I use a flat lay hammock…. I find the weights don’t vary much with any hammock that has an attached bug net….and most spreader bars are only slightly above half a pound…..I typically carry 20lbs in my pack, so 2 lbs isn’t a big deal for me…..but to cut down on other weights, I utilize a emergency blanket that I made minor mods to for an under quilt, an emergency sleeping bag in conjunction with a super ultralight 3 season sleeping bag and a modified emergency blanket as my rainfly that I can also use to enclose me in my hammock for added warmth in 30-40 degree temps
From Dutch's website, that Chameleon with a net, pockets and organizers is about five ounces less than a similarity equipped Banyan. Both are going to come in over 2X the weight of your tent when you include a 10 ounce tarp (and most tarps are well above that). With suspension, the lighter one is around 29 ounces, and the Banyan 34 ounces. I tend to value quality of sleep and rest over weight. If I'm not sleeping well enough to be rested, the quality of my hike suffers. Ounces might be precious, but sleep is too. I'd carry several pounds more if it meant I'd sleep better.
A tip is to try out Amok Draumr 5.0 hammock, it is very comfortable to both sit in and lie down flat in, it is a very well thought out system and easy to set up.
the chameleon with its double sided access zipper system you can unzip it half way on both sides so only the bottom half is covered by the bug net keeping your pillow and quilt off onto the ground.
Good info! That Cloud is insane!!! If I ever get our west, I'll add it to my fleet of Chameleons! I think the Half-Zip is a good lightweight hammock for buggy conditions. I have that, 2- 11 footers (one with double layer), and a 12' wide. I'm due for another - been thinking about he Bridge. I love the new sewn-on UQ, but might go for the zipper on instead. Gotta do some shopping! Do you have the spreader bar top for the Chameleon? Love mine!
Cloud 71 is the best. I was hoping Dutch would make a chameleon out of that material but I'm assuming the zippers just don't work well on the fabric. I've used it out east a couple of times and it worked out great. I used it last year on my Linville Gorge trip, that was an awesome trip. And I used it the year before that when I did the Triple Crown in Virginia with McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Dragon's Tooth. That's another trip to add to your bucket list. My son uses my old Hennessy Hammock which is a good lightweight half-zip option. It was my first backpacking hammock and it is still going strong. As for the zip-on Jacks R Better underquilt on my Chameleon, I prefer having it zip on rather that sewed onto the hammock. I like having the flexibility of attaching a different underquilt if it is warmer or colder. Spreader bar top for the Chameleon? I don't think I've seen that. I have spreader bars for my Bridge obviously but I don't think I've seen it for the Chameleon. Guess I need to go investigate a bit more. I'm always on the hunt for new gear!!
@@crimsonblaze_backpacker The spreader bar is great! Of course, you'll need a new top cover and bug net as the spreader bar goes in a built-in sleeve. Highly recommended! There are soooooo many places I need to explore. There are many, MANY places I want, no...NEED to explore throughout the US, but UK and Iceland definitely have my attention on my backpacking bucket list! I'll need to get the Tensa Trekking Treez for those trips if I want to hang though. Thanks for the reply! I enjoy your channel!
Great question! I haven't quite gotten that figured out yet. I tried using my stuff sack from my Banyan Bridge hammock since it was larger, but it didn't work. I'm thinking of making my own with an old stuff sack from something else, cutting a hold in the other end, and sliding a cinch cord to make it a double end stuff sack. For my original underquilt, I never used a stuff sack. I simply shoved it in first at the bottom of my pack, followed by my top quilt because they would both compress very well. Then I would pack my hammock on top of that. So, after using the new JRB underquilt this past year I soon realized I needed to figure something out. If you have any other thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear them. Thanks for watching!
