I've been an avid ultralight backpacker for many years, Hennessy UL. Now at the young age of 63 I'm going to cut my miles in half and focus on comfort and purchased a Haven XL. Thanks for the great video.
Excellent video James. Clear and concise... super informative. A good night sleep when canoe camping is so important for me. And this looks like a great option. When I am decidiung on my canoe loadout.... I prefer to cut weight in other areas and make sure I will have a good night sleep. I see this in my future thanks to this video. With this lay-flat system my wife may like it too.
Good to hear sir! I'm making some changes to mine as we speak. I ordered the carbon spreader bars and I'll get the warmer pad when it's back in stock. But I've also ordered some budget hanging hardware that will make hanging even easier. Being able to set it up fast and being comfortable is worth carrying a setup that share a weight value of a heavier 2 person tent in my opinion. I'm also experimenting with tarps. I hung it with my warbonnet superfly. It's pretty cool. I'll probably include it in my next video. Doing an overnighter on Friday and it's coming with.
I agree with bnatural2. I wish this video came up as my first video when I searched. You showed me exactly what I was missing from the other videos. Thank you so much! Subscribed and will be waiting for your next video.
I appreciate that! Even when I am trying to use other gear to change it up, tents etc, it's hard to let go of using the Haven lol. It's just comfy and easy to setup.
Great video. Thanks! Ordered mine last week coming by end of week, heading straight out to woods to give it a try. Very excited, like a kid at Christmas
Good to hear! I've ordered the True Level pad and the Carbon Bars to add to the system. I've had a handful of folks mentioning grabbing the Haven in the comments.
I tried to buy one. I live in Canada. There were some issues with shipping and delivery. I have to say. This Company is a Honorable Company. They could have passed on some of the costs onto me.. They took the High road and took the cost of the return. Thank you Haven tents. I still want one.
My experience with them has been great. I've now purchased a few more products of theirs and will likely continue to do so. Glad you had a positive experience! ##haventents
Thank you! Glad you liked it. Appreciate you watching. So far so good on this one! I would like to do some more gear videos, but folks always seem more interested in the adventures!
Well said. I don't have one and it's too heavy for my use but I definitely see the appeal of this. Hopefully one day they can find a way to cut about two pounds off the lighter setup because that's what I'd need to switch. However, my wife will love this for car camping.
Thanks. And thanks for watching. I now have the pad upgrade and carbon bars. If you drop all the stakes etc that aren't needed it gets you closer. Honestly it isn't much heavier than an inexpensive back packing setup. Not saying it is ideal...but for guys like me on canoe camping trips it actually saves weight. Because I'd normally bring a tent setup and a hammock setup. You never know what you'll encounter. I still love my ultralight tents and hammocks for sure though.
@@projectknifehand fair enough. I use a WB Ridge Runner with a pad and it works as a hammock and/or bivy depending on my needs. One thought I had about the Haven is that it looks like it would be very simple to replace the spreader bars with a couple of saplings, getting rid of that weight. Their instructional videos say the bars are only to open up the space inside but you've got one in hand so you could confirm.
You could use a stick I'm sure. It isn't a terrible idea. And you can drop the spreader bar at the feet. If you drop them both it'd close in a good bit. However if you have the carbon bars dropping them is ALMOST fruitless. Honestly the hammock body, and the pad are where the weights at. The hammock is tough and has a 5000mm hydrostatic head rating. I don't know why it never occurred to me to use the Eldorado as a bivy but it certainly isn't waterproof. You've got a good point though. I'm gonna have to do some science with that! That being said even with hammocks like we have, I find getting a great setup to lay flat is never quite flat. The Haven is indeed. FLAT. And I've got tons of room in it. It sounds like I'm heavily advocating for the Haven, but I'm really just saying it isn't the beast lots of folks think it is lol, and it's very comfortable. It's also easy to setup. So beginner hammockers, car campers, canoe campers, etc it rocks for. UL backpackers....eh that's tricky to compete with. When wait truly matters I agree, I take the Durston
@@projectknifehandit's not even that I'm ultralight, but as I get older I find that every pound I can take out of my pack makes my life better, however I don't compromise my sleep because if I don't sleep everything else is more miserable anyway. I was looking at my weights again for my sleep shelter and realistically the lightest possible setup I can get with the Haven is only 10 oz off the weight of my current setup so if I took out the spreader bars I'd actually be the same and I'm glad I looked a little deeper because on the surface I thought it was just too heavy. Maybe one day they'll release a model that's lighter.
@BradyPatterson if there is ever an ultralight model I'll be all over it that's for sure. The bars do add the cabin space...which adds comfort in my opinion. So I always take them. But I've never backpacked with it admittedly. Cross country moto travel and canoe camping only for me really.
