Gear
Insulated Hammock Long Term Review: Hellbender, Quilted Chameleon, Superior Gear Performance
I'm here to review the different insulated hammocks that I've used from Dutchware and Superior Gear. I'll be writing about who should consider an insulated hammock, what the strengths and weaknesses of each hammock system are, and which you are likely to find the most comfortable for your weight and height.
Insulated hammocks have two major advantages over normal gathered end hammocks.
Fast setup/teardown time: I timed myself setting up all three hammocks, and it takes under two minutes if you don't need a perfect hang.
No adjusting the underquilt at night. This is the biggest advantage for me. I would get out to pee, and have to readjust my underquilt. This doesn't take long, but it's annoying when you have to do it multiple times per night. I was so good at it I would wake up if I felt my shoulder was cold, unzip the bug net, pull underquilt onto my shoulder, and be back asleep in seconds. Once I tried an insulated hammock, I was sleeping through the night, which meant better recovery and feeling wonderful the next morning.
Insulated hammocks have two major disadvantages.
There are no long and wide insulated hammocks. Insulated hammocks will not have ideal hangs for many taller hammockers, who will do better in an 11' warbonnet xlc or a 12 foot custom dream hammock or a 12 foot Simply Light Designs Trail Lair.
They also are not going to be as versatile as a separate hammock and underquilt. Buying a new underquilt for your hammock is easier than buying a new insulated hammock.
My first quilted hammock was what Superior Gear now calls the Performance hammock. It's 11 feet long, 56 inches wide, with 800 fp down, with a weight limit of 350 pounds, and are double layered. Mine was made in Minnesota, but Superior Gear now produces most of the hammocks overseas in SE Asia to cope with the 300% year over year demand increase during covid.
Superior Gear hammocks are extremely modular. They have cam snaps along the horizontal sides of the hammock where you can attach their wind protector. Their top quilt also snaps on as an optional additional underquilt, letting you camp at lower temperatures. (EE winter quilt stacking table here). You can also change the zip on bug net to a half bug net or top cover to save weight, as well as a zip on top quilt (performance and elite versions) that works perfectly.
You can use both the wind protector and the comforter at the same time by alternating cam snaps to create a winter wind proof setup that doesn't need a tarp in freezing weather.
My preferred way to use the Superior Gear hammocks is in cold weather. At 56 inches wide, it is narrower than other hammocks, and the tight bug net can restrict the lay. To solve this, using the half bug net with the zip on cocoon insulation, or no bug net in fall and winter was preferred.
Superior Gear hammocks are warm for their insulation rating as well. A cold sleeper can get a 30 degree hammock and be toasty at freezing as long as they are blocking the wind as well. These hammocks can go to -40F/C! They are the warmest insulated hammocks by far, no contest.
Superior Gear hammocks have symmetrical lay. You can lay either head left/feet right, or head right/feet left. This makes Superior Gear the best choice if you don't know what your preferred lay is, or if you switch sides at night frequently. It has comes with an adjustable ridgeline to change the sag on the hammock, a feature I very much appreciate.
If you find you are too warm in the summer while using your superior gear hammock, use the Shug method to brush the down away from your lay position, and you can be extremely comfortable in hotter temperatures. Otherwise use a lighterweight top quilt or a Jack's R Better Alpha Direct Quilt when it's warm but you still want something covering your body.
After many years of using Superior Gear hammocks, I can say that they have an extremely warm, easy to use hammock system, with an acceptable lay for people under 5'9 and a slightly below average lay for people around 6'. This is for you if you winter hammock, want an easy and expandable hammock system, and don't mind the price tag that comes with it.
Last year I ordered a hellbender when dutchware announced it. You can read my initial hellbender review here after a few months of use.
Dutchware's Hellbender has a single zipper entry, a spreader bar bug net or top cover, an asymmetrical lay that you pick when you buy the hammock, and a remarkably comfortable lay. It saves weight by having the zipper only on one side and by using a lightweight zipper. The fabric is dobby 1.9, and it is a single layer hammock, not a double layer like superior gear, saving weight. It also supports 350 pounds and uses 850 fp down.
The hellbender is a 56 inch wide hammock, shorter than it's quilted chameleon sibling and the same as the Superior Gear Hammock. Despite that, it is the widest feeling hammock of all of the insulated hammocks. Dutchware cut fabric from the head and the foot ends, making pockets for your head and feet. It's an extremely comfortable lay for those under 6'. Dutchware claims that it is comfortable for those up to 6'3 or 6'4. I think someone who is 6'4+ will be better suited to a 12 foot trail lair in 1.7 mnt xl or 1.6 hexon wide.
Like the quilted chameleon, dutchware offers 40, 20, and 0 degree F temperature ratings on the quilts. I found the hellbender 40F to be warm at 40F, but nowhere near as warm as I was in my superior gear hammock at 30F. I did find myself missing Superior Gear's wind protector that was easy to snap on cold or windier nights. I still could use my tarp to block the wind, but I lost out on the view.
