Testimonials for Speer Hammocks
"Before trying one of Ed's hammocks, I would never
have believed that any hammock could be so comfortable."
Dr. Cato Holler, Fellow, Explorers Club; author, Caves of South
Carolina; Director, Carolina Cave Survey; Marion, NC
"Ed turned me on to hammock camping two years ago.
I'll never go back to tents again."
Matthew 'Dark Star' Carter, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker 1999;
Louisville, KY
"At first I was skeptical, but after the first
night, I was sold."
Stacy 'MoJo' Hielger, Outfitter store manager; Appalachian Trail
Thru-Hiker 2001; Baltimore, MD
"I love this hammock...spend all my time in it
even when not sleeping. It really is more comfortable than my bed. Thank
you very much...back to hammock I go."
Ron 'Mudman' Grace, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker 1999, hammock
set up in cabin; Wilmont, NH
"Each of the three hammocks has its' advantages
and disadvantages, but yours is the clear overall winner. It sure is
comfortable. It is obviously much more versatile with none of the drawbacks
of (the other designs)."
David Risley (after testing camping hammocks from different manufactures);
Springfield, IL
"Better than any night I've ever spent on the ground."
Karen 'Pog' Sousa (after her first night), editor The Long Distance
Hiker, newsletter of the Appalachian Long Distance Hiker Association;
Asheville, NC
"This book is AWESOME!! I especially enjoy your journal snippets
of real-world situations..Bears, Snakes, Crowds for starters. Some of
these stories make me really yearn to be back on the trail again...and
now I want to be on the trail with a hammock!"
Greg 'G-Force' Scholz, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker 2000
"I thought your book is well written Ed. I cannot
say how much I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed the knowledge and ideas
which I gained; and the quirky humor which you added at times (based
on your many experiences and a few mishaps; those which allowed you
to write the book you have today). As I read the book, it took me into
my little "perfect utopia", bringing back memories that now
allow me to scale these city walls and help rekindle my future hiking
dreams."
Tim 'Sherpa' Johnson, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker 2001; NE York,
NY
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"I absolutely love this hammock. The first night
I slept in it I slept better than I usually do in shelters. Thanks Ed.
It is a lot faster to set up and take down than my tent and of course
I do not have to look for a flat smooth surface to set it up on. I was
worried in the Shenandoah's when there were high winds accompanied by
hail the size of marbles, but I stayed dry. That same night, a hiker
using a different hammock with a smaller rain canopy retreated to the
shelter from the wind driven rain. (At one place) I had to use it as
a bivy and while it was not as nice as being in the trees, it kept the
bugs off of me."
Chris Stevens, 2002 hiking East Continental Trail with a Speer Hammock;
Murfreesboro, TN
Hi Ed,
"I enjoyed your book, it is very well written and contains a lot
of good
info.....I read it twice. I'm convinced that you are right about the
straps being preferable to rope."
Ron Bush; Harrison, TN "This hammock is a lot more comfortable than I
thought it was going to be."
Hammock tester, Appalachian Trail Hiker Celebration Trail Days 2002;
Damascus, VA |
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"Between the two hammocks (that I tried),
I prefer the Speer for several reasons:
1) The Speer is very well made
2) I prefer the Speer's entry from the top
3) I prefer the long straps on the Speer...much easier to attach to the
trees and with greater length, I have more choice about where to camp
4) I like the fact that the Speer is not as stretchy...
5) And I prefer the Speer because with the tarp is separate from the hammock,
I can pack the hammock before taking down the tarp."
David Risley (after testing camping hammocks from different manufactures);
Springfield, IL
"The straps on your hammock are easy to attach securely
to trees. They don't damage trees. I prefer your way of entering a hammock.
It's nice to be able to remove the bugnet when it's not needed."
Maurice Ostrov, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker, 2002; Cambridge, MA
"This is just a quick note to say I enjoyed meeting
you {at the ALDHA2002 workshop on How To Make Your Own Hammock} and am
especially pleased that you shared with us some of the things you've learned
about hammocks."
David 'Pond Bird' Jordan, Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker 2001; Murrayville,
GA
"I can't believe how comfortable it is!"
Hammock tester, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association Gathering
2002; Athens, WV
"I think Ed Speer has found the best solution to
keeping warm in a simple hammock. The PeaPod bag performed so
well, that today I ordered one of my own."
David 'Bear' Chinell; Sarasota, FL
"I finished the book last night in the hammock. Good
and useful is my main opinion. I will definitely build a hammock from
the chapter on that subject, and the book is worth the price just for
that purpose. Using the directions, it took all of an hour to sear the
ends, hem the edges, sew the Velcro, tie the knots and sew the ends of
the straps. I REALLY like the method of attaching the hammock with wrapping
instead of knots!
