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Anybody use hammocks for camping instead of tents??

76k5grrl

76k5grrl

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I'm really interested in this idea- seems perfect for me really, especially in the TX climate. I love the idea of something under 2 pounds to pack in with.

Curious if any of you backpackers use them?

What is the reality about convection? Am I going to freeze? Min temp for use? Thoughts about the higher end 2-person ones? Condensation an issue?? I'm dying to sleep in a "roofless" structure but am super creeped out by sleeping directly on the ground.
 
I have a really nice one that I take camping but sleep in a tent. Cant sleep in a hammock for some reason. Think it is because I like to sleep on my side.

They do make some that are as cool as a tent though.
 
I got one, plan to use it this weekend. I did set it up in the yard for a bit of a test drive---- I am having a hard time believing that both my boyfriend and I could sleep in it together, even though it's rated for 400 pounds... I'm thinking I'll have to pack the tent, too. Which bums me out because I was really looking to lose that weight on my zillion pound pack. My ultimate dream is to hammock with this down blanket that I got from eddie bauer like a million years ago, so I can remove the sleeping bag, too. That blanket is warm like woah and squashes down to the size of an orange. It seems you can use it anywhere there's something to tie it to, like say, the roll bar and a tree, etc.... I'm curious about the rain. Looking forward to playing with this thing.

This will be my first trip to the Lost Maples area, which I've been coveting for years. I've read the sites are kinda "eh"... hoping backcountry is good.
 
convection can be a deal. In a hammock when its cold you get cold from below. A ground sleeping pad in the hammock to lay on fixes most of it for me unless its really cold out...like snow cold...then they sell a quilted cover that goes over the outside of the hammock from below that fixes that.

As far as a rain/sun cover...some hammocks have them...like Hennessey Hammocks, but you can just use a tarp stretched over a center line strung above your hammock and staked out.

condensation is for people who sleep in the dirt to worry about.

just get him a hammock of his own...the two person hammocks don't really work because the best way to lay flat in a hammock is to lay on an angle across how its strung. head one side of center line feet the other. like this // or \\ instead of ||.

and get the Hammock stretched out when you set it up...don't get trees to close together. you don't want an empty hammock to look like this |U| you want it to look like this |---| before you get in it.

I seriously wouldn't camp without one. I like mine that much
 
Sweet, nice use of keyboard illustrations :)

Great advice.

I did see the quilted deals. At what temp would you say that they're necessary?

As for a lighter tent.. that's way down the road. My old Sierra designs one is worth the weight for now because I can set it up in 2 min or less with my eyes closed in any conditions, and the thing is absolutely bulletproof- last year I had it out at llano river in a torrential downpour- inches of water racing all around us- and we stayed bone dry. Texas weather is so unpredictable, I'm reluctant to switch after something has proven itself like that.
 
if its snowing with a wind chill then you prob would need a quilt...it really depends on a lot of different things.

I use this to sleep in, inside my hammock. I usually just use the outer gortex cover and the light bag. I stay plenty warm. its the US army 3 sleeping system and I don't use a quilt on my hammock.

army bag.jpg
 
Curious about your brand choice, and straps?

I did use it this weekend, but not for sleeping... my boyfriend doesn't trust it :haha:

To his credit, there was a fair amount of stretch in the straps- curious if this is a breakin process or if I need to upgrade straps for less stretch? Started out like l---l and ended up like l-___-l :whistle:

We used it mostly for little breaks during the hike, which was rather awesome. It packs so light, completely worth carrying. I can definitely see myself sleeping all night in one, so long as I can get this strap stretch deal figured out. And you are correct- the 2 person rated one is not gonna reasonably sleep 2 people, except perhaps in an emergency.
 
The straps around the tree or the ones in the actual hammock? I'll look them up when I get home...I use tree straps that are like seatbelts...they don't stretch..the cords I my hammock are parachute cords. They don't stretch either
 
Search YouTube for my "Tatoosh 2014" video, it has a bunch of hammock stuff.

Get paracord, fold it once, and tie knots every 8-12" so you end up with a repeating H style cord. It'll stretch once, and is super light, easy, and fast. I have two 40 foot lengths of it, because it's so light.

Tied it to my roof rack and a tree once, then rocked EVERY time Biskit moved inside the Xterra. lol
 
I use mule tape for my tree straps. It's 1" wide, 2500# test braided line used for pulling cables in conduit. Each strap is about 15' long with a loop tied in one end. I don't know what the loop knot is called, but it's probably the simplest to tie, where you form a bight in the line and tie the bight in an overhand knot. A bowline would work. I use the mule tape wrapped around the tree with the standing end passed through the loop. I use a marlin spike hitch and attach the lines on my hammock witch are whoopee slings made with 7/64" Amsteel Blue rope. For the marlin spike toggles, I have two small pieces of fatwood.

I highly recommend this setup. It is very quick to deploy and make adjustments, and there is zero stretch. The whole thing, tree straps, toggles and all fit into the little pouch that the rest of the hammock stuffs into. FWIW, my hammocks are an Eagles Nest Outfitters single, a Grand Trunk single and two Grand Trunk doubles. They all have the same suspension system, and I could not be happier.

I have never camped in a hammock, and don't know if I could go a whole night as I am a side/stomache sleeper. But, I have dozed off plenty of times lying on my back at an angle across the hammock, and one of these days, I'll probably make an attempt to pull an overnighter in one. Also, re: double hammocks. You may get two people into one, but comfort goes out the window. Git yer own hammock!! Not sure how plausible nookie is in a hammock, but I imagine there would be some difficulties.:dunno:
 
TSGB said:
Search YouTube for my "Tatoosh 2014" video, it has a bunch of hammock stuff.
Click to expand...

Watched the video.. that RAIN! So your rain fly was worth it? Does the water track down the suspension system? I had considered bringing the fly that goes with my tent but it would need some rigging. That thing looks nice and taught.

My hammocks are ENO, as well, and they tree straps I think are, as well. They are nylon, I guess... looks like you guys have much better ideas.

Anyone have any thoughts on MINIMUM hammock temp?

and after laying in it for just the time that I did, there would be no chance of any tom foolery..... :haha:
 
Mines an Eagles Nest Outfitters also...and I use their tree straps

If you tie a piece of string to the hammock line right off the tree and let it hang down towards the ground. Then any water running down the hammock rope will hit the string and go towards the ground not towards your hammock.
 
The fly was expensive, but worth it- HERE. The higher under the fly you tuck your hammock, the less worry about water and wind making their way in.

Minimum temp? I dunno. I'm a cold sleeper, but I didn't have any discomfort with a yoga pad added, while Jason froze with no pad, a tarp for a fly, and handwarmers, and we have identical sleeping bags (Marmot Trestle 15), and Eno Doublenests.

I'm going to be doing some icky weather experiments. I saw a video where an old guy was having good results with that foil bubble wrap insulation, which seems like a good idea too. Cheap and light.
 
I've camped with a guy that uses a hammock... it's all good unless there's rain... snow... skeeters... or anything else that wants to chew on you while you sleep. :)
 
We'll get 'er up on blocks and turned into a thump keg faster then an old rooster on thanksgivin' when Mama done burned up the last turkey!
 
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