Great video for a great product. I love mine, not to bothered about the weight. Only problem I have is the original pad deflates, overnight, giving you the taco effect. The new pad would solve that.
I have not experienced the deflating of the pad myself but I am looking forward to getting the new pad. Mostly for the weight savings and the higher r value. So far I really enjoy the Haven. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!
@garysmith7286 it shouldn't be deflating. If it's only a small amount it could be due to stretch or the cold. I've often found the pad to be a little deflated after I setup and go sit by the fire. It's usually in the cold though. I just top it off again and have no further issue.
Will do! I have had a few messages asking me the same thing. I will try to make a quick video this weekend. I am sorry I did not include that in the review. I was more focused on the hammock aspect of it. But I will take care of it! Thanks for watching
Hi. Thanks for are very good review. I have one question though: The strap for raising the head end is not shown on the XL I can buy in Denmark - at least not on the pictures. So I visited Haven's own webshop - there the XL has no strap either. Only the Safari model has the straps. So have I mist something here - is it the Safari version you are reviewing?
You are correct. For some reason it is not pictured on their website. I am not reviewing, nor do I have the Safari. The Safari is heavier and canvas. So, you have a very good question. I am not sure why the strap is not pictured but to my knowledge it comes on the XL and Safari still. I ordered and received the XL and it has it as it is supposed to. The best thing I could suggest is sending them an email. I believe them to be very responsive and excellent at customer service.
@@jrgenschmidt3372 My pleasure. I am waiting on the True level pad for the xl to be back in stock so I can order it and do an updated review with the lighter weight items
The Heaven XL was recently upgraded with double zippers and the lounge strap (it's basically a lighter Heaven Safari now). However the website doesn't reflect these changes yet because there are still old batches of the product floating around. I received my Heaven XL 1 week ago and it came with the zippers and lounge strap.
@Roman-nu1om I think if that were the case people wouldn't be receiving updated XLs. Probably a simple case of needing to update the website. They do however have the standard sleeping pads kicking around.
Newest subscriber! Thanks for content and my Safari is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Do have any problems with zipping bug netting once inside? I noted your positioning of pulls before entering. In research - zipper pull/closure once inside is the only negative things I have heard on system. Thanks again.
Welcome and thanks for watching! Sometimes they can be a pain, but yes, the positioning before you get inside helps. If that zipper slides to the peak while you are in it your weight does make it difficult so close. If it happens, I find that sitting up and grabbing the material in front of the zipper, with my hand, to take the weight off it helps. I did not mention it as being a con really in my review because I do not find it to be all that difficult to deal with or avoid.
Of course! Let me know how the Safari works out. Honestly wish I had one of each lol. I'd like the standard haven for trips where saving a bit of weight would be nice, and the safari for the truck camping trips or winter trips.
i will never sleep on the ground again especially in the mountains and in the winter. Hurricane Helena did split my tarp but after a year and a half of use.
The pad is critical to sleeping on the ground. Seems like common sense but lots of folks don't understand how R values work, and how some pads sleep differently than others. The snow in the winter does not bother me at all because I have a pad for that. When it comes to winter backpacking I would likely use my Durston or perhaps Warbonnet. Not sure yet. We shall see. Stated R Value on Havens new pad is 5.3. Not high enough for me for the winter time.
@@projectknifehand I bought the hard foam dimpled foam mat ($20) and put it under pad. I do use the Insulator from Haven. With those two things the R value jumps up to 6 or 8. I use a 30 degree sleeping bag on top of the of the pad with a 0 degree top quilt and slept very warm in many a blizzard. I find the cold actually comes in along the lower edge where the zipper is so I may buy a bottom Quilt and use it inside or an additional Tarp to cut the wind in the side. I do live rocking in the wind. Trying to keep the weight down but in winter it will go up about 5 pounds .
Yeah there are lots of things you can add. Taking things away and remaining warm is the science behind it really. A 0 degree quilt should be plenty and could probably drop the 30 degree bag, but when things work for you that's all that matters. I'm playing with some additional stuff myself.
That might be the most concise, thorough and well laid out review of a shelter I've seen. Really nice job, thank you.
Thanks! I wanted to try to improve the gear videos and it seems like I have!
I've been an avid ultralight backpacker for many years, Hennessy UL.
Now at the young age of 63 I'm going to cut my miles in half and focus on comfort and purchased a Haven XL.
Thanks for the great video.
My pleasure and thanks for watching!
Grear video, thank you devil dog, Hoo-Yah
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
Excellent video James. Clear and concise... super informative. A good night sleep when canoe camping is so important for me. And this looks like a great option. When I am decidiung on my canoe loadout.... I prefer to cut weight in other areas and make sure I will have a good night sleep. I see this in my future thanks to this video. With this lay-flat system my wife may like it too.
