Hammocks?

I bought one with a mosquito net over it, but returned it. I decided that it would be better to invest in a good sleeping bag, thermarest pad, and small net to cover my ugly balding head to keep bugs out. Basically, the only reason for this decision was because of the cold. Sleeping on the ground, you can use a pad to prevent loss of heat through conduction. Here is a good vid on loss of heat: http://youtube.com/watch?v=yOpLVQJWXR0&feature=related

For me, personally I didn’t want to bother with tying a hammock to trees. If you don’t tie them tight enough or correctly (there are plenty of ways to learn how to do it and that takes time), you could wake up with a broken neck or a very sore back. You will also have to invest in warmer clothes just to keep out the cold air from stealing your warmth.

Sleeping on the ground with a camouflaged tarp is more inconspicuous than a hammock and tarp between trees, which will (even camouflaged by branches and/or military pattern print) are still visible as they will be naturally in the line of sight of a potential bad guy (whether they are just civilian foraging or are on the payroll of the state/federal government) who may or may not have been trained to look for just that type of silhouette.

At any rate… to speak positively about using a hammock, here is a good vid on doing it: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EYXEyKYjOqE. If you plan to camp in a warm climate, and you don’t expect it to either get too cold, and you are not being “tactical,” than I say go for it. Learn the different knots on rigging not only your tarp but the hammock as well. It packs light, but you will need extra warm clothes to sleep in more than likely regardless.

Again, just rambling.
 
generallobster said:
How long does it take to set a hammock up? Are they faster than tents?
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They certainly CAN be faster. I’m kind of new and not the fastest. Like anything else, the more practice, the better you’ll be. Sleeping off the ground, above wet, bugs, snakes, uneven rocky ground, etc, are all pros. The ‘con’ of being non-tactical (and having people possibly trained to spy out hammocks and tarps), is something we each need to evaluate for ourselves.

I use a sleeping pad inside my hammock when it’s cold. I carry the same sleeping bag and pad I’d carry if I were using a tent, so a hammock has no real disadvantage.

Bivy camping with a bug net over your head is certainly lighter and possibly more covert. If that’s where your priorities lie, then address your priorities as needed. If you’re looking for a comfortable night’s sleep, hammocks beat tents EVERY time.
 
I have looked into the dd hammocks and just about everything else that is out there. The dd seems to be perfect for what i want.:thumbup: does anybody know of a U.S. distributor?:confused: The international shipping is $50/unlimited pieces. That seems to be a bit much so I havent gotten one yet.

maybe group buy??:confused:

p.s. just figured up the prices on usps.com. A package that weight and size, priority mail,2 days, from west coast(ex.) to me, wichita,ks(ex) is $6.55
 
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enix - you think thats bad - pretty much everyone of my internet purchases are from the US or UK and if im lucky the shipping is only $20.
 
THe few times I've "camped" with a hammock, it was with a mil-issue jungle hammock. Decent piece of gear, sturdy, nice integral mosquito net. Get it rigged up right and it's downright comfy.

Downside is that it's bulky when rolled up (compared to the hi-tec civilian camping models). They can be found inexpensively at Mil surplus shops.
 
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