Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge Camping Hammock and Tent (Rainfly and Bug Net Included)

I'm 47. 220lbs. This is my first hammock.Preparing for one week trip to Boundary Waters; I've slept in this hammock a few times overnight to work out any issues.1. I really need those side tie-downs. The stability is awesome with those. And, you don't need all four. Just two works fine. I'm more than happy to deal with those with the incredible comfort this product supplies. I've slept on my back, side and belly with no issues at all.2. The space is incredible! The little rings that hang down inside can be easily tied together with some cord for a long "ridge line" to secure things to.3. I bought a 10X10 tarp because I like the open air. I am also worried about having to set up or tear down in the rain. I still bring the Lawson Tarp in case the wind is very very bad or the rain decides to come sideways. Love the Larson Tarp, I just don't want to be so bottled up.4. This is my under quilt: OutdoorsmanLab Lightweight Camping Sleeping Bag. I used wife's sewing machine and stitched on some webbing and shock cord. A few clips. And there you go. Its a perfect summer under quilt. I don't need my ThermoRest now.5. Had a simple issue upon purchase and the owner of Lawson fixed it immediately without any hesitation. GREAT CUSTOMER SVC!I LOVE THIS HAMMOCK. Pics are from my backyard.UPDATE: after my trip to the Boundary Waters I learned a lot.1. IF you like a lay flat like me, I keep the hammock tightly pulled between the trees. Needs guy lines.2. IF you like a more traditional curved lay. It is more stable and does not need guy lines.3. This is not an ultra light set up. The weight really added up over the miles. OK for me, not for everybody.

This is a top of the line piece of outdoor equipment.Anyone claiming that it's "overpriced" has had zero experience with the cheap versions that abound on Amazon.You get what you pay for and this hammock is prime example of that.I'm not one for lengthy reviews but I will say this, just look at the images and make note of the design. Do you see how this hammock just isn't a nylon bag strung between two points, but has a bar-rope system on each end to maintain it's structure and shape? It's the difference between sleeping on a comfortable semi-flat, stable surface, as opposed to a sagging, swaying, u-shaped sleeve. In the poorly designed hammocks you can forget about rolling over or switching sides during the night as you are basically stuck in sack. This hammock is more like a bed that allows you to move and change position the way you normally would on your regular mattress.One more rad thing about this hammock is that it can be set up on the ground, in a tent like fashion, if there are no suitable hanging options available. Try doing that with one of the $30 dollar nylon bags :)

This is my first time using a hammock for sleep and at a campsite. Have to summarize and say it was absolutely epic to be off the ground and to see the stars and fireflies as you're falling asleep. Took a few hours to fall asleep and get over the excitement. My friends slept on the ground and definitely wanted one after a wet and hard sleep on the ground. I did not need level ground and there was a tree stump right below me.This is not really an ultra light hammock as it comes with a bug net, rain fly, shock cord poles, spreader bars and heavy gauge rope, but no tree straps. I swapped the heavy rope out with Dynaglide and that saves nearly half a pound but still around 4.25 lbs after that conversion. Each spreader bar is nearly a pound so I'm contemplating upgrading to some carbon fiber bars. Regardless, that weight may be heavy for a hammock but is very light for a tent and compared to all the other junk we carry. I used Kammock straps in the photos but may try lighter tree straps and whoopie slings which are pretty cheap on ebay. I also leave the sleeping bag in the hammock and roll the whole thing up into a larger stuff sack for pretty fast setup.I will admit I did fall out of the hammock while slightly tipsy and reaching for my water bottle several feet away on the ground as seen in photos. But I had no issues with stability while sleeping or getting in and out several times in the night. There are corner holes for tying it up for more stability, you could easily just have one stake with four taut line hitch lines going to the corners and still have a fast setup. But then you sort of lose the ability to use it like a chair and swing. From the videos of this product I've seen, it only looks unstable when they have the hammock stretched too tight and that may be what others are experiencing.The big inside pockets made a great drink holder and the spreader bars make it very wide and roomy.For the tarp I leave it attached and throw it back halfway where I can reach out and pull it back when the sun comes up or if it starts to rain. When the tarp is over you there is more air insulation but the end mesh is still open for air to pass through.You can use it as a mini tent on the ground if there are no trees though there will be much less interior space.For the next model upgrade I would suggest it have lighter materials and loops inside the corners to hold the sleeping bag in place so there is less shifting around to get comfortable when you get in and out.Pretty solid little package, and cheap compared to some of the high end hammocks.

So far, the most comfortable hammock I own (and I have several hammocks from different companies). I am 6'2" and 215 pounds. Fit inside this hammock with no trouble getting in (in the beginning it was odd but once you grasp your technique to get inside it is a breeze). Once inside, plenty of room to move around. I find out that for me by setting at four feet above ground and stretching it really well works the best. My 17 years old son got in and wants to claim it for himself......is no happening!!!!!. I will order another one for him. The hammock kit is no light but for short distances backpacking should work fine.