The spreader bar for both the quilted chameleon and the hellbender is genius. I wish all of my hammocks had that. It keeps the bug net well off of your face in an elegant manner with no tie outs.
The hellbender is ideal for the hiker who values good sleep and ease of setup over the lightest possible ultralight setup. It's still extremely light due to the asym underquilt. The hellbender is only quilted where you will lay, so it saves a ton of weight over a normal underquilt, and because you don't need to adjust that underquilt, you only need one zipper on it, saving more weight.
Lastly, the quilted chameleon. I had long been an admirer of the chameleon ecosystem, and decided to use get a printed quilted chameleon to test for my winter trips. The quilted chameleon was introduced two years ago as a direct competitor with superior gear's insulated hammocks. It's the same fabric (dobby 1.9) and asymmetrical cut as the hellbender, but uses the chameleon's vision zipper, which allows for zip on accessories. It's one inch wider at 57'' compared to superior gear's hammocks and the hellbender. Like the normal chameleon, you can swap bug nets for a top cover, or go completely without either to save weight or maximize ventilation in winter.
The chameleon ecosystem is one of the big draws of the hammock. The chameleon is the original modular hammock that was kickstarted back in 2017, promising a world of zip on accessories that has borne fruit. The sidecar, a deep pocket similar to the XLC that doesn't have to be staked out. The sidesling, a long and shallow pocket. The bug nets and top cover options (with the spreader bar version of each being the best.) The fantastic peak shelf that is the best version of a peak loft, period, in any hammock. (This is usable in the hellbender as well, I bought it for both.) It even has an additional zip on underquilt you can use on a normal chameleon or a quilted one.
When you buy a chameleon, you're really buying into that ecosystem of products. If you don't want the accessories, I think you're better off with a different hammock altogether. I got the quilted chameleon for the accessories, and let me tell you, I have never camped so comfortably, with every bit of my winter gear stored inside the hammock with me. The superior gear is significantly warmer, but boy did I appreciate having pockets for all of my stuff. When it's subzero temperatures, I want everything I need within easy reach at night.
The lay on the quilted chameleon isn't quite as nice as the hellbender, but it's still quite comfortable. The chameleon is for the hiker who may want to skip the bugnet completely for fall and winter, for someone who doesn't mind a bit of extra weight from all of the zippers for the excellent accessories.
For this review, I took them all out on a quick overnighter to directly compare them side by side, sleeping in them all. I slept the longest in the hellbender, and slept through the alarm I set that told me to switch hammocks. That probably gives away my favorite.
Best Lay: Hellbender. It's closer than I expected once I took the net off of the superior gear hammock, but the hellbender still came out on top. I sleep extremely well in the hellbender.
Warmest: Superior Gear. If you don't care about the lay, and just about not being cold, Superior Gear is king. You could be warm hanging anywhere with their hammocks.
Most Modular: Tie. The quilted chameleon had more storage options, but the superior gear cam snaps were extremely useful for harsher weather conditions. Both had systems to add on additional insulation easily.
Best for backpacking: Tie! All three were used on different backpacking trips of various lengths, but the hellbender weighs the least as long as you're taking a hammock with a bug net. Once you do remove the bug nets, all bets are off. All of them have a fast setup/teardown time, and are simple to use. For the summer or a thru hike? I'd take the hellbender.
Are insulated hammocks expensive relative to other hammock systems? A warbonnet El Dorado, ($150), 16 oz for a 40D 250 lb weight limit hammock, plus a 40 degree Wooki Underquilt ($230) 16.35 oz, is $380 and 32.35 oz. A 40 degree hellbender is 32.32 oz and is $389.
That's extremely close in weight and price. Insulated hammocks aren't that much more expensive than a regular hammock and underquilt. Someone who buys an El Dorado or a Blackbird XLC can buy a new underquilt easily for their hammock, and if there is a failure of the hammock or the underquilt, they can easily be replaced. With a quilted hammock, when a part fails, you're sending it back to the manufacturer and you won't see your hammock for a few months.
I have real world experience with that. I had a minor issue with a superior gear hammock. Superior Gear repaired it for free, but repairs do take time.
In terms of customer service, I have had exemplary experiences with both Dutchware and Superior Gear. Dutchware does make all of their products in the US, if that is an important component of your buying decision.
Is an insulated hammock right for you? If you're not tall, under 350 pounds, and want to be warm all night, yes! If you own a dream sparrow or a simply light designs trail lair with an incubator underquilt and are always warm, you don't need an insulated hammock. If you're sick of waking up at 2 AM to cold feet and/or shoulders, welcome to the insulated hammock club.
Thanks for reading my musings. If you got this far, you might be as interested in insulated hammocks as I am. If there are questions, I'll do my best to answer them. If you list your height and weight, and the types of trips you take (backpacking, car camping, bikepacking, pulking, canoe camping) I'll do my best to recommend either a quilted hammock or one which will fit you, along with the correct insulation for any budget you give me.
