Any Hammock campers

J_mcrane

J_mcrane

Joined
Dec 7, 2013
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580
I've recently got interested in camping hammocks as an alternative to sleeping on the ground. Are there any hammock lovers here? If so, what do you use and why?


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I'm also a recent convert. I am set up with Dutchware and Jacks R Better gear. Some excellent videos on the tube by a fella named Shug. I learned an amazing amount of things about hammock camping from his vids. He is looney but in a good way. LOL
 
only thing i would consider upgrading to is a cuben fiber tarp but it has to be earth tone - i hate how that white'sh gray sticks out so much...also i've heard it degrades much faster due to uv damage compared to silnylon so i need to verify that before switching.
 
Perfect timing. I was just starting to look up hammock camping today and thought I'd come here to see if there was any information. Thanks for the writeup, JV3.
 
I've been camping in hammocks for years, much easier on the back than the ground. I used a Us Army canvas hammock for years, heavy but worked fine and was cheap. Switched to a Hennessy an never looked back. Easy to set up, lightweight, stable and comfortable. Lot of friends got Eno's and didn't like the way they wrapped you up tight. I've heard good things about the war bonnet too. My daughter claimed my old canvas mil hammock and has been using it for the last 4 or 5 years.
 
I've had a Clark jungle hammock for years. Only issue I've started to have is since I've been powerlifting, I'm nearing the "comfortable weight limit". Plus I'm wider than I used to be.
 
I hang in a hennesy explorer asym zip, with some custom parts. Really enjoy it. Better ventilation in the heat, and fewer concerns about whats on the ground. I've used it while leading groups of students, so their teacher gets the prime spot, they get the decent places (lots of widowmaker tree species in australia) and so I'm left with the rougher terrain. But I've found that some of the shallower root trees that are not fun to tent under, are great for the hammock. Quilts are pretty easy if you are into any DIY, or know anyone who stitches, and the cottage makers are fantastic. I'd say the hennesy is alright for up to six foot or so, taller guys should go to other options. The Warbonnet is on my list to get, but not yet. One thing to consider is your tarp size, a lot of hammocks come with a tarp that will keep you dry in some rain, but that gives you no shelter when you are not laying down. a bigger tarp gets you cooking and dressing area. I'm a lousy seamster and I've made quilts, underquilts and a tarp. Not pretty, but the work and didn't break the bank.

For info Shug is the man, really well done vids, and while he has plenty of high dollar gear, he is also a huge fan of dirt cheap stuff, and he covers nearly every climate.
 
Been using a hammock for years. Sold off my tents and bivis except for one tent.

I use a DD tarp and a DD hammock. They are excellent.
 
I have used a hammock for years now and really like them, much more than tents if I have the chance. For a long while I got back trouble lying on the ground, but not in a hammock. There aren't all that many places in the UK where official camp sites have suitable trees, and many of the wild locations are treeless, but on trips to Sweden and Norway from April to September a hammock has been great.

No worries about tree roots, rocks, small bushes and sloping ground. Lots less condensation issues in wet weather.

Started out with a Hennessey Exped Asym + their under cover and underpad. Swapped out the stock suspension to thinner cord but still used wraps and knots for the tie off.

Now changed to a UKHammocks made WoodsmanX with matching hex tarp and either UKH down underquilt for cold weather or a DIY Climateshield one for warmer weather. The WoodsmanX comes with whoopie slings, but I am not really a fan of them yet. I miss the mechanical advantage I used to have with knots to adjust hang angle even when there was stuff in the hammock.

Huge improvement in the livability of the hammock system came with using a bigger tarp than the little Asym on, then again with side entry rather than the original Hennessy bottom entry, and finally using a light gear hammock alongside the main one to keep clothes in up off the ground.

Chris
 
For spring/summer/fall camping i'm also going to get a hammock.

Hammocks are a gear area i know little about, but the Hennessey Explorer Asym zip sure looks nice for the price.

When i was in the 82nd i used to use a nylon mesh hammock stretched low between two trees and lashed a poncho over top for rainy days (we patrolled at night...). It worked a treat.

Now that i live in/near the mountains, i find that level ground for my tents is near impossible (except in the snow when i can dig/level a spot anywhere). Stretching a hammock between trees seems the easiest way to have a good nights sleep here.
 
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