Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock and Wookie Underquilt Review

[@evilcam]

I especially appreciated the text commentary you added to this video. Even when you're not in your actual camera shot, you still found a way to make it entertaining. That, in addition to using the same text to give out the important bits for every piece of gear, its price and weight, is really doing something right. Lastly, to see that you're so ready and wiling to engage in the comments, and rather than writing two word greetings you put actual effort and time and serious thought and experience into answering questions, is real kicker. I'm definitely checking out more of your content. If the other stuff is as well thought out and put together as this vid, I'll definitely sub.

[@integrii]

I've been setting up a kit very similar to this and you have some great tips. I'm convinced this is the best way to backpack camp because of the light weight and small size in the pack.

[@LikeahDocta]

excited to try my wookie this summer in the rockies

[@cocooutdoors3600]

I missed my opportunity to try it out in the 0F weather we had this winter. Worked great down into the teens so I can only presume it can go colder as advertised without issue.

[@develentsai3215]

I like hammock but how can you pack all these gears with tarp in your backpack? I think it's good for car or motorcycle camp but not for solo backpack trip

[@cocooutdoors3600]

The great thing about down is not only it's warmth to weight ratio, but also its compressibility. I can make my -20F Wookie Underquilt (which is the coldest temperature rating of down insulation I own) compress to the size of a soccer ball. Same with my -20F Warbonnet Diamondback Top Quilt. I can stuff my Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock and a 2QZQ Under Quilt Protector into a stuff sack the size of a 1L SmartWater bottle. My Hummingbird Hammock Heron Rainfly stuffs into its own built in stuff sack that is as big as my fist. My Hummingbird Whoopie Sling Hammock Straps wrap up so small they get lost in my pack so I fit them in my hammock stuff sack with room and weight to spare! I will admit, as the temperature ratings of down insulation become lower, it will compress less and therefore take up more room in your pack... which is simply remedied by carrying a greater volume pack (I take my 60L Atmos or Mariposa for my -20F system). Down to a certain degree of warmth you can easily fit more in a pack with less weight and space taken up than would a tent system with greater comfort than a tent. In fact, a complete 0F Down Insulation Hammock System would easily fit in a 40L pack (Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider 2400 for example) with plenty of room to spare. There is definitely a noticeable limit to the amount of weight and space one will carry with a hammock system in relation to the temperature compared to a tent system. Below a certain temperature (approximately 0F), an expensive, high quality tent system will generally take up less space and weigh less when compared to a hammock system of the same temperature rating. Of course, this all depends on the quality of gear. This is also at the expense of comfort and enjoyable experience. I, personally, would rather carry a larger volume pack with slightly more weight to enjoy the ultimate comfort of a hammock. I have tried the ultralight backpacking experience and have determined I am willing to sacrifice some weight for comfort. Especially when speaking in terms of mere ounces adding up to a barely noticeable difference in pack comfort. Though, my trail name is Sherpa if that tells you anything lol

[@kitty4536]

Can you put stuff (say jackets or a pack) into the UQ protector (but under the UQ)? In other words can the UQ protector work as an extra bottom hammock for gears?

[@cocooutdoors3600]

I don’t think this particular UQ protector is rated to hold weight but it can definitely hold a down jacket or something lightweight. I can’t speak for any more weight than that and personally wouldn’t recommend it to be used for a Gear sling due to its original purpose being to hug the UQ snugly to ensure heat retention and wind/rain protection. Any amount of space created between the UQ protector and the UQ itself may cause a gap that allows wind to gust through therefore stealing your heat. And if it’s raining, that gap is likely to allow your UQ to get wet from splash and rain coming in at an angle (if the rain fly isn’t positioned properly). They do make gear slings fashioned as an under hammock. ENO makes one. OneWind makes one that can be purchased on Amazon that also doubles as a backpack rain cover. The Sierra Madre Research Nubè hammock shelter also has one built in. All of these are made to hang underneath the hammock. So if your UQ protector is snug up against you UQ then you should have plenty of room for your gear sling underneath provided you have enough ground clearance.

[@MattF12765]

The sleep apnea bit really interests me as I suffer from airway problems if laying flat hence my mahoosive pillow for hammock camping. Does hugging a pillow really help?

