Thanks for the review. I have been sleeping in Townsend bridge hammocks every night at home since 2019. I really like them, and Bill the owner is such a great guy. However, I still use gathered end hammocks for backpacking because they are lighter and didn't give me ant shoulder or back problems... until this year. I guess things change as I age! I would only buy one for camping if it has an integrated bug net, so I am looking forward to Bill's new version with one.
Right on, his bridges are pretty stellar! I have been so happy with the purchase of the Luxury UL, best sleep I've ever gotten in the woods. Which hammock are you using at home? I would love to keep using gathered end hammocks while backpacking, but with my shoulder it's gotten to where I sleep horribly.
I'd like to see a video of how you attach your underquilt. I think some kind of winter sock would be nice too. I have the WB Ridgerunner and the sock is a great addition Thanks for the info
I really love my Ridge Runner. I also like my One Wind 12 ft. gathered end with the attached bug net. I can lay semi on my side in it but not directly on my shoulder. I sleep in it every night at home and take my Ridge Runner camping, like last night.
I like my Hammock I have one that came from temp with a bug net and it works fantastic and it cost 9 dollars and I have one I got at walmart and I love it as well and it was 35 dollars . I've used both many times. Hammocks are a great way to sleep. Dwayne
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing this video, very informative. Given your shoulder issues and your quest for a hammock that will reduce or eliminate that shoulder squeeze, I have to wonder if you've given the Amok Draumr UL a try, and if not, why? Is it the high price tag, or the total weight? From what I've seen that's the ultimate lay-flat hammock, even more so than the Haven XL you tested some time ago. Going to ground is never ideal, but the Draumr is the only one that seems to retain the same comfort and integrity when pitched on the ground. Not that is a big deal. In all my years of hanging I've never had to set my hammock on the ground. But it seems to be a concern in some people's minds. If you set up any of these bridge hammocks on the ground, and don't have a pad, you're in for a long and less than comfortable night. Even the Haven tent that is designed for it, is pretty heavy to begin with, but the other downside is that the tarp goes next to the hammock giving you limited coverage, and preventing good ventilation. With the Draumr, you can set the tarp as high or as low as you need to, just like you would with a standard gathered end. I'm just curious if you've ever considered the Draumr, and why or why not.
Thanks, Mark - interesting - I looked at the Towns-Ends a couple years back, but just looked, saw your video on it about a year ago but had my AMOK then. But after watching this I was wondering - since I have the Banyam but find it somewhat smallish overall, for me, and seems rather hard to "wiggle around" in it to ease pressure on my knees and back when I use it for extended lays. How does this one and the the luxury ul ones by Bill work for getting comfortable or adjusting when you lay in it for an extended time? Do you have to orient yourself or is it like you just grab the sides and move fairly easily? The one drawback in the AMOK which as I've said I use all the time, is a bit heavy for like a quick hike or for a quick hang - though I end up using it for that a lot - I've been looking for a flat lay that is as close to the flat lay I get in the AMOK but doesn't need a mattress (ie Haven tent also) which always adds time obviously to the aspect for quick set-ups/take-downs or like the Hennesey which I also own, is pretty heavy for any type of hiking and seems to take a lot of messing with to get a decent hang or needs an oversized pad in it which again defeats the purpose of a quick setup and go type thing. Like you, I've pretty much given up on my Chameleon, Warbonnett, Sierra Madre Ninox FlatLay, and any other gathered end because though awesome-made hammocks and very comfortable for what they are, my older-than-you age, and torn body just can't be in them like before, and be comfortable. What are your thoughts? And hope things are going well during the holidays for you.
Happy Holidays Ken. As far as comfort, I have never been more comfortable in a hammock than I am in the Town End Luxury UL. If you want more support the Big Guy Bridge is the way to get it. I find that moving around is pretty easy in it, the structural lines run down each side, so you have a good piece to grab on and slide in the hammock. I like setting mine up with the head end a little higher than the foot, and when I'm lounging and reading I slide more toward the foot end which elevates the head even more and gives a great position to read. Then to sleep I slide more toward the head end.
Nice demo, is there integrated storage in the ends via drawcord like Bill's other designs? Not that I'll be giving up my Big Guy bridge for this anytime soon :)
There is no storage on this one, but the ends are not open quite like the bigger ones. There is no drawcord, but the ends are sewn with gussets so they create a small wall at each end.
I have primarily been using the Dutchware Gear bonded wide winter tarp. It’s big enough that I can sit in my bigger Luxury UL without the spreader bars touching the tarp.
Thanks for the review.
I have been sleeping in Townsend bridge hammocks every night at home since 2019. I really like them, and Bill the owner is such a great guy.
However, I still use gathered end hammocks for backpacking because they are lighter and didn't give me ant shoulder or back problems... until this year. I guess things change as I age!
I would only buy one for camping if it has an integrated bug net, so I am looking forward to Bill's new version with one.
Right on, his bridges are pretty stellar! I have been so happy with the purchase of the Luxury UL, best sleep I've ever gotten in the woods. Which hammock are you using at home?
I would love to keep using gathered end hammocks while backpacking, but with my shoulder it's gotten to where I sleep horribly.
@@SpiguyverBackpacking1 The Happy Medium. Works great for me at 5'10" 160lbs
Looks comfortable! Sweet looking hammock!
It's not bad at all. Nowhere near the Luxury UL, but for someone who is looking for a simple bridge, this would do it!
