Tent vs. Hammock?

[PhoenixRising01]

Has anybody used something like this as opposed to the standard tent/air mattress/sleeping bag combo? As I understand it, this and a bag would be the whole deal. Has a rain fly, interior/exterior pockets, etc. Sounds good, moderately expensive compared to a tent. Should be quicker/easier to set up though. What are your thoughts?
http://www.junglehammock.com/index.php

Paul

[Mellow]

Someone mentioned something about those before.

I would think it might be bad for your back - I don't know, never had or used a hammock of any kind.

About half the sites I've been to don't have trees that are in the perfect position and many just have big junipers that are more big shrubs more than trees. I've seen people string lines between trees for drying towels and such but to tie a rope that holds someones weight, they might not care for what it would do to the bark. I'm just speculating here, it might not really matter.

It's nice that it's off the ground in case it rains but what if it leaks, then you're in a nice pool of water.

I don't have a problem sleeping in a tent on the ground especially with all the air mattress options.

I think the biggest no-go for me is that it's not a stand-alone option that you can setup anywhere so that limitation is enough for me to pass.

You did want an honest opinion right?

[Doobage]

I think the main problem with hammocks is that they require something to attach onto, at roughly the correct distance. A tent only requires ground.

The other reasons I would be less wild about a hammock is that it causes you to sleep in a hunched manor and is difficult to lay in any other means besides your back.

Benefits is that it might be cooler in the summer, but that's also a negative in the winter.

However, my brother who used to be a backpack ranger at Philmont for long duration hikes (2 weeks out in the middle of nowhere) would sometimes use a hammock. But he was typically guareenteed to find the right setup in the middle of the woods.

[raven]

I've tried tenting and have a decent Sierra Designs three person tent but really haven't found a ground pad comfortable (and I've tried them all). I was thinking of going with a hi-tech Luxury Lite Cot but, in truth, I also don't like having to set up or take down the tent (even though it's really easy) - all that packing and un-packing feels tedious. And, even though it's a very compact tent (18" long by ~6" around) it just takes up too much room, especially when you have to factor in the sleeping pad. Plus, I don't like not being able to stand up in the tent. Strapping up the hammock is just so much easier.

I have an Eagle's Nest Hammock that stuffs into a sewn-in pocket and is small enough to live in my tank bag. You can almost always find something to tie-out to even in non-tree areas. If you use web straps to wrap around the trees you don't damage bark. I've primarily used the hammock when I can't find a hotel in the area or just need to stop and rest for a bit (rest-stop ramadas with the hammock. . . :) ). I'm in the process of switching to one of the "rain-fly" type set-ups because I'm trying to get away from hotelling but haven't decided on which type. I'll probably just make a lightweight awning type tarp for now and experiment with some of the different designs folks have come up with until I get exactly what I want.

The key to comfortable hammock sleeping is to hang it with the feet slightly elevated (only an inch is plenty) then your back isn't hunched and I find it much more comfortable than a sleeping pad. Also, sleeping on the diagonal works well, too. (BTW, side sleepers can also curl up in a hammock so long as it's the nylon type without spreader bars.) Some of the higher cost tarp style set-ups actually are cut on the diagonal (making them assymetrical) and are designed with "ridge cords" so that you can adjust the amount of sag by shortening the ridge cord even if the supports aren't the "right" distance apart for optimum hanging. For colder weather, an emergency radiant heat blanket in the bottom of the hammock (or clipped around the outside of the hammock) works great for keeping warm but you can also get cocoons or snake-skins.




Meanwhile, check out these links regarding hammock camping:
hammock forums (http://www.hammockforums.net/)
hammock camping (http://www.hammockcamping.com/)
hennessy hammocks (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/)
speer hammocks (http://www.speerhammocks.com/)
eagle's nest (http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/)
lawson's hammocks (http://www.lawsonhammock.com/)
check out the batwing (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/)

[Trailace]

I've tried tenting and have a decent Sierra Designs three person tent but really haven't found a ground pad comfortable (and I've tried them all). I was thinking of going with a hi-tech Luxury Lite Cot but, in truth, I also don't like having to set up or take down the tent (even though it's really easy) - all that packing and un-packing feels tedious. And, even though it's a very compact tent (18" long by ~6" around) it just takes up too much room, especially when you have to factor in the sleeping pad. Plus, I don't like not being able to stand up in the tent. Strapping up the hammock is just so much easier.

