Tent or Hammock

viva la

viva la

Joined
Jan 13, 2010
Messages
1,379
I'm not going to go into specific models, although I do have a choice for each. I just want to know the pros and cons of each.

The hammock is lighter than the tent, packs easier, but i need trees
The tent needs level ground, and I could put more stuff in it with me.

Opinions?
 
Hammocks are cool. You wake up dry, and IMO I sleep better in one.

Im savin up some dough for a Hennesey right now..
 
Hammock all the way - but you left out the most important feature - COMFORT.

There are also many other pros for a hammock - easier to stay dry (no worrying about pooling under you), up off the ground away from critters, easier site selection (don't need to find flat ground, can hang over rocks or a stream or bushes), etc etc etc.

Plus with a hammock, you have a more modular system - expecting lots of rain? Carry a larger tarp, and use your hiking poles or some sticks to make a porch. Use your hammock like a chair, and set up your stove on the ground next to it, and cook your dinner under the tarp, while having a great view of the storm and sitting upright and comfortable, instead of cramped up in a tent.



I've also never had any problems storing my stuff in my hammock setup. My Warbonnet Blackbird has a shelf inside for gear, and I hang other stuff from the ridgeline. My pack hangs from the end of the hammock, protected by the tarp, and my boots get the laces tied together and hung over the ridgeline, also protected by the tarp.
 
ha, i know i said i wasn't going to go into models...but yea, the Hennesey is what I'm looking at.

the only thing I'm concerned with is finding trees the right distance apart...but I'm in VT so I am guessing forrests arent that hard to come by.
 
More on the flexibility of hammocks....

Two hammocks, one tarp:

3872089893_9a3f4ff3cd_o.jpg


separate tarps, showing a porch pitch:

3650770157_80b23ac9bd_o.jpg



hammocking in the snow :D

4395708618_29c3e1b6a1_b.jpg
 
Also, I would strongly consider other options apart from the hennessey. The bottom entry is a goofy gimmick, and only really necessary if you have a disability that makes it difficult to get into a regular hammock.

Almost every other hammock on the market has a bug net that zips open, which is FAR more convenient - in my Blackbird, I can wake up in the morning, unzip my bug net, reach out, and start my water boiling for my coffee, without ever getting out of my sleeping bag.

In a Hennessey, I'd have to get out of my bag, push out of that weird hole on the bottom, climb out from under the hammock, and go set up my stove.



Also, the tarp included with the hennessey sucks, and most people end up replacing it with something larger.
 
MustardMan said:
Hammock all the way - but you left out the most important feature - COMFORT.

There are also many other pros for a hammock - easier to stay dry (no worrying about pooling under you), up off the ground away from critters, easier site selection (don't need to find flat ground, can hang over rocks or a stream or bushes), etc etc etc.

Plus with a hammock, you have a more modular system - expecting lots of rain? Carry a larger tarp, and use your hiking poles or some sticks to make a porch. Use your hammock like a chair, and set up your stove on the ground next to it, and cook your dinner under the tarp, while having a great view of the storm and sitting upright and comfortable, instead of cramped up in a tent.

I've also never had any problems storing my stuff in my hammock setup. My Warbonnet Blackbird has a shelf inside for gear, and I hang other stuff from the ridgeline. My pack hangs from the end of the hammock, protected by the tarp, and my boots get the laces tied together and hung over the ridgeline, also protected by the tarp.
Click to expand...

thats all good to know stuff. i'm leaning towards the hammock, but I just keep having reservations...idk
 
I've used many different versions of both hammocks and tents over the years and they each have their quirks. I generally feel more secure in a tent (as if a bear couldn't get through the fabric if he wanted to :rolleyes:) and they are warmer. I use the tent when my girlfriend comes along as she's not too keen on separate sleeping quarters. lol. Theoretically we could both fit in the hammock but I can't imagine that would be very comfortable.

Hammocks take a little getting used to as they are a clear departure from standard camping procedures. They are colder. Even when it's 50 degrees out you will notice a bit of a chill on your underside. I generally use a 3/4 length thermarest and a space blanket if it gets below 50 degrees at night. Several types of underquilts are available but they aren't cheap. These seem like the way to go but I haven't fit one into the budget yet.

