Eagles Nest Outfitters OneLink Hammock Shelter System

having problems finding the right pad(s) to make it comfortable enough to get a good night's sleep on the ground? here's an idea...don't sleep on the ground!
borrowed a doublenest system sans the rainfly for a couple months from a buddy. when he asked for it back, i went back to my tent. I finally had to break down and buy this guy. i weigh 208 right now and this thing has never hinted at failing. i primarily use it for its intended purpose, sleeping off the ground in the backcountry, but it is great to hang up at a backyard grill out type thing as well. when i bought my own, i went from the double-nest to the single-nest. i found that the double was too uncomfortable for 2 (you roll on top of each other). and the double made it difficult to hang my legs out the sides when they were searching for a breeze. this whole system weighs about 4lbs, but excluding the winter, i dont have to pack a pad(s)...and in the winter i can leave the bug net at home. slap-strap pro system works great. easy set up easy tear down, made easier by the attached stuff sacks. the one link system comes with its own stuff sack. it is decent. it doesnt have compressions straps, but i am not sure that the system would compress much anyway. measurements and weight are accurate. i have gotten some of the best sleep of my life in this thing. love it. the only way i see it failing is due to misuse or exceeding the weight limit.
i havent used the rainfly yet. i used my tent's footprint with some extra cordage and added a loop when i borrowed my buddy's and still do the same. its much lighter and serves the same purpose (although i will use it in the winter because the footprint wont block the wind). the only complaint i have is with backcountry, but its not really a complaint at all. they told me in a live chat window that it only comes in one color, black. it showed up in the khaki and olive color, which is fine. if it showed up in purple and pink i might have to complain a bit...not my style. also, they told me it came with the dry fly, but it came with the pro-fly. good stuff. much easier to set up and more comfy for me than the a-sym and the others you climb in from underneath that i have tried. i am a side-sleeper and have no problems. never felt like i was gonna roll out of it...its plenty deep. got this on sale at backcountry.com for 159. get it.

Trial run in the back yard.
Conditions: Chilly that night: 33 and a wind.
Accompaniaments: Cats Meow 20 degree synthetic, thermarest pro lite pad, street clothes, jacket, dog, and an extra blanket for him.
Speed: First time (and even read the directions) - took only a few minutes to set it up sans bug net.
Durability: My Weim River decided to join, but wasn't confident about the whole set up so he stood up and moved around ALOT. I thought for sure his toenails bearing all his 90 pounds punctured the material more than once, but the next morning I couldn't even find a scuff.
Warmth: I slept toasty when I wasn't squished up against the sides of the hammock, which was only the first couple of hours because the dog quickly realized it was much warmer if HE layed on the thermarest. Otherwise (and I'm cold ALL THE TIME) I think I would have been comfortable all night.
Next time I'll: put the tarp closer to hammock to help shed the wind. Also, I'll switch out the supplied stakes with lighter, "stickier" ones from my tent. We bailed and went inside about 2am (for the record, the dog cried uncle first) and the next morning 4 of the stakes were pulled, the tarp was flapping hard in the wind and 3 ropes were ruined. (not a tear though - like I said - tough) Also - I'm pretty sure I'll order River his own hammock to hang below me and to stash all my gear in on rainy nights - I ordered the doublenest hammock, but I wouldn't reccomend sharing it with man or beast if your intent is a solid night's sleep.
Backcountry service is excellent and expedient - and an extra shout out to the wish fulfilling backcountry gurus who somehow knew I had my fingers crossed for the olive/blue combo.

I'll start with the pros. It's lighter than the average tent, and it packs much better than a tent. It is quicker to set up than a tent. You can usually find a campsite in the woods much easier for a hammock than for a tent. In the summer, you can save extra space and weight by not having to bringing a Thermarest, and in the winter you can save weight and space by not bringing the bugnet. I also think that it is more comfortable than sleeping on the ground.
Now for the cons. It is harder to stay warm in the winter, because you don't have the insulation of the ground, the cold air just surrounds you in a hammock.(For this reason, I recommend bringing your Thermarest in the hammock with you to help add some insulation in cold temperatures.) You definitely can not stay as dry in the rain and the fog in this system as you can in a tent. The wind is much more of a factor when you're swinging in the air than on the ground in a tent. And if you like to toss and turn in your sleep, you will defiantly feel more restricted sleeping in a hammock. And clearly you are limited to camping in an area with trees to hang from.
So the bottom line is: This is a great three season system for mostly dry weather, But I would take a tent for extremely cold, wet, or windy conditions.

I ordered this hammock over the others because of the versatility and the price. I like that I can hang it just about anywhere I go. It is nice to be able to choose whether you want the bug guardian on or not, some brands have it permanently sewn into the hammock. I can just use the hammock for lounging in the yard, or the whole kit for those stormy nights in the backcountry. The Slap Strap Pros are so stretchy though I will not use them. I am 170lbs and I have to hang it as high as my head so I don't hit the ground when I have been in it for a couple hours, even that high I end up being only a few inches off the ground. It is not so bad when you have trees that are the perfect distance, but when you have the straps all the way out they stretch WAY too much. I purchases some cheap tie downs, took the hooks off, and use them instead and it is perfect now. When I called they said that the only color they come in is navy blue and olive, which I like anyways. This would be the perfect system if they just changed the straps to something other than nylon.

ENO's Hammock Shelter System is awesome! It has taken my adventures to a whole new level. I don't have to waste time finding flat ground for a tent; just 2 trees and I'm set! It's also really light & compact. The rain shelter & bug net provide full protection - I wake up dry. This is a much cheaper option than buying things separately. The only thing I would recommend is maybe also purchasing the 'underbelly gear sling' - it's great to put your pack in to keep it all dry and protected.