Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Crazy Creek Crib LEX Lightweight > Brian Tannehill > Long Term Report

CRAZY CREEK LEX ULTRALIGHT HAMMOCK
TEST SERIES BY BRIAN TANNEHILL
LONG-TERM REPORT
October 28, 2006

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE INITIAL REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

I am fairly new to backpacking, but I have hunted/fished/camped all my life in East Texas, Colorado, and California. My young kids (4, 10, 12) limit me to weekend overnight camping trips, or day hikes Geocaching. I am also an avid mountain biker. Currently I live in Colorado Springs, Co at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Pike National Forest surrounds me at 9000 - 14,110 feet (2743 m - 4301 m). Snow can happen 10 months out of the year and summer is the hottest reaching 65 deg F + (18 C), the other months average 45 deg F (7 C).

LONG-TERM REPORT

Product Information

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LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

The locations of my tests have been in the Rocky Mountains of Pike National Forest just west of Colorado Springs. Elevations have ranged from 7,000 feet (2,134 m) at my house up to around 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in the local mountains. Weather at this time of the year can be fairly warm to down right cold. I've used it in all weather conditions from rain, to snow, to sun. Temperatures ranged from a high of mid 80's (29 C) and a low of mid 50's (13 C) through the month of July to mid 60's (18 C) for a high to mid 30's (-2 C) for the low in the month of October. The terrain is typical for the Rocky Mountain region. Very steep, rocky trails and numerous trees to hang from.

LONG TERM PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Please see my Initial and Field Reports for all my previous questions and concerns. This was my first real hammock beside the one I made myself. Overall I really liked this one but had a few concerns with it over the course of testing.

My first concern was with the zipper.

zipper

This picture from my previous report shows how the zipper gets pulled right where the support poles are inserted on the hammock netting. My concern with this was that eventually it would tear the zipper or bug netting material. I have had no problems with this and I have found that the material has actually stretched just a little bit to allow the zipper to close easier.

Another minor concern was the jersey knit sleeve the support poles went into. On one of them I noticed a little bit of fraying. This was nothing major and did not affect in any way the performance of the hammock.

The last major concern was with the rain fly. I tested the rain fly at my house by just pooling water in it around one of the seams. As noted in my earlier reports the seams are only stitched, not seam sealed or taped. Of course water leaked through it. I also set it up in the rain a few times and of course it still leaked. So between the Field Report and the Long Term Report, I contacted Crazy Creek customer service. I would like to note that the customer service rep I emailed was very quick in responding and VERY helpful with this process. I sent them my tarp and they sent me a replacement, giving me the option of a heavier tarp that was taped and seam sealed. I of course went with the heavier tarp. However the rep told me via email that the original ultralight tarp "does not need a seam sealant and as you found out the fabric doesn't take the seam sealant well. This tarp is made to have the water drip off the threaded seams. It must be set up correctly and pulled very tight to work properly. If there are any spots where water can collect, it will eventually leak through just like anything. "

I did try sealing the tarp myself with just a generic seam sealer from Wal-Mart and it did not stick to the material at all. I tried all kinds of configurations with this tarp, pulling it what I thought was very tight, and still had water leak through. I wouldn't mind the water leaking through some of the lower tie outs that were not directly over my hammock, however as in this picture from my field report,

ridgeline

it shows the ridgeline runs right down the middle of my hammock. So if water is supposed to drip through the threads, where is it going to drip...right onto me and my sleeping bag!!! I voiced my concern with this to the customer service rep and asked for the heavier Crazy Standard tarp. It is the same dimensions of the one that came with the original set up, just heavier, waterproof, seam sealed, and taped. I thought this was a major safety concern, enough to have the extra weight of the tarp as I was using it in the fall/early winter months with snow/rain possible and cold temperatures at night. From the hang tag that came with the new tarp, it says it is 70D coated ripstop material with waterproof taped seams. The weights listed on the hang tag also state they are measured with the stakes and ropes to tie out the tarp. I weighed just the tarp itself and it weighed in at 17.85 oz (506 g). The ultralite tarp that came with the hammock originally weighed in at 12.63 oz (356 g).

I've used this hammock in temps down to 35 F (1.7 C). I've found that even though my Therm-A-Rest Basecamp model sleeping pad doesn't fit in the sleeping pad holder, that I can still use it under me. It does not slide around very much, and actually helps keep the hammock flat and from rolling in on my shoulders.

I've also found that I don't like using the stuff sack for the hammock and rain fly. I like to just shove it flat in the bottom of my Osprey Aehter 60 where it takes up less room. I can then pack more things in my pack.

SUMMARY

Overall I have been very happy with this hammock. After figuring out that adding a little bit of slack helps a lot, to make it very comfortable.

I have long been a typical tent user, I will continue to use this hammock as I do not wake up in the morning near as sore as when I tent camp.

Some things I like about this hammock:
The webbing allows for quick set up, the buckles hold great.
The fully enclosed bug netting
The sleeping pad holder

Things I don't like about this hammock:
The original tarp was not adequate enough for my use. I really didn't feel like getting wet while sleeping.
Too many tie outs on the tarp itself.

Thanks to BGT and Crazy Creek for allowing me to participate in this test.

Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Crazy Creek Crib LEX Lightweight > Brian Tannehill > Long Term Report