Sleeping in a Travel Hammock
- Thread starter Milchjon
- Start date
Reading the title this is what popped in my head. Probably not what you meant, which is disappointing.
Pretty much my experience with them.
Pretty much my experience with them.
That's awesome and I want it and it would kill me
Nah, they're more like this, without the bars at the end, so it should be easier
I'm a backpacker/camper and I will not go to ground, no matter the circumstances. Hammock camping is the most comfortable way to go in my opinion. The things you will have to consider are weather protection and insulation, and hammock size.
Many of the commercially available hammocks are about 9 feet long. These are fine if you are 4 and one half feet tall. Other than that, you're going to need an adult sized hammock. I prefer one that is 11 feet long and 70 inches wide. The width is also key, because you don't sleep straight, banana style in a hammock. That would defeat the entire purpose of comfort. You sleep at a diagonal, which creates the flat lay that guarantees a blissful evening hanging in a cloud above the ground.
Insulation wise you're going to need something to cover the bottom of your hammock. Your best bet is an underquilt. Some people put camping pads into their hammocks, and this works, but it eliminates the majority of the comfort provided by the hammock. Avoid this. You can choose a down or synthetic underquilt. Down will weigh a lot less. Check out http://hammockgear.com/ for some great down quilts. I also like http://www.locolibregear.com/. Synthetic wise, try out http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/
For your hammock I suggest a simple Dutchware 11 foot wide hammock. http://www.dutchwaregear.com . Dutch is a guy who hiked the AT in a hammock, and came back home to perfect it. His company is really amazing now considering where it all began.
Hammock: https://dutchwaregear.com/wide-11-ft-netless-hammocks.html Get the cinch-buckle style suspension. It's easy. It's what I use with my Dream Hammock. Also get one with a "structural ridgeline" as it will help with the next piece:
You'll need a bugnet: Buy a fronkey style net: https://dutchwaregear.com/bottom-entry-bugnet.html
You need a tarp so pick up something simple to start: I use this for my summer backpacking: https://dutchwaregear.com/wide-asym-tarp.html . Make sure to get all of the necessary cordage. I suggest Dutch Stingerz to attach the tarp to the trees.
Now you have a choice for top insulation. You can just get into a sleeping bag, or you can buy a "Top quilt", which is basically a bag without a zipper. It weighs less and has less fill that would usually just get flattened by your body and rendered unusable.
Really, any questions you have, ask me. I'm pretty deep into the game. Basically, don't buy ENO. Ever.
And for fun, here are some pics:
Many of the commercially available hammocks are about 9 feet long. These are fine if you are 4 and one half feet tall. Other than that, you're going to need an adult sized hammock. I prefer one that is 11 feet long and 70 inches wide. The width is also key, because you don't sleep straight, banana style in a hammock. That would defeat the entire purpose of comfort. You sleep at a diagonal, which creates the flat lay that guarantees a blissful evening hanging in a cloud above the ground.
Insulation wise you're going to need something to cover the bottom of your hammock. Your best bet is an underquilt. Some people put camping pads into their hammocks, and this works, but it eliminates the majority of the comfort provided by the hammock. Avoid this. You can choose a down or synthetic underquilt. Down will weigh a lot less. Check out http://hammockgear.com/ for some great down quilts. I also like http://www.locolibregear.com/. Synthetic wise, try out http://www.arrowhead-equipment.com/
For your hammock I suggest a simple Dutchware 11 foot wide hammock. http://www.dutchwaregear.com . Dutch is a guy who hiked the AT in a hammock, and came back home to perfect it. His company is really amazing now considering where it all began.
Hammock: https://dutchwaregear.com/wide-11-ft-netless-hammocks.html Get the cinch-buckle style suspension. It's easy. It's what I use with my Dream Hammock. Also get one with a "structural ridgeline" as it will help with the next piece:
You'll need a bugnet: Buy a fronkey style net: https://dutchwaregear.com/bottom-entry-bugnet.html
You need a tarp so pick up something simple to start: I use this for my summer backpacking: https://dutchwaregear.com/wide-asym-tarp.html . Make sure to get all of the necessary cordage. I suggest Dutch Stingerz to attach the tarp to the trees.
Now you have a choice for top insulation. You can just get into a sleeping bag, or you can buy a "Top quilt", which is basically a bag without a zipper. It weighs less and has less fill that would usually just get flattened by your body and rendered unusable.
Really, any questions you have, ask me. I'm pretty deep into the game. Basically, don't buy ENO. Ever.
And for fun, here are some pics:
Maiden Voyage
Gold™ Member
I got my wife an ENO last year. We haven't done any overnight sleeping in it but we've both taken naps and have zero complaints.
Is your aversion to the brand because of the overnight aspect?
exmachina64
Banned
Wow, thank you for all the info.
They're just really short, and not designed for angled sleeping. Some people say they're okay with them, but most of those people haven't tried an 11 foot hammock. To be fair, my complaints arent strictly in regards to ENO. All of the "commercial" hammocks you'll find at sporting goods stores, REI, and Wal Mart are too short. Once you can achieve the flat lay, you have reached enlightenment.
The chamelon is a fantastic hammock. It's basically Dutchware's version of the Dream Hammock Sparrow but with a few zipper modifications. Cool to see someone else on GAF who buys stuff from Dutch.
Where do you live?
They're just really short, and not designed for angled sleeping. Some people say they're okay with them, but most of those people haven't tried an 11 foot hammock. To be fair, my complaints arent strictly in regards to ENO. All of the "commercial" hammocks you'll find at sporting goods stores, REI, and Wal Mart are too short. Once you can achieve the flat lay, you have reached enlightenment.
