Sorry for the delay since our last post, but today I am going to try to do a decent job of explaining the difference between our regular Buginator and our Nano Buginator, as we've received a few questions of late and, despite this week's cold weather throughout most of the U.S., we know spring -- and bug season -- are closing in on us.
They are made using the same exact specifications based on the same exact design. Both are full coverage, bottom entry nets without zippers. The only added equipment you need to make them work on most any whipped or cinched channel hammock is a ridgeline.
Let's start with the stats of the fabrics.
Regular Buginator:
Made from polyester
Approximate weight is 1 oz. per square yard
625+ holes per square inch to achieve noseeum rating
Nano Buginator:
Made from nylon
Approximate weight is .7 oz. per square yard
625+ holes per square inch to achieve noseeum rating
In reviewing this limited information, which is about all we get from our suppliers, it's hard to know much, but to us, two things stand out: weight and material.
First thing's first: weight. Self explanatory here, but for the gram counters, the exact weight of three different Nano Buginators in bags with cordlocks (fully ready) averaged 6.7 ounces with a variance of .1 ounces between the three. I got 6.6 on one and 6.7 on the other two. Occasionally we will make our bags from different material, and occasionally the hand-crafted nature of what we do leads to some tiny fluctuations. And, despite the manufacturing process used for fabrics, some batches do vary from others ever-so-slightly.
Weights on the regular Buginator reflect heavier weights on the material. Generally speaking, .7 ounces isn't a great deal different from 1 ounce. But that's per square yard and that is 30 percent. This equates to an 8.7 ounce net, but we also use a slightly heavier bag material and our nets vary (based on material fluctuations and our manufacturing) from about 8.6-8.8 ounces.
Now let's go talk materials. Polyester is a hardier fabric than nylon. It has a higher melting point (academic, but noteworthy), better UV resistance, and it's stronger that a similarly piece of nylon would be by weight. It's also known to be more abrasion resistant than nylon, though both are known to be susceptible to abrasions. So we can deduce (in this case, accurately) that the Buginator would have better abrasion resistance, stronger material (remember, polyester is stronger as it is and in this case, the polyester is thicker, too, based on the weight), and better UV resistance than the Nano Buginator.
But does all of this hold true? In a word, yes. Everything we deduced based on materials has shown itself over time to be pretty accurate, but before you order the Buginator over the seemingly flimsy alternative, I have to add one significant caveat. STRETCH.
The Buginator has none and in that regard, our assessment of polyester versus nylon holds up, while the Nano Buginator has some stretch. And that does, in some cases, can come into play.
Imagine a stick with a dull end pressing into your netting for whatever reason. At some point, enough pressure would cause any material to rip (or the stick to break) but in this case, the Nano Buginator would give in to the stick and allow it to press in without tearing -- at least for the first bit of pressure. Inversely, the Buginator would not give very little if any at all and would either tear or cause the stick to break. This is also comes into play when dealing with the closure cord on the net. Overtightening the seal on Buginator would be more apt to damage the net than the Nano Buginator which would offer some "give" in the case of overtightening the seal. So stretch, in this case, is a good thing.
So, in short, we'd conclude that under most conditions the nylon Nano Buginator is less robust than its polyester companion, the Buginator, most of the time, but under a small set of conditions, it could be advantageous.
Shane works hard making the nets and I haven't been able to convince him to allow me to torture test two of his creations, but real world use has taught us that these assessments are accurate. That said, do not get the impression that the Nano Buginator is flimsy or lacks durability. It is a very robust net system that, if handled properly, should last for years of use. That said, by comparison, it is less robust than the Buginator. Is it worth the tradeoff? Only you can decide.
The issue with the Nano Buginator -- which is what I carry in my personal pack -- is its vulnerability to abrasion. While I have had very good luck with my net, some early testing where we made the net was made using Velcro (TM), the bristly side of the Velcro material snagged up the netting quite a bit. I'm very cautions in what I set against my Nano Buginator. I keep it in its bag, even when packed into a larger bag with my hammock. I don't want carabiners or zippers or Velcro or other potential snags rubbing against the netting material.
Still, I find that I like it better than the Buginator. I like the feel of the material. I like the modest stretch that gives me some comfort that if I overtighten the seal under my seat that it will not rip or tear before giving some. And I LOVE the weight savings. But to each his own...
The breakdown:
Buginator Pro's
Very hardy, substantial feel.
Abrasion resistant (by comparison).
Better UV resistance.
Buginator Cons
Heavier by comparison.
Has no stretch.
Nano Buginator Pro's
Super light weight.
Offers modest stretch which allows fabric to "give" under pressure
Nano Buginator Cons
Less UV resistance.
Less abrasion resistance.
Thinner, slightly less durable material.
-- Brian, January 2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Monday, March 4, 2013
Ozark Hang reflections
February came and went in an unceremonious way. I had always thought the first year of legitimate "doing business" would be cause for celebration, but between coming off the Christmas rush, gearing up for spring (which comes a little early in the Memphis area) and upcoming hangs and meeting the demand for the renamed and highly discounted "Hiker Lite" hammock (after starting off calling it the Campus Lounger which resulted in no one taking it seriously), February went quickly.
