Warbonnet Original Blackbird Review

The Warbonnet Blackbird is a uniquely designed hammock with useful features and a comfortable asymmetrical design. From a functional and integrated bug net to its customizable design features, this innovative hammock has everything needed to transform a dull tent camping experience into a comfortable, stress-free night under the stars.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Blackbird is among the top few most comfortable models we tested, thanks to the hammock's asymmetric design and overall large size. This model is similar to many hammocks in that the fabric is cinched together at either end before being connected to a rope or webbing that attaches to the suspension straps. Generally, the most comfortable way to sleep in a hammock is diagonally. While a handful of products on the market come with an asymmetrical design to create more space for this, the Blackbird was especially notable of the options we tested.

What makes an asymmetric model like the Blackbird so cozy is that it isn't just made of one large rectangular (or semi-rectangular) piece of fabric. The shape has extra room on the right side of one end and the left side of the other. That way, the hammock doesn't fight back against you when you position your body on a diagonal. It gives the user space for the feet and head to exist with less restriction. The Blackbird is longer and wider than most other backcountry models we tested, making it more spacious and comfortable. We had enough room to roll, slide, scooch, and wiggle around, finding all the sweet spots. We could lie flat and comfortable in various positions: on our back, on our sides, and curled up in the fetal position. Though the Blackbird is plenty long for users up to six feet, Warbonnet also offers a larger version for bigger bodies. The weight limit is a robust 350-400 pounds, depending on the options selected, which is significantly higher than most other shelter models we tested.

The livability of the Blackbird is better than most tested models. It doesn't quite allow you to sit up inside without your head against the netting, but it comes close. It features a shock cord on either side that keeps the netting from closing in on the sides. Because of those and the relatively high ridgeline, we had enough space to change clothes without leaving our little nylon cocoon. We found the best angle at which to suspend it is with the foot end raised 10 to 15 inches over the head end, which is also what the manufacturer recommends. The design of both suspension systems we tested allows for quick and easy adjustments, making it a breeze to achieve this perfect angle. One issue with the asymmetrical design is that it only pairs well with a left-zip sleeping bag. If you have a right-zip bag, you will have a much more challenging time getting in and out of your system easily. For right-zip users, a dual-sided entry might make your life easier.

Ease of Setup

No suspension system is included with the Blackbird, but Warbonnet offers several options to fit your specific needs and preferences for an additional cost. Since we have tested this hammock so often, we have tried it with the webbing, buckle suspension, and the whoopie sling systems.

The webbing and buckle system is quick to set up, easy to adjust to the proper tension or tweak at any point, and the buckles slide smoothly. It's almost dummy-proof — reach around the tree and clip the carabiner back to the webbing. The downside is that it's the heavier of the two, using 1-inch wide flat webbing and steel buckles and weighing 6.7 ounces.

The whoopie system is not as intuitive, though it is fairly easy once you get some practice. If you are struggling with this somewhat complicated whoopie system, watch the “How To” videos on Warbonnet's website. We jerry-rigged the suspension without watching the proper technique to loop the webbing through the metal attachments and managed to fall to the ground, tearing the bug netting attachment in one fell swoop. Using the suspension system properly is extremely important to make sure the hammock supports your weight as intended.

Both suspension systems include 15 feet of material and have a wide range of adjustability, giving the Warbonnet hammocks the largest range of the models we tested. The integrated bug net ridgeline is a much more user-friendly system than the separate pieces of sock-style bug netting. We are disappointed that the Blackbird does not include carabiners or stakes for the bug net guy lines. But, like all the other components, they are available on the website for an additional cost. We also learned the hard way that if you leave a twist in the webbing system, it will loosen as you lay in it until your bum rests on the ground. One issue to pay attention to is that the guy lines for the main hammock body tend to get tangled up when packing and unpacking. The manufacturer recommends zipping the lines on one side into the hammock interior before packing it away to help keep them separated. With all of these nuances, there is certainly a steeper learning curve to setting up this hammock than others we tested. But once we had it figured out, it became second nature.

