ADVICE

[Medic]

Hi All

Im a medic off to PERU to provide voluntary medical aid to ultra marathon runners (and possibly other jungle locations in the future). Im after a hammock with a built in mosquito net, and outer fly sheet. Was after people's expert opinion / experiences to advise me on what i should go for. Budget isn't an issue at the moment as hopefully ill get lots of use out of it and after all.... you get what you pay for. As long as its durable, lightweight and fit for purpose.

Cheers

[GadgetUK437]

Warbonnet Blackbird XLC with a Warbonnet Superfly tarp. Pretty Gucci setup.
What temperatures will you be hanging in?

[Medic]

Its in June, so mid 20's (centigrade)

[Sunndog]

For heavy duty use in the tropics my preference is for a very wide hammock with a seperate bugnet that hangs well underneath and zips up, that way you arent relying on permethrin to stop them biting you in backside
I like em wide because you can snuggle down and theres plenty of material around you so theres little chance of you touching the net during the night

Thats all old school stuff nowadays, but i'm an old school fella when it comes to the jungle....it will give you a fantastic little bug haven though

I would speak to scotty von porkchop on here for hammock, net, and tarp.....he makes bespoke stuff at very reasonable prices

Oh and i'd use webbing and cinch buckle suspension rather than the more common whoopie sling, because i'm told they can degrade very quickly in a dirty environment like the tropics
i'v only ever used webbing with knots, a dutchweargear cinch bukle at either end would have been most welcome


Will you be backpacking or fairly static?

[GadgetUK437]

There are a few bug tents you can pitch under a tarp and thread a Hammock thru the end

--
Gadget.

[Sunndog]

Could work well, best if its not touching the ground though

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

That's super cool! If you take me with you I'll let you know the secrets of the hammock....


What terrain are you going to encounter? If it's rainforest I'd go simple, strong and replaceable as rain forest kills gear

[Kieren]

What sort of weight are you talking about?
If you want durable, long life, insect proof, well built I'd go for a Hennessy Jungle Explorer with its standard suspension or if you want a bit more room Hennessy Jungle Safari. Both less than 2kg, high thread count double layer for insect proofing. Very simple and quick set up.
All in one system and there's not much out there which will suit you better where you're going and with what you're doing.

[Kieren]

Sunndog, whoopie slings are made of one of the most resilient materials used in hammock suspension. I'd be surprised if you'd have any problems with a decent made pair in most places with dirt short of dragging lots of sand through the bury.

That's not supposed to sound like it does :-)

[Stevie]

Yeah the whoopie sling problem is a new one on me. Never heard of that but that doesn't mean to say it's not true. Where did you hear thIs Sunndog?
Can vouch for the Safari Medic, great bit of kit. Love mine although it's the single layer (non jungle version).

[Kieren]

By the way, Medic, welcome to the forum :-)

[Sunndog]

Mat from uk hammocks has had whoopie slings fail at the bury on his expeds. amsteel may be tough but don't underestimate the jungle's ability to destroy equipment in short order
If you have something with batteries, moving parts, or any type of seal the jungle will do its level best to kill it from the get go

In that situation 1"+ webbing is gonnna be far more durable than a friction device like a whoopie sling.

K.I.S.S

[Diamond Dave]

Yes, Mat mentions Ithe whoopie problem in one of his videos

[Stevie]

Do you have a link please Dave?

[Stevie]

Interesting. Is this an isolated case or has he had repeated problems do you know?

[Kieren]

Mat from uk hammocks has had whoopie slings fail at the bury on his expeds. amsteel may be tough but don't underestimate the jungle's ability to destroy equipment in short order
If you have something with batteries, moving parts, or any type of seal the jungle will do its level best to kill it from the get go

In that situation 1"+ webbing is gonnna be far more durable than a friction device like a whoopie sling.

K.I.S.S

Cinch buckle is a friction device.

In what way did the whoopie sling fail? Did it slip or break?

Also, what does K.I.S.S. mean?

Oh, keep it simple stupid.

Standard suspension line it is then.