Good to hear sir! I'm making some changes to mine as we speak. I ordered the carbon spreader bars and I'll get the warmer pad when it's back in stock. But I've also ordered some budget hanging hardware that will make hanging even easier. Being able to set it up fast and being comfortable is worth carrying a setup that share a weight value of a heavier 2 person tent in my opinion. I'm also experimenting with tarps. I hung it with my warbonnet superfly. It's pretty cool. I'll probably include it in my next video. Doing an overnighter on Friday and it's coming with.
Agreed!
@@projectknifehand awesome. Enjoy your trip.
I agree with bnatural2. I wish this video came up as my first video when I searched. You showed me exactly what I was missing from the other videos. Thank you so much! Subscribed and will be waiting for your next video.
That's great to hear! Thanks for watching! Few more weeks out with knee surgery and then back at it!
Great review, looking to get this for backcountry fishing trips
I appreciate that! Even when I am trying to use other gear to change it up, tents etc, it's hard to let go of using the Haven lol. It's just comfy and easy to setup.
Great video. Thanks! Ordered mine last week coming by end of week, heading straight out to woods to give it a try. Very excited, like a kid at Christmas
Good to hear! I've ordered the True Level pad and the Carbon Bars to add to the system. I've had a handful of folks mentioning grabbing the Haven in the comments.
Just got mine in today! So excited I'm gunna sleep in it in my back yard lol😂
Nothing wrong with that at all! In fact I'd suggest you do. I do it with every new piece of gear.
Top job ! Thankyou indeed..👌
Thank you for that! And thanks for watching!
Succinct and to the point, a good video.
Thank you!
I tried to buy one. I live in Canada. There were some issues with shipping and delivery.
I have to say. This Company is a Honorable Company. They could have passed on some of the costs onto me.. They took the High road and took the cost of the return. Thank you Haven tents. I still want one.
My experience with them has been great. I've now purchased a few more products of theirs and will likely continue to do so. Glad you had a positive experience! ##haventents
Another great video, James! Keep em’ coming!
Thank you! Glad you liked it. Appreciate you watching. So far so good on this one! I would like to do some more gear videos, but folks always seem more interested in the adventures!
Great video man! Get mine tomm! Very good info u had here!.. great job!
Awesome glad it was helpful. Appreciate you watching!
Well said. I don't have one and it's too heavy for my use but I definitely see the appeal of this. Hopefully one day they can find a way to cut about two pounds off the lighter setup because that's what I'd need to switch. However, my wife will love this for car camping.
Thanks. And thanks for watching. I now have the pad upgrade and carbon bars. If you drop all the stakes etc that aren't needed it gets you closer. Honestly it isn't much heavier than an inexpensive back packing setup. Not saying it is ideal...but for guys like me on canoe camping trips it actually saves weight. Because I'd normally bring a tent setup and a hammock setup. You never know what you'll encounter. I still love my ultralight tents and hammocks for sure though.
@@projectknifehand fair enough. I use a WB Ridge Runner with a pad and it works as a hammock and/or bivy depending on my needs. One thought I had about the Haven is that it looks like it would be very simple to replace the spreader bars with a couple of saplings, getting rid of that weight. Their instructional videos say the bars are only to open up the space inside but you've got one in hand so you could confirm.
You could use a stick I'm sure. It isn't a terrible idea. And you can drop the spreader bar at the feet. If you drop them both it'd close in a good bit. However if you have the carbon bars dropping them is ALMOST fruitless. Honestly the hammock body, and the pad are where the weights at. The hammock is tough and has a 5000mm hydrostatic head rating. I don't know why it never occurred to me to use the Eldorado as a bivy but it certainly isn't waterproof. You've got a good point though. I'm gonna have to do some science with that! That being said even with hammocks like we have, I find getting a great setup to lay flat is never quite flat. The Haven is indeed. FLAT. And I've got tons of room in it. It sounds like I'm heavily advocating for the Haven, but I'm really just saying it isn't the beast lots of folks think it is lol, and it's very comfortable. It's also easy to setup. So beginner hammockers, car campers, canoe campers, etc it rocks for. UL backpackers....eh that's tricky to compete with. When wait truly matters I agree, I take the Durston
@@projectknifehandit's not even that I'm ultralight, but as I get older I find that every pound I can take out of my pack makes my life better, however I don't compromise my sleep because if I don't sleep everything else is more miserable anyway. I was looking at my weights again for my sleep shelter and realistically the lightest possible setup I can get with the Haven is only 10 oz off the weight of my current setup so if I took out the spreader bars I'd actually be the same and I'm glad I looked a little deeper because on the surface I thought it was just too heavy. Maybe one day they'll release a model that's lighter.