[@cocooutdoors3600]

The pillow absolutely helps expand my lungs. The positioning of your head and neck in the hammock is what helps open your airway aiding in breathing with sleep apnea. Recently I’ve been sleeping with a travel pillow (the U-shaped kind you see people wear on airplanes) because it helps lift your chin opening your airway. It also makes shifting from back-sleeping to side-sleeping effortless because it stays attached and moves with you as you turn. The hugging of the pillow is all about physiology. Laying with your arms crossed or straight to your side keeps your lungs compressed and doesn’t allow for complete lung expansion. When you have your arms abducted (away from your body) such as around a pillow or above your head (think when you’re out of breath after running and you put your arms over your head to help you catch your breath) then your lungs are able to more fully expand. Combine this technique of using a pillow to expand your lungs with your head in a raised position (happens naturally in a hammock) and a pillow behind your neck to open your airway and you’ll have a great nights sleep. It is much easier to camp with sleep apnea knowing this. Additionally, I have invested in the Transcend 3 Mini CPAP that is travel sized and features a 3 day battery only weighing 5lbs total! I got it on a great Black Friday sale last year and absolutely worth every penny. My only issue has been the cold air blowing in my nose during the winter (since there is no tube warmer). I remedied this by running the tubing under my shirt against my skin so my body heat warmed the tube. If you don’t want to invest in a second CPAP then consider a portable battery that’s capable of providing enough power to last you your trip. They’re heavy though, so usually only good for car camping.

[@MattF12765]

@@cocooutdoors3600 thanks, that’s really interesting to know. My problem is my sinuses too. I have one or the other nostril block and it makes it so difficult to get a full breath. I use a spray called sinex however you are not allowed to use it for more than 3 days or it can exasperate your condition. I will definitely give the travel pillow a go though and try to hug a small pillow so that my arms are not constricting my lung expansion. I also find the cool air from hammock camping much better for me than a stifling tent with outer and inner zipped up.

[@cocooutdoors3600]

@@MattF12765 for your sinus problems I also have solutions. I assume you are already taking allergy medicine other than your nasal spray? If not, it is recommended to take pills in conjunction with the nasal spray and to alternate the pills every few months. Additionally, and this may be the most obvious but important, is Benadryl. It can be used for both allergy relief AND a sleep aid. Best nights of sleep camping have been due to Benadryl. My secret weapon, though, are breathe right strips. Gotta get the name brand or equivalent because they stick better and have better “spring strength”. All these together seems to really help me breathe better at night. And I generally agree the cold air does feel better to breathe but the dry freezing 0F air being forced into dry nasal passage is literally painful. Luckily that Transcend brand of CPAP makes “humidifiers” that attach to the hose and humidifies the air you inhale with the moisture from the air you exhale. May not work as well if a reservoir of distilled water but I’ll let you know this winter when I try them out

[@MattF12765]

@@cocooutdoors3600 No I’ve just been using the spray but will give Benadryl a try assuming I can get it in the UK. I also noticed and I may be wrong here but it seems alcohol may be the cause or part cause of my sinus problem. Need more testing to completely confirm that. I never eat chocolate now while wild camping as that definitely affects my breathing. Apparently Whisky is a very good decongestant.

[@keesverhagen9227]

A users question to you my friend. For years i am using the DD Jungle superlight hammock. But i have to repair it. Been to Sweden a few weeks ago with the motorcycle and a tent. 😬 Never ever again a tent. O what i missed my hammock. But for over a half a year i became aware of the existance of a Blackbird dlc. The Dutch shop only has the Wooki Scandinavian underquilt. Out my head it goes to a comfort of minus 29 degrees Celsius. I won't ever with such a temp go camping. Only when t.s.h.t.f. and i have to. And it is probably a bit more bulky then the minus 6 degrees Celsius one. But because i was thinking that after 6 months he was not able to replenish his stock i maybe should buy this Scandinavian version. How good is you version of the Wbooki ? Would it be nice if it was warmer ? Mostly used in summer. And in winter at my home for a few weeks in total. When it is not colder then minus 5 degrees Celsius. Would i really hate the Wooki that goes to minus 29 degrees ? Or can it be easilly vented. Making a construction with rope and tiny wheels for the cord to tighten it or to give it more slack. Interested to you opinion about the temp comfort ratings and the actuall usage. Greetins from the Netherlands, Kees,

[@cocooutdoors3600]