In looking back over the last year at the products we launched, the ideas we had, the products we dreamed up but didn't get on the shelves for sale, the revenue we generated and, (eeeks!) the money we spent, the friends we made, the people we bonded with, the hangs we attended, the products we sent to those we couldn't attend that were raffled to raise money for good causes, the late nights, the families, the day jobs, the back aches from hours at the machine, the strained eyes, my wife asking me to stop sewing and come on to bed, good investments (like nano noseeum bug netting), bad investments (T-shirts... don't ask), product transitions and more, the year was like none other I've had in 42 years. It had a lot of very high highs and a few aggravating lows, but man, it was a hell of a first year.
And so it seems fitting, as we enter our second year of business that we, in a way, go back to where we largely started... the Ozark Hang.
Hosted by Hammock Forum member Smokehouse, the event brought out great people. I'd love to name them all, but I can't. I'd like to name a few, but I don't dare for leaving someone out. But I will mention Old Gringo -- Dave -- just for the hell of it and because I like him a lot. I enjoyed our paddle down the Buffalo River last year and our conversations ranging from literature to Southern culture and politics. Smokehouse -- Mike -- had some great insights, too, that really shaped a change in direction for us.
I first paddled the Buffalo in (roughly) 1979. I was knee high to a grasshopper then, but I loved it. I went back over and over from the mid 1990s into the early 2000s as it had proximity to my Mississippi Delta home base. As I got older, I moved around the South a bit, but I still made trips to the Buffalo annually until about 2004 when I turned my spirit for adventure in for a spirit for fishing. And I found other waters to travel and cast into, but those cliffs along the Buffalo are very much etched into my memory.
I look forward to seeing our friends again this year and living and learning a little more. I look forward to seeing Shawn there, a supporter and friend who's always been willing to talk hammocks, throw us some feedback and give us some of his wisdom learned -- and earned -- on the trail.
It's not the anniversary of our one year mark, but it's close enough. And it's a nice break from the thread injector after that February Hiker Lite sale. Most of all, it's a celebration of camping, hammocks, kayaking, hiking, campfire cooking and story telling with old and new friends and it's a fitting way for us to move into our second year of hammock building. It's a great place to share a drink and a campfire and celebrate the first whispers of spring.
We learned a lot in year one and I know Shane and I are eager for what year two will bring. Man, what a ride.
If we don't see you there, maybe we'll catch you on the trail somewhere.
In looking back over the last year at the products we launched, the ideas we had, the products we dreamed up but didn't get on the shelves for sale, the revenue we generated and, (eeeks!) the money we spent, the friends we made, the people we bonded with, the hangs we attended, the products we sent to those we couldn't attend that were raffled to raise money for good causes, the late nights, the families, the day jobs, the back aches from hours at the machine, the strained eyes, my wife asking me to stop sewing and come on to bed, good investments (like nano noseeum bug netting), bad investments (T-shirts... don't ask), product transitions and more, the year was like none other I've had in 42 years. It had a lot of very high highs and a few aggravating lows, but man, it was a hell of a first year.
And so it seems fitting, as we enter our second year of business that we, in a way, go back to where we largely started... the Ozark Hang.
Hosted by Hammock Forum member Smokehouse, the event brought out great people. I'd love to name them all, but I can't. I'd like to name a few, but I don't dare for leaving someone out. But I will mention Old Gringo -- Dave -- just for the hell of it and because I like him a lot. I enjoyed our paddle down the Buffalo River last year and our conversations ranging from literature to Southern culture and politics. Smokehouse -- Mike -- had some great insights, too, that really shaped a change in direction for us.
I first paddled the Buffalo in (roughly) 1979. I was knee high to a grasshopper then, but I loved it. I went back over and over from the mid 1990s into the early 2000s as it had proximity to my Mississippi Delta home base. As I got older, I moved around the South a bit, but I still made trips to the Buffalo annually until about 2004 when I turned my spirit for adventure in for a spirit for fishing. And I found other waters to travel and cast into, but those cliffs along the Buffalo are very much etched into my memory.
I look forward to seeing our friends again this year and living and learning a little more. I look forward to seeing Shawn there, a supporter and friend who's always been willing to talk hammocks, throw us some feedback and give us some of his wisdom learned -- and earned -- on the trail.
It's not the anniversary of our one year mark, but it's close enough. And it's a nice break from the thread injector after that February Hiker Lite sale. Most of all, it's a celebration of camping, hammocks, kayaking, hiking, campfire cooking and story telling with old and new friends and it's a fitting way for us to move into our second year of hammock building. It's a great place to share a drink and a campfire and celebrate the first whispers of spring.
We learned a lot in year one and I know Shane and I are eager for what year two will bring. Man, what a ride.
If we don't see you there, maybe we'll catch you on the trail somewhere.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Keeping it Simple
When we started making gear, like everyone else, we did it for ourselves. We wanted what we wanted and we wanted to pay, obviously, less.
Plus it was our goal to have fun, experiment, try new things and learn what we could along the way.
