And odd thing happened while we were off on our August camping trip. An email came in through this very blog asking us if we’d like to review a hammock. Maggie from OneWind wanted us to put whichever model we chose through its paces to see how we liked it. After a bit of back and forth on expectations with Maggie, NMBL and I agreed to give one of their hammocks a go. For this we decided on the OneWind 12′ XXL hammock. From there it was just a matter of sitting back and waiting for the new hammock to arrive. So, yes, OneWind did give us this hammock to review. It’s good to state that up front.
If it seems like a long time between the end of August and now for getting a review out, well it is. We received the hammock in late September by which time the weather around here got a wee bit damp (read, storm warnings). If you’ve ever been to the West Coast of Canada in the autumn you know the weather can be hit and miss. So we waited for a good weather window to do our first setup and test of this rather large hammock. We finally caught a break last weekend so off we went to give this thing a go!
The Unpacking
I’m not one for packaging. For me, less is more. NMBL appreciates simple, well thought out packaging that has the potential to be reused rather than simply thrown away. OneWind ships in a simple branded draw-string plastic bag (aside from the courier packaging) leaving us with very little garbage or a potentially reusable bag. That is appreciated on our end.
The hammock, bug-net, and tree straps all come in a large bishop bag (closures at both ends). The bishop bag is common for a lot of hammock manufacturers. What is uncommon is the fact that the tree straps are stored in it with the the hammock and bug net. More on this later.
Like many things the answer is always X+1 with X being the number you currently own but a number that can change over time. Some people have too many hockey cards while others have too many Funko Pops. We probably have too many hammocks. But the formula is right there in the first line, so… yeah. NMBL and I each bought another hammock.
Of course we want to try them out before heading off on our next trip. It would be irresponsible if we didn’t. That meant us walking down to our local park to co-opt a few trees and get a feel for our new hanging beds. Overall we’re both happy with the new purchases. We’ve been a few years with some go-to hammocks so it is time to be in new beds as wear and tear take slowly their toll on the old ones. Still, the old ones are serviceable. Did we need to? Not necessarily. However we both had something in the back of our minds that help us justify the purchases. Bug nets.
I’ve been using the ENO Double Nest almost exclusively since day one of us hammocking. NMBL has used the ENO as well as the Dutchware Half-Wit (my dalliance outside of ENO). Both hammocks have been good. The ENO’s solution to bugs, however, is an unwieldy external bug net that you have to slip over your completed sleep system. It’s a pain in the neck to get in and out of, it limits your diagonal lay, and it interferes with my belly sling. All of these things make it a pain to deploy and use. This is not good when you’re in a heavy mosquito or black fly situation like we were on the tail end of our last trip.
NMBL had her issues with the Half-Wit at the same time. Yes, it has an integrated bug net but only for your top half. It was hot as heck camping beside Lillooet Lake so sleeping without a top-quilt was nice… except she was getting eaten alive from the waist down if she kicked off her covers. It made for a restless sleep for her. That’s never good when you have a day of riding ahead of you. So, what to do?
It was time for us to get into the world of integrated bug nets. NMBL was the first to pull the trigger with a purchase of the aptly named Hammock Gear Bug Net Hammock. It’s a well put together hammock with some nice finishing. For $130US you get an 11′ long symmetrical gathered-end hammock with an integrated bug net that can be unzipped and stored in one end when the bugs aren’t as buggy. It’s got under quilt hooks to keep you insulation in place, easy to grab zipper pulls, a simple stuff sack, integrated ridge line, and continuous loop ends with carabiners on each end. NMBL opted for some extra storage with mesh peak-pockets for either end. It’s 58″ wide, quadruple stitched, and uses a hexagonal ripstop nylon fabric. All in all it’s a solid hammock and during our test hang she was quite comfortable.
