Hammocks for Backpacking...any experiences or comments?

Six String Samurai

Six String Samurai

Joined
Jun 26, 2001
Messages
72
I'm in need of a shelter now that I'm planning some overnighters and I'm strongly considering a hammock as opposed to a tent.

I'm talking about one with rainflys and bug screens of course and of course I'll be hiking in areas where trees to rig it to will not be a problem.

Anybody else use one? What kind of experience have you had with it.
 
There have been several discussions of hammocks over the last year or so right here on this forum. Just use the search function, and I'm sure you will dig up a few.

I reported on the Hennessy myself. Very nice. Works as advertised. Whether you can get used to it and make it work for you is another story. The biggest problem I have is going to the bathroom at night and then getting back into the hammock.

YMMV
 
I think hammocks are awesome. get a good one stay away from the cheap ones in brigade quartermaster.

the only problem is you have to camp where there are trees.
 
I took a hammock in place of a tent on one trip last year and it was great! The best night's sleep I've ever had outdoors. The ground can get very hard even with a pad.

Three cautions -

First, be concerned about the temperature at night. It was summer when I used a hammock but I was at 3000 feet and I almost got hypothermia.

Second, have extra rope in case you don't have 2 trees close enough together. Hammocks normally come with only a few feet of rope on each end.

Third, set it up close to the ground. If you roll out by accident, you don't have so far to fall. It's also easier to get into it with a sleeping bag when it's only a foot or two off the ground.
 
chrisaloia

get a good one stay away from the cheap ones in brigade quartermaster
Click to expand...

Which one? not that i just ordered one or anything :D Also what is the problem with it?
 
Ooooo... You're onto one of my favorite topics! I bought a Hennessy Hammock a few months ago and I love it! I got the Safari Ultralite Model in subdued colors (Read earth and OD - but not a camo pattern). It takes literally 3 minutes to set up and about as long to tear down when you break camp.

COMFORTABLE... You can actually sleep on your side or stomach because the design allows you to lie flat as opposed to the "bannana" position. It weighs only 2.5 lbs to boot!

Get one and you'll love it!

http://www.hennessyhammock.com
http://hikinghq.net

This second link has a number of pages devoted to the hennessy hammock and it is by an army infantry sergeant. Great info and answers most any questions you would have about the hammock you would have.

ENJOY!

David
 
Thanks all,

This should give me the info I need to make a decision and I'm heavily leaning toward buying a Hennessy real soon.

Great sites, Kampfjaeger.

SSS
 
Checkout Byers of Maine's Moskito travler. A built in mosquito net , or flip it over and its an open model. Made of nylon., you sleep "Brazilian" style, across it, so there is no sag to lay in Just pitch your ponch , or a Sil Nylon tarp over it, and your there. Cost for the Hammock/net combo is about $45.00 from REI.
 
Like mentioned above, watch that temperature. I slept in one on a summer night and about froze to death as well. That was just the basic net kind though.
 
Good point!

When you are sleeping in a hammock you do have to remember that there is no inherent insulating property to it. And if you are sleepin on your back, it is not protected from the cold.

To alleviate this, you need to put a sleeping pad in it. Get the RidgeRest closed cell pad for something like $18. When it gets colder... The links I provided above address the issue and offer suggestions that have been proven in the field.
 
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