Good day to you Kees! I apologize for my delay in responding and I hope I’m not too late for your decision to be made. I was recently asked a similar question and would answer the same. While it is rated at -29C I have used my Wookie Underquilt up to 5C and was perfectly fine. Of course, I tend to sleep colder than most, but there is some opportunity for ventilation: primarily by not attaching the strap on the side of the underquilt to your hammock. That strap would normally attach to a warbonnet blackbird bug net tie-off keeping it taught against your hammock. Leaving it unattached to your hammock allows for ventilation. Additionally, in my own opinion, the top quilt and clothing choice are very important to determine how cool you will sleep in warmer weather. Making these choices based on warmer weather should drastically change your experience. According to most hammock websites and forums, your -29C under quilt is only truly rated at -29C if paired with a -29C top quilt. This rule is the same for any temperature rating for hammock insulation. So in theory, a -29C under-quilt paired with a top quilt rated for 5C will actually sleep much cooler than a full -29C set. I don’t have the research to approximate the temperature ratings for those combinations but you get the idea. It’s actually the same logic as when combining varying degrees of insulation adding them together to equal a stronger insulation rating. There is, in fact, a table chart for that which can be found online. I hope this helps. Best wishes!

[@Pablito46]

Are you able to side sleep in it comfortably?

[@cocooutdoors3600]

Absolutely. Being that it’s an asymmetric design the ability to lay flat at a diagonal is surprisingly comfortable. I sleep with a slight bend in the knees and a pillow under my arms and neck without issue. The travel neck pillow used for airplanes is actually pretty nice for side sleeping. Trekology makes a nice lightweight inflatable neck pillow that I recommend. Packs down much smaller than the traditional foam pillows and surprisingly comfortable too. The key to side sleeping is to lay diagonal. Good luck!

[@Pablito46]

@@cocooutdoors3600 Thanks for the reply!

[@stayanddrown]

Do you any sort of sleeping pad in this thing? Or do you not need one?

[@cocooutdoors3600]

This set up does not require any sleeping pad. The underquilt provides all the insulation you will need. It allows you to sleep warm utilizing the full comfort of a hammock. There are such pads that are made specifically for hammocks to lay directly on top of such as Klymit Insulated Hammock V which only offers R-value of 4.4. There are other insulated sleeping pads that are only comfortably used in hammocks if your hammock is double layered to allow a pad to be inserted in between the layers of the hammock so the pad doesn’t shift underneath you. These sleeping pads with not provide the same amount of insulation and warmth nor allow for nearly as much comfort as would a down (or even some synthetic) underquilt. Insulated sleeping pads can be used in conjunction with underquilt but are only necessary to combine if you don’t have the proper R-value to comfortably survive the chill of the night. The pads generally run cheaper in price and can be much more compact in a backpack than would a -20F underquilt. But to get the full comfort and warmth experience of a hammock, this underquilt is my #1 choice.

[@harrypehkonen]

What's wrong with the boom? I like the boom. :D

[@cocooutdoors3600]

Haha it was my first review video so I think I got excited and kept repeating it over and over. It’s always awful to go back and listen to yourself talk after the fact. Unscripted, unprepared and no idea what I was going to say. I just wanted to share my gear in hopes someone else might find some use out of it. I know when I’m about to make a big purchase I research as much of it as I can to make an educated decision. Glad you like the boom!

[@xbpbat21x]

Camping: Where you spend a small fortune to live like a homeless person.

[@cocooutdoors3600]

I like to think of it as practice for the zombie apocalypse

[@JorgePerez-yt9ou]

It was obvious his underquilt is backwards right?

[@cocooutdoors3600]

The Warbonnet Logo on the Wookie Under Quilt is placed at the head end of the hammock per the official Warbonnet Outdoors KZbin Channel video. You'll note in my video that the foot end of the under quilt is shown without the Warbonnet Logo therefore verifying proper placement of the Wookie Under Quilt. Due to its asymmetrical design and extra uninsulated material, I can see how that could look confusing. Thank you

[@nuggetairsoft8900]

A p p l e

[@reneecase8678]

Does it bother anyone else that Warbonnet has a logo of a Native American with a Native American head dress and it's owned by a white man? I bought an underquilt from this company and when I saw the logo I had to send it back and they changed me a 20% restocking fee but I could not stomach the cultural appropriation by this company.

[@cocooutdoors3600]

I do my best to not engage in political conversations and would appreciate it not to be posted on my page. There are appropriate venues for such cancel culture debates but the comment section of my videos is no such venue. It is preferred if all would keep comments light hearted and relevant to the purpose of the video. Thank you.

[@paddeler666]

Does not bother me at all. I enjoy the logo very much and I think it. Is perfectly fine for a white man to create and use that kind of logo. This is not at all cultural appropriation in a bad way - it is a tribute and honor of the culture of native americans. You can find and interpret negative things in anything if you just try hard enough. Nobody gets hurt or any kind of disrespect by the usage of the logo so its perfectly fine.

[@TheFbiFilesRepeat]

This is a spam comment all over hammock videos. Just ignore.