New Hammock - First Test

[Stevie B]

So I took my new Lawson Blueridge Hammock out for a spin yesterday afternoon.
Relatively easy to assemble and put up, however, the Mammut Tree Huggers that are 'recommended' with this product are a sad reflection of the £25 they cost. Reckon it takes a real genius to work out how theses heavy contraptions work, took me long enough.
And unless you are planning on tying your hammock to a lampost or something of similar thickness then I suggest you steer well clear - luckily I had brought my trusty TW tree huggers!

The hammock itself I'm still not 100% on. Perhaps it was the way I hung it or perhaps it needs a fiddle with, but I really didn't like the lying position at all - I felt almost doubled over (sadly, due to the fiddling with the tree huggers I didn't have long to try it out). That said, I have seen videos online where the lying position is almost flat so I will try again this week. Easy to pack away and store and light to carry. I must say that with the tarp on it's a lovely and cosy.

Below are some photos for you guys;

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Lola's not daft, she can smell the chicken behind Mummy's back!

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[bopdude]

Thanks for the write up, I hope you get sorted out, as I said before, I do like the look of it :)

[Stevie B]

HI Bopdude,

I'll keep you posted mate and of course if I dn't like it....you'll get first dibs! ;)

[bopdude]

LOL, thanks Stevie B

ATB Al.

[jus_young]

Really not sure on the look of that one...

[Ehecatl]

I finally took my (newish) Lawson BlueRidge hammock out to the woods this weekend. I managed to get it strung at a reasonable tension and I also knew this would make it more "tippy". So, where the roof poles clip in there's a loop and I used paracord to secure the head end to the deck both sides. I got a nice flat lay and there's loads of room inside. This was brought home a couple of times in the night when I'd moved off the carri-mat and got a little chilly without the insulation.

The following morning I woke up with a face full of mesh and seeing a bit more ground than sky. Where I had not secured the feet end, the whole lot had twisted slightly. Oh well, live and learn and it was easily remedied with a bit more paracord.

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The "paracorded corners" were not perfect, but I know I can find a better solution in terms of the angle and tension required. I'll also need to find a solution to my carri-mat only covering two thirds of the hammock width. This will become a necessity in the winter or when dog joins me.

In terms of the packed up size, the BlueRidge in height is half the spreader bar length, so quite a package when compared to a DD Camping hammock. It also comes with rain covers -not fitted as a) I was under a DD tarp and b) it was such a nice weekend! These will probably feature in winter in my set up as I think they'll keep the heat in (dog likes the heat).

All in all, it met my requirements and expectations although I don't think this particular hammock will be for everybody (each unto their own). I'd certainly use this in preference to my DD, unless rucksack space was at a premium (as it is, I took both anyway).

Disadvantages:
Tippy when taut if corners not secured and lengthy when packed

Advantages:
Loads of room inside and some nice extras like light hanging loops and two pockets for phone, keys etc.

It gets a T^ from me!

Cheers,

M@

[Woody]

Nice write up!
👍

[Ehecatl]

Last night I tried the Blueridge on the ground as a bivi as dog was with me. As it's cooler I put the rain proof cover on to keep heat in. There was plenty of room inside but is was still cosy. The roof sagged a little in the middle but I suspect that's because I didn't spend too much time making adjustments when setting up (dog gets easily bored).

I'm still pleased :happy-clapping: