FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Buying the right hammock model:
About Clark’s four-season models (North American, NX-200, NX-150, NX-250):
What is a Z-Liner? Do I need a Z-Liner?
Deciding between four-season models (North American, NX-200, NX-150, NX-250):
Deciding between Tropical and UltraLight models (UltraLight, Tropical, TX-200):
Is the Vertex model right for me?
Getting the right rain fly:
Does a rain fly come with Clark hammocks? Should I upgrade the rain fly?
Can I order a Clark hammock without a rain fly?
Features and Utility:
What combination of features can I only find on Clark hammocks?
Tree Straps: What are they? How do they work?
Where is the stuff bag? How big is it? Where is it?
Will the hammock set up on the ground?
Other questions:
Where can I find a Clark Jungle Hammock in stores?
Have a question that was not answered here?
If you plan to regularly sleep in temperatures below 50°F (10°C), we recommend that you purchase one of Clark’s four-season models (North American, NX-200, NX-150, NX-250). In an ordinary hammock, even a stiff wind above 50°F (10°C) can make your back cold and uncomfortable. The insulating pockets under the North American and Clark’s other four-season models act to restore the loft that you lose in your sleeping bag when it is compressed by your weight. The insulating pockets are placed under the parts of your body which compress the sleeping bag the most (between your head and knees). When you put extra clothes or gear inside the pockets, they work even better because the contents of the pockets help to stabilize the air in the pocket, keeping the cold outside air away from your back.
With the insulating pockets of Clark’s four-season models, you can avoid bringing extra insulation along with you in temperatures above 32°F (0°C). When camping in lower temperatures, some colder sleepers begin to need insulation beyond that offered by the insulating pockets alone. This can be in the form of a closed cell pad under your sleeping bag, an under-quilt outside the hammock, or Clark’s Z-Liner.
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The Z-Liner system fits four-season models to create a comfortable bed in temperatures below 32° F (0° C). Clark’s Z-Liner kit is available in size 100 (for NX-150 and newer North American models) and size 200 (fits NX-200 and NX-250 models). Six insulating pads are designed to fit the hammock's insulating pockets to protect the area from your head to your thighs. The remainder of the insulation protects the area between your knees and feet.
The Z-Liner is made from quality CLIMASHIELD HL insulation. Engineered for maximum loft per unit weight, CLIMASHIELD HL is the perfect choice when you demand performance driven comfort that delivers superior thermal efficiency, resilient loft and durability.
The Z-Liner enhances the insulation already provided by the Clark's insulating pockets while adding insulation to cover your lower legs and feet. We recommend using the Z-Liner whenever the combination of your sleeping bag and Clark's insulating pockets is not adequate-- typically when sleeping below 32° F (0° C).
Cold Weather Ratings for the Z-Liner are difficult to specify since they depend greatly upon what kind of sleeping bag or quilt you are using inside the hammock and how whether you are a cold sleeper. In general, the additon of the Z-liner should allow you to comfortably sleep at least 20° F (9° C) lower than you otherwise could. The Z-Liner has been thoroughly tested to work extremely well down to at least single digit temperatures (Fahrenheit) when deployed correctly.
One benefit of the Z-Liner is that you can install it on your hammock before leaving on your trip. The Z-Liner comes with a stuff bag large enough to accommodate your hammock with the Z-Liner installed. This saves you from having to fiddle around in the cold when you reach your campsite. You may also decide to purchase a second, smaller stuff sack which is meant to hold the Z-Liner alone when you wish to carry it separately from your hammock.
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All of the four season models can be zipped completely closed like a true tent with the WeatherShield feature. They also all include insulating storage pockets.
The standard North American and NX-150 work best for those who are under 6’2” (1.87 m) and under 225 lbs. (102 kg). People who are larger begin to need the extra room provided by the NX-200 and NX-250 hammock beds. See our comfort charts.
After you decide on the size of hammock you need, you’ll need to decide whether you want a hammock with poles or without poles.
Hammocks without poles (North American, NX-200) are lighter in weight and have an attached rain fly. The hammock beds conform to the width of the sleeping bag or person which is inside.
