• Here ’s our "carb-free "Crib!...features a fully zippered no-see-um bug netting canopy with 70D coated ripstop nylon bottom, along with Easton® 7075-T9 aluminum poles and an internal sleeve that accepts a sleeping pad for added comfort. Also inside are two accessory pockets. Nylon jersey - mesh pole sleeves are positioned on the exterior for convenient set-up and easy zipper use. Crazy UltraLite Tarp is made of 30D silicone coated cordura ripstop. Includes guy lines, stakes, and stuff sack.

Description [return to top] The Crib LEX Lightweight w/ UltraLite Tarp consists of a rectangular nylon body with an integrated zippered bug netting canopy supported by poles, as well as an internal sleeve for a sleeping pad. There is an un-attached sil-nylon fly that may be used to provide coverage, or left off in nice weather. For a much more detailed description, along with photos, please see my Initial Report.

Field Information [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 45 ºF (7 ºC) to highs around 80 ºF (27 ºC) during the remainder of the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 ranking boy scouts (ages 15, 15 and 16), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (two down – many to go!) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge.

Since my Initial Report, I spent a week of scout camp at the end of July. Temperatures ranged from lows around 65 ºF (18 ºC) to highs around 105 ºF (41 ºC) with high humidity creating a heat index of 115 °F (46 °C). Elevations ranged from about 800’ (244 m) to about 1,200’ (366 m). The only rain occurred while I had the LEX packed for an overnight hike (cancelled due to the heat index), so I can not yet report on waterproofness. I used my Insulated Air Core mattress throughout the week, bringing out my Snugpak Softie Merlin 3 on the last night when the temperature dropped briefly to near 50 °F (10 °C). The inflated mattress inserted readily into the internal sleeve, and helped keep the hammock from cocooning me very much. I slept very comfortably, but I had two issues with the hammock design, explained below.

First, to spread the zippered opening sufficiently to get in and out of the hammock required opening the zipper pretty much all the way to both ends and sliding the netting along the hoops to the edges of the bed. This in and of itself is not an issue. However, it required me – after I had managed to get into the hammock – to sit up and/or slide down all the way to the foot of the hammock to reach the zipper, something which is difficult enough as is, but is made even more so by two things: 1) the hoops get in the way of moving my entire body to the foot of the hammock, and 2) balance, which is covered below. I learned to pull the zipper up with my toes until I got it within reach of my hands, and will be attaching a length of string or cord to the zipper pull to assist with closing it in the future.

Second, once set up per the instructions, the center of gravity of the LEX is only just slightly below the hanging points – once occupied, the center of gravity is only just slightly lower. I had assumed that having two lines/straps coming from each end of the bed would create a 4-point hang and preclude the tipping that would be expected from a single-rope design. However, since I had hung the LEX from trees that were roughly the size of my calf and my thigh, I did not have the straps spread sufficiently to create the stability I had expected. On the second or third night, as I was entering the hammock following my usual procedure – sit in center of bed, attempt to lay torso along center line (bending neck to clear hoop), attempt to bring legs to center line (bending knees to clear other hoop), hold both edges of bed in a death grip hoping not to fall out before everything stabilizes – I was rolled out of the hammock to the side opposite where I was entering. I managed to keep from injuring myself, but the LEX was not so fortunate – my leg hung up on the hoop at that end of the hammock, slightly bending then snapping the pole completely through. Since the break occurred in a location that was contained within the pole sleeve, was not any threat to the fly, and was at the foot end (where I need less clearance) I left it alone for the remainder of the week, not attempting any repair.

Upon returning from camp, I contacted Crazy Creek customer service. I told the woman who answered that I had the Crib LEX Lightweight and had snapped a pole when it tossed me. She asked if I needed one or two poles – I said one – and took my address. In less than a week, I had a pair of brand new poles in my hands. I am impressed. I should point out that I do not think the breakage is any fault of the pole, just a result of my weight bearing on it in a way for which it was not designed. I think the hammock is very well constructed, with top quality materials, but in a design that is just a bit too top-heavy.

Things I am/will be looking for: Ease/speed of set-up. Can I get it up easily in bad weather? When I’m tired? When it’s dark out (I prefer to know all of my gear by touch)? How long does it take? Pack size/weight. Experience to date tells me that bulk is more of a problem for me to pack than weight, though age continues to creep up on me, so packed size will be fairly important. My current shelter/sleep system is fairly light, so I hope not to increase it too much. Dimensions. Do I fit? Comfortably? With my gear? How large a site do I need? Durability. Are there any significant wear points, especially over time? The spots where poles contact the shelter will be investigated, along with tie-out points, zippers, etc. Waterproofness. I don’t mind being wet during the day, but I prefer that my gear be dry when I use it, particularly while sleeping. Ventilation. Do I need to worry about condensation? Adjustability. How high/low can/must it be pitched? Pads. Which of my pads may be used with the Crib? How easy is it to get them in and out? Is it more comfortable to have the pad in the sleeve, or just inside the hammock? Ground-pitching. What if there are insufficient trees? Can the Crib be pitched as a tent if necessary?

My findings so far: Ease/speed of set-up. I can get the hammock up in under 5 minutes. The fly, with its great variabilty, can take a bit longer. Pack size/weight. It’s almost 2 pounds (~1 kilo) heavier than my current setup, and half again as large when packed, but still smaller than all but my very smallest solo tent. Dimensions. It seems plenty big enough. Durability. I see no wear issues, and the only breakage is due to me falling on it. Ventilation. The entire canopy is mesh, and the fly can be pitched as far above as desired. Adjustability. My experience indicates that the LEX should be hung between knee-high and hip-high. Pads. It works well with my Insulated Air Core mattress.

Things I like [return to top] Complete. Comfortable. Things I don't like [return to top] A bit heavy. Tree distance limited to 16 feet (5 meters). VERY top-heavy, making it unstable when attached to small trees.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Crazy Creek Crib LEX Lightweight > Chuck Kime > Field Report