Any Hammock Campers out there?

[Defy Concealment]

Edit: thanks for the help everyone. I ended up picking up an Eno Double Nest from REI and am going to test it out next weekend at a local camp ground. I will report back soon!

Hey guys,

I have recently been looking to get into backpacking. I have done a ton of camping over the years, and am ready to try something new.

So I was looking into getting a backpacking tent when I stumbled across the Hammock idea. It looks interesting and it seems that the people into it swear by it, but I just wanted a few extra opinions.

I am totally new to backpacking in general, and I would classify myself as a beginner hiker. I don't plan on doing any long hikes any time soon too. An example of a standard hike for me at this point is hiking along a local river for a couple miles to a waterfall/swimming hole and staying there for a night or two. I suppose I would eventually like to get into longer trips but that probably won't be a while.

So what say you Calguns?

Tent? Tarp? or Hammock?

Thanks!

[NATEWA]

I use a sleeping bag and thermarest. I have a bivy sack and two person tent. My bro does more backpacking than me and loves the hammock! He rigs it so he can put a tarp up top should it rain. I would get one with a built in screen/cover cuz I hate bugs and if my bag (down) gets wet, I'm screwed. My bro was talking about some type of hollow line that allows him to easily set up his hammock?

Good luck. A trip to REI, in your future, I see.

[Defy Concealment]

I use a sleeping bag and thermarest. I have a bivy sack and two person tent. My bro does more backpacking than me and loves the hammock! He rigs it so he can put a tarp up top should it rain. I would get one with a built in screen/cover cuz I hate bugs and if my bag (down) gets wet, I'm screwed. My bro was talking about some type of hollow line that allows him to easily set up his hammock?

Good luck. A trip to REI, in your future, I see.

For sure. IF (and it is an if at this point. I haven't really decided yet.) I go with a hammock it will definitely have a bug net and a second tarp to keep me dry.

I've already spent some time in REI too hahahah I very nearly walked out with a Hammock before I decided I needed to do a little more research before I go with anything

[DRPoolio]

Following::

I've got a trip to Huntington Lake coming up in a couple weeks. Been considering a hammock as well.

Here's an interesting article that speaks directly to the point.

http://www.treklightgear.com/treklife/tent-to-hammock/

[dankthetank]

I use a sleeping bag and thermarest. I have a bivy sack and two person tent. My bro does more backpacking than me and loves the hammock! He rigs it so he can put a tarp up top should it rain. I would get one with a built in screen/cover cuz I hate bugs and if my bag (down) gets wet, I'm screwed. My bro was talking about some type of hollow line that allows him to easily set up his hammock?

Good luck. A trip to REI, in your future, I see.

I imagine the "hollow line" he was referring to was a snake skin. You put a sleeve on each end of your hammock then just pull that over it to pack/unpack it quickly rather than stuffing it into a bag. I just got one for my hammock but haven't gotten a chance to use it in the field.

One item that has been really nice to have is a set of the ENO Atlas straps. No tying lines, no getting things level, you just move up or down one of the loops as needed.

I don't have much more to add other than I haven't used mine overnight just for reading and naps while tent camping. It was surprising how much chillier it was than even sitting in a chair so I can see how using some sort of cushion underneath you would be important.

[furyous68]

I run a Hennessy Hammock Expedition Deluxe hammock. Mine is the zippered model, with the snake skins, & has an integrated bug net. I also upgraded the rain fly to the "HEX Fly" which is a few more ounces, but a lot larger & covers better. I will not go back to a tent. It's crazy comfortable. "Cold-Butt Syndrome" is easily overcome now with lightweight underquilts. This is my summer underquilt: https://www.rei.com/product/882626/e...ock-underquilt I need to buy a lower temp one for my winter setup. These keep you insulated from below, and you can use them with a top quilt & not carry a sleeping bag. Sleeping bags compress when you lay on them & you lose the value of the insulation (which is why you use a pad on the ground).