Hammocking is evolving fast. Many new innovations are coming into the mainstream every day and it's every maker's goal to keep up with those innovations and incorporate them, where appropriate, into the product line.
Two years ago, 11 foot hammocks were not "common" but now most cottage vendors are either using this size or are offering this size for hammocks. Materials also cause innovation. Cuben fiber has taken the hammock world by storm (or maybe you'd call it the "tarp world") particularly among the ultralight crowd. Older innovations in materials created change. Very few quality gear makers don't use cordage made of the Dyneema fiber these days, from Dynaglide (TM) whoopies and ridgelines to AmSteel Blue (TM) channel loops, dog bones and whoopies to our Zing It ridgelines.
We love innovation and are open to change, either as a result of ideas we come up with, ideas we see others incorporate or innovations in materials.
But there's something refreshing about a simple product done well. And that's where we focus most of our attention. We have friends and family members ask us how we make hammocks and Shane said it best. "Make a shower curtain with a sleeve for the curtain rod on both ends. Then reinforce it with extra stitching."
There's a little more to it than that including fabric selection, color selection (did you know studies have shown that most bugs are more attracted to darker colors than lighter ones, so think twice before ordering that black hammock!), overall design in single layer and double layer versions, where to insert the pad opening and taking advantage of other ideas, like the ingenious "gathered side hammock mod" that was invented by Hammock Forum member knotty. Forever forward, the mod took on the name "knotty mod" and rightly so as it gives credit to its creator. So back to the topic at hand...
We've seen some fabulous hammock designs and we've even made a few custom hammocks that had their own unique features, but we keep going back to the idea of keeping it simple. Good cloth, stitched well with a simple suspension system and bug net keeps the tinker factor low, the comfort factor high and the cost factor down and the weight works for gram counters. It saves us time and you money.
As we continue to try to grow our business, more ideas will take root and grow. In the fall (2013), we hope to launch a new hammock sock with a new design to add a little warmth to the experience. Tarps may be in our future. We've looked toward hammock chairs, bridge hammocks, hammock hardware and even stove and pot stand designs.
Time and the marketplace will sort all of that out as to what is -- and what is not -- to be part of the product line, but our mission will remain to take a simple thing and do it well. This is what will keep your pack light and your wallet thick.
-- Brian
Plus it was our goal to have fun, experiment, try new things and learn what we could along the way.
Hammocking is evolving fast. Many new innovations are coming into the mainstream every day and it's every maker's goal to keep up with those innovations and incorporate them, where appropriate, into the product line.
Two years ago, 11 foot hammocks were not "common" but now most cottage vendors are either using this size or are offering this size for hammocks. Materials also cause innovation. Cuben fiber has taken the hammock world by storm (or maybe you'd call it the "tarp world") particularly among the ultralight crowd. Older innovations in materials created change. Very few quality gear makers don't use cordage made of the Dyneema fiber these days, from Dynaglide (TM) whoopies and ridgelines to AmSteel Blue (TM) channel loops, dog bones and whoopies to our Zing It ridgelines.
We love innovation and are open to change, either as a result of ideas we come up with, ideas we see others incorporate or innovations in materials.
But there's something refreshing about a simple product done well. And that's where we focus most of our attention. We have friends and family members ask us how we make hammocks and Shane said it best. "Make a shower curtain with a sleeve for the curtain rod on both ends. Then reinforce it with extra stitching."
There's a little more to it than that including fabric selection, color selection (did you know studies have shown that most bugs are more attracted to darker colors than lighter ones, so think twice before ordering that black hammock!), overall design in single layer and double layer versions, where to insert the pad opening and taking advantage of other ideas, like the ingenious "gathered side hammock mod" that was invented by Hammock Forum member knotty. Forever forward, the mod took on the name "knotty mod" and rightly so as it gives credit to its creator. So back to the topic at hand...
We've seen some fabulous hammock designs and we've even made a few custom hammocks that had their own unique features, but we keep going back to the idea of keeping it simple. Good cloth, stitched well with a simple suspension system and bug net keeps the tinker factor low, the comfort factor high and the cost factor down and the weight works for gram counters. It saves us time and you money.
As we continue to try to grow our business, more ideas will take root and grow. In the fall (2013), we hope to launch a new hammock sock with a new design to add a little warmth to the experience. Tarps may be in our future. We've looked toward hammock chairs, bridge hammocks, hammock hardware and even stove and pot stand designs.
Time and the marketplace will sort all of that out as to what is -- and what is not -- to be part of the product line, but our mission will remain to take a simple thing and do it well. This is what will keep your pack light and your wallet thick.
-- Brian
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Let's talk ridgelines
We get asked a lot of questions about ridgelines, so I'm going to go through this from top to bottom. We'll call this "Ridgelines for Dummies" because this is designed to cover the basics, explain what a ridgeline is and what functions it serves.
What is it?
A ridgeline is a strong bit of cord attached to the ends of the hammock, running parallel to the ground. By attaching to the ends, it forms a top to the hammock and appears as if your hammock is hanging from the ridgeline.