@@crimsonblaze_backpacker I believe Dutch has a compression sack called the Anaconda. I am currently stuffing my Chameleon, JRB, top quilt into my contractor’s bag. Thanks and Roll Tide
Thumbs up- just because you have the dog in the video. 🙂
Awesome! I'll take it however I can get it. Not above using my dog to get some likes. 🙂
I use a flat lay hammock…. I find the weights don’t vary much with any hammock that has an attached bug net….and most spreader bars are only slightly above half a pound…..I typically carry 20lbs in my pack, so 2 lbs isn’t a big deal for me…..but to cut down on other weights, I utilize a emergency blanket that I made minor mods to for an under quilt, an emergency sleeping bag in conjunction with a super ultralight 3 season sleeping bag and a modified emergency blanket as my rainfly that I can also use to enclose me in my hammock for added warmth in 30-40 degree temps
From Dutch's website, that Chameleon with a net, pockets and organizers is about five ounces less than a similarity equipped Banyan. Both are going to come in over 2X the weight of your tent when you include a 10 ounce tarp (and most tarps are well above that). With suspension, the lighter one is around 29 ounces, and the Banyan 34 ounces.
I tend to value quality of sleep and rest over weight. If I'm not sleeping well enough to be rested, the quality of my hike suffers.
Ounces might be precious, but sleep is too. I'd carry several pounds more if it meant I'd sleep better.
A tip is to try out Amok Draumr 5.0 hammock, it is very comfortable to both sit in and lie down flat in, it is a very well thought out system and easy to set up.
That's an option if you want something over double the weight of any of his hammocks won't work with most of his insulation.
the chameleon with its double sided access zipper system you can unzip it half way on both sides so only the bottom half is covered by the bug net keeping your pillow and quilt off onto the ground.
Great video!
Saw your other comment about making your own DESS, just wanted to point out the Dream-Hammock offer some pretty substantially larger DESSes than DW.
Good to know. I will check that out. Thanks!
Good info! That Cloud is insane!!! If I ever get our west, I'll add it to my fleet of Chameleons! I think the Half-Zip is a good lightweight hammock for buggy conditions. I have that, 2- 11 footers (one with double layer), and a 12' wide. I'm due for another - been thinking about he Bridge. I love the new sewn-on UQ, but might go for the zipper on instead. Gotta do some shopping!
Do you have the spreader bar top for the Chameleon? Love mine!
Cloud 71 is the best. I was hoping Dutch would make a chameleon out of that material but I'm assuming the zippers just don't work well on the fabric. I've used it out east a couple of times and it worked out great. I used it last year on my Linville Gorge trip, that was an awesome trip. And I used it the year before that when I did the Triple Crown in Virginia with McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Dragon's Tooth. That's another trip to add to your bucket list.
My son uses my old Hennessy Hammock which is a good lightweight half-zip option. It was my first backpacking hammock and it is still going strong.
As for the zip-on Jacks R Better underquilt on my Chameleon, I prefer having it zip on rather that sewed onto the hammock. I like having the flexibility of attaching a different underquilt if it is warmer or colder.
Spreader bar top for the Chameleon? I don't think I've seen that. I have spreader bars for my Bridge obviously but I don't think I've seen it for the Chameleon. Guess I need to go investigate a bit more. I'm always on the hunt for new gear!!
@@crimsonblaze_backpacker The spreader bar is great! Of course, you'll need a new top cover and bug net as the spreader bar goes in a built-in sleeve. Highly recommended!
There are soooooo many places I need to explore. There are many, MANY places I want, no...NEED to explore throughout the US, but UK and Iceland definitely have my attention on my backpacking bucket list! I'll need to get the Tensa Trekking Treez for those trips if I want to hang though.
Thanks for the reply! I enjoy your channel!
Have you tried the Amok hammock?
I’ve heard of it. Sounds comfortable but heavy. But no, I’ve never tried one.
What kind of stuff sack do you have for your Chameleon with your zipped in JRB underquilt? Thanks
Great question! I haven't quite gotten that figured out yet. I tried using my stuff sack from my Banyan Bridge hammock since it was larger, but it didn't work. I'm thinking of making my own with an old stuff sack from something else, cutting a hold in the other end, and sliding a cinch cord to make it a double end stuff sack.
For my original underquilt, I never used a stuff sack. I simply shoved it in first at the bottom of my pack, followed by my top quilt because they would both compress very well. Then I would pack my hammock on top of that. So, after using the new JRB underquilt this past year I soon realized I needed to figure something out.
If you have any other thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear them. Thanks for watching!
@@crimsonblaze_backpacker I believe Dutch has a compression sack called the Anaconda. I am currently stuffing my Chameleon, JRB, top quilt into my contractor’s bag. Thanks and Roll Tide
@@cottontalesfromthetrail5474 Roll Tide!!