I have an Eagle's Nest Hammock that stuffs into a sewn-in pocket and is small enough to live in my tank bag. You can almost always find something to tie-out to even in non-tree areas. If you use web straps to wrap around the trees you don't damage bark. I've primarily used the hammock when I can't find a hotel in the area or just need to stop and rest for a bit (rest-stop ramadas with the hammock. . . :) ). I'm in the process of switching to one of the "rain-fly" type set-ups because I'm trying to get away from hotelling but haven't decided on which type. I'll probably just make a lightweight awning type tarp for now and experiment with some of the different designs folks have come up with until I get exactly what I want.

The key to comfortable hammock sleeping is to hang it with the feet slightly elevated (only an inch is plenty) then your back isn't hunched and I find it much more comfortable than a sleeping pad. Also, sleeping on the diagonal works well, too. (BTW, side sleepers can also curl up in a hammock so long as it's the nylon type without spreader bars.) Some of the higher cost tarp style set-ups actually are cut on the diagonal (making them assymetrical) and are designed with "ridge cords" so that you can adjust the amount of sag by shortening the ridge cord even if the supports aren't the "right" distance apart for optimum hanging. For colder weather, an emergency radiant heat blanket in the bottom of the hammock (or clipped around the outside of the hammock) works great for keeping warm but you can also get cocoons or snake-skins.




Meanwhile, check out these links regarding hammock camping:
hammock forums (http://www.hammockforums.net/)
hammock camping (http://www.hammockcamping.com/)
hennessy hammocks (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/)
speer hammocks (http://www.speerhammocks.com/)
eagle's nest (http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/)
lawson's hammocks (http://www.lawsonhammock.com/)
check out the batwing (http://www.mosquitohammock.com/)

I have been thinking about one of these.

[Tombstone]

I used to backpack a lot and own a jungle hammock. It was great for backpacking, very light weight and fairly easy to set up. The sleeping position was more comfy than it looks, I always seemed to sleep well in it. I used mine on some winter trips and was as warm as my friends who were in tents on the ground.

Negatives? Yes. Unless your more agile than I am its nearly impossible to change your clothes in one. Thats ok if your several miles into the back country, but if your at a KOA or similar place it might be cumbersome. Also, I know its a no no, but in a pinch (bad weather) you can cook in your tent...not so in a jungle hammock. And as has been mentioned before, you need to have trees or something to tie it to. A street light pole won't work as the rope will slide down and your on the ground. I used a truck bed and a tree once, but it required some juggling to get it right.

The jungle hammock is well designed and well built, but IMHO it fits the backpacker mode much better than the moto-camper.

My 2 cents.

[raven]

Jungle hammocks are great up to a point.

I think the separate rainfly configuration that's really popular now is much more versatile.

You can set up the fly and then set up everything else under the fly (so you're working in the shade or out of the rain). So, in bad weather you can cook under the fly (while sitting on your hammock) and stay fairly dry. As far as changing clothes go, you can always drop the edges of the fly and change standing up or you can carry a Lungi (basically a fabric tube that you can change clothes in, use as an extra layer, use as a snakeskin, etc).

BTW, webbing is a much better tie off material than rope b/c you can tie off on a lamp pole using webbing and it doesn't slide down where rope will slide every time.

[Big Bandit]

If you wrap the rope around the pole a couple of times before you tie it off it will not slide down the pole. Also, if you know how to tie a clove hitch around the pole it will definately not slide down.

[ChipSTer]

Plus, if you know that where you are going (for instance: canoeing down a creek that has really steep sides), and you know there is not going to be suitable places for a tent, then take a hammock... :D
:cool:

[KampinKirk]

I agree with Tombstone...I have been camping many years from a canoe, backpack,and motorcycles. A hammock may work well for some folks but for this ol' timer I will stick with the tent.

Kampin Kirk
99 Harley-Davidson FXR2
96 Bushtec Turbo II
Thermarest Camprest
Sierra Designs 4 season tent
International Brotherhood of Motorcycles http://www.ibmc.org

[Mellow]

Welcome to the site Kirk!