What does it do?
By attaching reasonably snugly to the ends of the hammock, it controls the hammock's "sag" which has a lot to do with how the hammock hangs, how comfortable it is, how flat it becomes and more. What the ridgeline provides is consistency.
What is it made of?
You want a ridgeline made of a low stretch cord that holds a lot of weight. In our opinion, something light is better. Avoid nylon (it stretches) and polyester cord is usually fat and heavy comparative to some other options. The most common recommendations are Lash It (TM), Zing It (TM) and Dynaglide (TM), though we've heard of some folks using cheap mason line that can be picked up at a hope improvement store. The diameter, strength and materials used in mason line vary greatly, so unless you know what you're getting will work, we'd recommend other options.
How does it work?
Our favorite is the fixed ridgeline at 83 percent of the hammock's length. This provides a deep, comfortable sag offers a nice, flat lay and has minimal shoulder squeeze. The easiest method is to tie a loop on each of end long cord. Our method of attaching a fixed ridgeline is outlined on our site; by opening the channel loops on the hammock, thread the RL loop over one the extended part of the channel loop and reaffix the larkshead knot.
http://www.buttinasling.com/riin.html
A second option is an adjustable ridegline. This one has a fixed loop and an adjustable loop. You can take the fixed loop and attach it in the method described above, but you'll need a connector of some sort to attach the adjustable end. We don't recommend adjustable ridgelines for long-term use because they can lose their positioning and do not provide the consistency that is perfect for ridgelines (as it may move tighter or looser when you install it). But it's perfect for finding the right length for a fixed ridgeline. We use them to dial in the lay of a new hammock, then, when the sag feels just right, we measure it and make a fixed ridgeline in that length. Ridgeline biners are a simple connector on the adjustable end of an adjustable RL.
Tight or loose?
Getting your hammock between two trees exactly the same distance apart each time you hang is impossible and finding the perfect 30 degree hammock-suspension-to-tree angle is likewise difficult to get each and every time. What this means is that sometimes the RL will be tight. Sometimes it will be loose. If you use whoopie slings, you can adjust the hang of the hammock to get the ridgeline snug, but not too tight. You don't want your ridgeline to sag. But you don't want it to have to support too much of your weight either. Ideally, it will be pretty tight (like a loose bass guitar string) and will transmit the weight it holds to the suspension system. If it sags, try again. If it sounds like a high pitched guitar string, loosen it up a bit. Don't overthink it. If you use a good, high strength line (like 2.2 Zing It), you shouldn't sweat it too much. A good rule of thumb is that when getting in the hammock, you should be able to, with some effort, pinch a bit of ridgeline and get it to turn a little.
Reasons to use one?
We've discussed consistency of the hang. That's the key benefit, but folks find it also makes a great place for storage of items. Lights with clips attach to the RL, as do eyeglasses (I keep mine there). A ridgeline serves as a key support for the BIAS Buginator bug net, too. So consistency, storage, and attachment of accessories/personal items all seem to be pretty good reasons.
What is it?
A ridgeline is a strong bit of cord attached to the ends of the hammock, running parallel to the ground. By attaching to the ends, it forms a top to the hammock and appears as if your hammock is hanging from the ridgeline.
What does it do?
By attaching reasonably snugly to the ends of the hammock, it controls the hammock's "sag" which has a lot to do with how the hammock hangs, how comfortable it is, how flat it becomes and more. What the ridgeline provides is consistency.
What is it made of?
You want a ridgeline made of a low stretch cord that holds a lot of weight. In our opinion, something light is better. Avoid nylon (it stretches) and polyester cord is usually fat and heavy comparative to some other options. The most common recommendations are Lash It (TM), Zing It (TM) and Dynaglide (TM), though we've heard of some folks using cheap mason line that can be picked up at a hope improvement store. The diameter, strength and materials used in mason line vary greatly, so unless you know what you're getting will work, we'd recommend other options.
How does it work?
Our favorite is the fixed ridgeline at 83 percent of the hammock's length. This provides a deep, comfortable sag offers a nice, flat lay and has minimal shoulder squeeze. The easiest method is to tie a loop on each of end long cord. Our method of attaching a fixed ridgeline is outlined on our site; by opening the channel loops on the hammock, thread the RL loop over one the extended part of the channel loop and reaffix the larkshead knot.
http://www.buttinasling.com/riin.html
A second option is an adjustable ridegline. This one has a fixed loop and an adjustable loop. You can take the fixed loop and attach it in the method described above, but you'll need a connector of some sort to attach the adjustable end. We don't recommend adjustable ridgelines for long-term use because they can lose their positioning and do not provide the consistency that is perfect for ridgelines (as it may move tighter or looser when you install it). But it's perfect for finding the right length for a fixed ridgeline. We use them to dial in the lay of a new hammock, then, when the sag feels just right, we measure it and make a fixed ridgeline in that length. Ridgeline biners are a simple connector on the adjustable end of an adjustable RL.
Tight or loose?