I've been off delivering stuff and Marines all over the Med this last
week with a C141 aircrew. I was the envy of the loadmaster corps when
I rolled out my little bundle of a (homemade Speer) hammock and attached
it to the walls of the C141. Talk about comfortable!" See the hammock
at: http://www.flyfisher-kayaks.com/ultralite/hammockc141.jpg
Rick 'Flyfisher' Allnutt; Beavercreek, OH
"I wanted to thank Ed publicly for the most excellent hammock kit.
I ordered it last week, it arrived today and I have read about a third
of the book so far. The kit is complete with everything you need except
for a sewing machine. The instructions are quite clear and even though
I am not an expert seamster (?) I don't think it will be hard at all to
make the hammock.
"The book is excellent and even if you don't want
to make your own, get the book. There is a ton of great information. Even
though I have owned another type of hammock and spent some time last year
using it, I still have learned a few new tricks. The one thing that impressed
me was the presentation of the book. I think I was expecting something
less than a professionally bound and printed text. The cover is very well
done and all of the illustrations in the book are clear and concise. Highly
recommended to anyone interested in hammock camping."
John Kennedy, Mobile, AL
"I just finished sewing a Speer hammock. Thanks so much for sharing
your method, Ed (I have your book). Incredibly easy project."
Debra Weisenstein, Wayland, MA
"I have now used the hammock I made as per the instructions
in your book. Worked great! I even fell asleep for almost 2 hours the
first time I tested it on my porch! I have now used in a short camping
trip: I have never slept so well, I think I will never sleep on the ground
again if I can avoid it. Thanks for sharing your experience with me (and
all theirs). This is my best shelter/sleeping system so far! Best regards."
P-A. Asp, Sweden
"Ed, I got my order this morning! WOW! You have exceeded my expect ions with your product, communications, and light speed shipping. I look forward to dealing with you in the future. Many thanks."
Joe H., Hadley, PA
"Just a letter to say thank you. I slept in luxurious comfort and warmth every night. I have owned and heavily used a XXX hammock and then a YYYY hammock, so I was used to (I thought) the comfort of a hammock but never was as secure and comfortable as in the Speer. I appreciate the experience based choices that seem to have gone into your design or more importantly what has stayed out of it. I like the slightly higher sides, they give more lee way for different sag, more sprawling out in warm temps and less for cold. I like sleeping without the bug net, when I have been on the trail in March and July bugs have not been a bother but the net sets at the bottom of my pack just in case. Another of the little, I like no metal parts, that equals no extra weight and nothing to fail. I like the way the Hammock, SnugFit, and top quilt all stuff right into my pack. I like the SnugFit, it is simple and fool proof (I have used others) and warm. I like the material used for the hammock, it seems more comfortable and the slippage (is that a word) is just right. I like that there seems to be no stretching and you wake up as far from the ground as you started. This lets you hang close to the ground if needed. Hiking long distances over mountains with days between town stops in any weather has changed my perspective. What I have learned from the Appalachian Trail and my preferences for hammocking have come together in your hammock. Thank you for your advice and for shipping the SnugFit in time for our hike."
Ken E., Appalachian Trail section hiker
"Hi Ed--I just wanted to say thanks for providing so much information through your book and website about the possibilities of hammock camping, and for running such a slick and reliable operation. We spent two nights in RMNP (my dad and I do a lot of backpacking to "local" fly fishing destinations throughout the summer) in our off-the-self hammocks (XXX and YYYY) about a week and a half ago. It was pretty cool, and got my curiosity up, so upon arriving home I got online and found your site. Within 2 days (!!!) of ordering your book, it was on my doorstep. I ate it up by the end of the weekend, and was convinced to dive in with one of your complete setups by the middle of the day on Sunday. I placed the order on Monday and my hammock kits arrived YESTERDAY!!! (Wednesday). Your business model is awesome, and I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you and your fast/friendly service! Thanks again. I'm pretty excited....
Matt W., Fort Collins, CO
"I bought a Speer simply because I wanted a "guest bedroom" and I considered it to be an absolute bargain. The materials are flawless, the workmanship is impeccable, and the service is beyond reproach. I'm happy to pay a fair price for a quality product made in America. Beyond that, Ed Speer is a quality human who has gone well above and beyond the call of duty to promote and support our recreation activity."
DougTheElder, Aiken, SC (Hammock Forum post)
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