Is This Hammock All It's Cracked Up To Be?! Superior Gear Hammock!

[@RVFlyer]

Just got back from a backpacking trip with my new Superior Gear system. I have been sleeping outdoors for over 46 years and this was the first time for hammock camping. Decided to go with their Star Lite so I could juggle the underquilt temp rating and venting depending on the time of year. SG gives you a choice of quilt temp ratings, fabric weights and colors. I got their full package with two quilts (45deg & 15deg), the tarp, and of course the hammock with integrated netting in the lighter weight materials, all came to 6.625 lbs. I slept better in those six nights than ANYTIME EVER on the ground. I'd also note I am a side sleeper and way more comfortable in that position in the hammock than on the ground with a pad. All my gear is light weight and the hammock system with quilts weighed less than my tent, sleeping bag, quilt, and pad. This was my best investment in gear in those 46+ years.

[@lost1croc]

It’s the last hammock/tarp setup I’ll ever own or buy! It’s worth the wait if you can’t get it for a awhile! Danny does great work!

[@mtadams2009]

Thanks for showing this product. I watch Shug a lot, he is very entertaining and passionate about hammock camping. I tend to focus a lot on weight but hammocks seem like they could be fun on short trips. I am open to trying one. This company has a very good reputation. Thanks again.

[@RobinLiljenberg]

If you have tieouts for the hammock sides you can use those to widen the hammock and give your feet and shoulders more space. I believe the Superior Hammock only have one tieout on each side (a Dutchware Chameleon have two for greater adjustability), but you can attach an extra tieout at the feet with a bungee cord and some ingenuity if you want to widen the footbox more.

[@carrdoug99]

Some advice from a Superior gear owner. This Hammock is what it is. Meaning, I would not recommend getting this configured without the integrated insulation (under quilt). There is not a lot of convenient versatility when it comes to alternative setups. The bug net is removable, but not the ridge-line (unless you modify it like I did). The hammock without the integrated insulation is double layered with 4 access openings, but the openings are too small to easily slip a 1/4" foam pad into. These are really well made. Easy to setup. With lots of add on options. Just start with the insulated version, and only use it in the typical quilt/under quilt style (I use it in a pod configuration, but I wouldn't recommend doing the same).

[@SpiguyverBackpacking1]

I've been a huge fan of Danny's stuff. It is super easy and intuitive, for those that are intimidated by the UQ adjustments, they don't even have to think about it on this. The one downside is that you can't vent the under quilt and so it can be warm.

[@tburgoyneco75]

I have the same set up. I can set the hammock and a tarp with snake skins in less time it takes the other guys to set up their tents. It’s a very warm and comfortable. Very well built. The one con is the weight, around 5-6 lbs. It’s heavy for backpacking, so I use it for short trips or camping.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Best hammock on the market!! You did a great job with this, Devin. Superior Gear deserved the win for simple and comfort for me!

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks, Tim!

[@LostAgainwithJim]

Looks like a cool system. I like the idea of add-on top quilt and removable bug net. I don’t get to hammock very often. I spend a lot of time above the tree line.

[@HammockRadio]

I love the of the integrated underquilt and low friction setup of SuperiorGear's hammock, but I'm a hot sleeper, so I wish they'd add a way to vent the ends of the quilt. As for your feet touching, I run into the same issue with gathered end hammocks, so I primarily use a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC, which orients the fabric at the foot end to create a footbox to help with that (not perfect though). You can always explore a bridge hammock too.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I'll be taking the hammock out tonight on what should be a pretty warm night. So will see how that is compared to other temps. I do need to try a bridge hammock at some point.

[@dannywarnock8822]

Our StarLite Hammock is non-insulated option that still has all the other features of the Superior like zippers, snaps, adjustable ridgeline. And our Comforter multi-quilt snaps on as needed. Cheers!

[@MtnWanderer-TieDye-]

I'm using a Warbonnet hammock, which I love, but have the Superior cinch buckles. I tried several different suspensions before finding these wonderful things. They are so easy!

[@Stoney_AKA_James]

Same here, Warbonnet XLC

[@MeetMeOutside]

I’m a Warbonnet fan boy myself. Been using various Warbonnet hammocks for over eight years. Simply the best !

[@MeetMeOutside]

I don’t like the idea of having a fixed underquilt, I like having options. With my Warbonnet Wookie underquilt, no fuss, no fiddle factor, just amazing !

[@bluefire025]

I really recommend a bridge hammock. I just converted from a gathered end. It’s a much flatter lay. With a double layer you can use a closed cell foam pad or air pad for more comfort

[@BooLee01]

I'd love to have one of these but the one thing I'm sure I would miss is the ability to store a jacket and other things between the hammock and the underquilt, including a hand-warmer on really cold nights. As for your heels being forced together, I usually go to sleep with one leg straight and one leg bent, and this keeps the heels apart, but I find whenever I wake up, I have moved into more of a fetal position, while maintaining a cross lay.

