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Warbonnet Black Bird. Cadillac of hammocks. Made in Colorado

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The Blackbird has a huge following. I didn't care for it. ymmv.

I think the best option is to find people in your AO to borrow several and see which works best for you.

Why didn't I like the Blackbird?
a) While the footbox seems like a good idea I found it too restricting. I like to move around in the hammock and the footbox wants you to stay in one position. I didn't like that I had to sleep head left/feet right when I'm used to head right/feel left. I understand Brandon will make it either way but I still prefer not having the footbox.

b) When I had my phone, headlamp, etc in the shelf it seemed more like a pocket. It would appear to be shelf-like until I put stuff on it. This wouldn't have been a problem other than the stuff kept hitting me when I moved.

c) The netting isn't removable and the way it's connected makes it funky getting into/ out of the hammock.

What I did like about the Blackbird
a) The material felt like a dream. Probably the best of any hammock I've used.

I have a Hennessy Explorer Ultralight. It's one of the originals before they started offering the zipper mod. I don't mind the bottom-entry during the summer but it's a PITA in the winter with insulation under you. Unless you mod it (2QZQ) the netting isn't removable either and it's hot and stifling during the warmer months. It's also not made in the US.

My current hammock is a Light Hiker from Tree to Trail Gear (made in NC). I bought it after trying the Switchback. Both are very comfortable. I opted for the Light Hiker since it shaved some weight. Out of the box the netting is mostly removable. I went ahead and got the 2QZQ mod to make it even more removable. Still not completely removable but now I can get it completely out of the way. I just still have to carry it even if I don't need it.

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im really liking the hennessey hammocks.

after looking at the prices and the weights, i wonder why more backpackers/campers arent using these? seem like they would really appeal to the ultralight crowd. they really appeal to me, i mean most of their most luxurious ones are sub 3 pounds and less than $300.

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I'm just under 2 lbs. with my set-up (listed in my previous post) including hammock, tarp, guylines, hammock suspension and stuff sacks.  I can also use a much lighter sleeping pad than I can in a tent.  All things considered it's about the same weight as splitting an ultralight tent with another person but my back feels so much better than sleeping on the ground that I wouldn't care if it did weigh more than a tent.

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well my tent right now is around 5 by itself, so anything sounds better lol.

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My backpacking tent is just over 3 pounds so split between two people it's less than two pounds each.  But then I have to add in the extra weight for a Thermarest pad over a 3/4 Ridgerest since I need the extra padding sleeping on the ground and I'm back up to 2+ pounds, so weight wise it's very close to a wash.

I still use a tent for certain circumstances, usually always in colder weather since I haven't gotten an under quilt yet or if the weather is forecast to be rainy with high winds.

ETA:  I bought my hammock based mainly on the weight but the fact that it was $20 didn't hurt.  It's not the most comfortable hammock out there but it is one of the lighter commercially made hammocks.  That's the beauty of hammocks you can spend as little or as much as you want or even make your own to fit your needs precisely.

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If you can't get your wife to go with you, man, just get a USMC bugnet and a poncho. String the poncho up between two trees and spend time building a fire and having a drink instead of screwing with a tent. Im sure youve done it before and unless youre in a torrential downpour, youll stay dry. It doesnt get much lighter than that. I can carry that anywhere I care to go.

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i had one but sold it, and ive regretted it ever since, especially since i wont pay what people are selling them for.