Dream Hammock ThunderBird

The Thunderbird by Dream Hammocks is at the top of the food chain in the hammock world.
Every aspect of it from type and weight of fabric, to number of layers, to colors, to length, to bug net or over cover, to suspension system is a custom proposition and made to order from your personal spec sheet.

I have owned over half a dozen hammocks over the past 14 years. A couple I liked a lot, a couple I had mixed feelings, a couple I hated. But I have to say that the Thunderbird is the most comfortable of them all.

For starters, Dream Hammocks uses wider material. At 11 foot length the Thunderbird is considerably longer than some hammocks. These two things combined allow an extremely FLAT lay when positioned diagonally in the hammock. 

I primarily sleep on my back, occasionally on my side. In the Thunderbird I can lay so flat that sleeping on my stomach is a possibility (even though I rarely do).

Perhaps the coolest thing about the Dream Hammocks is that you can choose exactly what you want and each hammock is made to order. You choose the type of fabric, the weight of the fabric, single or double layer, a wide selection of colors, bug net and/or over cover with choice of whether they may be completely detached, type of suspension, etc.

Another cool thing is that when each hammock is completed it is set up in shop and photographed. The data remains online for record.

Here is a link to my order. You can see specs, order number, etc.

http://www.dream-hammock.com/order_detail.html?order=1536

I chose a double layer for two reasons. One, it is stronger. I'm not a big guy and don't need a double layer, but you never know, I might need to outfit a bigger friend someday. Two, although I normally use an under quilt, I have the option of slipping an air mattress between the layers. The air mattress is held in place better than if it were just laid in the hammock. 

This pic shows a Therm-a-Rest being inserted between the two layers. Usually when people are first making the transition from being a ground dweller to being a tree hanger they tend to use their old air mattress as bottom insulation until they can save up the scratch to spring for a set of quilts.

My hammock also has a mod for under quilt hooks. This allows the under quilt to attach such that it doesn't slip off and leave you with the old cold shoulder.

UnderGround Quilts is another cottage custom maker who makes arguably the best quilts and tarps on the market. Their under quilts are compatible with the Dream Hammocks and it is obvious the two companies work together, though both are owned by different people and are separate companies. Dream Hammocks provides a link to Underground Quilts on their website and Underground Quilts provides a direct link to Dream Hammocks.  I will soon do a review on Underground Quilts products as I find the time.

Here are a couple of pics of my 7/8 length 20° under quilt by UnderGround Quilts on the Thunderbird by Dream Hammocks:

Here it is with bug net replacing over cover:

On the Thunderbird model both over cover and bug net are detachable. They may be stored away in their own mesh bag which connects in the end peaks of the hammock. I tend to only use the bug net. Most of the time I just leave the over cover at home. 

Here is both over cover and bug net in their respective peak bags together with size reference.

My hammock has both an inside pocket and a ridgeline organizer pocket, handy for flashlight, etc.