[@CastawayHikes]

Underquilts are finicky and I always found myself constantly needing to adjust them, this is a great solution. I usually just use my insulated inflatable pad for bottom insulation though, and the rigidity of that helps keep the gathered end from pressing your feet together so much. It does require a wider pad than you would otherwise use though because it does tend to wrap around the contour of the hammock a bit, and it can be a bit noisier depending on your pad. I use a regular length/wide width Exped mummy pad and it works great, but pads in hammocks aren't everyone's cup of tea

[@LostBeagle]

I've had my eyes on a Superior Gear hammock for years. I've got a hammock that requires attaching a separate underquilt. Doing that is a pain, so I pulled the trigger on a Superior Gear hammock tonight. It's got a negative 40 degree temerature rating. I"m a winter camper / hiker and didn't want to take chances. I ordered the Elite upgrades including two side pockets and a full bug net, just in case I end up using in in warmer temps and the spider are out

[@mandywilleford8697]

Ive always struggled with cold spots in my underquilt...even with ridiculously rated UQs. I looked into This one but ultimately wanted to stay w my Warbonnet xlc so I switched from a JacksRBetter and HG setup with my quilts to a Wookie. The wookie works similarly where it leaves no chance at gaps or for the insulation to be too loose or too compressed. And honestly I leave my Wookie on my hammock and it gets rolled up as one piece into the bottom of my pack :) Wookies are pretty light too. Enjoy your new setup!

[@SalmondOutdoors]

I also have a superior gear hammock, and it’s fantastic!

[@monoclehikes68]

I’ve been considering. Superior gear for the simple fact with the integrated uq

[@ahilbilyredneksopinion]

It looks like it would become 2 hot ona hot day hang at the riverside,but great fer full campouts...I day hang n chill more often then full campin though. Great review.

[@robpelton]

Great 1st look! Buckley & I sent Danny your way. Lol.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Thanks, Rob!

[@WS_00]

“I believe I have my trees spaced in a good spot”…..now that is going above and beyond to post a hammock review! Nice work!! 🤪

[@GeoterricsOutdoorsAustralia]

Great review Devin - I found there isn't much between the various hammocks but that little bit of difference makes a huge impact over a night or two of use!!

[@barondavis5692]

Besides the ease of use, what drew me to SG was the hammock/UQ set cost about the same as a stand alone under quilt.

[@bentoomey15]

I wouldn't buy a tent with an integrated sleeping pad, and for all the same reasons, I wouldn't buy a hammock with an integrated underquilt. I haven't had to spend any time adjusting my underquilts since their first setup. Now a good, simple, (and thus necessarily) innovative tarp and hammock system I could see myself considering. Or a netted hammock designed with going to ground in mind....

[@jwstrauc]

The equivalent of an integrated hammock and underquilt would be a sleeping pad and quilt, not tent. I find this comment rather asinine and I hope people recognize this, especially considering I hammock frequently and still find an underquilt bothersome. Integrating it makes absolute sense.

[@bentoomey15]

@@jwstrauc A full hammock setup is hammock, underquilt, overquilt, tarp. A full tent is tent body, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, rainfly. Enclosure, under-insulation, over-insulation, rain protection. So the hammock and underquilt correspond to the tent body and the sleeping pad. I never said my experiences are universal, only that I haven't had the same complaints as some do about underquilts. I'm sure Superior Gear makes quality products that solve a problem some hammockers have. Not having that problem, I find the trade-offs aren't worth it. Others might.

[@barondavis5692]

You did make the set up easy. 👍

[@livinlarge1247]

My testing shows the cacoons very worthwhile, but I have yet to get one for my Superior. In the pipeline. The Evolution from Grand Trunk blew away alot of setups, despite a poor seam.

[@livinlarge1247]

Pause: correct, the hammocks, especially with sewn in bottom insulation need straps that fine tune them a bit more, such as the cinch buckles or Whoopies. Whoo Buddy! Lol It is not like one can tug the bottom quilt or scoot the pad a bit: the hammock has its sweet spot to be discovered.

[@livinlarge1247]

Looks like a neat area out there: Colorado I bet.

[@Eric-lh6wp]

Looks like a great design. Is it a down under quilt?

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yes, it’s down filled.

[@danielkutcher5704]

The head end should be slightly lower than the foot end for the best sleep.

[@natehoover5266]

I might try hammocks after seeing this. 🤔

[@ricardoneto7789]

I would like to see SG offer a asymmetrical lay hammock . It would be more comfortable and wider😜.

