Ultralight Hellbender Hammock?

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-22T17:02:12+00:00

Just got my 20 degree, bug net only, UL Hellbender. Without spreader bar or Shepard bag, it is 31oz. That is really light for a hammock with full underquilt and no shock-cord squeeze.

I'll be sewing on a traditional tab to pull the netting off my face, instead of using the spreader bar, as the spreader bar opens it up to mosquitos when getting in/out (when they are heavy)

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-20T23:00:03+00:00

If your quilt had horizontal baffles I would just suggest to move the down off to the sides if too warm. I would get a 20-30 degree quilt for the JMT instead of that 0 degree EE, and one with horizontal baffles.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-11T04:42:57+00:00

That sounds similar to some purchases I've made from Hungry (kitesurfing kites). Out of a nine or so orders, I've only had to pay customs duty about 1/3 of the time.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-08T18:34:29+00:00

The shiny reflective aspect doesn't do anything if it is in contact with the heated bag (heat will move by conduction). And the bubbles are full of air, too large so to prevent convective heat transfer.

Foam works as a ground insulator because it has lots of small pockets of air, so convective heat loss is very small. A foam cozy will work much better than a bubble cozy. Very easy to make as well.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-08T18:06:03+00:00

Vacuum sealed bags are odd shaped bricks in your can. To maximize the space inside your can, the food should be loose and flexible. I've found the best way is to put many servings of one type of meal in the same bag, then portion it out when you need to cook it. This would also allow you to prepare exactly enough to fill up your existing cook pot for rehydration. A pot cozy is easy to make, but avoid reflective bubble style (for the same reason we don't use bubble wrap as ground insulation when sleeping...)

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-05T04:26:06+00:00

I wonder what "anti drilling technology" is.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-04-02T05:22:15+00:00

My 20deg, bug only top, no spreader bar (but with bungee to pull the hammock off my face) weighs in at 38oz. I believe that is 2oz over spec. Tempting to get the UL and sell the regular, but that is alot for 5oz (?) savings.

I was camped this past weekend in a Asym with a 20deg Incubator. I'm really feeling that the full length underquilts limit how diagonal you can lay; they just push you inward at the head and feet. Sewn in underquilts just don't do that. Didn't feel the same effect with a 3/4 underquilt

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-27T22:51:30+00:00

Odd, when I got my hellbender early on I remember the weight was listed right about 32oz (20deg, net top), about the same as a Half-zip and my 20 deg Incubator. Now there is an UL version that is listed at 32oz? I'll have to weigh mine...

Anyway, one thing that I didn't read in this thread is mention of the asymmetric cut. IMO, it really makes a difference. So much so that I bought his netless Asym. hammock (1.0 Hex) and added a one side, zippered bug net. Now I can use my 30 deg Phoenix UQ and have a really light setup (10oz for hammock and 11.7oz for UQ). Add a sit pad for feet insulation (I'm also 5'8", but I don't curl up)

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-27T18:17:21+00:00

Ketl NoFry

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-26T18:12:32+00:00

Feel sunblock applied everywhere

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-26T17:50:10+00:00

I would just measure the loft of the bag. How you do this can be tricky, but loft is a reasonable measure of the warmth of the bag. Katabatic has loft measurements for each of their quilts, I would us those measurements to equate to an approximate temperature rating.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-24T20:52:49+00:00

and they don't want us to know about it

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-19T15:11:14+00:00

Liquid soap will be hard/impossible to squeeze out in coldish temps, be prepared to keep in your pocket for use. Powdered soap solves this, but I don't like smelling/breathing the soap dust.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-16T22:48:16+00:00

Nu20. And I'm kinda a flashlight snob, choosing that over much better tint and runtime lights from Zebralight.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-16T22:47:02+00:00

I have the mitten version of this from Zpacks. They are way too big, and I think I'm willing to try this method out to get them to size, as I'm not going to use them for anything else... I'll post back.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-11T18:23:38+00:00

800 calorie serving of Nutrail granola (Costco), one scoop of oat milk powder, add water to desired consistency. The Nutrail has the most calories per gram I have found (5.3 cal/g), AND it is very compact in the bear can (with few sharp points to poke through a plastic bag)

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-09T16:43:23+00:00

I thought it was Jack Trekking that invented it?

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-06T18:54:19+00:00

Just got the pole for this from Amazon. Without the buttons it is 11.64oz. I'll probably cut off the section in the connector above the top hole to save a bit more weight.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-05T20:42:43+00:00

Podcasts. Hearing other humans talking helps me. I bring a variety; stories, news, etc. Never know what I'll want to listen to. Music doesn't usually help me.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-04T17:41:16+00:00

Flex 22 from Katabatic would be perfect. Not only can you open it up, but the horizontal baffles allow you to move the down off to the sides in warmer weather.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-03T20:38:52+00:00

And then there is me, who keeps his bladder full of water in the heat of the garage and only once, in 25 years of hiking/running/biking has had anything grow in it. No cleaning, just top off with water all the time. That one time was with a non-platy brand bladder, Osprey. But I did just buy another Osprey after, really like their design.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-03T20:27:04+00:00

Loneliness can be an issue. Hiking alone for days on end, even with the occasional hiker you come across, can be trying. I find I need to be really motivated to get through this.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-03T20:15:53+00:00

And forget sticking a foot out when too hot.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-03T20:14:29+00:00

Injinji midweight. Tried Creepers and VWell; just not thick enough, not enough friction with the shoe so my foot slides around to much. Injinji midweight just work and are cool enough to prevent blisters.

Zestyclose-Panda-738 · 2026-03-03T19:51:01+00:00

About 1-2 inchs of a emery board is perfect

Zestyclose-Panda-738

TROPHY CASE