Getting your hammock between two trees exactly the same distance apart each time you hang is impossible and finding the perfect 30 degree hammock-suspension-to-tree angle is likewise difficult to get each and every time. What this means is that sometimes the RL will be tight. Sometimes it will be loose. If you use whoopie slings, you can adjust the hang of the hammock to get the ridgeline snug, but not too tight. You don't want your ridgeline to sag. But you don't want it to have to support too much of your weight either. Ideally, it will be pretty tight (like a loose bass guitar string) and will transmit the weight it holds to the suspension system. If it sags, try again. If it sounds like a high pitched guitar string, loosen it up a bit. Don't overthink it. If you use a good, high strength line (like 2.2 Zing It), you shouldn't sweat it too much. A good rule of thumb is that when getting in the hammock, you should be able to, with some effort, pinch a bit of ridgeline and get it to turn a little.
Reasons to use one?
We've discussed consistency of the hang. That's the key benefit, but folks find it also makes a great place for storage of items. Lights with clips attach to the RL, as do eyeglasses (I keep mine there). A ridgeline serves as a key support for the BIAS Buginator bug net, too. So consistency, storage, and attachment of accessories/personal items all seem to be pretty good reasons.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Trail Food
BIAS has, thanks to blessings and great folks, been very busy. Between it and full-time employment, my available time is at a premium (one reason it's been so long since I made a blog post).
I'm not Babelfish5 or even a close facsimile, but I like to cook -- I love to cook -- and I've been making my own dehydrated dishes for a while. I've got several sources of inspiration; Mr. Fish5 is one of them, as is the Backpacking Chef (www.backpackingchef.com).
A while back I got a pay it forward on Hammock Forums... it's a section of the forum where you claim an item at no cost, but in return you post an item of your choice... anyway, my PIF claim was some barbecue spaghetti (I believe it was a babelfish5 recipe) made by forum member SamyK, who's since become the proprietor of Backcountry Eats. Samy's spaghetti was awesome!
So back to the present. I am packing for a trip in mid September between hammock making, working, playing with the kids and attending to my other responsibilities. One thing seems certain. Given all that I have to do, I do not have time to make meals. I know what you're thinking. "Quit typing, you idiot and make some spaghetti for the dehydrator," but it's not that simple. Energy wise, I am sapped. It isn't going to happen. It's like changing my own oil at this point in life. I used to enjoy doing it, but at some point and time, the $25 you pay someone else (on top of charges for the oil and fuel filter) seems incredibly worth it.
Besides, my onions never work out right, I never eat all the beef I dehydrate and it eventually goes rancid and my wife complains that I buy and make things I don't eat. And my eggs are terrible and the powdered milk I get at the grocery isn't exactly premium stuff. So... without will, without an optimism that my meals will live up to my expectations and without time to bring it together, I put out a hail mary to HF members.
I asked them for cottage food vendors. My friend at Backcountry Eats got a nod (he's a newcomer so even being mentioned is a big deal) as did the well known Hawk at Hawk Vittles. Finally, a recommendation came in for PackIt Gourmet. Point being is that I know Backpacker's Pantry, Wise Foods and Mountain House, plus grocery favorites like Ramen Noodles, but I wanted to dig deeper.
Of the three, PackIt Gourmet had the most interesting offerings to me. Their stuff was truly unique. In addition to having stuff like gazpacho (which I ordered!), they also have smoothies, yogurt and an assortment of easy mixing cocktails for the trail. I mean it was impressive stuff that was quite different from the usual rice and pasta dishes to which I've grown accustomed.
Hawk Vittles got the most recommendations and I ordered some interesting stuff from that site. Stir-fry salmon and clam vermicelli were the two dishes I found most interesting (and I ordered them).
Finally, I ordered a few things from Backcountry Eats which were, to be specific, backcountry goulash and shepherd's pie. I really enjoyed that barbecue spaghetti and Sam earned my business.
Then a guy I met at a group hang and that I've exchanged messages with a few times pipes up and says he's starting a food company and has completed licenses and is close to launching and offers some free grub. The guy, Black Wolf, is a neat fellow. When I ran in to him in Arkansas, he was coming in off a 200-mile hike and he walked into our group hang. I enjoyed talking with him and have since gotten some professional advice on a few matters.
His sites are
and
The Hawk Vittles and Packit Gourmet grub got here the Saturday before Labor Day. The shipment of the Backcountry Eats food had been made and is en route and Black Wolf told me he'd do his best to make my departure deadline -- and he did.
What I learned from this experience is that just as there is a budding industry in cottage hammock makers (which includes Butt in a Sling Hammock Gear -- www.buttinasling.com), there is a budding industry in cottage food makers. I am really excited to try some of these recipes and hope you give these guys -- and other cottage food vendors -- a little of your business.
I'm not Babelfish5 or even a close facsimile, but I like to cook -- I love to cook -- and I've been making my own dehydrated dishes for a while. I've got several sources of inspiration; Mr. Fish5 is one of them, as is the Backpacking Chef (www.backpackingchef.com).
