Hammock Gear WanderLuxe Complete Kit for Hammock Camping Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2024
- See our full review: www.adventurealan.com/hammock...
Finally, a comfortable ultralight hammock setup that's easy to set up!
We just returned from guiding for eight days in West Virginia and we got our best sleep scores ever* in this Hammock Gear WanderLuxe Ultralight Hammock Kit. We experienced cold, wet nights, but the hammock system proved stable, weatherproof, and incredibly easy to use with a knotless setup. This is the most comfortable ultralight hammock setup I’ve ever used-lighter and more comfortable than comparable ultralight tent setups. Hammock camping is a growing category in ultralight backpacking, and for good reason. Your options for setting up a hammock are nearly limitless on the right trails, and with the best gear, you’ll have some of your most wonderful sleep outside.
We tested this in nasty conditions where a good night’s sleep was not guaranteed. The ease of setup, lightweight, and extra length of the hammock all combine to make this an ultralight, user-friendly setup. A longer hammock means more ability to stretch out and lay on a diagonal in the hammock, as opposed to feeling crunched and waking up with a stiff back. We’ve extensively tested both hammock camping systems and tent camping systems, and we can confidently say that the Hammock Gear WanderLuxe Ultralight Kit hits high marks in all categories.
incredible review, thank you
awesome review! im finally getting off the ground and going the hammock route! pulling the trigger now!
Good choice! Have fun. Best, -alan
What about vs blackbird hammocks?
Really Nice video. Thank you Very Much. 😊😊😊
Most welcome 😊
I agree on the quality of sleep! Thanks for the video. I have hammocks with 1.3 oz/yd material, that are plenty strong enough.
The daisy chain is heavier than my suspension as well. I use uhmwpe straps and a becket hitch
Jay agree that the becket hitch directly into the continuous loop is lighter. I have used a single Kevlar strap that serves as both tree strap and suspension - just hitch that into the cont. loop. My whole suspension weighed in at a little over an ounce. That being said, the daisy chain is far easier to use, especially to make adjustments to length. And of course it’s a lot easier for most folks to use. People seem to have an aversion to relying on a knot they’ve tied when it is supposed to support their body! Also agree that .13 oz is more than sufficient to support most folks with a good margin. But you will get more stretch than 1.6 oz fabric. And some people find that stretch to be a bit saggy and less comfortable. At 148 lb I really don’t need anything more than 1.0 oz to safely support me, but I generally prefer 1.4 oz or heavier for the firmer lie it provides - not a fan of soft mattresses either. But to each their own. Best, -Alan
And then there is Poly which is a lot stiffer but not as strong as nylon. I find a 1.2 Poly hammock great to sleep in but it has a nasty habit of catastrophic failure if you get even a small tear in it. -a
@@adventure_alan_co Yes, those less comfortable with knots should stick with something like a daisy chain to start.
I found the stretchy 1.3 oz/yd material more comfortable than the 1.6 oz/yd material, and I'm 170 lbs. But that's just me. I know others who do not
Take care Alan,
Jay
Good video on benefits of the hammock. Would have liked to see you a setup and takedown of it. What temperature do you find you bring the bottom insulation?
Bob, if you checkout my video on the WanderLUST kit (sorry, but on phone so link is hard to generate) at around 4:00 or thereabouts I demo how to setup the hammock and tarp. The setup of the two kits is identical, since there is no difference in the hammock between the two kits, and the tarp hardware is the same. Best, -Alan
I got the DW chameleon 2 years ago without any of the extras to see how I’d do in a hammock. Tried setting it up once, couldn’t quite get it right and it’s sat in the box ever since; and I read The Ultimate Hang. Ugh.
I have had a Hennessy Expedition Asym that I've slept in for years, and even though it's an asym hammock, I find it uncomfortable to sleep on my side. Does the 11ft Wanderluxe work for side sleepers, in your opinion? Are you a side sleeper? Great review and I love the convenience of hammock camping and I'd buy a different hammock if it fixed the side sleeping problem.
Love your content Alan. After 35 years of backpacking you have sold me on giving Hammocking a try. Question, do you think that tarp work okay if you were somewhere where you had to go to the ground with a trekking pole set up (say above tree line for part of your trip). It looks like that tarp only has guy out loops in the corners. Do you think that would be enough for a good ground pitch? If not, what would be your recommendation for a DCF tarp that would work well both while hanging and on the ground. Thanks!
Yes, a hex tarp would probably work fine for going to ground and supported by trekking poles. If you were trying to get one tarp to serve both purposes a larger rectangular tarp would be the best choice. It would work equally well for him at camping and grounds sleeping. The hex tarp would be OK for ground sleeping but the rectangular is better. Hope this helps, Best, Alan
@@adventure_alan_co Thanks Alan, looks like you are using an MLD Exodus. Is that the DCF model? I know you also use the Hyperlite packs too. I am considering both and since I am not a guide, can only purchase one, is their one you would recommend over the other ? I want a pack in the 45-55 liter range and tend to carry 19-20 lbs. I do climb and scramble some if that makes a difference. Thank you.
Kent Williams Hi Kent, I’m just seeing your post now. I wonder which pack you got and how the hammock is working for you.
@@barondavis5692 Baron, I bought a ULA Circuit in the X-pack fabric and really like it. I do like my hammock and believe it is my preferred set up now but I like to tent and tarp camp too. I think I will mostly lean toward the hammock unless I am out west above tree line or I really need a lighter pack. I think I sleep a little better in the hammock on most nights.
From experience, yes you can. Now i've not used this exact kit but have had to go to ground with a hammock setup before but i used a pad instead of uq at the time so worked out well for me.
Hey Alen, thank for the review. I have the luxe on order but a few questions. I’m 6’1. 250. Hope it fits good. And I’m using it for bikepacking so the weight is adequate but the size of the quilts seem huge when you pulled them out. How much can they compress as I really don’t have much space. Thanks.
Pretty sure those would probably compress down if you used compression sacks.
@@CrasCedwards 20L drybag is the smallest i can go
I bought the Wanderlust kit before they released the Luxe. It really is so easy! Thank you for the excellent overview and introduction to the kit.
Our pleasure Christopher. Warmest, -Alan
I am still on the fence about the switch to hammock camping. One thing you didn’t address is the space in your backpack that the entire setup takes up. How does the packed space of the hammock w/ two quilts compare with a tent, pad and quilt? Thank you!
You are correct. The underquilt does take up more room than a T-Rest NeoAir pad. That being said, don't really think it is a significant issue. Certainly not to consider whether to bring a hammock or not. Checkout our backpack guide but we discuss the advantages of bringing a larger volume pack. Especially when many times the larger volume pack is only a few oz more. Best, -alan
This was an excellent Review Alan thank you 👍
Our pleasure. You are so welcome. Best, -alan
is this asymetric?
nevermind i heard you say it is not XD
Grin
in a 26°c trail should i use a underquilt ?
Likely not. Usually above 20 C your clothing and a top quilt should be fine.