Looks like Dutch is back ahead of things production-wise, and Chameleons are available again. Thinking I'd like to give one a try. Anyone know the real skinny on the different body materials? Any differences aside from strength/capacity? Stretchiness? Feel on skin? And what's the "optional body layer"? Does one of them just make it like my Warbonnet double layer, add to capacity, and provide a pocket for a pad?

i own a chameleon, hexon 1.6 , single layer. the hexon material has the nicest feel to skin, of all the hammocks i have owned, hennessy, warbonnett.
i use an underquilt, so can't speak for the double layer.
looks like you have some good questions for dutch.
he will be glad to help. his hammocks are the tops! as well as his other gear.

The material itself is the same, but the thinner the material, the more the stretch and the less the max weight limit. Like bwcasolo, I have the 1.6 as well and love it.
The optional body layer just provides another layer for a pad if that's how you roll. I use an underquilt so have I no use for that feature. Unless you are of small stature, I would stay away the 1.1 material and go with at least the 1.6 material. The difference in weight is negligible.

Terrific, guys - thanks very much - that gets me headed down the path!

parker how did you end up. get a chameleon?

quote bwcasolo: "parker how did you end up. get a chameleon?"

On its way, yes. Missed the sale (dang it!), but the deed's been done.

Went with the Hexon 1.6 body, passed on the 2nd layer, going to try the Beetle Buckle suspension, four tie-outs are included automatically (which is why that field on their site is dead - remove it then, perhaps!), and Xenon hex tarp. Where the tarp's concerned, for its lack of close-able ends, I can see using my Superfly instead on anything but short trips during high-confidence good weather.

good for you, take both tarps along with you, dutch's tarp, i have as well, packs very small. you will love the way your under quilt hooks on to the chameleon, it reall stays in place.

quote bwcasolo: "... you will love the way your under quilt hooks on to the chameleon, it really stays in place."

That was a feature that really caught my eye, believe it or not. I'd say one night in every six or eight I do something that causes the shock-corded edge of my quilt to slip toward the middle of my hammock, leaving a shoulder un-insulated - only occasionally a serious chill problem, but when it is, I sure notice it!