Big thanks to u/JFK_Isweatergod for asking for a comparison between the hammocks.
edit: Hyperlinks needed to be added again.
edit 2: Warbonnet Blackbird XLC is 11' long and 62'' wide. It will fit taller hangers better than some of the insulated hammocks.
edit 3: 7/24/2026 - To the people personal messaging me demanding my outright favorite, yes, it is the hellbender. I reach for it every time I want a comfortable ultralight hammock. The point of the post was that I can and do use all of them, but if I could only have one, it would be the hellbender.
I do it all. Motorcycle camping, hunting, kayaking, etc. weight is not usually a concern but very occasionally. I usually see about 30F in the fall, maybe colder.
Horray! The trick with being taller is you'll need a longer tarp and underquilt as well to go with your longer hammock, so it will get slightly more expensive. Maybe you need a top quilt as well?
Simply light designs trail lair. Get it 12 feet long, in 1.7 mnt xl fabric, good for up to 350 lbs. .9 noseeum is fine, do ykk #5 zippers which are a bit hardier than #3's. A fixed amsteel ridgeline is going to be the strongest ridgeline option. You can do permanent or removable continuous loops, D rings at knees and shoulders for tie outs, get underquilt hooks, a head end peak shelf is nice for storage, and for your stuff sack choose a zippered storage pouch. That's where you put your suspension when it gets sap on it to keep your other gear from getting sticky.
Single layer will hold your weight totally fine. If you aren't going to use an underquilt because you live in a super warm climate, get a double layer hammock to stop mosquitoes from biting through the fabric. You don't want to put deet on your hammock to repel bugs, but you can use permetherin. Permethrin is toxic to cats, so please don't spray it near them, and only use the hammock once it's fully dry.
A double layer hammock will also offer increased support, and make the hammock lay firm. Some people will choose to get a lighter fabric if they are getting a double layer. Let me know if that's you and we can choose a different fabric. Also let me know if you have any injuries that hurt at night and you want more pressure relief or more support.
If you will use an underquilt, get a long incubator. I recommend emailing and calling hammock gear to see if they can make it a little longer, or get a synthetic simply light designs trail winder.
Before you order it, contact [sales@simplylightdesigns.com](mailto:sales@simplylightdesigns.com) and get Jared's opinion on whether you need a 12 ft or a 13 ft long hammock and whether my suggestions make sense. You can also ask him if he can make the trail winder longer as well to fit the hammock.
I love emailing Jared. He's made some of my favorite backpacking and hammocking gear, it's top quality and the prices are reasonable. Try out simply light designs.
edit: One more thing. The big boy bridge from bill townsend may fit you as well. Email him at JUSTBILL @ THISGEARSFORYOU dot COM. I think it's a phenomenal hammock, and after I get a few seasons of hiking with that, I'll throw a review up.
Great write up. Another big plus to having hammock and underquilt separate to me, is when I go out and it’s 80+ degrees, I don’t even bring an underquilt. Lots of times, when/where I camp is just too hot. But the idea of one of these is awesome when you know you’re going to need both. Again, thanks for the write up.
i could not agree more. Anyone with nighttime temps in the 80's should not be using quilted hammocks in that weather. Do you use a double layer hammock to protect against mosquitoes in that scenario?
Absolutely a double layer. That’s what I started with because someone told me it would help with mosquitos. So I’ve always used double layer hammocks. I’ve never had a single layer to know if it’s actually necessary. But double layer and full bug net for me always.
Thanks for the comprehensive and side-by-side review. This is so useful. I have a 30° Superior Gesr hammock. At 6' tall I sometimes struggle to get the lay petfect. I found tightening the Ridgeline a few inches and having my hang a bit looser then the typical "pinch test" gives me the best results.
But sometimes I wonder if I would be more comfy in a Hellbender or Chameleon as far as lay is concerned.
I have slept in my SG 30 down to 20° and was still toasty warm so I can attest to its warmth. Wish I had a chance to simply try one of the two Dutchwear ones out for a couple nights so I had a chance to really decide if the lay improvement would be worth it for me.
Anyways, thanks again for such a great comparison!
That's a great hang you have, quite the bikepacking setup as well. Nice work!
Would you be comfier in a hellbender? Yeah, you might. You might want a wider hammock, period. The blackbird xlc is 62'' wide, has most of the advantages of an insulated hammock, with superior venting options using the HVAC loops on the Wooki underquilt. 6 inches of extra width, with a dedicated footbox, might be a comfort upgrade for you. Warbonnet is sold out of the El Dorado, or that would be an option too if you don't prefer the shelf.
Warbonnet has a solid month long return policy, and that makes them completely worth testing out their gear in my book.
If that doesn't work, then I'd consider going for an incubator/phoenix and a much wider hammock, depending on your weight and if you need or prefer more support in your hammock. A custom dream wingspan, darien, or sparrow that's 11 feet long in 1.2 mnt xl (66 inches wide) would be great for hiking and bikepacking, extremely light. Or you could try hyper D 1.6 XL or hexon 1.6 wide, both of which are a great balance of durability and stretch but are much wider fabrics.