One distinct advantage of hammocks is campsite selection. Most times that I take my tent I spend a good 30 minutes to an hour clearing an area of sticks, pinecones, and rocks before I even start setting my tent up. And even then, the site is rarely level. Not so with the hammock. As long as I have a couple of trees 10-15 feet apart I have a campsite. I hike around in the Sierra Nevadas so this is rarely an issue, provided that I make it back down below 10,000 feet by nightfall.

As far as comfort, the hammock wins hands down. No pressure points. No sore back. I should mention that all of my hammocks are big enough for me to sleep diagonally in, which I feel is key. This allows you to lay flat without your back being bent all night. It does make a huge difference.

Hennessey Hammocks are awesome! They are well designed, they pack up well (get the snakeskins), and their customer service is excellent. That being said, I find myself preferring to use my regular old double-wide Hammock Bliss. This is because, as awesome as my Hennesey is, it makes me feel real claustrophobic and somewhat like a bear burrito. It's irrational I know, but nonetheless, it is worth noting. There's just no quick way out of a Hennessey. They seal up real well to keep the bugs out but that means that it is a 2 minute process to get in and out. With my regular hammock I just swing my legs over either side and I'm out.

As far as storage goes, as long as you use a decent size tarp there's plenty of room to keep your gear out of the weather. I usually just bring an assortment of carabiners and hang everything from my hammock lines. If it's real stormy I put the rain fly on my pack.

Also, if you do go with the hammock use tree savers. No one likes to see scarred up trees.
 
halromberg said:
Also can be:
Windy cold buggy
Click to expand...

Only if you don't know what you're doing.


The number one mistake people make when they hammock camp is to have little or no bottom insulation. A $10 foam pad from walmart is very light and will provide insulation to the 40's no problem. I've gone below freezing on a single cheap foam pad and was plenty warm.

As far as bugs - get a hammock with a bug net, and problem solved. And wind? Use a decent sized tarp and pitch it low to the ground. Products like the Speer Winter Tarp and Warbonnet Superfly even have doors that can be closed up for full four side protection.



Wind? Completely not an issue...

4027854030_b134fa236c_o.jpg


4027099193_0ffeee3ae7_o.jpg
 
I like a hammock over a tent for comfort usually.

But I hike mostly with my wife so I usually use a tent.

Also Hammocks can be sort of cold at times.
 
I have a Clark North American and love it.

The hammock is fantastic for comfort. Plus so easy to set up it's incredible. Don't worry an
bout the trees being the right distance apart as nature spaces em thre right distance with amazing regularity. Plus with the hammock you can camp in spots you never can with a tent.

I chose the Clark over the others due to it"s being 100% US made, plus the design and build quality are phenomenal. They even have a new model which will comfortably sleep two.
 
wildmike said:
I have a Clark North American and love it.

The hammock is fantastic for comfort. Plus so easy to set up it's incredible. Don't worry an
bout the trees being the right distance apart as nature spaces em thre right distance with amazing regularity. Plus with the hammock you can camp in spots you never can with a tent.

I chose the Clark over the others due to it"s being 100% US made, plus the design and build quality are phenomenal. They even have a new model which will comfortably sleep two.
Click to expand...

ok, so after looking at this companies hammocks...

would I be ok with just the hammock? do you have the Z-liner? that is the insulation you put under you right? is there a more economical way to insulate that you in the know know about?
 
I already told you the most economical insulation on the planet - a foam pad from walmart. The only downside to a foam pad is that it can be TOO warm. For slightly more money than walmart, Gossamer Gear sells a variety of different thicknesses of insulation foam that are perfect in a hammock.


For supplementary insulation, you can stuff gear or extra clothes into the pockets of a Clark, but I wouldn't count on that as your ONLY form of insulation.
 
I have a disability , and i got a HH ... it rocks ... i am going to get it zippered mod after i can aford it... i wanna take a few more trips before i send it off for a while... if it wasnt for that set up i probably would of gone with several other makers.... i personaly love the door and dont think i could hammock camp with out it.

also with no trees hammocks pitch as a very awsome bivy. i would throw some tyvex or heat sheat/ foam pad under it like i do for my old bivy...

MVC-002F.JPG


not my picture
 
MustardMan said:
More on the flexibility of hammocks....

Two hammocks, one tarp:

3872089893_9a3f4ff3cd_o.jpg


separate tarps, showing a porch pitch:

3650770157_80b23ac9bd_o.jpg



hammocking in the snow :D

4395708618_29c3e1b6a1_b.jpg
Click to expand...

