Does anyone use a hammock?

D

DiverDn

Joined
Jan 13, 2007
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Does anyone use a hammock when backpacking or do you have one in your kit?

If so, what are you using or what have you used that you like and was durable?
 
Diver, page down in the forum a little ways. You should find a long thread on hammock use, it was pretty recent.

Andy
 
DiverDn said:
Does anyone use a hammock when backpacking or do you have one in your kit?

If so, what are you using or what have you used that you like and was durable?
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I want to try a Clark Hammock, but I've been using Hennessy Hammocks very successfully. Easy and quick to set up and take down. I bought an extra for my daughter and the kids version for my son...now they can carry their own shelter and it's less weight in my pack:thumbup: They pack down small and are quite light compared to most tents.

Likes:

1) Light weight / pack small

2) Quick setup / takedown

3) Easy to enter and exit

4) Great for wet climates

Disadvantages

1) Not so great for colder weather; you can use insulation, but not too comfortable below 50 degrees

2) For optimum set up, you need trees or other anchors

3) Need to be careful of any sharp obects in your pockets when entering!

4) No place for pack/extra gear...you'll need to pack a small rain fly or cover to keep your pack/gear dry outside the hammock.

For solo hikes or warm weather weekend backpacking, they're fast, light and easy to use. My wife hasn't warmed up to them yet (not the Hennessy anyways), but I'd like to try the Clark and see if that would work for her.

ROCK6
 
Andy and Sparrow,

Thanks for the links, sorry I guess I didn't look hard enough. I promise I will do better next time.

Rock,
Thanks for the tips.
 
Just ordered the skeeter beater from bens backwoods. Its a great price. I will do a review when it arrives.
 
j williams said:
Just ordered the skeeter beater from bens backwoods. Its a great price. I will do a review when it arrives.
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Woohoo. Now there will be two of swinging in the trees at Loud Thunder. My Claytor Jungle Hammock and Fly just showed up yesterday.
 
Oh yeah, That will be sweet! Im curious to compare mine to yours. I havent got a fly for it yet. I think im gonna take bruces reccomendation and get a siltarp.
 
j williams said:
Oh yeah, That will be sweet! Im curious to compare mine to yours. I havent got a fly for it yet. I think im gonna take bruces reccomendation and get a siltarp.
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I just ordered myself one of the Mosquito expedition hammocks. I had used a ntlon hammock I got several years ago for a couple trips but it was better for lounging in the yard. I got to check out a Hennessey a friend of mine brought over last year. I didn't like the floor entrance and the unremoveable bug netting didn't appeal to me. I think the Sil Poncho is the way to go. Mostly due to the fact that you can combine raingear, packcover and tarp into one single item. That is a huge weight savings. Instead of packing 4 seperate items you can just pack one. :thumbup:
 
I went with the Claytor because it's 2-layer on the bottom, so I can put a pad in there. I'm way to poor to afford a $300 underquilt. $6 wally world CCF pads are more up my alley.

As a bonus, apparently the fly that comes with it is a little heavy, but otherwise pretty good.
 
Noshtero said:
The hangers over on their forum all love the Maccat Deluxe:
http://www.outdoorequipmentsupplier.com/maccattarps.htm

The hex design lets you wrap the wings in and shield the hammock really well.
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Those are good tarps. But the main bonus of hammock camping IMHO is weight savings. So for me if I can use one item that weighs ten ounces instead of several items that weigh around 3 pounds I'm much happier.

The guy that makes those is a one man operation and it might take a while to get your order. I actually inquired about one of his tarps last year and the wait was over a month IIRC.
 
ilbruche said:
I just ordered myself one of the Mosquito expedition hammocks. I had used a ntlon hammock I got several years ago for a couple trips but it was better for lounging in the yard. I got to check out a Hennessey a friend of mine brought over last year. I didn't like the floor entrance and the unremoveable bug netting didn't appeal to me. I think the Sil Poncho is the way to go. Mostly due to the fact that you can combine raingear, packcover and tarp into one single item. That is a huge weight savings. Instead of packing 4 seperate items you can just pack one. :thumbup:
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ilbruche said:
Those are good tarps. But the main bonus of hammock camping IMHO is weight savings. So for me if I can use one item that weighs ten ounces instead of several items that weigh around 3 pounds I'm much happier.

The guy that makes those is a one man operation and it might take a while to get your order. I actually inquired about one of his tarps last year and the wait was over a month IIRC.
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I’ve always wondered about the guys that use a poncho as their raingear/sleep tarp/gear cover. What do you wear in the cold rain while setting up this minimalist poncho tarp shelter? I lack extensive camping experience, but it seems to me if you need to wear your poncho due to rain, you’ll have a hard time setting up ‘camp’ to sleep. How do you do it?
 
Gurthang said:
I’ve always wondered about the guys that use a poncho as their raingear/sleep tarp/gear cover. What do you wear in the cold rain while setting up this minimalist poncho tarp shelter? I lack extensive camping experience, but it seems to me if you need to wear your poncho due to rain, you’ll have a hard time setting up ‘camp’ to sleep. How do you do it?
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Good point. For me I live in a very dry environment. Rain isn't usually a problem. If it is raining...I get wet a little. I'm willing to make that trade off.
 
Fair enough. Keeping dry is only mandatory in cold environments where hypothermia is a factor. In moderate temps, you can get under a poncho/tarp and body heat will eventually dry you off providing you're dressed in appropriate clothing.
 
Gurthang said:
Fair enough. Keeping dry is only mandatory in cold environments where hypothermia is a factor. In moderate temps, you can get under a poncho/tarp and body heat will eventually dry you off providing you're dressed in appropriate clothing.
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Yeah Colorado summers are fairly dry with regular afternoon and evening storms. If it does rain it is likely to be in the evening. Most of the backpacking I do is in elevations under 10,000 feet, fishing and such. But the winter is a whole different ball game. No way in hell I'd wear a poncho then.
 
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