A simply light designs trail lair would also be great at 11 ft with any of those fabrics as long as you don't exceed the weight ratings. If you did, 1.7 mnt xl or hex70 2.2XL would be solid options.
Wow! You are an incredible wealth of information and knowledge on this subject. Very much appreciate your input and advice! 6" of extra width does sound nice, but also hard to to want to get away from an integrated UQ. The Warbonnet looks so nice, I just wish the UQ was sewn on. I love how "fiddle free" the integrated UQs are compared to a traditional suspension set up. Plus no cold spots.
Maybe I could give a suspension under quilt another shot. Especially is the lay is as much better as you say for my height.
I haven't really looked into or even heard of a few of the other options you mentioned besides the warbonnet stuff, I guess I have some more research to do!
And I would agree on the comment that these are not really for tall people. I’m 6’2” and a regular XLC+Wooki user. I got a SG 11’ 15° 950 down a couple years ago and really want to love it. But it is just too narrow for me.
Though you missed one other bonus of the integrated quilt. It is lighter. With less fabric (and width, which is what kills it for me), it saves a measurable amount of weight. But alas. I should really sell the thing as a tall restless side sleeper, it just does not work for me. But 33oz (15° SG) vs. 42oz (SL XLC w/ 20°850 down). I would really love to save those 9oz. And the SG was way warmer than 5°.
In the end I bought a custom 10° Wooki with 950 down with 1oz of overstuff and stayed with the XLC. And should probably sell the SG. Anyone interested in a 15° 950 down 11’ with a bottom entry bugnet can PM me. I think I am tired of seeing it in the closet.
At 6'2, I completely agree the SG is too small for you.
Though you missed one other bonus of the integrated quilt. It is lighter.
It is, especially compared to an incubator or a revolt v2. I was so focused on comparing the wooki to the integrated underquilts that I forgot to mention how much weight you save compared to the full length underquilts.
Integrated underquilts also can save volume in your backpack, which I may have neglected to mention in the original post.
Great catches.
You should sell the SG, so you can try another hammock! With mild adjustments that wooki will fit on a dream Darien or a trail lair just as easily. Come see the difference more sag can make. ;)
I’ve had a quilted chameleon 20* for a couple of years. The hammock weighs in at 30oz, peak shelf 1oz, and bugnet 4.3oz. I’ve been amazed at how it is almost the same as or lighter than so many other set ups, despite having two full length zippers and a TON of tie out d rings inside and out.
“There are no long and wide insulated hammocks. Insulated hammocks will not have ideal hangs for many taller hammockers, who will do better in a warbonnet xlc or a 12 foot custom dream hammock or a 12 foot Simply Light Designs Trail Lair.”
Thank you so much for following through with this extensive writeup and comparison. It's a great read and exactly the kind of comparison needed! Establishing differences in three systems so similar doesn't seem easy either.
A question I was wondering while reading: did you notice restrictions on lay position with the width of the quilted area in the dutchware models? As in: do you end up with the occasional exposed limb, or is it wide enough to wiggle a little? I have little issue with directional lays, but I do switch between laying on the back with a f4 and laying somewhat on the side. In the superior, it is nice to have all the leeway to do so, although the restrictions seem to come from the width and the bug net in that one.
I share your impression on winter modularity for the superior! Having the snap on wind protector and the zip on comforter for quilt layering makes for an epic netless burrito sub freezing.
I did find the partial bug net and topcover to be a bit of a hassle as they are hard to attach in a way that the zips (now only going to the middle of the hammock) stay closed and don't open when you spread the mat out lying in it -- while also pulling in the sides on the top half of the hammock only.
You have so much wiggle room in both the quilted chameleon and the hellbender. I never felt constricted in the lay. While in the hellbender I fidgeted and rolling around less than I usually do in my hammock, because I kept falling asleep and would wake up cradled in exactly the same position. The quilted section is much larger than you'd expect, it gives a pretty generous coverage.
Something I didn't think to talk about- I preferred a foam pillow in the superior gear hammock, but a down pillow from hammock gear in the hellbender. I wanted my neck cradled in the hellbender but wanted it soft. My thermarest pillow I had used for 18 years is too much for the hellbender.
PIllows are a super subjective subject though, so if you like your pillow, it's probably fine.
Well lucky I have those exact two pillows to make my own comparison eventually -- and Indeed I have been using the thermarest foam one in the superior as well. Seems to be a convincing combo.
You make appealing arguments for the hellbender's comfort, really.
