Ditch the Tent and Try a Hammock

It used to be that the tent was synonymous with camping.  Over the last several year, and for the diehards longer than that, hammocks have replaced tents for many campers.  When I was growing up, hammocks where cotton or braided rope with poles holding them outstretched.  They hung in backyards and at beach resorts.  They were great for lounging and taking naps, even if they left a diamond role pattern on  the back of your legs.  Now technical hammocks are front and center at every outdoor store.  You can choose from singles and doubles.  You can add a rain fly, bug net, and straps for hanging them.  There are even over quilts and under quilts for when the temperature drops.  I knew camping hammocks were mainstream last Christmas when I saw ENO Double Nest hammocks at Sams Club!

Why Hammocks?

My reason for choosing a hammock is comfort.  When I was growing up camping, I could, and often did, sleep anywhere.  Now, my back argues with me often.  I use a good sleeping pad when on the ground, but I find sleeping in a hammock leaves me feeling better in the morning.  It is also convenient.  Wherever there are two trees, or poles, or any anchor points, you can hang it.  It is quick to hang and quick to take down.  Of course, when you add the fly and/or the bug net, it is not quite ans quick or convenient but it shows the versatility.  Each of these components can be used or not depending on the situation.  Another advantage is that you don’t have to be really concerned with the ground conditions.  Uneven, rocky ground is not a concern with a hammock.

It is true that hammocks aren’t always practical.  Areas such as open fields and beaches may not provide the anchor points to hank a hammock.  In those situations, I still rely on a tent.  Tents provide more protection from the elements and also more privacy.

Are All Hammocks Equal?

The short answer, as with most things, is no.  By far the most popular brand is ENO.  Their hammocks are very good quality, and you pay for that quality.  There are a host of less expensive alternatives that provide the same level of quality.  Look for recommendations or read reviews.  Most people use the ENO as the measuring stick and compare the others to them.  Currently I alternate between an ENO Double Nest (theoretically made for two people) and a Wise Owl single.  Both hammocks have similar material.  Most of the higher end hammocks are some form of nylon, very similar to parachute material.  The main thing that separates the higher end from the lower end is the stretch.  The ENO and the Wise Owl do not stretch.  The 5 dollar Walmart hammock does.  This is important if you want to avoid waking up with your butt on the ground in the morning.

Another important distinction is weight.  Hammock systems (hammock, fly, bug net, straps, stakes) are not super light.  A good backpacking tent is probably going to be lighter.  There are option to make the hammock lighter.  Look at using lighter weight carabiners.  Also, some manufacturers have ultra light options for backpacking.

Tips

• Get the straps!  Don’t try to hang the hammock with rope.  The straps are easy to put up and take down and they will not stretch.
• Use your sleeping pad, especially in the cold weather.  Your sleeping pad will provide some comfort and keep the sides from wrapping around you.  In the cold weather, it will provide much needed insulation.
• If you lay diagonally, you can almost lay flat.  This requires some practice but laying diagonally distributed you weight evenly across all of the fabric causing you to flatten out.