Camping Hammock

A

Aquacopter

Joined
Mar 22, 2007
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I was just wondering if anyone has used or still uses hammocks for camping. I have been looking at them online and I am wondering if they are any good. It seems like a good idea they have a bugnet, tarp, and are quiet small. Was wondering if they would be a good replacement for a tent.
 
Aquacopter said:
I was just wondering if anyone has used or still uses hammocks for camping. I have been looking at them online and I am wondering if they are any good. It seems like a good idea they have a bugnet, tarp, and are quiet small. Was wondering if they would be a good replacement for a tent.
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There was a post on this a little while back. Do a search and you should find it. Also, here are some links that might help.

http://www.speerhammocks.com/Tips/Tips%20on%20hammock%20camping.htm#Making

http://www.hammockforums.net/

http://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

http://www.imrisk.com/

I have a Tom Claytor Jungle Hammock that I really like. You can find them here. They have an advantage over the Hennesy Hammocks, in that they can be set up on the ground if needed. They are a bit pricy though. You can find good camping hammocks much cheaper, or you can make your own very easily.

As to whether or not they are good for camping. That's a big yes. You sleep in a hammock one night, and you'll probably never look at a tent the same way again.
 
Thanks for the info. I have given up on the search function because everytime I try to use it it just freezes up.
 
Excellent tip kiahs. The blade forum freezes up on any searches that return a lot of hits. . . So if you search for something that gets talked about a lot you get nothing. Search for something relatively uncommon and you're in business.

I've been using a Byer Mskito hammock for a few years. It's held up much better than I originally expected. It has the built in bug net, is very comfortable and relatively inexpensive. Add a tarp and you're all set. Once this wears out I'm planning on spending a bit more money and trying one of the Hennesseys.
 
I don't have lots of experience with different hammocks, but I was told long ago to buy a Clark jungle hammock and suck up the price. I did and it is a great piece of kit that hasn't failed me yet (almost 5 years?) and trust me I am hard on gear. Essential if you have lots of bugs in your area. Well thought out with a great design. my .02
 
Salamander42 said:
Once this wears out I'm planning on spending a bit more money and trying one of the Hennesseys.
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If you can, I'd try one before you buy. The whole climbing in the bottom thing means that you can't open the bugnet at all, and using sleeping pads in the cold is a lot more difficult. Then again, some people love them. If my Claytor hammock ever gives out on me (doubtful), I'm probably going to pick up an ENO hammock. Their fly sucks and they're not as feature packed as others, but they come in orange/gray and blue/yellow, and that's gotta be worth something.:D
 
I used a Hennessy Hammock on the Wilderness Learning Center Reunion Camping trip this past week. Here is a picture just in.

HPIM0684.jpg
 
I have a hammock ( a VERY primitave one) that i made. Everything works like it should ( not much to em tho) except the rope i have. What type of rope is used? one that has a low amount of stretch i'd imagine, but i dont know enough about rope to know about elasticity(sp).

k_ estela: does the hennesy hammock use straps as opposed to rope? looks like it in the pic.
 
I highly recommend hammocks for summer use. In winter there is just too much convective heat loss going on. The biggest bonus is that your list of possible camping spots goes up exponentially in a forested environment. I live in Colorado so pitching a hammock on a mountainside beats looking for a piece of flat ground for a tent. They are good for desert use also, if you can find trees. The ground gets incredibly hot, but can be 20 degrees cooler a foot off the ground.

I like the Hennessey, but once your in it, your in it. Try looking for something with a tarp you can also use by itself.
 
Enix,

Mine came with 2" webbing that is sewn at the ends into loops. It makes the impact on the trees less noticeable and extends the life of your rope. You can use the rope on its own if you want but the straps are just so convenient.
 
The Hennessey hammocks use cord with a spectra core. Which is about the strongest you can get. basically you want a "static" cord which doesn't stretch.
PMI makes some good cordage.
http://www.pmirope.com/rigging-gear/
You would probably want 4mm or 5mm cordage. As far as strength goes, if you ever break this stuff while sleeping in your hammock, let me know. You could rappel off this stuff if you had to.

PMI 5mm cord is rated at 5kn, or Kilonewtons. 1 kilonewton is 220 pounds. So 1100 pounds.

New England is a great manufacturer also, they also make climbing rope and cordage. A lot of people love 550 cord, but the sheathes are much better on this type of cordage. You can find this for sale by the foot at climbing shops or places like REI. 5mm cord is about 25 cents a foot.
 
thanks all for the replies. i will be checking into the links provided.
 
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