I'd like to see a video of how you attach your underquilt. I think some kind of winter sock would be nice too. I have the WB Ridgerunner and the sock is a great addition
Thanks for the info
I really love my Ridge Runner. I also like my One Wind 12 ft. gathered end with the attached bug net. I can lay semi on my side in it but not directly on my shoulder. I sleep in it every night at home and take my Ridge Runner camping, like last night.
ridge runner is a solid one for sure!
How do you like your 12ft gathered end hammock compared to an 11ft one? Big difference? What is your height?
This thing is very large and very luxurious. I'm only 5'6".@@jays7318
Looks nice. 👍
It's not bad at all! Light and easy!
I own a lot of camping hammocks and the Towns End hammocks are by far my favorite. My next favorite is the Hennessy. I'm a big boy: 6' 2" 230lbs
I like my Hammock I have one that came from temp with a bug net and it works fantastic and it cost 9 dollars and I have one I got at walmart and I love it as well and it was 35 dollars . I've used both many times. Hammocks are a great way to sleep.
Dwayne
If it's working for you, that's awesome, keep getting out and hanging!
Nice one!
Thanks!
I never thought of this before but this bridge hammock looks way easier to tell if it is level than a regular hammock
yeah it is pretty easy to tell. Unlike a gathered end, I prefer my head end slightly higher than my foot end.
@@SpiguyverBackpacking1 I should've said it looks easier to tell the angle, whatever it is. I can see which is your head end from the thumbnail!
Hi Mark, thanks for sharing this video, very informative. Given your shoulder issues and your quest for a hammock that will reduce or eliminate that shoulder squeeze, I have to wonder if you've given the Amok Draumr UL a try, and if not, why? Is it the high price tag, or the total weight? From what I've seen that's the ultimate lay-flat hammock, even more so than the Haven XL you tested some time ago. Going to ground is never ideal, but the Draumr is the only one that seems to retain the same comfort and integrity when pitched on the ground. Not that is a big deal. In all my years of hanging I've never had to set my hammock on the ground. But it seems to be a concern in some people's minds.
If you set up any of these bridge hammocks on the ground, and don't have a pad, you're in for a long and less than comfortable night. Even the Haven tent that is designed for it, is pretty heavy to begin with, but the other downside is that the tarp goes next to the hammock giving you limited coverage, and preventing good ventilation. With the Draumr, you can set the tarp as high or as low as you need to, just like you would with a standard gathered end. I'm just curious if you've ever considered the Draumr, and why or why not.
Thanks, Mark - interesting - I looked at the Towns-Ends a couple years back, but just looked, saw your video on it about a year ago but had my AMOK then. But after watching this I was wondering - since I have the Banyam but find it somewhat smallish overall, for me, and seems rather hard to "wiggle around" in it to ease pressure on my knees and back when I use it for extended lays.
How does this one and the the luxury ul ones by Bill work for getting comfortable or adjusting when you lay in it for an extended time? Do you have to orient yourself or is it like you just grab the sides and move fairly easily?
The one drawback in the AMOK which as I've said I use all the time, is a bit heavy for like a quick hike or for a quick hang - though I end up using it for that a lot - I've been looking for a flat lay that is as close to the flat lay I get in the AMOK but doesn't need a mattress (ie Haven tent also) which always adds time obviously to the aspect for quick set-ups/take-downs or like the Hennesey which I also own, is pretty heavy for any type of hiking and seems to take a lot of messing with to get a decent hang or needs an oversized pad in it which again defeats the purpose of a quick setup and go type thing.
Like you, I've pretty much given up on my Chameleon, Warbonnett, Sierra Madre Ninox FlatLay, and any other gathered end because though awesome-made hammocks and very comfortable for what they are, my older-than-you age, and torn body just can't be in them like before, and be comfortable. What are your thoughts? And hope things are going well during the holidays for you.
Happy Holidays Ken. As far as comfort, I have never been more comfortable in a hammock than I am in the Town End Luxury UL. If you want more support the Big Guy Bridge is the way to get it. I find that moving around is pretty easy in it, the structural lines run down each side, so you have a good piece to grab on and slide in the hammock. I like setting mine up with the head end a little higher than the foot, and when I'm lounging and reading I slide more toward the foot end which elevates the head even more and gives a great position to read. Then to sleep I slide more toward the head end.
@@SpiguyverBackpacking1 thanks
"head and shoulders above"
(pun of puns?)
Do you have a bottom entry net for this? Ive never seen his nets, because he doesn't post them...at all.
Nice demo, is there integrated storage in the ends via drawcord like Bill's other designs? Not that I'll be giving up my Big Guy bridge for this anytime soon :)
There is no storage on this one, but the ends are not open quite like the bigger ones. There is no drawcord, but the ends are sewn with gussets so they create a small wall at each end.
Mark, is the “Just the Bridge “ a different model from the “Happy Medium” or “Happy Medium UL”.
Hows it compared to the warbonnet ridgerunner? Price better or worse
What type of tarp(s) have you used with the just a bridge?
I have primarily been using the Dutchware Gear bonded wide winter tarp. It’s big enough that I can sit in my bigger Luxury UL without the spreader bars touching the tarp.
11 foot or 12 foot ridgeline?
12 foot.
12 foot
Any update on that scam situation? I’m going through something similar with Cashapp
Yeah, CashApp said I didn’t have a case and closed it in favor of the seller. The seller who took my money and disappeared. Yup!