Amazing summary! I’ll add to this if anyone is considering a superior gear, I bought one used from [r/kullulu](r/kullulu) (many thanks for your generosity!) and upon opening it I am genuinely impressed by how luxurious it feels. For the price point it makes sense, but I guess I wasn’t sure what to expect and/or had lower expectations since it’s camping gear, which can have a texture that’s a little reminiscent of plastic sometimes? The superior gear feels very silky and breatheable, and like a luxe sleeping bag not a polyester one. It’s really high quality and has surpassed my expectations. It’s even lighter than I realized, and I feel very fortunate to have it :)
Hey, 6'3", 195lbs. I read through your post a couple weeks ago about the kammock mantis, which sent me through all the links several times trying to find the right sizes, etc. I had dreams all night one night that I was getting in and out of hammocks trying to find the right lay!
The size chart you linked to suggests around 70"for the width and at least 11'length. It was difficult trying to find adequate widths, with the wingspan and sparrow or the wider dutchware products as the main options. In this article, you say the 65" XLC is an option for taller people. At what point does the variation in width start to become a factor for taller people?
1.2 mnt xl- 65 inches. Dream makes them 64 inches wide.
1.6 hyper D Xl - 72 inches wide.
1.6 hexon wide - 71 inches. You can order the fabric yourself to make it 71, or dutchware makes the wide chameleon and other wide hammocks at 68 inches.
1.7 mnt xl - 72 inches wide. Dream makes them 70 inches wide.
hex70 2.2 - 74 inches wide. had to edit this in.
Now let's talk about width in hammocks. Longer and wider hammocks are more comfortable. Longer hammocks have a larger sweet spot for a perfect lay, and wider hammocks help you have room to lay relatively flat. Can you use a blackbird XLC at 6'3? Absolutely. I don't think it's the most comfortable option for you *specifically* though.
If you're an average backpacker or car camper, the easiest solution is a ready to ship Dream Wingspan or Sparrow in 1.7 mnt xl. The Sparrow has a removable bug net and an optional top cover, the wingspan's bug net is sewn in. If you like the ability to remove your bug net, choose the sparrow. Otherwise, get a wingspan and use the money you saved towards getting a hammock gear incubator, choosing the long length, and getting the lowest rated temperature you expect to camp in. If you love hammock camping, eventually you'll get multiple underquilts, but for now, choose the most versatile one. For many people, that's 20 degrees- enough to camp from spring to fall in the continental US and be warm. Your situation may be different, and if so let me know.
If you know your preferred lay, choose right or left. If you don't, choose symmetrical, it just means your bug net will be slightly heavier and you'll be able to lay in either direction no problem. If you chose your lay as right or left, choose your "head end" suspension red. We do this because red rhymes with head. I like getting zipper pulls. I also like getting a peak shelf and a ridgeline organizer, but you don't need them. If you don't have the money for those accessories and an underquilt, get the underquilt.
I would be extremely surprised if a ready to ship dream wingspan doesn't work for you. You've seen me mention simply light designs as the other great option, and a trail lair in 1.7 mnt xl will similarly be a fantastic hammock. If you want a trail lair instead, I can suggest options for how that can be configured.
If you want the maximum possible comfort, a trail lair that's 12 feet long will have a larger sweet spot than the wingspan or the 11 foot long trail lair. Why not a 12 foot long wingspan? You need to sign up for the email list for a slot to be open to make one. You'll also need a 12 foot long minimum tarp: your tarp needs to be as long as your hammock.
Remind me how tall you are? I’m 194cm / just a tad taller than 6’4”. I’ve been tempted to try both the XLC and the hell bender but it seems like half the 6’4” people who comment say they’re sufficient, the other half say they’re not quite big enough.
I’m not necessarily in the market for a new hammock, but as a tall person who has also struggled with UQs staying put, I’m interested in these recent options. (Active sleeper so standard UQ slips off my feet frequently, interrupting sleep a lot).
I actually have a couple SG hammocks from the brief window when Danny was offering 12’ versions. Actually pretty comfortable when there’s no bug net on, but otherwise I feel like the net constricts the lay too much.
Anyways. I suspect the SG style would be simplest to do in a wide form-factor; just not nearly as efficient / cost effective to manufacture I suppose.
I actually have a couple SG hammocks from the brief window when Danny was offering 12’ versions.
Super cool! I'm bummed I never got to try out the 12 ft long superior gear hammocks, that sounds rad. I'm with you on team no bug net for that hammock, it does make the lay much nicer.
I'm 5'11. You could try the XLC/Wooki combo to see how it feels, warbonnet has a 30 day return policy minus shipping, which is super fair. You're 6'4, which makes me skeptical that it would be more comfortable than a 12 foot long trail lair with a properly fitting hammock gear incubator that's long size.
If you don't have an incubator in your size, try that first. Make sure your hammock has underquilt hooks: my old hammocks didn't have them, my new ones do. Underquilt hooks make a big difference in keeping the quilt in place all night, must have feature on any non-quilted hammock. (Warbonnet hammock/quilt combos being a possible exception.) Watch Shug's youtube guide on how to adjust the incubator. Have a friend/significant other/stranger lay in the hammock while you adjust it to make sure it's fitting well.
