It seems we all start somewhere and then evolve. Share your evolution of willing.

I started sleeping in a nylon mesh hammock in RVN and brought it home where it has been used over the years for relaxation. I still have it and it is still very serviceable. In 2011 I got seriously back into camping and picked up a hammock bliss system with bug net, used a closed cell pad and existing sleeping bag adding a Noah tarp. And of course my poncho liner that serves as total top for warm weather and added insulation when temps drop.
Forum reading has opened new ideas so over time I upgraded to a Warbonnet with HQ underquilt, added ridge lines and fiddled with hanging angles. This year I am experimenting with using a kneeling pad to provide a bridge reducing shoulder pinch. I still use the Noah and my poncho liner and will be upgrading the tarp and eventually another new poncho liner.

It may be a rabbit hole or it may be evolution.

I got a rope hammock in the 80's and used it on trips to nap in and spent a few nights sleeping when I wanted to save time by not setting up the tent. I got serious after watching Shug youtube videos and joining a hanging forum. I wasn't happy being a ground dweller so bought a Warbonnet Blackbird and Superfly in 2009.

I still use a 1/8 inch ccf pad underneath so an underquilt is in my future. The trouble now is that I've taken to tripping solo with my dog so take the tent again.

I've bought a small tent for my dog that fits under the hammock tarp. I bring an extra quilt or sleeping bag and fluff it up for em.

quote Exo: "I've bought a small tent for my dog that fits under the hammock tarp. I bring an extra quilt or sleeping bag and fluff it up for em."

I've pondered that option but my dog does not do well in storms. So that combined with the extra work of setting up a tent for her has me sticking with my 2-man tent.

I started late in the game and got a Warbonnet Blackbird. My evolution has been going from the webbing and bucole and upgrading to diy whoopie slings. Also from a ccf pad to underquilt

My first hang was also my first BW trip:
A group member was a friend-of-a-friend who was in the outdoor sales industry and had a bunch of demo gear including a new Eno singlenest and a small Eno Profly. I had never heard of sleeping in a hammock before and was intrigued. One night on Oyster Lake I asked if he would trade for my spot in the tent so that I could give it a try. He was a nice guy and graciously let me give it a go. I had no idea what I was doing and ended up a little cold trying to use a half-inflated 3/4 thermarest pad. However, it rained that night and into the morning and it was so awesome to take down the hammock and eat breakfast under the tarp while staying dry: not having to pack away a wet tent. I was hooked after that.

Got a Grand Trunk Skeeter Beater hammock on a daily deal site and used that a couple times.

Then I decided I could do better and have since been DIY-ing hammock gear with custom sewn hammocks, tarps, quilts, and bugnets. It's been a fun wintertime basement hobby.

My wife tried out my kit just once and I'll likely never get her to sleep in a tent ever again.

I pretty much had to make the change from tent to hammock. I've had three knee replacements and rolling on the ground in the morning just isn't fun anymore. So I did my research and went for a WBBB XLC and Superfly combination. No more crawling around. I've been at this for a few years now and don't know why I didn't start earlier.

My progression started with tents and only using hammocks for taking naps at home. I have been taking naps in a cloth style hammock using a metal stand for years. Nothing better on a warm breezy day.
It finally hit me after reading posts on this site that I should consider switching from a tent to a hammock for trips. Did that 3 years ago on a Boundary Waters trip and will not go back. So much so that even when the family goes car camping in a state park, I take the hammock. My wife thinks I'm weird but secretly I think she likes having a tent to herself.

quote TomT: "

quote Exo: "I've bought a small tent for my dog that fits under the hammock tarp. I bring an extra quilt or sleeping bag and fluff it up for em."

I've pondered that option but my dog does not do well in storms. So that combined with the extra work of setting up a tent for her has me sticking with my 2-man tent.

"

Tom, you might want to check out this thread (pp 12-14) on hammock forums.net. alifeoutdoors had a neat solution to enclosed both his dog and himself in the bug net.

quote mcspin50: "
"Tom, you might want to check out this thread (pp 12-14) on hammock forums.net. alifeoutdoors had a neat solution to enclosed both his dog and himself in the bug net."

Thanks! That's a very informative thread. I like how he modified the tent to pack lighter.

How do you keep water from running down the suspension straps into the hammock?

Like gsfisher13, it started with naps in the yard in a knotted cotton rope hammock on a metal stand. My quest for better sleeping pads so my back wouldn't hurt the next day led me to realize that I always felt refreshed after a hammock nap, so I tried it for a night. I felt great, slept tight and decided to buy an ENO doublenest to try. I still use that first ENO and really dislike sleeping on the ground. I just slept in a tent Saturday night with my wife and woke up miserable despite having a nice BA pad under me.

quote AmarilloJim: "How do you keep water from running down the suspension straps into the hammock?"

A drip line or loop at the right place on the suspension is all you need.

Here's a site to help explain it better than I can.

WOW! I guess that covers it!
Thanks