Durability and Protection

The Blackbird ingeniously balances lightweight materials and sturdy construction. The durability of the Blackbird is on par with most of the hammocks we tested and significantly above that of other ultralight models. The thin 1.6-ounce, 40-denier fabric does mean that extra care should be taken not to damage it by misuse or slinging the suspension system incorrectly. However, we conducted an abrasion test by rubbing the Blackbird against trees, rocks, and pavement, and as expected, the material showed no legitimate signs of scratching, tearing, or seams busting. Warbonnet offers the option to select a heavier-weight material, which increases the durability, wind protection, and weight limit from 350 to 400 pounds.

For protection from the rain and wind, Warbonnet offers various accessories like tarps of varying sizes and something called a Travel Sock, which encases you and your hammock in another layer of nylon to block more wind in the coldest weather. You can also choose to purchase the hammock with a double layer of lightweight fabric, giving you a sleeve for your sleeping pad. Many hammocks skimp on the rainfly material, leaving the user vulnerable to blowing rain and wind. But we tested this hammock with the Warbonnet Mini Fly tarp and loved the protection it offered for its size. The Mini Fly has a small beak on either end that helps keep out rain blowing from the ends and is good at blocking wind gusts from the side. Warbonnet recognizes the desire of campers to be able to go out in all conditions. While the Mini Fly is technically the smallest rain fly option from Warbonnet, it is still quite large compared to other shelter systems in our test group.

Versatility

The Blackbird can be quite versatile in the right situations. It's ideally suited for overnight shelter and is highly versatile based on customizable add-ons for various weather protection needs. That being said, it doesn't make a great day-use hammock.

The zippered bug net can be easily stowed away on the side when not needed for desert camping or star gazing. And, as we discussed, we can easily add a rainfly to this setup for more protection. The ridgeline is a nice feature, providing two clips to hang a small lantern or even more of your gear inside the hammock. It is important to note that Warbonnet recommends never leaning back against the seam of the hammock. Avoiding that leaves you a very narrow space to recline, and that small area doesn't make for a supportive backrest. Since the foot end is best hung higher than the head end, we like flipping ourselves so that our heads are higher than our feet for lounging or reading during the day. This way, we find a reclined position instead of just lying down.

Weight

While the Warbonnet Blackbird beats the competition in most categories, it is not the lightest hammock shelter system out there. But it's still a competitive weight at only 26 ounces for the hammock, bug netting, and webbing suspension.

We tested it with the Mini-Fly Tarp from Warbonnet, which brought it to 42 ounces for the whole package (including the tie-out cords but not the stakes). While not the absolute lightest shelter system we tested, this total certainly puts it in the running with a number of other popular, relatively ultralight setups.

Should You Buy the Warbonnet Blackbird?

Although we enjoy many features of the Blackbird, its price is not one of them. The price is pretty high for a system that does not include suspension straps, carabiners, a tarp, or stakes. However, investing in the additional pieces will earn you a top-quality backcountry shelter. As a complete shelter system, this innovative, asymmetrical, feature-ridden hammock offers a level of comfort that is well worth the money.

Setting Up the Blackbird

Buckle & Webbing Suspension

Whoopie Sling Suspension

What Other Hammocks Should You Consider?

This is the hammock to choose if you want to make a backcountry home among the trees. This hammock is nearly unbeatable, and no other models we tested have the features and space that make the Warbonnet Blackbird so cozy. Although the Hennessy Ultralite Backpacker Classic costs a bit more for a similar shelter design, it does include straps, a bug net, and a rain fly. If you're looking for the best high-end comfort, check out another of our favorite options, the Warbonnet Ridgerunner. And if you're after an entry level option that requires a bit more setup initially, check out the Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro. This model offers solid performance and is available for a fraction of the cost of the competition.