{"id":1271,"date":"2013-05-10T14:35:35","date_gmt":"2013-05-10T14:35:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ni-wild.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1271"},"modified":"2013-05-10T16:05:18","modified_gmt":"2013-05-10T16:05:18","slug":"tw-hammocks-product-testreview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ni-wild.co.uk\/blog\/2013\/05\/tw-hammocks-product-testreview\/","title":{"rendered":"TW Hammocks – Product Test\/Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

There’s been a lot of interest in the products being offered by our new NI-Wild Forum Sponsor “Tenth Wonder Hammocks” and rightly so!\u00a0 I notice a few of our members have already bought some items, but are yet to put them to the test, so I thought I would lay my hands on some kit and put it through its paces.<\/p>\n

The weather forecast for Tuesday evening, going into Wednesday morning, couldn’t have been better for a Kit Test so I seized the opportunity.\u00a0 It was to be dry and warm till 1am, which would give me time to get camp set up, something to eat and a good old play with the new gear before the torrential rain that was forecast arrived, by which time I planned to be sealed up and ready to tackle whatever mother nature could throw at me.<\/p>\n

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\nThe items that I chose to test were the 2.8m version of the\u00a0Camo Super XL 3.2m Hornet Hammock\u00a0<\/a>and the\u00a0Sargasso Storm Tarpaulin 3.8m<\/a>. From the minute Mr Postman delivered it, until I reluctantly had to pack it all away and go to work, I have been extremely impressed!<\/p>\n

Here is a quick summary of each item:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Camo Super 2.8m Hornet Hammock<\/span><\/p>\n

– Measurements: 320 cm long 180 cm wide
\n– 14m of rope supplied (6 in hammock with looped ends, +8m extra)
\n– Colour: camo with fine black mesh
\n– Hammock – 1280g including fitted webbing
\n– Extra rope & storm rings – 250g
\n– Support bars fitted for mosquito net
\n– Internal pocket
\n– Mozzie net adjusters inside
\n– Internal loop for your bag
\n– Hanging line within hammock end to end
\n– Double-layered bottom
\n– Double-headed zipped entrance
\n– Section underneath where a sleep mat can be inserted
\n– Storm rings provided to prevent water ingress to hammock
\n– Packed dimensions 42cm x 13cm
\n– Total weight of all items is approx 2kg (stuffsack is 50g)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sargasso Storm Tarpaulin 3.8m<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sargasso Storm Tarpaulin is sure to deliver what you need. Made from tough, hardwearing, waterproof nylon. The Sargasso Storm is designed to cover a hammock in the very worst conditions.
\nThis large tarp works like any other tarpaulin but this is our Storm version and when conditions get really bad, you can create a virtual coccoon with it around your hammock. There is velcro at the ends of the tarp, which allows them to seal.\u00a0Hexagonal cut with concave edges has increased tautness and prevents flapping in the wind. A larger tarp area means that it doesn’t have to be suspended so close to the hammock. This allows you more of a sleeping outdoors feeling. We have put D rings on the underside of the tarp as attachment points for the mosquito net from your hammock. This tarpaulin comes with an impressive 20 metres of cord and a set of ground pegs.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All of you that know me will know that I am a 99% Bivvy-all-the-way kinda guy… unless I have the kids with me and I have to bring a tent.\u00a0 Well, going forward I can see me becoming a 99% Hammock and Tarp-type-of-guy when I know I’m going to be camping were there will be somewhere that I can sling a hammock.<\/p>\n

I had one of the comfiest nights sleeps that I have had in a long time and the Hammock and Tarp combination seems to provide a very good half-way house between tenting and bivvying.\u00a0 It offers the feeling of being out in the open that you get with a Bivvy whilst offering all the protection from the elements that you would expect from a tent.<\/p>\n

To test the new kit I chose a wooded wetland, in Killinchy Co. Down, as it would has a good source of water for cooking and drinking and more importantly an abundance of trees from which I could hang the hammock and tarp.<\/p>\n

Below is the spot that I chose to set up camp as there were two good solid tree trunks available, which I tested by pulling and hauling on, and a good flat area for cooking that was well raised so that my cooking\/sitting area would not get flooded if the expected rains arrived:<\/p>\n

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The Hammock and Tarp come in individual stuff sacks which you can see below.\u00a0 I was travelling light so I did not need to compress them but I believe you could compact both items to at least half the size.\u00a0 Even before compacting both items would easily fit in the side pockets of my ruck:<\/p>\n

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First time out of the bag the kit arrives very neatly packed with all accessories well contained.\u00a0 Packing the hammock and Tarp away again the next morning was extremely easy… unlike some tents that arrive neatly packed but are impossible to get back the same way:<\/p>\n

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Hanging the tarp was very easy, although I would definitely suggest you watch Neil’s Youtube video before setting out for the first time as there are loads of useful and simple tips available.\u00a0 One thing to watch for is the distance you have available between the trees that you select.\u00a0 The trees I picked were about 3.7 metres apart which was perfect for a 2.8 metre hammock but you will see later that it’s not quite as perfect for a 3.8 metre tarp.\u00a0 Forward planning is key.<\/p>\n