A while back I got a pay it forward on Hammock Forums... it's a section of the forum where you claim an item at no cost, but in return you post an item of your choice... anyway, my PIF claim was some barbecue spaghetti (I believe it was a babelfish5 recipe) made by forum member SamyK, who's since become the proprietor of Backcountry Eats. Samy's spaghetti was awesome!
So back to the present. I am packing for a trip in mid September between hammock making, working, playing with the kids and attending to my other responsibilities. One thing seems certain. Given all that I have to do, I do not have time to make meals. I know what you're thinking. "Quit typing, you idiot and make some spaghetti for the dehydrator," but it's not that simple. Energy wise, I am sapped. It isn't going to happen. It's like changing my own oil at this point in life. I used to enjoy doing it, but at some point and time, the $25 you pay someone else (on top of charges for the oil and fuel filter) seems incredibly worth it.
Besides, my onions never work out right, I never eat all the beef I dehydrate and it eventually goes rancid and my wife complains that I buy and make things I don't eat. And my eggs are terrible and the powdered milk I get at the grocery isn't exactly premium stuff. So... without will, without an optimism that my meals will live up to my expectations and without time to bring it together, I put out a hail mary to HF members.
I asked them for cottage food vendors. My friend at Backcountry Eats got a nod (he's a newcomer so even being mentioned is a big deal) as did the well known Hawk at Hawk Vittles. Finally, a recommendation came in for PackIt Gourmet. Point being is that I know Backpacker's Pantry, Wise Foods and Mountain House, plus grocery favorites like Ramen Noodles, but I wanted to dig deeper.
Of the three, PackIt Gourmet had the most interesting offerings to me. Their stuff was truly unique. In addition to having stuff like gazpacho (which I ordered!), they also have smoothies, yogurt and an assortment of easy mixing cocktails for the trail. I mean it was impressive stuff that was quite different from the usual rice and pasta dishes to which I've grown accustomed.
Hawk Vittles got the most recommendations and I ordered some interesting stuff from that site. Stir-fry salmon and clam vermicelli were the two dishes I found most interesting (and I ordered them).
Finally, I ordered a few things from Backcountry Eats which were, to be specific, backcountry goulash and shepherd's pie. I really enjoyed that barbecue spaghetti and Sam earned my business.
Then a guy I met at a group hang and that I've exchanged messages with a few times pipes up and says he's starting a food company and has completed licenses and is close to launching and offers some free grub. The guy, Black Wolf, is a neat fellow. When I ran in to him in Arkansas, he was coming in off a 200-mile hike and he walked into our group hang. I enjoyed talking with him and have since gotten some professional advice on a few matters.
His sites are
The Hawk Vittles and Packit Gourmet grub got here the Saturday before Labor Day. The shipment of the Backcountry Eats food had been made and is en route and Black Wolf told me he'd do his best to make my departure deadline -- and he did.
What I learned from this experience is that just as there is a budding industry in cottage hammock makers (which includes Butt in a Sling Hammock Gear -- www.buttinasling.com), there is a budding industry in cottage food makers. I am really excited to try some of these recipes and hope you give these guys -- and other cottage food vendors -- a little of your business.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Ultralight hammock
We see a lot of posts on lightweight hammocks and we are in the market making them. So here's a breakdown of what we've done and a brief explanation of how we've done it.
I don't own a Grand Trunk Nano 7, but I have purchased other GT products and find them exceptionally well made and affordable for what you get. Bottom line, I think that brand offers a great mix of quality and value. But the Nano 7 has a reputation of being a very light, uncomplicated hammock. Again, not owning one, I learned from reviews and specs that it was a 7 oz. hammock and that weight included suspension hooks and channel loops.
We've touted BIAS as an affordable entry into ultralight hammock camping and the challenge seemed too tempting to pass up.
All of our hammocks, since our early incarnations as we entered the market, have been 11 footers. We learned early on in our hammock making tests that long seemed to "lie" a lot better than short and the length made the need to lie on the angle a lot less necessary. We found, in short, that long hammocks eliminate the need for wide hammocks. This proved interesting.
A nine-foot hammock that's 64 inches wide brings, in theory 6,912 surface inches. Some of this is lost in the end taper and the gather, but let's go with that math for the moment.
Take an 11 foot hammock that's 52 inches wide and run the math and it comes to 6,864 surface inches, with the same caveats about loss in the taper and gather applying. So, if the fabrics are identical it stands to reason that the 11 foot hammock will be lighter thanks to the reduced width. The question becomes, "Is it as comfortable?"
Comfort is anecdotal and no two people have the same "sleep number" as an astute hammocker noted on a Hammock Forums thread. What we found was that, yes, the 52-inch hammock with the extended length was far more comfortable than the shorter, wider hammock.
Taking that logic to our approach to how to build a hammock that would fare well with the Nano 7 proved enlightening. First, we found a lighter fabric. Using a sub 1.1 oz. military grade 30 denier nylon ripstop, we got our hammock down to 6 oz. True, this isn't "apples to apples" on the Grand Trunk because it includes hooks. The function of the hooks, though, is to connect the hammock loops to a suspension system. A toggle has the same effect. It connects the hammock to the suspension. At 5 grams per pair, our aluminum toggles bring the finished weight of a Weight Weenie Micro (our name for this long, short, light hammock) to about 6.17 oz. Exact weights vary a little based on the hand-crafted construction of our hammocks, but this is very close based on our design.