MustardMan said:
Also, I would strongly consider other options apart from the hennessey. The bottom entry is a goofy gimmick, and only really necessary if you have a disability that makes it difficult to get into a regular hammock.

Almost every other hammock on the market has a bug net that zips open, which is FAR more convenient - in my Blackbird, I can wake up in the morning, unzip my bug net, reach out, and start my water boiling for my coffee, without ever getting out of my sleeping bag.

In a Hennessey, I'd have to get out of my bag, push out of that weird hole on the bottom, climb out from under the hammock, and go set up my stove.



Also, the tarp included with the hennessey sucks, and most people end up replacing it with something larger.
Click to expand...

Dude, great pics!!! Thanks for postin em. :thumbup:

Also, thanks for the lowdown on the Hennesey. What hammock would you reccomend?
 
BackwoodsBummin' said:
I've used many different versions of both hammocks and tents over the years and they each have their quirks. I generally feel more secure in a tent (as if a bear couldn't get through the fabric if he wanted to :rolleyes:) and they are warmer. I use the tent when my girlfriend comes along as she's not too keen on separate sleeping quarters. lol. Theoretically we could both fit in the hammock but I can't imagine that would be very comfortable.

Hammocks take a little getting used to as they are a clear departure from standard camping procedures. They are colder. Even when it's 50 degrees out you will notice a bit of a chill on your underside. I generally use a 3/4 length thermarest and a space blanket if it gets below 50 degrees at night. Several types of underquilts are available but they aren't cheap. These seem like the way to go but I haven't fit one into the budget yet.

One distinct advantage of hammocks is campsite selection. Most times that I take my tent I spend a good 30 minutes to an hour clearing an area of sticks, pinecones, and rocks before I even start setting my tent up. And even then, the site is rarely level. Not so with the hammock. As long as I have a couple of trees 10-15 feet apart I have a campsite. I hike around in the Sierra Nevadas so this is rarely an issue, provided that I make it back down below 10,000 feet by nightfall.

As far as comfort, the hammock wins hands down. No pressure points. No sore back. I should mention that all of my hammocks are big enough for me to sleep diagonally in, which I feel is key. This allows you to lay flat without your back being bent all night. It does make a huge difference.

Hennessey Hammocks are awesome! They are well designed, they pack up well (get the snakeskins), and their customer service is excellent. That being said, I find myself preferring to use my regular old double-wide Hammock Bliss. This is because, as awesome as my Hennesey is, it makes me feel real claustrophobic and somewhat like a bear burrito. It's irrational I know, but nonetheless, it is worth noting. There's just no quick way out of a Hennessey. They seal up real well to keep the bugs out but that means that it is a 2 minute process to get in and out. With my regular hammock I just swing my legs over either side and I'm out.

As far as storage goes, as long as you use a decent size tarp there's plenty of room to keep your gear out of the weather. I usually just bring an assortment of carabiners and hang everything from my hammock lines. If it's real stormy I put the rain fly on my pack.

Also, if you do go with the hammock use tree savers. No one likes to see scarred up trees.
Click to expand...

Great post!!! Especially for your first. Welcome!!
 
Mine is a Warbonnet Blackbird, and I love it. For my uses, it perfectly fits what I want in a hammock. There are lots of other good brands out there, though - here are a few that I dig.

Warbonnet Blackbird - http://warbonnetoutdoors.net
Has a great internal pocket, and a structural ridgeline which makes it easy to hang the hammock with a consistent amount of sag every time. Easy to set up, easy to adjust, and available in several different options

Switchback - http://stores.tttrailgear.com/-strse-Hammocks/Categories.bok
Cavernous inside, can be opened from either side, flexible options on how you pitch it. Might be a bit steeper learning curve.

Bear Mountain Bridge Hammock - http://www.jacksrbetter.com/BMBH.htm
Completely different design - incredibly flat lay, easy to insulate because it's a more squared off design. Can be a bit claustrophobic, and uses velcro to attach the net. Somewhat heavier. Pretty much the flattest laying hammock on the market - many people who use BMBH's actually sleep on their STOMACHS.

There are many others - clark, claytor, ENO, etc etc etc, but those three I listed above are very cool designs, and they are made by people who are very active in the hammock "community" - they interact with and share advice and help with their customers, especially on hammockforums.net.
 
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