[@rws8163]

As an owner of this hammock I don't need to even watch the video I'll just tell you that yes it is all what's cracked up to be

[@tlgrimmy]

I've been curious about hammocks for awhile now, but the Achilles heel for me is always the fact that they are best suited for back-sleepers. I'm primarily a side-sleeper and have a lot of trouble sleeping for any length of time on my back. Sleeping canted in a gathered-end hammock does help with flatness (like some of the Warbonnet setups), but it's still not enough for me to feel very comfortable side-sleeping. I saw the Haven flat-sleeping hammock system, but the weight really pushes it out of the backpacking market. I recently found the Amok Draumr UL and decided to purchase it with the Winterlight XL mattress....Wow! This thing is a trip! It's about 3 lbs with the hammock and tarp, and the 5.0 R value Winterlight mat weighs about the same as a Nemo Quasar. You could get away with the standard sized one (not the XL), which would open up your mattress options as well (they just need to be vertical baffle mattresses to work with the hammock). I think you'd really get a kick out of it. It's not the lightest hammock setup out there, but it's certainly the most feature-rich for the weight. I'd love to hear your thoughts if you give it a go:). The shipping from Norway was mind-bogglingly fast (quicker than any of my shipments from Garage Grown Gear so far - ordered mine at 10:00 pm on an random night, received mid-day 4 days later). Pricey, but certainly a game-changer for side and stomach sleepers interested in hammock camping/backpacking.

[@marktype1with2]

Why am I still waiting on my order with no updates several weeks after the latest arrival date? Had no problem excepting my payment.

[@BackcountryExposure]

🤷🏻‍♂️ I’m not Superior Gear Customer Service. Send an email and ask for an update on your order.

[@Derchlands]

Was that stretch when you got in the straps? I like my hammock more firm and less give.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Yeah that would be the straps tightening against the tree and stretching as well.

[@Derchlands]

@@BackcountryExposure thanks, maybe I'll look at a different suspension if I get one

[@DeltaDawn2025]

It’s huge! How do I fit that in my pack????

[@BackcountryExposure]

It does compress to be much smaller. I've had no problem getting into my 40 liter pack at the bottom.

[@alpersondur7349]

Keşke Türkiyeye göndersen😊

[@americafirst5453]

I can see the appeal but I like the versatility to not have a under quilt when it's warm.

[@BackcountryExposure]

I think this just fits into the model of using the right tool for the job.

[@americafirst5453]

@@BackcountryExposure definitely it's a very nice hammock for cooler weather.

[@OGjohnson91]

They offer the “Starlight Hammock” on their website which is the exact same hammock, but without the sewn in under quilt. And it gives the option use the snaps to easily attach their under quilt with no fuss

[@americafirst5453]

@OGjohnson91 awesome I'm taking a look now thank you

[@benoitanctil1]

Not wide enough and they don’t even mention the width on their website before you buy it 😒

[@livinlarge1247]

Pause: if one were looking for a disadvantage, he or she cannot very well tug the insulation up past his or her feet, such as with a bottom quilt. The Superior lacks as much capability to really hug its occupant such as a big oL' bottom quilt, like a Puffle or Humming Bird Puffin': I use tbose names, because many bottom quilts are too small for serious winter, not Superior. All said simplicity trumps those facts. I own two Superiors & tested the Grand Trunk Evolution, which has lots of potential but needs a bit more work.

[@barondavis5692]

Looks like you’re having a grey day.

[@migwhitt5503]

Put your head at the low end. You need to show how you attached your straps to tree, I know how but others don’t. Didn’t explain features and benefits. Great hammock but not good review.

[@BackcountryExposure]

… okay…

[@kerry1383]

As a product they’re extremely well made. However, their fatal flaw is that you cannot vent these if you get too warm. That and the fact that I currently own 3 quilts for all seasons, and one hammock. If I went with Superior, I’d have to buy three separate hammocks. No thanks.

[@joeantonicci8920]

Still waiting

[@BackcountryExposure]

Waiting for?

[@dannywarnock8822]

We're doing our best! Hard to keep up with demand. But we're making steady progress on lead times.

[@joeantonicci8920]

@@BackcountryExposure my hammock from them

[@joeantonicci8920]

@@dannywarnock8822 it's all good

[@RobertSmith-up9rz]

Hammocks are so beyond ridiculous, I just cannot believe people sleep in those, let alone take the insane amount of time to install them.

[@Derchlands]

Did you watch? That was pretty quick and easy and it 2as his first time

[@BackcountryExposure]

It’s a good thing there are plenty of options for you then. Tent, tarp, Bivy, nothing… just use what works for you.

[@jays7318]

You obviously never slept in one (huge comfort factor), nor been in an area void of flat clear spots that makes tent camping a pain.