Hammocks with poles (NX-150, NX-250) are convenient because they are easier to set up. You simply tie the two base ropes to the trees and install the small poles). Since the rain fly on the NX-150 and NX-250 hangs separately, you can set it up first in a rainstorm, and then stay dry while you deploy your hammock underneath. The flexible poles hold out a width that makes the hammock feel more spacious inside. Another benefit of the Nx-150 and NX-250 is that the rain fly includes wind-shedding catenary curves.
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If you plan to always camp above 50° F (10° C), we recommend Clark’s Tropical or UltraLight style hammocks, including the larger tropical model TX-200. We believe that Clark’s Tropical and TX-200 models are your best bet when heading into jungle environments such as the Amazon.
The standard Tropical and UltraLight models work best for those who are under 6’2” (1.87 m) and under 225 lbs. (102 kg). People who are larger begin to need the extra room provided by the TX-200 hammock beds.
The UltaLight offers what we believe to be the minimum features needed to enjoy hammock camping. These include highly durable No-See-Um mosquito netting with exit and entry on both sides of the hammock, two storage pockets for things you may need during the night, a mosquito-proof hammock bed (without use of chemicals), protective rain fly, strong non-wicking ropes, and a built-in stuff sack.
The Tropical and TX-200 models include all the benefits of the UltraLight with some improvements. These improvements begin with four storage pockets under the hammock to hold everything from muddy boots to flashlights. In addition, the storage pockets on these models include a flap over the pocket openings to repel spiders which like to descend from trees in jungles like the Amazon. These models also include two small pockets inside the hammock to store small items like keys or water bottles.
The head end of the Tropical and TX-200 models is netted for maximum air circulation in hot, humid environments. A nylon hood can be raised over the netted head end in bad weather, but these hammocks (including the UltraLight) are not designed to seal out cold like the four-season models can.
The Tropical and TX-200 have the option of adding a water-repellent, breathable WeatherShield for extra privacy and protection from moisture which could blow underneath the waterproof rain fly. This is a permanent feature which stores in pockets at the foot-end of the hammock when not in use. The WeatherShield adds about 7 oz (198 g) to your hammock’s packing weight.
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Clark’s Vertex 2-person hammock includes two hammock beds to allow two occupants to enjoy independent stability. This means that instead of being clumped together in the middle, you have your own bed that will not be disturbed when your friend jumps in and out of his bed. The beds are set at angles that allow you to hang comfortably without knocking elbows with the other occupant. The beds are separated by a large storage area that includes a large storage pocket. This pocket is divided into two sides so that you can keep your items separated from your friend. However, you can transform the pocket into one large pocket if you wish, good for holding something as large as a backpack.
The Vertex is slightly lighter in weight than carrying two similarly equipped Tropical model hammocks. The Vertex is also less expensive than buying two similar Tropical models.
The Vertex depends on three supports to hang correctly. This means that you will want to bring the Vertex only when headed into areas that have abundant trees so that you have many options for campsites. You will find that trees seem to grow at distances and in formations that will accommodate the Vertex. Here are some examples of ways to hang the Vertex from three supports.
You may add the WeatherShield option when purchasing the Vertex to allow the hammock to enclose like a true tent. Like the WeatherShield option on the Tropical model, the Vertex WeatherShield is permanent and stores at the foot end of the hammock in a pocket when not in use.
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All Clark hammocks come with a sil-nylon rain fly which is designed to keep you dry in any storm. Learn more about our rain fly options by visiting this page.
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You may choose to order your hammock with no rain fly in which case you will receive a $50 to $65 discount depending on the model. After adding your hammock to our shopping cart, select the "Upgrade Rain Fly / Add Accessories" link and select "No Rain Fly."
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The Clark offers a combination of features you will find nowhere else, including:
- No-tip design: Clark hammocks are virtually untippable. You won’t believe the stability until you try it.
- WeatherShield (Available on all models except UltraLight): The breathable, water resistant WeatherShield offers three main benefits. First, it encloses the hammock to provide warmth in cold weather. Second, it offers extra protection from wind and blowing rain that might sneak up under the rain fly. You can even zip it up on only one side as a windbreak. Third, the WeatherShield offers privacy by creating a true tent. The WeatherShield comes standard on four-season models and is an option on Tropical, TX-200, and Vertex models.
- Exit and entry from two sides: Don’t get caught in a hammock that won’t let you get in and out on both sides. Some hammocks make you feel like the netting is trapping you inside a coffin. The Clark’s netting goes where you tell it to go, whether you want it folded down to create an open-air hammock, raised on either side, or zipped up on both sides to protect you from the tiniest bugs.
