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rwskis
4
Oct 3, 2017
I used the Lawson hammock for years and learned to deal with its problems: unstable, zipper issues, spreader bars breaking, generally not very good design compounded by iffy materials. That said, I did like the open vistas you got from this hammock, a sense that I do not get from any of the six or more hammocks I have used over the years. I have just gone back to a spreader bar hammock, a relatively new model by Warbonnet called the ridge runner, which is excellent. If you want a spreader bar or bridge hammock I recommend this model.
rwskisSorry to hear that you had issues as that's rare and when contacted, we always try to come up with a solution that will make the customer happy...for example, replacing pole, etc. It's also very rare for a spreader bar to break and if that does happen, it's typically because the ropes were tangled around the bars or something was suspended from the bars. Have never heard of any "zipper issues" and any stability concerns can typically be addressed by rigging differently or loosening the black ropes where they attach to the hammock to create more of a pocket and lower the center of gravity. The corners can be staked/tied off too if that's something the user wants to do. If you're used to a gathered end hammock, then it is very different and can take a few times to get used to, but easy adjustments can be made to tweak to your liking. The ridge runner has been around for awhile...good hammock...we've been compared to it head-to-head in several unsolicited reviews and have come out the winner/preferred hammock in each. Again, sorry it didn't work out for you and if you ever reached out to Lawson Hammock (doesn't sound like you did) for assistance, it would have been me who helped you and I hope that customer service was up to your expectations as we take great pride in our product and service.
scope
198
Oct 4, 2017
lawsonhammockFirst off, love the fact that you're on hear responding to folks, says a lot about your dedication to the product and being available to users for assistance. Hammocks typically aren't nearly as intuitive as a tent, so its important to have that access for good advice on how to use the product.
Can't say I've seen the reviews you mention, and given my experience, I probably ought to have. I know too many raving fans of the RidgeRunner to think that it loses such a comparison time and again. I do think hammocks like yours offer folks a different set of benefits which need to be fully understood. I had a RidgeRunner and liked a lot of things about it, but in the end it was not for me due to the way the typical bridge hammock narrows in the middle. Yours, however, doesn't do that so that I may very much like it if I tried it.
That said, I'm not ever going to support a hammock maker that doesn't make tree huggers an integral part of the product. Sure, folks might already have their own and would be a bit of a waste to have to pay an increased price if included. But you likely should know what our difficulties are in terms of gaining acceptance at established camps and other areas where most novice users of hammocks continue to put them up with rope, not potentially, but likely damaging trees. All hammocks should come with straps as a manner of helping to defeat that scourge so that all users and makers would ultimately benefit from greater acceptance in locations that continue to tighten restrictions on hammock use. And so, IMO, any hammock that doesn't come with 1"-2" straps (also called tree huggers) isn't worth buying, no matter the value otherwise.
scopeAppreciate your note and completely understand/respect your opinion. We're big supporters of protecting the trees and the overall environment for that matter. We're members of and support organizations like Leave No Trace and Treehuggers are the only straps we currently sell and recommend. Too much to get into on here, but due to cost and logistical restraints, they can't just be included with each hammock as I'm sure you can understand. About half of our customers purchase treehuggers and the majority of the other half already has straps...typically daisy chain webbing like Atlas Straps, etc. from their other gathered in hammocks. I'm not aware of any hammock companies that include Treehuggers with their hammocks, although I'm sure there are some. Most hammocks that come with something to hang the hammock, typically have rope, which as you mentioned is not good. Thanks.