Get good tree straps, the ones that come with the hammock aren't long enough to wrap around our larger pine trees. The Atlas straps are good. I run these: https://www.rei.com/product/863807/kammok-python-straps

I also use a carabiner & descent rings on each end so I don't need to mess with tying knots. I have mine set up in about 5 minutes.

[omgwtfbbq]

While I myself have never done the hammock camping gig, I have met quite a few people who have. A couple I know swears by ENO hammocks. They make a variety of different hammocks and accessories such as rain shelters and so on. I'd give them a look.

[Defy Concealment]

While I myself have never done the hammock camping gig, I have met quite a few people who have. A couple I know swears by ENO hammocks. They make a variety of different hammocks and accessories such as rain shelters and so on. I'd give them a look.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am thinking about taking the dive and picking up an "entry level" hammock and testing it out at a local campground or friends backyard. I figure if I buy just the hammock, even if I don't like it i'll be out what? like 75 bucks? Then Ill just bring it along for other people to use or give it to someone to use in their backyard or something.

I am looking at an ENO at REI and a Skeeter Beater Pro on Amazon. I like that the SBP has a bug net, but it looks like ENO sells one that you can put around the hammock anyway.

Can anyone weigh in on those two options? or something comparable?

[dankthetank]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I am thinking about taking the dive and picking up an "entry level" hammock and testing it out at a local campground or friends backyard. I figure if I buy just the hammock, even if I don't like it i'll be out what? like 75 bucks? Then Ill just bring it along for other people to use or give it to someone to use in their backyard or something.

I am looking at an ENO at REI and a Skeeter Beater Pro on Amazon. I like that the SBP has a bug net, but it looks like ENO sells one that you can put around the hammock anyway.

Can anyone weigh in on those two options? or something comparable?

My theory is keep the bug netting and hammock as 2 separate items. I'm looking at adding that ENO bug net though and a Kelty 12x12 tarp to my outfit.

I don't have an ENO hammock instead I got this Yukon Outdoor for $20 during a gold box deal, and even after upgrading to screwgate carabiners and the atlas straps I came in under the cost of the ENO alone. I'm not saying mine is comparable to an ENO, but it was a good way for me to give a hammock a try while still building gear up that could be used with one if I chose to upgrade later.

[Defy Concealment]

My theory is keep the bug netting and hammock as 2 separate items. I'm looking at adding that ENO bug net though and a Kelty 12x12 tarp to my outfit.

I don't have an ENO hammock instead I got this Yukon Outdoor for $20 during a gold box deal, and even after upgrading to screwgate carabiners and the atlas straps I came in under the cost of the ENO alone. I'm not saying mine is comparable to an ENO, but it was a good way for me to give a hammock a try while still building gear up that could be used with one if I chose to upgrade later.

Cool cool!

why do you like separating the net?

[CaptnCaveman]

I haven't really tried it yet, but, my wife and I plan on getting Hennessy Hammocks, probably from REI. We're really liking the Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic to use for backpacking.

Now we just have to save the $$$.

[dankthetank]

Cool cool!

why do you like separating the net?

Because the one that was on sale when I got it didn't have a bug net?

Really it's probably 6 to one half a dozen to the other but for me I would rather only carry what I need and only set up what I need at the time. Either one you need to run a guy-line to use it though so that is a wash.

[dozer wright]

When I had a Jeep Wrangler/Rock buggy and was Rockcrawling alot I had a Hammock. I would back up towards a tree and hook one end to a tree and the other to the rig and pull some slack out. I never covered it for bugs I would take deep woods off and make a perimiter around the out the outter most edges of hamock. Some of the best nights of sleep ever.

[Cummins_Powered]

Get an underquilt. I have a really nice 15* down sleeping bag and i still got cold spots where the down compressed on my butt and back. I use an ENO with atlas straps and I like it a lot.

[Kokak]

Best resource...

Hammock Forums

I have been Hammock camping for 6+ years now and will never go back to the ground.

Also look up Shugemery on youtube for a lot of great information.