- Patented pockets for storage: The Clark is the only hammock that allows you to store your gear in easily accessible pockets underneath the hammock bed. In the Clark, you can sit down like you are in a chair, take off your boots and stow them in a pocket without ever touching your feet to the ground. In other hammocks you may be forced to leave your shoes out in the weather or in some other inconvenient place. The North American and Tropical models include two pockets inside the hammock for storing small items like a flashlight, a pistol or your eyeglasses.
- Patented pockets for insulation (Four-season models): The Clark North American is the only hammock that removes any need for insulating pads in most weather. The insulating pockets provide a stable air mass underneath you to block cold air from reaching your back. Read more about these insulating pockets.
- Mosquito-proof bed: All Clark hammock beds are made with a fabric that is lab-proven to keep mosquitos from biting through. There are no chemicals at work, just a high-tech hammock fabric that keeps you bite-free. This feature is only available on Clark hammocks. You are not fully protected from bugs if you are camping without a Clark hammock.
- Built-in Stuff Bag: The Clark’s stuff bag never gets lost because it’s part of the hammock (located in one of the pockets closest to the foot end). You can compress the hammock into a small bundle.
- The perfect non-wicking rope: The Clark’s rope has an exceptional breaking strength (between 1200 and 1700 lbs depending on the model). This rope also offers a slick texture that helps you untie the knot after it tightens during the night. Best of all, the Clark rope is manufactured to repel water. Water will not soak into the rope and wick to the hammock bed.
- U.S.A. construction: We proudly manufacture the Clark Jungle Hammock in the United States. Most of the materials we use were also made in the U.S.A. Just goes to show you that Americans still know how to make great things.
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Clark has developed a 2-person hammock called the VERTEX, specifically designed for those who desire to sleep two people in one hammock comfortably. For safety reasons, we do not recommend that more than one person occupies a solo Clark hammock at one time. Placing two people in a solo hammock creates two centers of gravity which could make the hammock unstable. When just one person occupies a Clark solo hammock, the hammock is perfectly stable and nearly impossible to tip. We have heard of backpackers allowing a dog or small child to sleep in the hammock with them, and their reports make us believe that it works just fine, but we still can’t recommend it.
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Clark's Tree Straps are designed to help protect the environment. Using your rope alone may damage some trees. The tree straps offer wide webbing that distributes the stress over a larger area to keep you from leaving blemishes on the bark. Clark Tree Straps have a breaking strength of over 1500 lbs. (680 kg). The length of Clark's Tree Straps is 88 in. (2.23 m).
Using your tree straps is easy
(See Tree Straps diagram). When you receive your Tree Straps you will notice that there is a loop on both ends, one larger and one smaller. Simply hold the large loop against the tree and wrap the straps around the trunk. If the trunk is large in diameter, you may only be able to wrap the straps around once or twice. When there is not much strap left, thread the small loop through the large loop and snug the strap to the tree. Then simply tie your rope to the small loop.
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The Clark’s Stuff Bag is built into a pocket underneath the hammock bed (always the pocket closest to your right foot when lying down inside). Learn more by reading our Owner’s Manual (PDF 2.8 MB). When packed up, the hammock is much the size of an American football. The dimensions are about 12.6 X 4 X 8 inches for the North American model, 12.5 X 3.5 X 7.5 for the Tropical and about 12 X 3.5 X 7 for the UltraLight.
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Yes. Learn more in our Owner’s Manual (PDF 2.8 MB). If you camp in places where there are any trees, you'll be glad to know that it's hard to find a campsite that won't support hanging a hammock. In fact, it's generally easier to find a place to hang a hammock than it is to find a flat spot to set up a ground tent.
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Clark has sold its hammocks directly from its Salt Lake City factory since 1997. We choose not to sell in stores so that we can retain the flexibility to quickly respond to your needs and suggestions.
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We have two great resources for you. First, you are welcome to write to us at info@junglehammock.com. We respond quickly with helpful information. If you would prefer to hear another opinion, visit the independent Clark Hammock Forum on Yahoo! Groups where you can talk to Clark customers who have enormous hammock knowledge and experience with many brands of hammocks. Just join up and pick their brains.
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