So the question becomes did we succeed?
Well back to this "apples to apples" approach... We're still not there. The main reason is that the GT Nano 7 is 9 feet long and 4 feet wide. So to compare "apples to apples" we'd have to shave four inches in width and two feet in length off our Weight Weenie Micro.
And there you have it. We have produced a lighter hammock (seven ounces vs. six ounces) with greater surface area and (anecdotally speaking) more comfort because of the increased width and length.
The stats:
BIAS WWM
Finished Width - 52 inches
Finished Length - 132 inches
Hammock weight (with loops) - 6 oz.
Hammock weight (including toggles) - 6.17 oz.
GT Nano 7
Finished Width - 48 inches
Finished Length - 108 inches
Hammock weight (with loops and hooks) - 7 oz.
-- Brian
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Hammocks: Double Layers vs. Single Layers
We often get quizzed about the difference and purposes of double layers and single layer hammocks and this post is designed to cut through the red tape and get to the heart of the matter.
First of all, we see two main purposes for a double layer hammock: 1) warmth and 2) support.
Let's get to brass tacks. Warmth. Warmth is a huge concern of hammock campers who suffer from convective heat loss. This essentially means that air is circulating around you and there is no accumulated warmth below your body. Keeping your back warm is critical to hammock comfort.
The mistake I made -- along with almost any other hammock camper who started out -- is that I thought a sleeping bag would work fine to keep me warm. Not so.
A sleeping bag is a nightmare to enter in a hammock with all the writhing, wriggling and tossing necessary to get it under your back. Additionally, the compression of the loft in a sleeping bag causes the insulation barrier to hold in the warmth to become thin. Paper thin. It doesn't take long before you realize that a sleeping bag won't do in cold weather. While you may be willing to tolerate it on cool nights, most folks find it's a real hassle to deal with for the benefit it provides.
An aside: the purpose of "loft" in a blanket was something I never thought about. We all know fluffy means warm, but until I got into hammocking, I never thought about why. The short answer is that your body warms the the loose fibers/loft contained by a wind resistant barrier (the outer lining of the blanket/quilt). The wind barrier doesn't allow the air trapped within the fibers to circulate much. Thus those fibers get warm from your body heat and they stay warm (mostly) because of a cover that blocks circulating air/convective heat loss. With air circulating through those fibers and cold air blowing over it, it wicks away the heat. Or with no loft due to compression, the fibers can't fill with warm air which is what happens when you lie on top of a lofty sleeping bag... aside over.
The next step in hammock evolution is the closed-cell foam pad. These can be had inexpensively at big box stores and while they work great, the reality is that the comfort factor can be lacking. First of all, a CC foam pad conforms to the shape of the hammock and efforts to stretch it across the diagonal are frustrating affairs. While most campers find that it works -- and works well -- the problem with using it on a single layer hammock is that it slides around and gets frustratingly difficult to find a good sleeping position.
Enter the double layer hammock. The double layer allows you to insert a pad between the top (the layer that touches your body) layer of the hammock and the bottom (insulating) layer. This results in a pad that doesn't squirm around, that can be adjusted to the proper shape and angle of the hammock user and provides a barrier of insulation and warmth. The area where there is an opening between the layers that allows the pad to be inserted is about 30 inches long, so getting a pad in there is usually a pretty simple affair.
The final evolution in hammock insulation is the underquilt which is really a marvel that puts a high priority on light weight, comfort and warmth (particularly high-quality down UQs). But underquilts can be very, very expensive, especially for better, high quality ones. Not everyone is interested in making them or making the investment in them. And one also has to consider that no one underquilt will be perfect for all conditions. A 20 degree quilt may be too warm on a balmy night. Most frequent campers find that it takes about three underquilts to find the right zones.
So let's break it down: A quality underquilt is going to cost $150 or more. It will be adequate for a range of temperatures but no one quilt will work for all temperatures, say, from in the 20s and 30s (Farenheit) to the 60s and 70s.
A double layer hammock costs, from most suppliers, between $30 and $50 more than a standard single layer. A foam pad costs about $10-$15 at a store. Additionally, it will be adequate in temperatures at most ranges, from the 20s to the 60s. It may require a little bottom insulation, or even a reflective blanket on top of it to reach low temperatures, but these options are inexpensive. You can add or subtract padding as needed to make it fit your needs. This is inexpensive. I have a car windshield reflector and a CC foam pad that I use together when it's cold. Both cost about $10. I can use one or the other when it's warmer. Or I can buy a thinner, lighter pad as well.
With a double layer hammock, you'd be good for temperatures in the summer and in the shoulder seasons, even into the upper end of winter nights. And the cost would be around $50-$75 (layer plus pads). Compared to the cost of a single underquilt, it's a bargain.
Additionally, a double layer offers additional weight support and can come in handy should a layer of your hammock get punctured. At BIAS, we state that a double layer will offer at least 150 lbs. of additional weight capacity, though some manufacturers state it will double. We still view the seams as the weakest link, so we try to keep our estimates conservative.