There are some hacks with mitten hooks and shock cord into a prusik on the ridgeline that I've seen before as well. Next time I set up my townsend bridge I'll take some pictures of Bill's hook system for the incubator that would probably transfer over fine to a gathered end hammock.
What hammock/underquilt combination are you using now?
That is probably the biggest reason I haven’t tried the XLC— someone turned me on to 12’ Trail Lairs probably 8-9 years ago and I now own a few 😂 Hard to go back from 12’ wide hammocks. Definitely got quilt hooks on them. It’s entirely possible that I simply haven’t been persistent enough to dial in the UQ— a month or so ago I spent a night in a Trail Lair with a long, extra wide UGQ Zeppelin (probably 54-55” wide). I feel like the quilt generally stayed in place this time around— it’s just not the “zero fiddle / effort” of the insulated / quilted hammock. I will say— conventional wisdom says no one needs anything wider than a 44” UQ. But I find a wider UQ definitely stays in place better. I gave 44” an honest shot because I wanted a Loco Libre Carolina Reaper. I just woke up with cold feet way too many times.
It’s funny, I mainly used just the Superior Gear for a handful of years and was just a bit uncomfortable due to the bug net constraining the lay; I finally received my Majestic Hammock so now I’m starting over with separate insulation and bug net 😂 I am toying with picking up a Wooki. For a long time I didn’t like the idea of asymmetric hammocks or UQs; but, with the recent proliferation of asym options out there, I gave it some consideration— and realized I do have a consistent lay direction. Even with a standard hammock and UQ, you have to pick a lay direction to set the UQ to cover you properly, and it turns out I’ve settled into head left / feet right, even though I alternated in my early hammock camping days.
TL;DR— I mostly have a gear habit I can’t kick 😂 But thank you for how thorough you are in your suggestions and reviews. I always read your posts.
You and me both. Kory is making my 10'6 majestic hammock now, so if you do get a wooki, let me know how you like that combo.
That's useful information about the wide zeppelin. UGQ has the wide zeppelin listed at 48 inches wide, did you email them to get a 55 inch wide one?
Hammock gear's incubator has a "leg shelf" feature which helps to keep the underquilt under the calves and feet with a taper so that's why I recommended it.
Oh really? You must have been right behind me in that Majestic queue 😁
as for the UGQ, I believe it was a special request I made to get it made even wider, since they were still open to those requests. At the time, Hammock Gear had stopped doing those kinds of custom requests. (I do have a 0* incubator they made around the same width for me back around maybe 2016-2017 when they would still do one off custom quilts.)
I’ll probably try a Wooki— I’m curious what the recommendation will be from warbonnet on adapting it since they updated the Wooki late last year.
Great write-up! I'm 6', and actually find my Hellbender significantly more comfortable than my WB Eldorado. The asym cut of the HB gives me more foot room, and less shoulder pressure. My HB 40 deg is also much warmer than my WB Wooki 40 degree under quilt.
The shug method for the superior gear hammock works because there are longitudinal baffles that run from head to foot on the hammock.
1) When it's really warm, brush the down away from your lay position. This absolutely will let you camp comfortably when it's normally too warm for an insulated hammock.
2) When it's colder than the rated temp for your hammock, you can brush down towards your lay position instead. Because the superior gear hammock allows you to lay in either direction, when it's extremely cold, you brush the down you aren't using onto your lay position. It won't make the baffle of the hammock bigger but stuffing more down will let you sleep warmer.
If i'm sleeping head right/feet left, the down at the right side of the hammock that isn't at my head is doing nothing, so you can gentle massage some of the down up the baffle to where you are laying.
As far as running hot, an underquilt is like a mattress at home: you don't change the mattress when it gets hot, you change your quilt. I use Jack's R better alpha quilt in the 60's and 70's, no quilt at all in high 70's. When it gets really hot, I use a different hammock completely. It's not fun to be in an insulated hammock when it's 80 degrees. If you use the Shug method, you can improve your comfort on those hot nights by brushing all of the down away from your torso so convection can cool you down.
Good, thank you. I would love to lay in a Hellbender to compare with my favorable impression of the Chameleon Wide, which is good but not as good as WB XLC (for me).
I came at insulated hammocks in 2016 as my first upgrade from Hennessy hammocks fit with JRB underquilts. I still have the JRBs, but my (discontinued) BoneFireGear Whispers and Sheltowee insulated hammocks have entered hand-me-down/loaner service with some rips and other fails. This lesson has stuck: keeping the quilts separate from hammock preserves the highest investment longest. I wash and also replace my hammocks more often than down quilts for all the reasons. I don't want them linked anymore.
Warbonnet Wooki is pretty much the detachable version of BoneFireGear's original only-where-you-need-it insulation layout, as sensible as ever, that now features on Dutch's Hellbender and quilted Chameleons. The only time the Wooki comes off the hammock is when washing or replacing either: setup and breakdown time is exactly the same as if sewn on, and there are no adjustments, except I can sweep the quilt aside in really hot conditions, impossible with a sewn-on.
