Blue Ridge Camping Hammock
4.8
5
10
10
Seems to be good...
I recently purchased this hammock for a hiking trip I am planning to take with a friend in the Adirondack Mountains. As an avid fan of Outside Magazine, who rated this tent one of their best buys of 2010, I tend to put a lot of trust in their ratings and reviews. So far, their review of this tent has lived up to form. However, because I've only slept in the tent two nights since Easter, I am anxious to do some more testing before passing final judgment.
Below are some of my observations from the two nights out - one night was fairly cool, about 40 degrees, and the other was a major thunder and lightening storm all night.
- In cool weather, use a sleeping pad. (This will keep you warm as cold air flows above and below the tent, as well as provide much needed back support.)
- In rain, there is nowhere to keep additional gear dry as you would have with a ground tent. I am 6'1" and 200lbs and the tent is a snug fit. While the fit is acceptable, there is no additional head or foot room for gear of any kind. (Hope your boots aren't muddy)
I would NOT recommend this tent to anyone much taller than 6'1". You may find yourself unable to completely stretch out .
- Hanging the hammock can be tricky. I recommend several practice runs sleeping in the tent before going in the back country. Both nights I hung the tent, I ended up sleeping on the ground or within an inch of it due to substantial sagging over the night.
- The rain fly works quite well. I did not get wet while inside the tent.
- If you hang the tent too tightly between trees it causes the tent to become very unstable (easily swayed/difficult to enter and exit). I recommend getting an additional string and attaching it to one side of the tent to secure to the ground. This will give you three points of connection - 2 tree connections and 1 ground connection point. This will keep the hammock from considerable swaying.
- If you have trouble with motion sickness, this tent may cause you problems. (While the rain fly is on, there is virtually no visibility outside the tent. This can also be a problem if you hear a noise and want to check it out.
- The tent packs out at around 4.5 lbs, which is larger/heavier than some other hammock tent brands.
While it may seem like there were several substantial critiques of this tent, I would say that having the ability to get up off the cold/wet/rocky ground, stay dry in intense rain, and sleep with moderate back support is well-worth the price of this tent. I suffer from frequent back pain sleeping in a bed, and after getting used to it, actually slept better in this tent than in most beds.
June 1, 2011
Great hammock/tent!
I purchased this hammock tent for a camping roadtrip across the Southwest last summer, and it worked wonderfully. I loved having the option of hanging it or using it like a traditional tent, and the setup is simple and takes just a few minutes. Like another reviewer mentioned, I would recommend a sleeping pad of some sort even when it's a hammock, as it needs a little extra firmness underneath to keep you from sagging. Also, be aware that you need to purchase hanging straps (I used ENO ones) as the hammock doesn't come with them. Overall it's a great little tent, and I highly recommend it!
February 11, 2011
Excellent value
I have bought 3 of these for use in Brazilian jungle. They are absolutely water tight. Plenty of elbow room inside, easy in and out, and extremely stable.
September 6, 2010
A great week of camping.
I just got back from a 8 day 7 night hiking trip and had an awesome time in large part thanks to Lawson. It rained almost every night but I managed to stay mostly dry and comfortable. It was extremely easy to set up. Finding properly spaced trees was never a problem on the slopes of mountains in Vermont whereas finding clear, level ground (for a tent) would have been. Two important things I learned were that you absolutely need a sleeping pad. The pad adds important insulation and rigidity to the bottom which is otherwise cold and uncomfortably saggy. Also, you must make sure that the hammock is hung as level as possible. Otherwise rain will drip under the rain fly and into the hammock making for cold and soggy sleeping bags.
August 30, 2010
Good hammock
Easy set up and take down, very stable.
July 30, 2010
Lawson Left Me Out Hanging... and Dry!!
Absolutely the Best design out there... I researched the heck out of hammocks with no price cap: this is the best thought out and constructed I have seen: what other hammock can you [con-vert] to a tent? Then again why would you: it's MUCH more comfortable hanging... and easy as heck to set up: can't wait for the wet season to begin again; I'll be out there testing this shelter to the limit at different elevations and weather extremes on Mt. Rainier! Oh, the bug netting (and in a hurry)?: now it's AWESOME!! The Price? I don't know how they make enough profit, but I hope they are around a long time; I'll need another one if I get hitched again... p.s. Upside down? Anchor with trekking poles, and throw your pack on it for access: like a big table at the perfect height... am planning to use a roll up table top to lay on it for cooking... but canister stove only: one spill if liquid fuel would only be worth it if capturing for YouTube!! Altrec? First purchase: perfect order handling every step; I'll be back!
July 21, 2010
Lawson Left Me Out Hanging... and Dry!!
Absolutely the Best design out there... I researched the heck out of hammocks with no price cap: this is the best thought out and constructed I have seen: what other hammock can you [con-vert] to a tent? Then again why would you: it's MUCH more comfortable hanging... and easy as heck to set up: can't wait for the wet season to begin again; I'll be out there testing this shelter to the limit at different elevations and weather extremes on Mt. Rainier! Oh, the bug netting (and in a hurry)?: now it's AWESOME!! The Price? I don't know how they make enough profit, but I hope they are around a long time; I'll need another one if I get hitched again... p.s. Upside down? Anchor with trekking poles, and throw your pack on it for access: like a big table at the perfect height... am planning to use a roll up table top to lay on it for cooking... but canister stove only: one spill if liquid fuel would only be worth it if capturing for YouTube!!
July 21, 2010
Love It
No Banana effect, able to sleep on my side, and easy to set up with the tent being one piece.
June 15, 2010
Love It !
I've researched on line, and have tried many "banana" type hammocks. The Lawson design did not disappoint at all. It's easy to set up (even in the dark). It's comfortable. You can sleep on your side and almost flat. The bugs couldn't bother me nor could the rain. I use mine upside-down to relax during the day without the bug netting. I would take this hammock anywhere. I like it so much I'm buying one for my brother. It's a great hammock at any price.
June 14, 2010
Awesome
Have used many camping hammocks through the years and must say that this one takes the cake! Super comfortable, easy to use, bug-free, comes with rainfly that attaches to the hammock so you don't have to run extra lines all over the place. Also used it on the ground once...like it better as a hammock-tent than I do a regular tent but at least it opens up options. Highly recommend!
April 7, 2010
