I just took delivery of these fabulous new ultralight hammocks. One, (the lightest of course -147 grams) will be coming with me on my upcoming Dusky Track adventure. I would not be ‘betting my life’ on one for ten days in the wilderness unless I had every confidence they are a superior product.
These are the cleverest and best engineered hammocks I have seen – and I’ve seen (and made!) a lot of hammocks. They are made from reserve grade parachute nylon and are designed, engineered and built to rigging specifications – meaning you can be confident their weight ratings will not fail you.
Button End.
The suspension system and button-link connectors are brilliant. The suspension system weighs just two ounces (60 grams) and is easily attached with the button-links. I know I could probably reduce the weight a fraction (maybe 20 grams) by replacing the ultra-light webbing with dyneema, but as this would harm the trees more, I hardly think it is worth it. Chris & Kathy have worked out the design and parameters of these hammocks just about perfectly. They have also ensured that everything packs down into the smallest imaginable packages for stowing in your ultralight pack.
Ultralight Whoopie Sling.
However, you know I can’t stop tinkering: I have already added dyneema gear loops to each end of mine so I can attach bits and pieces there instead of leaving them on the ground overnight – and I have added an adjustable centre line (these added 8 grams) to a see if I can achieve ‘the perfect hang’, though I am pretty sure the folks at ‘Hummingbird’ have so designed the hammock that you lie pretty flat in it, and the sides don’t press in too much – more about that later.
Ultralight Tree Strap Suspension System – 30 grams/1 oz each end!
They have three sizes of ultralight hammocks: Single 147 grams/5.2 oz – weight rated: 136 kg/300lb, Single + 210 grams/7.6oz – weight rated: 158kg/350lb, and Double 289 grams/10.2oz weight rated: 181kg/400lb. I will be using their Single ultralight hammock as emergency sleeping quarters in Fiordland (in case of flooding), and I might do some off-trail camps as well, as I usually do. It will also be excellent (along with my cuben tarp) for eating lunch on those (inevitable) wet days. Look out for a full(er) review on my return home.
See Also: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/whoopie-slings-what-a-great-idea/
And: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/continuous-loop-another-great-hammock-idea/
A Hummingbird at Supper Cove, Dusky Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand.
Chris & Kathy also sell many hammock accessories (such as tarps eg ‘Heron’ from 243 grams/8.6oz) to complete your hammock home. All their gear is competitively priced given the high quality of their products.
‘Heron’ tarp.
Check out their page here: https://hummingbirdhammocks.com/
PS: You can hang two of these little guys under the one tarp very easily by adding four small pieces of poly pipe weighing a total of 24 grams like this: http://www.theultralighthiker.com/simple-hammock-double-up/
Other hammock related posts:
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/a-hummingbird-in-the-hand/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/adjustable-hammock-ridgeline/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/continuous-loop-another-great-hammock-idea/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/whoopie-slings-what-a-great-idea/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/side-insulation/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-pad-extender/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/diy-netless-hammock/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/klymit-hammock-pad/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/make-your-own-tarp-or-hammock/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-camping-double-bunking/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-hunting-till-dark/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/all-in-one-hammock-tent-poncho-backpack-at-1-2-kg/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/laybag/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/all-you-ever-need-to-know-about-tarps/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/tier-gear-catenary-cut-hex-tarp/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/900th-post/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/sleeping-pad-reinvented-big-agnes-q-core-slx/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/modifyingshortening-hiking-mats/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/catenary-cut-tarp/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/thermarest-speedvalve/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hole-less-ponchoshelter/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammocks/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hammock-camping/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-ultralight-deer-hunter/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/hunting-in-fiordland/