Apparently this is me. I am 6'2" and I got an ENO a couple years ago that I've slept in a handful of times. It was better than sleeping on the ground by a lot, but it definitely feels like I would be more comfortable if it were longer. Time to start hammock shopping again...
6'2"? You definitely would benefit from a long and wide hammock. I recommend the same one I recommended in the OP:
https://dutchwaregear.com/wide-11-ft-netless-hammocks.html
Choose the fabric you want based on your weight.
stryker1138
Member
Do you hammock die-hards just avoid trips where sleeping above the tree line is a necessity? Or out on open plateaus? I've never been able to justify the expense of an extra, specialized sleep system when I've already shelled out for a bomb-proof tent that'll work in any environment.
But it does look comfy as hell...
But it does look comfy as hell...
I can usually find a place to hang, whether it be from rocks, a cliff face, or something.... that being said, I live in Ohio and do most of my camping here, in WV, PA, NY and VT.... so I tend to hike/camp around trees.
Also in a lot of spots around here, camping above treeline is illegal. (NY Adirondacks for example)
Finn of Ooo
Member
I've found them to be very comfy, got a rain fly and bug net to go around my eno and I've camped that way a few times. Tent obv has its place but when it's just me and there's trees to hang from I'm all about that hammock life.
Another good thing about a hammock and a tarp is that you can use it as a chair, and sit on it and lean down and cook your dinner on your stove, or whatever you do before bed.
Germany.
I've read and heard from people on hammockforums.net that international shipping (to europe) from dutchwaregear is actually very reasonable. There aren't many manufacturers in germany from what I've seen......and I've also read that places to camp are pretty hard to come by.
Also,
http://shop.dendronaut-haengematten.de/
apparently they are Dutch's distributor out there.
Sorry, didn't see your thank you here. You're welcome. I hope you find something that helps and you get into the game.
fluffydelusions
Member
Check it out
https://www.reddit.com/r/hammockcamping/
https://www.reddit.com/r/hammockcamping/
There is some good info there, but most of the really good cottage vendors in the USA / Canada have a presence on http://www.hammockforums.net
That's the best source for hammock info on the internet, but the reddit community is definitely growing.
Homer: Sir, I need to know where I can get some business hammocks.
Hank Scorpio: Hammocks? My goodness, what an idea. Why didn't I think of that? Hammocks! Homer, there's four places. There's the Hammock Hut, that's on third.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Hank Scorpio: There's Hammocks-R-Us, that's on third too. You got Put-Your-Butt-There.
Homer: Mm-Hmm.
Hank Scorpio: That's on third. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot... Matter of fact, they're all in the same complex; it's the hammock complex on third.
Homer: Oh, the hammock district!
Hank Scorpio: That's right.
Hank Scorpio: Hammocks? My goodness, what an idea. Why didn't I think of that? Hammocks! Homer, there's four places. There's the Hammock Hut, that's on third.
Homer: Uh-huh.
Hank Scorpio: There's Hammocks-R-Us, that's on third too. You got Put-Your-Butt-There.
Homer: Mm-Hmm.
Hank Scorpio: That's on third. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot... Matter of fact, they're all in the same complex; it's the hammock complex on third.
Homer: Oh, the hammock district!
Hank Scorpio: That's right.
You can sleep w/ a sleeping bag to a certain temperature, but you really aren't getting any insulation once you're laying on it. You're compressing the insulating material rendering it basically worthless. The concept of the underquilt is that it's on the outside of your hammock and not being compressed. Same thing goes with a semi-inflated camping pad in the hammock.
Come with a drink holder?
I approve.
Schooled on hammocks. This is why the internet is sometimes pretty good. Thank you for sharing.
Years of trial and error have led me to my perfect system at this point. If you have any questions or want to get into it, I can help suggest some starter gear.
Maiden Voyage
Gold™ Member
They're just really short, and not designed for angled sleeping. Some people say they're okay with them, but most of those people haven't tried an 11 foot hammock. To be fair, my complaints arent strictly in regards to ENO. All of the "commercial" hammocks you'll find at sporting goods stores, REI, and Wal Mart are too short. Once you can achieve the flat lay, you have reached enlightenment.
Gotcha. Cheers on all the advice!
You're welcome. It really is HYOH out there. (hang your own hang)
I bought a "Farland" hammock from amazon. 78"X118" (gathered size). Has really great 10 foot (each) straps with loops. $26 if you get the right colors.
Set up was super easy - slept next to a river, it was great! Much better than the next night in a hotel.
Super great for motorcyclist (like myself) so light and compact.
Set up was super easy - slept next to a river, it was great! Much better than the next night in a hotel.
Super great for motorcyclist (like myself) so light and compact.
Tender Joe
Member
This is a fantastic post. Thanks for the info!
Hammocks are great for camping in extremely humid conditions. Way less condensation than being inside of a tent as there is much more airflow. In warm conditions you can get by with a very light underquilt and a small blanket on top. In places like that, there are surely bugs, so have a bugnet ready. (either zippered to your hammock or external.)
I clip a small battery powered fan from the dollar store to my ridgeline (detailed in earlier posts) and blow it at me to create more airflow in stagnant, hot situations.
I'd also like to add the waterbottle trick.....in really hot conditions, if I can keep it cold, I keep a waterbottle frozen in a cooler, (32 oz nalgene works) and bring it with me into my hammock. It keeps me a bit cooler until the evening chill comes on around 3am.....
On the other side, if you're backpacking and its really cold, boil some water and put it into your nalgene and stuff it into the footbox of your sleeping bag/quilt. It'll give you 5 or so more degrees of warm. Also eat something high in fat before you go to sleep to keep your body-furnace going a bit into the night.
Any Questions
Member
Great set up. And top info. All you need is the fire and rotisserie chickens on the blend
Thanks, I'm about to go to Seneca Rocks WV this weekend to get some hang-time in!