Warbonnet Ridgerunner Review: My bikepacking hammock in 2024

A bridge hammock (aka spreader bar hammock) is my preferred sleep system for bikepacking, kayak camping and backpacking. In 2024 I picked up the Warbonnet Ridgerunner and have not been disappointed. Here is my review along with the quilts I use.

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Garmin:

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My favorite mountain bike & Gravel shoes:

Peak Design bike mounts:

Bike Flights (super easy way to ship bikes)

[joepass]

Really nice review. Clear and to the point. Much better review than most I've sen. Thank you.

[kangsterizer]

swap the warbonnet spreader bars for carbon bars that break down, its lighter but also just nicer. also, personally, i ended up learning to sleep on my back in a gathered end over the years and now prefer it - the bridges are great but gathered end are less fuss.. as long as you can sleep in them of course. would also recommend the double layer and just using a pad in the bridge - its great with the underquilt but i feel like its kinda "what its made for" - it gives it more support. if you dont find your perfect hammock, you can also try the 180d hammocks, like the ammok draumr that is pretty great honestly.

[RicMor]

Great video, thanks for putting it out. I have the RR in blue, but gotta say I don’t get the hype about bridges. They don’t compare in comfort with my Chameleon or any good gathered-end IMHO. I guess if I was a mummy sleeper that never moves I would like it more, but I gotta bend my knees occasionally and resting them against the sides is quite uncomfortable, as that edge along the zipper is the point of most tension. Calf ridge on my chameleon is minimal or nonexistent. Then there’s the weight of the spreader bars, the lack of a structural ridge line, etc. I still take mine out once in a while and enjoy it for what it is.

[kookiethebear]

@Clint Gibbs Thanks for the review! Looking forward to the Eno contrast review, as these are two I'm considering.

[thinkbumove]

Good day to all! Bought my ridge runner back in 2014, Section hike on the Appalachain Trail

[georgeleakos]

Nice review! I’ve been using the Ridgerunner for nearly 10 years now, love the hammock. During that time I’ve purchased 3 Ridgerunners. I use it for both backpacking and bikepacking.
I found the stock spreader bars not very packable on the bike so i shortened each section of the bar using 2 sets of stock spreader bars.
They break down into 7 sections, 3 sections for the foot end, and 4 sections for the head end. Well worth the mod for bikepacking.

[aceman]

Great video. I noticed the pole ends of my ridgerunner contacting my tarp too and if you have access to a 3d printer there are protective plastic pieces you can quickly print that snap together onto the suspension and remain on the hammock. The pole ends easily slide into them and the make punching a hole in a tarp impossible.

The files are free on thingiverse and i printed my set in glow in the dark plastic and its awesome. Makes set up even easier especially if you have to set up in the dark.

[thirstyboots]

Clint, check out the Pole Guardz from Nama Gear. You install them on the ends of the poles to eliminate the risk of damaging your tarp.

[magicshine_light]

This hammock is ideal for lounging in the shade during the hot summer months. It appears to be very comfortable~🥳

[kellycarlen]

“Bridge Buttons” by Fugal Innovations is another solution to covering the spreader bar ends in addition to the Pole Guardz mentioned above. I’ve been using the Ridgerunner for 8 or 9 years now. The Warbonnet suspension is good, but I traded that out for Dutchware Beetle Buckles. Also got the carbon fiber poles. Other than that the hammock is so good I haven’t changed anything else. And I agree the saddlebags are awesome.

[JamesEinloth]

A comfy but compact bike camping setup is not an easy thing to pull off. I've never used a hammock, mostly because of the banana part. This looks like an interesting option. Thanks for sharing!

[kenmcnulty]

Would liked to see your top quilt and hear a discussion about top quilts, what kind you have, I’m confused about the different options with pros/cons. Maybe a separate video?

[Roman-nuom]

I shortly contemplated getting this but eventually went with the Haven XL for several reasons. Compared to the Haven the Ridgerunner looks almost like a prototype product to me, it's lightweight and works but doesn't entice me to spend much time in it. Also it's pretty hard to source outside the US whereas Haven has a warehouse in Europe.

[jeffp]

I chose the Ridgerunner over the Skylite because of the storage inside the hammock/bugnet, especially during mosquito season, so I can put on a layer before facing the bugs. I didn’t see any internal or external storage on the Skylite.

[M.t.bottles]

Good video, camping doesn't really interest me but after buying my own dji camera I understand the time and effort put in 👍

[viktorjohansson]

You forgot to insert the "head spreader bar" though the loop (and tightening it). That makes more space.

[Billy-jngx]

Out of the ENO and the Warbonnet witch one will you
Use bike packing the most I am up in the air

[xct]

Hey, some people mention Ridgerunner being too narrow when side sleeping. Knees bumping the side. What is your experience? Also, does anybody successfully use 11ft tarp with this hammock?
I am deciding between this one and Banyan.