Camping Hammocks, do I need one? (video)
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No, you don't need one. But it's a lot of fun to bring one. Sure it's one more thing to add to your camping packing list, but if camping's about living it easy, kicking up your legs, daydreaming, or just enjoying a nap in the breeze, try tossing in a hammock.
Some backpackers and hikers even toss out the tent for the hammock for these reasons:
Camping hammocks are ultra-light compared to the traditional pop tent. And they take up less room when packed. Most hammocks for camping will pack the hammock, the tarp, mosquito netting, the ropes into one draw-string bag.
Typically, if you're camping with a tent, your site choices are very limited. No one wants to sleep on a slope, on top of rocks, or in a pit. Using a camping hammock opens up more campsites. As long as there are two trees available, you have a site!
A hammock is surprisingly comfortable. After a long day on the hiking trail, a good hammock will cradle your body gently but firmly, allowing you to rest quite well. When a hammock is properly hung, you'll have the choice of sleeping on your back or on your side.
Hammock camping is not just for warm weather camping. When the weather gets cooler, include a warm sleeping bag and a few hand warmers to warm your toes during the night.
Quick to setup and dismantle. It only takes 5 minutes or so to set up a camping hammock, including the tarp and support ropes. Setting up a tent takes at least 15 to 20 minutes especially if you need to spend time finding the perfect ground area on which to place it first.
Most of us would not give up the comforts of our camping tent for a hammock. It's still fun to bring one for recreation - taking naps, watching a kid figure a hammock out, extra seating at mealtime, extra 'bed' for an extra camper, or just for remembering the good old childhood days when you can just day dream looking at clouds move and change shapes.
Features to Look For When Buying a Hammock (demonstrated in video below)
Comments
Real Giroux said:
Great site Sam Clark recommended you.
You are right hennessy hammock are great i had mine for 7 or 8 years now. I do lot of kayak expeditions and it is very tough, compact, light and easy to put up and most of all it is so confortable you'll sleep like a log.
Great product Real Giroux, Quebec
hiker said:
Hammock camping may not be for everyone, just like sleeping on the ground is not for everyone.
I prefer to sleep in a hammock, because here in Texas we have whats called the "Lone Star" tick. Its an aggressive species of tick that will hunt down a victim. During the hot summer summer months, all kinds of snakes, bugs, ticks and everything comes out at night.
So I hang my hammock from the trees and get above the creepy things that go bite in the night.
texas hiker said:
When using a hammock in cool weather, use some kind of sleeping pad between the hammock and the sleeping bag. While you are sleeping, your body weight compresses the insulation on the sleeping bag - which makes it less effective.
To make sure your backside stays warm, use anything from an egg shell foam padding to a good quality sleeping pad. But its the same principle as sleeping on the ground.