Customer Reviews

Crazy Creek Crazy Crib (Forest Green)

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I'm not exactly sure when Crazy Creek started making this hammock but I've had mine for about 11-12 years now. I spend probably 3-4 weeks out of every year in the back-country so needless to say I use my favorite pieces of gear often. I consider myself a lightweight or minimalist adventurer. I purchased this hammock a long time a go to replace a cheap and uncomfortable "string" hammock from "Wallyworld" I bought the cheap one to see if I liked hammock camping. I suppose many of you reading this are here because you are looking at getting into hammock camping. I'm sure you have looked at some expensive models like my buddy's Henessy Hammock. Well let me tell you about this Crazy Crib...

It's a very simple design compared to some other hammocks. Set-up is incredibly simple. 1) Find two trees about 10-15 feet apart. 2) "Slap" the strap around one tree and run the working end through the webbing guide on the other end and about half-way. 3) Repeat step two for the strap on the opposite end. That's it. It usually takes me about 2-3 minutes to set up my hammock and tarp. My buddy, with his integrated system ($300 Hennesy Hammock) sets up in 10-15 minutes. HA! I say.

Seriously though, you will want to hang this hammock up a little higher than you think you should, before you get in it. This will account for you body weight. I'm 6 ft tall and 215 lbs so usually if I position my straps about head high, my rear end is about 3 feet off the ground. At that height I can sit sideways in the hammock and it makes a great camp chair! The nylon webbing straps seem to sag less during the night than the rope supplied with my buddy's hammock. The straps have never worn out although they look easy to replace. The Crazy Crib has no bug mesh or integrated tarp but the price reflects this. I own 3 different backpacking tarps and use them accordingly with my hammock. I always pack high % DEET and use it sparingly. I find this keeps the Appalachian "noseeums" at bay so I've never added bug mesh to my system.

The hammock is a two layer sandwich that you can put a sleeping pad or reflective blanket inside. I don't need the pad (although it helps to lessen the "taco" effect) but I do use the reflective blanket in winter. I have a 20 down degree bag and a 10 degree silk liner and I still need the "space" blanket but I sleep a little cold. You probably will too in a hammock.

Like most hammocks it tends to "taco" with you in the middle. I have broad shoulders and it doesn't bother me too much. At home I'm a "side-sleeper" but I can't do that in this hammock too well. Make sure also to hang it level before you go to sleep, otherwise you will slide to one end of the hammock or the other.

Once I'm ready to go I don't have to follow any special procedures to take the hammock down. Just undo the straps, wad it all up and stuff it away. Stuffs tightly to the size of a cantaloupe. Mine has been very durable over the years and probably has over 1000 trail miles on it now. If you are looking to get into hammock camping this is the perfect model and a fair price. No more than 45 dollars. Now go customize your system with a couple different size/style tarps and a space blanket. You will have an all season, all weather shelter system. See some of my other reviews to check out the tarps I use.

Thanks for reading.