Hammocks for Shelter

averageiowaguy

averageiowaguy

Joined
Mar 22, 2011
Messages
1,084
Hello,
I'm doing an article for SWAT on hammocks. I know what the advantages of hammocks are but I'd like to hear what you think the disadvantages are. Why have you chosen not to use hammocks?
 
I don't use them because there is little room to store stuff, if you want it next to you when sleeping. Like, guns and blades. also, imo i think they are harder to set up than a small 1 person tent. That is all. thanks.
 
Biggest disadvantage for me is the weight limit. A tent's max load is whatever the ground's is, which is probably immeasurable. I have a cool hammock that's got a 220 lb. limit. I got this when I was 180 lbs. I'm about 215 lbs now and have a bit of exercise to go through before I'd feel comfortable using it safely again.
 
Hammocks guy lines seem to need to be spread farther out, a tripping hazrd for people and critters passing by in the night.
 
I like mine in SE Texas mainly due to temperature. It is cooler to sleep in than a ground tent. Also it can offer significant advantages in certain type of landscapes where there are alot of rocks, you only need a couple of trees to set it up. Ergo, one of its problems......you need a couple of trees to set it up!!.

Generally very quick to set up if you have a bit of practice. Also, just me personally, I like to sleep with a bit of motion to the hammock....rocking to sleep if you will :-)

Doc
 
I use a Hennessy hammock a lot during the warmer months, I like it a lot but for me the main disadvantages are: Dog can't sleep in it with me, no room for backpack/gear if it's wet out.
 
I've been motorcycle camping with my hammock for a couple of years and the main drawback I have found is in public camp grounds. Either they don't allow hammocks for fear of harming their trees or you can't find two trees that will work to hang from. I have only had to go to ground a couple times out of several dozen, but it can take a while to find good trees.
 
joshuabl said:
I for one have never fallen out of my tent. :)
Click to expand...
--I have.
A hammock is harder to set up (when using tarps)
Tents are easier to heat, and will hold that heat easier
hard to bug proof a hammock

But...I prefer the hammock because they have more advantages for my style of camping. That's why I'm aiming towards a Clarke or a Hennessy hammock, rated for 350 pounds there Uyotg, and all the perks of a tent and hammock in one.
 
I've got a warbonnet blackbird and the only disadvantages I see are the cold butt/back if you don't use an underquilt, the lack of storage and the need to have trees in proper spacing....a lot of advantages though.
 
DiverDn said:
I've been motorcycle camping with my hammock for a couple of years and the main drawback I have found is in public camp grounds. Either they don't allow hammocks for fear of harming their trees or you can't find two trees that will work to hang from. I have only had to go to ground a couple times out of several dozen, but it can take a while to find good trees.
Click to expand...

Yep this happens.....Or the only two trees are covered in 2' thickness of poison ivy vines. I also find it far too much of a bother to winterize a hammock. I love the hammock when its warm but would rather go to ground when its cold. Last thing - hammocks are kind of miserable in a full on, full day rainstorm.
 
--J said:
But...I prefer the hammock because they have more advantages for my style of camping. That's why I'm aiming towards a Clarke or a Hennessy hammock, rated for 350 pounds there Uyotg, and all the perks of a tent and hammock in one.
Click to expand...

I got a Hennessy hammock. The expedition model, I think... was going for lightweight gear so it has a low limit. Who knew I'd gain all this weight ??? more worth my while to lose this weight than to buy another hammock, though.
 
Codger_64 said:
The "Pinata for a bear" quote in another hammock thread sealed it for me. :)
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LOL, that was me, but I wasn't serious. I don't believe if a bear was going to mess you with, you would be any better off in tent. I camp with a Hennessy. The only disadvantage I have found is insulating in cold weather.
 
--J said:
--I have.
A hammock is harder to set up (when using tarps)
Tents are easier to heat, and will hold that heat easier
hard to bug proof a hammock

But...I prefer the hammock because they have more advantages for my style of camping. That's why I'm aiming towards a Clarke or a Hennessy hammock, rated for 350 pounds there Uyotg, and all the perks of a tent and hammock in one.
Click to expand...

I recently chose a hammock after tent camping many years due to ease of set up. The very first time I set up the hammock with the Hennessy supplied tarp it took me just under 3 minutes. With a new larger and separate tarp it takes me almost 5 minutes. If you are going Hennessy I would encourage you to option the larger rain tarp.
Not sure if you have seen the quick set up method using repelling rings or a couple of carabiners, but it is definately worth checking out and the method I use.
 
I have been hammock camping since I was a kid, they are very popular around here.
I have always use the ones available locally, either woven cotton or woven palm tree leaves (the good ones are expensive but very good)
Advantages: they are very cool (in a tropical weather this is an advantage, but for you guy might be otherwise), easy to set up, and it gets yourself up of the ground.
Disadvantages: not easy to bug proof (will require a mosquito net), not easy to set up under a tarp, will require two trees close enough to set up (when car camping I park my jeep close to a tree and use the roll bar as a pole), also the ones that are comfortable to me are either too heavy or too big to backpacking.
Regards
 
Can you point me to the set-up method with carabiners? I have a Hennessy Explorer deluxe with the Hex fly and have not even had a chance to set it up yet.
 
I just started using mine. Its cooler than a regular tent and I was able to sleep in a rough spot that would have required a ton of work to level enough to sleep on top of. I have learned that its difficult to sleep on your side. On my back was the only way it could work for me. I have mine for warm/hot weather camping only.
Josh
 
Jamesbern said:
Can you point me to the set-up method with carabiners? I have a Hennessy Explorer deluxe with the Hex fly and have not even had a chance to set it up yet.
Click to expand...

I tried to post the link here but can't seem to get it to stick. I just found it by googling Hennessy Hammock Quick Set Up and the You Tube popped right up. I did revise my method just a bit from what the video shows. I did away with the two repelling rings and just used two carabiners run through the tree straps side by side and tied in the same manner. Works like a charm.
 
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