@BradyPatterson if there is ever an ultralight model I'll be all over it that's for sure. The bars do add the cabin space...which adds comfort in my opinion. So I always take them. But I've never backpacked with it admittedly. Cross country moto travel and canoe camping only for me really.
I would use a taut line hitch over the truckers hitch. Nice review. Thanks
You're welcome. Thanks for watching. I prefer the truckers hitch for some reason. I used to use taut lines often.
Great video for a great product. I love mine, not to bothered about the weight. Only problem I have is the original pad deflates, overnight, giving you the taco effect. The new pad would solve that.
I have not experienced the deflating of the pad myself but I am looking forward to getting the new pad. Mostly for the weight savings and the higher r value. So far I really enjoy the Haven. Thanks for watching and dropping a comment!
The first one I bought had leaks in the seams. they replaced it free. In the winter a little taco keeps you warm.
@@chrishall8203 not with pads that rely on reflection to keep you warm :(
@garysmith7286 it shouldn't be deflating. If it's only a small amount it could be due to stretch or the cold. I've often found the pad to be a little deflated after I setup and go sit by the fire. It's usually in the cold though. I just top it off again and have no further issue.
Very good review thanks
Much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
Please demonstrate set up on the ground without trees.
Will do! I have had a few messages asking me the same thing. I will try to make a quick video this weekend. I am sorry I did not include that in the review. I was more focused on the hammock aspect of it. But I will take care of it! Thanks for watching
Hi. Thanks for are very good review. I have one question though: The strap for raising the head end is not shown on the XL I can buy in Denmark - at least not on the pictures. So I visited Haven's own webshop - there the XL has no strap either. Only the Safari model has the straps. So have I mist something here - is it the Safari version you are reviewing?
You are correct. For some reason it is not pictured on their website. I am not reviewing, nor do I have the Safari. The Safari is heavier and canvas. So, you have a very good question. I am not sure why the strap is not pictured but to my knowledge it comes on the XL and Safari still. I ordered and received the XL and it has it as it is supposed to. The best thing I could suggest is sending them an email. I believe them to be very responsive and excellent at customer service.
@@projectknifehand Thanks a lot. I will do that. And again thanks for the very informative review.
@@jrgenschmidt3372 My pleasure. I am waiting on the True level pad for the xl to be back in stock so I can order it and do an updated review with the lighter weight items
The Heaven XL was recently upgraded with double zippers and the lounge strap (it's basically a lighter Heaven Safari now). However the website doesn't reflect these changes yet because there are still old batches of the product floating around. I received my Heaven XL 1 week ago and it came with the zippers and lounge strap.
@Roman-nu1om I think if that were the case people wouldn't be receiving updated XLs. Probably a simple case of needing to update the website. They do however have the standard sleeping pads kicking around.
Newest subscriber! Thanks for content and my Safari is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Do have any problems with zipping bug netting once inside? I noted your positioning of pulls before entering. In research - zipper pull/closure once inside is the only negative things I have heard on system. Thanks again.
Welcome and thanks for watching! Sometimes they can be a pain, but yes, the positioning before you get inside helps. If that zipper slides to the peak while you are in it your weight does make it difficult so close. If it happens, I find that sitting up and grabbing the material in front of the zipper, with my hand, to take the weight off it helps. I did not mention it as being a con really in my review because I do not find it to be all that difficult to deal with or avoid.
@@projectknifehand Thanks for response and additional tip!
Of course! Let me know how the Safari works out. Honestly wish I had one of each lol. I'd like the standard haven for trips where saving a bit of weight would be nice, and the safari for the truck camping trips or winter trips.
i will never sleep on the ground again especially in the mountains and in the winter. Hurricane Helena did split my tarp but after a year and a half of use.
The pad is critical to sleeping on the ground. Seems like common sense but lots of folks don't understand how R values work, and how some pads sleep differently than others. The snow in the winter does not bother me at all because I have a pad for that. When it comes to winter backpacking I would likely use my Durston or perhaps Warbonnet. Not sure yet. We shall see. Stated R Value on Havens new pad is 5.3. Not high enough for me for the winter time.
@@projectknifehand I bought the hard foam dimpled foam mat ($20) and put it under pad. I do use the Insulator from Haven. With those two things the R value jumps up to 6 or 8. I use a 30 degree sleeping bag on top of the of the pad with a 0 degree top quilt and slept very warm in many a blizzard. I find the cold actually comes in along the lower edge where the zipper is so I may buy a bottom Quilt and use it inside or an additional Tarp to cut the wind in the side. I do live rocking in the wind. Trying to keep the weight down but in winter it will go up about 5 pounds .
Yeah there are lots of things you can add. Taking things away and remaining warm is the science behind it really. A 0 degree quilt should be plenty and could probably drop the 30 degree bag, but when things work for you that's all that matters. I'm playing with some additional stuff myself.