Hammock suspension

[Pyro]

One for the old swingers in town.

Was fortunate enough to win a DD Camping hammock in their latest giveaway and thought I'd pick the collective BearBrains about hanging it.

I'm nonplussed with the webbing that comes with it, but have plenty of slings, Krabs and prussiks to set it up with, but what do folks on here use? I've seen whoopie slings and don't want to fork out for the sake of a few grams, think I've got a decent bit of adjustability in a theoretical setup, but not had a chance to try it yet.

Along with that, what do hammockers use as pads/under-insulation?

Cheers!

[Taylor]

The webbing it comes with is absolutely fine although it will need a drip cord near the hammock to divert rain water seeping towards your bed during the night.

Have a look in classifieds for an UQ, made for a DD.

[Pyro]

I'd seen that, Fishy

What's your verdict on them, and what have you replaced it with? (Or have you given up on swinging altogether? )

[Taylor]

Which bit are you talking about UQ's or Hammocks in general?

[Pyro]

The underquilt! I'll cope with the hammock.

[Taylor]

I initially started off with a 5mm evazote pad which was fine for warmth but I found droplets of water in the morning after a nights sleep. (condensation or sweat, I'm not sure).
When I moved to an UQ, it was warmer and no droplets with bucket loads of warmth.
Very soon after I bought the synthetic UQ, I acquired a down UQ.
Now I had the same bucket loads of warmth with a bit less weight.

I'd never go back to a pad as I expect Cheeky monkey will also agree. Stu will say otherwise.

If my synthetic UQ was as small and light as my down I'd not be selling it.

[Cheeky Monkey]

Down uq's are the bee's knees IMO, however, there are cheaper alternatives if you accept some compromises. In the end it's just about what works for you. I've never had much success with pads (admittedly in single layer, gathered end hammocks). The DD, given it's design might work better. A regular bag, unzipped or not, will do as a tq.

I don't know what suspension you've got. Worth noting straps / webbing can hold a lot of water. Though I happily use it.

For whoopies you can buy enough amsteel from eBay and make your own following the instructions on hammockforums.net. Ridiculously easy and a few quid cheaper.

An excellent book on hammocking is Derek Hansen's Ultimate Hang and his blog. Essential reading IMO. Don't forget a ridgelines and tarp.

[Pyro]

Cheers gents, sound advice!

I've got some mates coming over from Canada, bringing me a down quilt from MEC that i should be able to bicycle as a UQ. I'll try it with a pad and/or some cheapy blankets in between the two layers for now, see how we go. And aye, I've got a 3x3 tarp and kit to bicycle a support ridge, so good to go I reckon.

[Bearbonesnorm]

I'd never go back to a pad as I expect Cheeky monkey will also agree. Stu will say otherwise.

'Tis true, I much prefer a 3/4 length mat to an UQ.

[Pyro]

Any reason, Stu?

[Bearbonesnorm]

Any reason, Stu?

Possibly nothing valid but I find that when I use an UQ I struggle to get a snug fit between it and the hammock, so it ends up a bit draughty ... although I'm pretty convinced this could be easily solved by using some clips and attaching the UQ to the ridgeline.

If I use a 3/4 length mat then it just seems to stay in place without any messing about. There is the issue of condensation as FF says but I've never found it any worse than in a bivvy bag.