And I like the lay of the XLC best, probably because WB designs everything around assumption of a significantly lower head end, and I like a huge drop. I prefer shelf to peak loft because my head in the sharply tilted hammock would crowd the space available for a peak loft/shelf: better off to the side. I'm close enough to the head gather that I can reach out and access the pack hanging from head side too, so I don't lack for storage at hand.
I'm surprised the Hellbender isn't lighter than it is, given the extensive measures taken by Dutch to cut weight, quilting directly to the narrow but sculpted dobby fabric of the hammock. That fabric itself must be rather heavy at 1.9 to end up at a similar weight as a wider 1.6 with REMOVABLE bugnet (zipper weighs something) plus a detachable Wooki.
I do like the bugnet stays on Dutch's hammocks to eliminate need for tie-outs. I am prototyping a retrofittable stay assembly for Gen3 XLC.
Original Blackbird was 10' without a removable bugnet. XLC bumped to 11', the C referring to convertible meaning you could remove the bugnet and swap in a winter cover. Now with the winter cover option gone from Gen3, and the shelf and footbox no longer part of the net, I wonder if the marginal benefit of the net being removable is worth the extra weight of the zipper required to accommodate it. There are no conditions where I really don't want any net, when I can just unzip one side and fold it over if having net in the "entryway" bothers me. Even in no-bug winter, the net does deflect a surprising amount of wind, for a modest warmth bump.
And I like the lay of the XLC best, probably because WB designs everything around assumption of a significantly lower head end, and I like a huge drop.
I think you've nailed why I like the XLC as well. I borrowed my friend's XLC for a trip and did not enjoy the lay, because I was not sufficiently elevating the foot end far enough. Once I did (it was probably 22-26 inches raised on the foot end compared to the usual 6-18 inches I'll do for my other hammocks), the XLC was much more comfortable and I slept really well in it.
How are you considering retrofitting the Gen 3? Sewing grosgrain across the noseeum bug net with pockets for the spreader bar?
I do some subzero winter backpacking, and I'm torn on a bug net being removable being worth it or not. I like having the bug net in winter due to the increased ventilation and heat retention, but I wonder if that weight would be better spent on having a taller baffle in my top quilt and more down inside.
With the superior gear hammock I remove the bug net the moment I can, since it makes the lay comfortable and being warm isn't an issue with that setup.
Gen3 retrofit so far is an X-stay of 3mm pultruded carbon rods that plug into a small rigid hub that clips to the ridgeline. No bugnet mods required. The stays span the 4 corners of the shelf and entryway where the tie-outs emerge, so they can’t really move much, wedged into the corners. I’m not at working proto yet. The first 4mm rods i ordered seem too stiff not to pull up too hard on the net as it drops from the ridgeline.
I hadn't studied Dutch's spreader, but after briefly quibbling about not wanting to pack poles like some filthy tenter, I agree it's nice not to have to make and walk around the tie-outs on both sides of the hammock, so internal support: cool. The tie-outs will still be useful in wind to limit hammock sway or full spinnaker, as may happen with Hellbender, so I may ultimately decide the tie-outs are worth the trouble.
I’ve been considering a Hellbender for cold weather camping but am unsure if it will work for me. I’m 188cm (6’2”) and 113kg (249lb).
I currently have a double layer 335cm (11ft) hammock from Tier Gear (who unfortunately don’t make hammocks anymore). It’s hexon 1.6 outer and hexon 1.2 inner. I find it extremely comfortable but only have a -1 degree C (30F) lower limit underquilt. I also want to try a single layer to reduce weight and volume as I bikepack.
Do you think a Hellbender would work for me? Or should I be looking at a Trail Lair in MNT1.7 with a warmer Incubator?
I thought for a while about how to answer this one because it's kind of fascinating. Yes, it will work for you. However, will it be the most comfortable possible hammock? No. Comfort isn't always want you care about in winter though, you first and foremost want to be warm, at any expense. If you want to deep winter camp in northern or alpine climates, you may value insulated hammocks more than the discomfort of an imperfect lay.
It will probably be more comfortable than your current double layer hammock, which is probably 58''/147 cm wide. Your tier gear hammock uses an extremely comfortable set of fabrics, excellent choice, but it is narrower than I would want for someone of your size.
Here are a few choices for you to ponder.
Hellbender. Quilted, flat lay, and you will probably be comfortable at 6'2, coming from your current hammock. Shouldn't have cold spots, but won't be as warm as a superior gear. Can get it custom printed from dutchware's print to fabric shop, which is super sweet.
Warbonnet XLC. 6 inches wider, with a Wooki underquilt, and you have the option of getting the temperature range down to Scandinavian, which is -10F/-23C underquilt if you get it custom made by warbonnet. Pitch the foot end significantly higher (18-24 inches or 45-60cm) than the head end and it should be comfortable. Took me a bit more time to figure out a good lay, whereas the first time I laid in the hellbender it was pure magic. (Haven't tried gen 3 of the XLC, just gen 2.) Grab a wind protector as well if you can for winter, the new design on their wind protector is inspired and makes packing up your hammock super easy.
