Warbonnet Blackbird XLC
Reviewed by
william
TOP 25 REVIEWER
+991
November 16, 2023
State of the art.
Pros
- Light
- Quality build
- Length
- Shelf
Cons
- Struggles with calf ridge
- Zipper not YKK
This is a good hammock. I own five hammocks and only three camping hammocks, so it is unfair for me to rank this hammock as best or worst etc. If you read reviews it is often suggested that this is the "best" camping hammock but I would not go that far. But if you buy one you will have loads of company.
It does everything well and has a cool shelf that no one else has, but IMHO it is more difficult to get rid of calf ridge than (for example) my Hennessy or Therm-a-Rest or even my Hammock Bliss. In other words, it is not my most comfortable hammock.
Now the cognoscenti will tell you raise the foot end, tie the head end farther from the tree, make sure you have enough slack in your ridgeline and I say OK, but my Hennessy etc does not need all that to not have a calf ridge. Also I think my Hennessy is stronger—and heavier.
No perfect world. Try before you buy (if possible). The XLC is like a Ferrari—props when it is running. My Hennessy is like a Toyota—always runs but no status. My Bliss is like a 30-year-old Toyota. Should go to the junkyard. YMMV!
Background
Over 10 years of messing with hammocks.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: 150?
