Reviews > Shelters > Shelter Accessories > Jacks R Better Pack Cover Gear Hammock > Marie-Noelle Augendre > Initial Report

Jeff's Gear Hammock and Pack Cover - Initial Report

October 17,2005 (revised)

Product information

The Jacks 'R' Better Gear Hammock came in a little transparent sachet to which a little carabiner was clipped. As I unfold it, I found a short note that said: "Silicone impregnated nylon is flammable. Do not use around flame" "the shock cord is longer than apparently necessary..." and "can be shorten and some weight saved" if it is not to be used flat, as a small tarp or cover. it can be used as a gear hammock, pack cover, water bag and simple field shower

Product description
	The Gear Hammock is a simple rectangle of ripstop silnylon, of which the four sides have simply been double hemmed. This provides a gusset in which slides a shock cord stopped by a toggle. A grosgrain loop is sewn at each corner, where a guy can be tied, or a carabiner clipped.

First impressions The Gear Hammock is rather well constructed, with regular and finished seams, grosgrain loops sewn with reinforced seams, etc. However, both ends of the cord tend to fray somewhat, as the shock cord has only been cut to the required length, without any additional treatment. It is more than 20% heavier and 2 inches (5 cm) less wide than expected (refer to the numbers in the Product Information section, at the beginning of this report). I already find out that the width is a bit short when I use the Gear Hammock as a pack cover on a full ULA-P2 pack: on the picture nearby, the black fleece in the side pocket is partially uncovered. At this stage, I can only guess that the lacking 2 inches (5 cm) in width might have been useful. The shock cord doesn’t slide easily in the gusset formed by the double hem, so it is a bit tiresome to gather all the required length in order to use the Gear Hammock as a pack cover. On the other hand, the shock cord is not long enough so the Gear Hammock can be laid completely flat, to be used as an additional tarp (the shock cord stays under tension). When I first attempted to rig the Gear Hammock as a tarp, the ground was so hard I couldn’t stick the stakes well enough, and one of them suddenly turned into a kind of projectile that flew a bit too close to my face for my comfort. Comment : as a  result of this incident, Jacks 'R' Better has put out  new instructions in order to discourage customers from using  the Jeff's Gear Hammock and Pack Cover as an additional tarp.

Points I intend to investigate during the test

1) When used as a gear hammock

Where will it be more handy? Below the hammock: will it be in the way when I get in/off the hammock? Over the hammock: will it be easy to rummage in it and find what I need? Beside the hammock: won’t it turn over if I happen to bump into it? When set up underneath the hammock, could the gear in it act as an additional insulation layer?

2) When used as a pack cover

Is it easy to put it on a full pack? Will it cover the whole pack, including top lid and outside pockets? Will it fasten securely to the pack? Will there be loose parts that tend to catch on branches or bushes? Will it protect the pack and its content with efficiency?

3) When used for water storage

4) When used as a field sink or tub

I usually carry a folding basin when backpacking, so I’ll be happy to leave it at home if the Gear Hammock can act as one. When set up as a sink / tub in a ground depression, will the edges tend to slip down?

5) Durability

How well will the Gear Hammock bear with time? Will the perimeter seams or the tabs tend to rip up? Will the shock cord slacken? Will the fabric bear with some abuse, especially when used as pack cover or a field sink?

Testing locations

For the most part of the testing period, I’ll be day-hiking once or twice a week in Ile de France, where I expect temperatures mainly in the 23°F / 59°F range (–5°C / 15°C), with various conditions of wind and humidity (mist, showers, fog, dry weather, to name a few). Grounds here are gently hilly, definitely under the tree-line, and elevations should remain in the 165 ft / 1150 ft range (50 m / 350 m). These outings will provide the conditions to test the Gear Hammock both as a pack cover when walking, and as a little separate tarp during lunch stop. I’ll also take advantage of any stream or pond I might encounter to test the Gear Hammock in its water storage and sink functionalities.

I’ll spend several nights hammock-camping during a five-day stay in the Pays Basque (southwest of France) in mid November. The place is very close to the Atlantic, and I should get rather damp weather (may be drizzle / fog / showers) and temperatures in the 35°F-60°F (2°C-15°C) range at night. This will provide the conditions to test the Gear Hammock in its primary functionality as a gear hammock.

During a two-week dog-sledding trip in northern Quebec in December, it will also be used as a gear hammock, either in a tent or – if I can bear it – hammocking; in this area, the low temperatures could easily reach –31°F (-35°C). Elevations might not be any higher than in Ile de France, but the conditions might be quite harsh as we will be in the north of the 49^th parallel.

Reviewer information

Reviews > Shelters > Shelter Accessories > Jacks R Better Pack Cover Gear Hammock > Marie-Noelle Augendre > Initial Report