DES in NMBL’s new Hammock Gear Bug Net hammock
I waited a bit longer to dig around and figure out what I wanted. Turns out I’m a bit more minimalist. My choice was the Warbonnet Eldorado asymmetrical bug net integrated hammock with triangulated tie-outs on one side that keep the bug net off your face at night. It’s a simple approach to hammocking being a gathered end asym with nothing more than a stuff sack, integrated ridge line, and continuous loops at either end. I supplied my own ‘biners and at $125US it’s overall a great hammock at a good price. It’s fabric is a “traditional rip stop weave with a bias-directional diamond grid to create a fabric that has an incredibly comfortable cotton-like texture” according to the website. I’ll be darned if they aren’t right about that! The bug net is fully removable on the Eldorado giving you the option to better see the stars on bug-less nights. My only real niggle is the fact they don’t put in a nice zipper pull making zipping up the bug net a bit fiddly from the inside. I’ll add a couple myself but it just seems like an oversight. That aside, I’m happy with my 11′ long x 62″ wide Warbonnet. These guys are considered one of the big players in the hammock world and the Eldorado’s affordable elegance shows why.
NMBL in DES’ new Warbonnet Eldorado hammock
We’re heading out to go camping near Tahsis on Vancouver Island very soon so we will both have a better idea of how we like the hammocks after a few nights sleep. With that in mind we’re both looking forward to trying them out! I’ll report back when we get home.
Hey all, we’ve got a new camping gear review up for the Pocket Bellows. If a part of your camping experience requires a camp fire then you need to look at this nifty little piece of kit. Forget the accelerants. They’re dangerous and cumbersome. The Pocket Bellows takes up very little space and is very effective.
Our usual FYI applies: we do not get paid to do reviews nor do we get free product (with one notable exception). We review gear that we buy on our own and use during our travels. That’s it.
Here we go, another review! NMBL and I were given a couple of these Hang Time Hooks to try out on our trips this summer. Now that they have been on the road with us for a while we feel we can give them an honest review. Check out the review and chime in with your thoughts and questions.
With all the smoke in the area NMBL and I are staying home and getting things done. One of those things is to work on reviews of more gear. Here’s another featuring the DutchWare Gear Half-Wit hammock. DutchWare Gear built its reputation on hammock tie-down accessories and making hammocks with the camper/backpacker in mind. As motorcycle hammock campers we’re always looking for good gear that gives us the best chance for success. See if our camping success is improved by the Half-Wit by clicking the link below:
We have a new gear review up n the website. For these last two touring seasons I’ve been using Mosko’s Reckless 80L soft pannier system. In that time I’ve been taking mental notes, and jotting down a few in the background on the website, in preparation for an honest take on the gear. I don’t consider myself a good writer of reviews but I’ll put it out there anyway. First, if people find it helpful then that’s a win right off the bat. Second, the more reviews I write the better review writer I will become. Right?
Not only do we have another review up for you to take a gander at, it’s our first ever guest review. On our last trip we met a couple of Motorcycle Hammock Campers in Nakusp and, after spending time chatting with them around the camp fire, we asked if they would be willing to review some of their gear. Our new friend NG took on the challenge. His review of the Hennessy Hammock, Explorer Deluxe Asym Classic is now a part our Motorcycle Hammock Camping history!
Enjoy the review and let us know what you think. We’re working on a few more at the moment with NMBL having two for the ladies waiting in the wings.
And from park to park. We left Saskatchewan Landing this morning after breakfast, coffee, and a brief chat with a fellow camper. She, her daughter, and a friend were heading across the country to New Foundland. She was interested in our hammocks and touring setup. We were interested in her nifty trailer! It was a teardrop that expanded. Made in Quebec. Very cool!
NMBL and I decided to take the Trans Canada again. It’s not as exciting as taking the secondaries but we couldn’t be assured of fuel when needed. So the #1 called and we answered. The ride was easy and uneventful. No tire pieces or gulls hitting us. We moved west at assn easy clip, passing places we had seen in the other direction. A stop in Moose Jaw and Swift Current for gas. A quick wave at Maple Creek as it went by. On to Alberta.
It has been a few days since the last post. NMBL and I have ridden from Calgary to Regina in that time and are now heading back west. We’re currently hanging at Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park enjoying nice weather and the sound of song birds as we swing in our hammocks beside the Saskatchewan River. It’s a very peaceful place.
We’re not riding long days. This trip is about being relaxed and fresh each morning plus giving ourselves time in case something unusual happens. This tactic has treated us well. Neither of us is over taxed with a ridiculous amount of riding. We do between 300 and 400 km a day giving ourselves time to enjoy a good breakfast, have lunch, and get to the next spot with time to set up of the afternoon. Unhurried is the best way to tour. We learned that lesson last year.
Motorcycle Hammock-Camping 