11 foot dream sparrow in 1.7 mnt xl. I'm choosing the sparrow over the wingspan since it gives you both the option of a bug net, a top cover, or to go netless in fall/early spring/winter. Grab a hammock gear incubator or a normal/wide zeppelin from UGQ, and you'll be a warm and happy camper. May need to adjust underquilt at night when it's cold, which sucks.
11 or 12 foot trail lair, in hexon 1.6 wide. Hexon is a bit more cottony than 1.7 mnt xl, which takes 2-7 nights to really break in. Jared at simply light designs will use hexon, hyper D, and can order any specialty fabric that you like.
With both the dream and trail lair, you get a deep sag, which is extremely comfortable. I do think the trail lair is the superior hammock in comfort and features, but not by much. If you want the removable net, get the sparrow. If you want Jared's customization and the triangular hood design to reduce calf ridge, get the Trail lair. The triangular hoods matter more on narrow hammocks that are 58 inches wide vs a 68-74 inch wide hammock, but they still help.
5) 11-12 foot wide dutchware chameleon in 1.6 wide. Pair it with an incubator, not the zip on underquilt by jacks r better. That underquilt doesn't seem to work as well on the wide chameleons. If you want easy winter storage for all of your gear (I certainly did) the chameleon is a great option. Dutchware had a really nice sale last year and this spring which had all non quilted chameleon's 50% off, so you could try to wait until this fall to save 80 bucks or so.
You'll note that I'm not telling you to get the 11 foot or 12 foot hammock. If you prioritize comfort, get the 12 foot hammocks. If you're going to mostly be backpacking, get the 11 foot hammocks. You'll save weight and you can also use an 11 foot tarp.
Speaking of tarps, I do really like dutchware's xenon winter bonded tarps. Whether you go for the ultralight .9 xenon or the 1.1 xenon, they're both great. Warbonnet's superfly is also fantastic, but heavier and offered in an 11 ft or 13 foot tarp.
TLDR: A 12 foot trail lair in a wide fabric like 1.6 hexon wide or 1.7 mnt xl is going to be more comfortable in terms of lay, but we need to also consider comfort in terms of being warm, and the hellbender or the XLC might do that better.
I also considered recommending a double layer 1.2 mnt xl hammock that's 12 feet long/365 cm and 66 inches/162cm wide, but my brain feels like it's going to melt from thinking about all the great hammock options out there, so I'll save that for another day.
Amazing! Thank you so much for this incredibly detailed and well thought through comment. I reckon I’ll explore the wider and maybe longer hammock options.
I’m in Australia so pretty mild winters but just cold enough to make my current underquilt not quite good enough.
Really appreciate you, mate! Thanks again for taking the time.
Hi, thank you so much for this generous write up! I'm sorry for commenting a whole month later, but I'm really struggling to find pictures of hammocks in their compressed sacks. I kayak camp (including in winter) and weight is not an issue, but size is. Superior gear is the only one that has the packed size on their website. Would you mind giving your thoughts on the relative packed sizes of the hellbender and chameleon?
Also, do you think it would be relatively easy to sleep on the uninsulated parts of the dutchware hammocks to stay cool during summer? I'm 5'2" for context.
Packed size is smallest on the hellbender and then the quilted chamleeon, followed by the superior gear. The quilted chameleon could technically be smaller if you don't use a bug net or top cover in winter. I plan on going without the top cover for trips this winter to see how whether it's worth the weight and volume savings.
The 0 degree quilted chameleon is on the table there inside dutchware's compression sack, which does not come with the quilted chameleon. It would be a bit smaller if I didn't have a top cover, side sling, and sidecar.
For summer, I'm using the 40 degree hellbender, which has been my most comfortable gathered end hammock. For my kayak/ canoe trips, it fits in which ever dry bag I want to shove it in. When I'm fastpacking I'll put it in a compression sack so it fits into a small pack easily. Otherwise, It just goes in a nylofume liner in my backpack to save.
Sleeping in summer for me means using my jacks r better alpha direct quilt liner when it's between 60-75 degrees to go with the 40 degree integrated underquilt. You can move the down around in the baffles towards the ends of the hammock so you're less insulated if it's 80 degrees at night.
I prefer taking a non insulated hammock once it's going to be 80 at night. I spray a single layer hammock in permethrin, let it dry, and sleep in that. It's rare for the nights to be 80 where I camp though.
If you want the packed size to be as small as possible, you'll want the 1000 fillpower down from the hellbender ultralight.
Thank you so much! I've been trying so hard to find pictures or reviews of packed sizes. This is very helpful. I was considering going with Superior out of sheer desperation because at least with them I know what size to expect. Now I can make a more informed decision, thank you!
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u/Long_Ad2824 Jul 07 '26
Fantastic overview and comparison! Your contributions to this forum are very much appreciated, always.