Useful Hiking Links
I don't want this page to be overrun with links that I can't keep updated, so I'll only post my Top 5 or 6 in each category. In no particular order...Hammock Camping
- Speer Hammocks and Ed's Book Site. Ed sells a good setup, and offers DIY kits for all of his models. He also has great info for staying comfortable and warm in a hammock. Check out the newsletters for a full list of camping hammock manufacturers.
- Hennessy Hammocks. Tom has a great all-in-one hammock camping setup. My first hammock was the HH Backpacker Ultralight A-Sym. I made all of my other ones.
- Clark Hammocks probably round out the top three most popular camping hammocks for lightweight hiking. A bit heavier than a Speer or Hennessy, but with a few extra features like zippered bugnet and weather shield.
- Sgt Rock's Page has lots of gear reviews, some homemade gear, and his own Forums that are very helpful.
- Risk's Page has lots of useful info for making your own hammock camping gear. Most of my homemade gear is based on his designs.
- Shane Steinkamp's Place With No Name has a great historical perspective on hammocks, and some good stuff on how to use modern hammocks like the Hennessy.
- Jacks'R'Better has the only down underquilt that I've found for sale on the internet. I have the Nest, No-Sniveller, 8x8 Tarp, Python Skins and Weather Shield set.
- Kickass Quilts has the only synthetic underquilt for sale on the internet. I have the Potomac and I'm happy with it so far.
- Hammock Forums is a new one that Whiteblaze's ATTroll and I started in Oct 2006. It's for hammock campers of all types and has no geographic emphasis. Sign up and join the community!
- Whiteblaze.net (WB) is all about the Appalachian Trail and has some great forums, especially the Hammock Camping and Gear ones.
- Hammock Camping on YahooGroups. More hammock camping experts on this site than anywhere else in the world! Jack (from Jacks'R'Better), Ed Speer, and Risk are regular posters. You have to be a member to see the messages, but it's free and easy to sign up.
- Around the Campfire at Sgt Rock's HikingHQ has a lot of military and former military, lots of international members, and many of the members are also on Whiteblaze.
- TrailJournals. Read hikers' own accounts of their hikes...it's like a diary. The good, bad, ugly, funny, painful, detailed...all of it!
- Backpack Gear Test has very detailed gear reviews...the best free site on the web for unbiased gear info. Check out my reviews here
- Start here! How to Sew Ripstop Nylon
- Thru-Hiker.com. AYCE offers kits and materials specifically for lightweight hiking gear. You'll find almost everything you need here, and he'll answer all kinds of questions on his gearmaking forum.
- Speer Hammocks again...good stuff here.
- Ray Garlington created the Garlington Taco windshell, and details his entire homemade setup on his Hammock Design page.
- Mirage explains several of his projects in detail.
- Specialty Outdoors offers tips for how to make your own outdoor gear.
- Kits and Materials:
- Top Quality Fabrics and More - best prices I've found, hands down
- Speer Hammocks
- Thru-Hiker.com
- Kickass Quilts (No kits yet, but here's a hammock underquilt pattern)
- Cuben Fiber
- Oware USA (40x60x1/8 CCF pad)
- Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics
- The Green Pepper
- Quest Outfitters
- The Rain Shed
- Rocky Woods
- Seattle Fabrics
- Fabric Line
- Denver Fabrics
- Beacon Fabric
- Kitebuilder.com
- Noah Lamport (Drag chute fabric is silnylon)
- Fibraplex.com
- Ragged Mountain
- American Home and Habitat
- Cooke Custom Sewing
- VT Army Navy (wide noseeum netting)
- Malden Mills (Good fleece)
- Into the Wind (Tyvek and cordage)
- Silk: I hear 8-10mm is strong enough and very comfy for a hammock body.
- Cordage:
- Backpackinglight.com (Very light Spectra accessory cords)
- Annapolis Performance Sailing (All kinds of cordage)
- Oyster Bay Marine Center
- REI.com (Accessory cord in the climbing section)
- Jump Shack (Spectra by the yard)
- Notions:
- ITW Nexus (clips, buckles, ladder locks, etc)
- WBC Industries (No-Snag Velcro)
- CCF Foam:
- Knox Foam (CCF – ½”, 64” wide by the linear foot, plus lots of leftovers)
- Foam by Mail (60" wide CCF pads)
- And see the Oware link above
- Down:
- Hungarian Goose Down ($138 for 2.2 lbs of 750fp down)
- And the Speer Hammocks (900fp) and Thru-hiker.com (800+fp) links above