The problem is that double layers do weigh twice what single layers weigh. Almost exactly. Other than the bag, the cinch cord for the bag and cordlock that goes in it, a double layer is a mirror image of a single layer. But for the weight support, the comfort and the cost of getting insulated, it's really a good option for many campers and backpackers.
Many opt for a single layer with an underquilt, and this really is the luxury option. It's effective, but costly and is the thing many of us gradually work up to as we get deeper into hammock camping.
-- Brian
First of all, we see two main purposes for a double layer hammock: 1) warmth and 2) support.
Let's get to brass tacks. Warmth. Warmth is a huge concern of hammock campers who suffer from convective heat loss. This essentially means that air is circulating around you and there is no accumulated warmth below your body. Keeping your back warm is critical to hammock comfort.
The mistake I made -- along with almost any other hammock camper who started out -- is that I thought a sleeping bag would work fine to keep me warm. Not so.
A sleeping bag is a nightmare to enter in a hammock with all the writhing, wriggling and tossing necessary to get it under your back. Additionally, the compression of the loft in a sleeping bag causes the insulation barrier to hold in the warmth to become thin. Paper thin. It doesn't take long before you realize that a sleeping bag won't do in cold weather. While you may be willing to tolerate it on cool nights, most folks find it's a real hassle to deal with for the benefit it provides.
An aside: the purpose of "loft" in a blanket was something I never thought about. We all know fluffy means warm, but until I got into hammocking, I never thought about why. The short answer is that your body warms the the loose fibers/loft contained by a wind resistant barrier (the outer lining of the blanket/quilt). The wind barrier doesn't allow the air trapped within the fibers to circulate much. Thus those fibers get warm from your body heat and they stay warm (mostly) because of a cover that blocks circulating air/convective heat loss. With air circulating through those fibers and cold air blowing over it, it wicks away the heat. Or with no loft due to compression, the fibers can't fill with warm air which is what happens when you lie on top of a lofty sleeping bag... aside over.
The next step in hammock evolution is the closed-cell foam pad. These can be had inexpensively at big box stores and while they work great, the reality is that the comfort factor can be lacking. First of all, a CC foam pad conforms to the shape of the hammock and efforts to stretch it across the diagonal are frustrating affairs. While most campers find that it works -- and works well -- the problem with using it on a single layer hammock is that it slides around and gets frustratingly difficult to find a good sleeping position.
Enter the double layer hammock. The double layer allows you to insert a pad between the top (the layer that touches your body) layer of the hammock and the bottom (insulating) layer. This results in a pad that doesn't squirm around, that can be adjusted to the proper shape and angle of the hammock user and provides a barrier of insulation and warmth. The area where there is an opening between the layers that allows the pad to be inserted is about 30 inches long, so getting a pad in there is usually a pretty simple affair.
The final evolution in hammock insulation is the underquilt which is really a marvel that puts a high priority on light weight, comfort and warmth (particularly high-quality down UQs). But underquilts can be very, very expensive, especially for better, high quality ones. Not everyone is interested in making them or making the investment in them. And one also has to consider that no one underquilt will be perfect for all conditions. A 20 degree quilt may be too warm on a balmy night. Most frequent campers find that it takes about three underquilts to find the right zones.
So let's break it down: A quality underquilt is going to cost $150 or more. It will be adequate for a range of temperatures but no one quilt will work for all temperatures, say, from in the 20s and 30s (Farenheit) to the 60s and 70s.
A double layer hammock costs, from most suppliers, between $30 and $50 more than a standard single layer. A foam pad costs about $10-$15 at a store. Additionally, it will be adequate in temperatures at most ranges, from the 20s to the 60s. It may require a little bottom insulation, or even a reflective blanket on top of it to reach low temperatures, but these options are inexpensive. You can add or subtract padding as needed to make it fit your needs. This is inexpensive. I have a car windshield reflector and a CC foam pad that I use together when it's cold. Both cost about $10. I can use one or the other when it's warmer. Or I can buy a thinner, lighter pad as well.
With a double layer hammock, you'd be good for temperatures in the summer and in the shoulder seasons, even into the upper end of winter nights. And the cost would be around $50-$75 (layer plus pads). Compared to the cost of a single underquilt, it's a bargain.
Additionally, a double layer offers additional weight support and can come in handy should a layer of your hammock get punctured. At BIAS, we state that a double layer will offer at least 150 lbs. of additional weight capacity, though some manufacturers state it will double. We still view the seams as the weakest link, so we try to keep our estimates conservative.
The problem is that double layers do weigh twice what single layers weigh. Almost exactly. Other than the bag, the cinch cord for the bag and cordlock that goes in it, a double layer is a mirror image of a single layer. But for the weight support, the comfort and the cost of getting insulated, it's really a good option for many campers and backpackers.
Many opt for a single layer with an underquilt, and this really is the luxury option. It's effective, but costly and is the thing many of us gradually work up to as we get deeper into hammock camping.
-- Brian
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