy a bridge hammock (Warbonnet Ridgerunner). Probably better for his sleep and comfort. Due to width, would likely need a separate tarp for him.

Buy a two person hammock (Clark Vertex). This gets us close and probably comfortable too. But it seems not many have used it and that it may be difficult to find three suitable trees to get a good set. In a couple years, I could see this being an amazing kids hammock for trips when he has a younger brother along while I go sleep in my Warbonnet.

I keep thinking and not getting anywhere! The double hang idea under one tarp seems best, but it also seems way more complicated no matter how I slice it. He’s brave and likely capable of hanging in his own space in the wilderness, but maybe not? I know these companies have solid return policies but I want to get it right the first time if possible. What’s the best way to go? I’m kinda leaning toward the Vertex but I don’t feel too confident in it.

Also he has younger brothers that will likely “age in” to BWCA trips so I’d prefer to buy gear that will be able to be passed down to others.

I'll only address the issue of moving around a lot. As you may already know, gathered-end hammocks distribute your weight so evenly that this tends to minimize tossing and turning. I think that's a primary reason why so many of us view hanging as a game changer.

Yes, it seems from my research that the great majority of folks started out at all ages, young child through adult, with a gathered end hammock. I’ve now swung to that option as the leader in the clubhouse, since I’m familiar with the setup and such.

I think it’s great that you are putting so much thought and preparation into this trip so far in advance.
From what you’ve described, I think I’d suggest going with a whole separate hammock setup and hang it close to you. Planning your route to avoid areas that have had fires or blowdown should offer sufficient campsites with adequate trees to find an arrangement of three or four trees so you and your son can hang next to each other. My pre-trip planning includes reading campsite reviews and looking for clues on the availability of hammock trees.

I think I’d also suggest getting the Ridgerunner. My wife and I have a BBXLC and a Ridgerunner and like them both pretty equally. They each have their advantages. For your son(s) I like the simplicity and relative foolproof design of the RR. It’s easy to get a flat lay, they easily accommodate various sleep positions and the underquilt will stay put even if he moves around a lot. They also offer better visibility. I like owning both versions and swapping back and forth. You guys may enjoy the flexibility of having both options too.

Good luck!