im planning a camping in April.and now shopping gear.
advantages of hammocks searched online:
1.cost less
2.are smaller
3.more light weight
4.quicker to set up camp and disassemble afterwards
5.more comfortable than sleeping on the ground
6.keep you away from slugs,snails and vermin
7.easier to find a campsite as you can sleep above rocks and uneven ground
my question is:is hammock really amazing as above?
Not really, if it's raining
Or there are "no see'ums" that will eat you alive.
A nice ground pad will keep you comfortable, and you don't have to worry about finding two trees that are the right distance apart.
Hammocks are also not quite as comfortable as you think, when you are trying to sleep in them.....great for relaxing, but sleeping when you really want to get some sleep....well, it's not quite Gilligan's Island.......
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Hammocks ARE comfortable. You CAN stay dry as a bone in a hammock even in a downpour and no-see-ums will be no bother in a hammock with mesh. Here is a prime example. Hennessy hammock
Of course, they are not for everyone.
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Hammocks are truly one of those things you have to actually try. Some people will love them, some will hate them. In my experience, there is very few people in the middle. For me, I've been sleeping on the ground for so long that relearning how to pitch camp isn't for me. If it is raining, or windy, or cold then hammocks are miserable. Plus, by the time you add tarps, underquilts, etc. the weight difference is often negligble. As you can see, they aren't my cup of tea. I have friends however who love them and will never go back.
OTOH, there is a type of hammock I like. A good use I've found for those cheap pocket net hammocks is for adding sleeping to cabins or lean-tos on the trail. And for lounging around the campfire.
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There are lovers and haters with really no in between as stated by Eyegor. Hammocks are cold without the proper add-ons. True camping hammocks are light weight. Mine weighs only 1 pound 15 ounces and that is WITH a tarp. It will keep me bone dry in a downpour and will keep out the no-see-ums. Does not keep me warm so much. It is OK to no less than 45 degrees for me without the additional add-ons one can make or purchase online. I find the hammock MUCH more comfy than a tent. Just this past weekend I backpacked and used my very high quality tent, pad and bag in 30 degree temps. I was warm, but not too comfy. I just have a difficult time on the ground. Some might say sleeping is difficult in hammock and I would agree with a traditional hammock for the most part. A Hennessy is cut on a bias, so one actually sleeps across the cut of the material at an angle while still being in line with the center of the hammock. This reduces the sag experienced in traditional hammocks. I can also pitch my hammock on the ground using 2 trekking poles with only 2 short lines on each pole and still have the protection of the tarp. At any rate, not for everybody, but I love mine. There will always be nay-sayers that have never tried a true, high quality camping hammock and base their experience solely on traditional hammocks which are NOT made for camping. Below is a picture of a hammock identical to mine.
* This post was
edited 03/02/12 09:44pm by wbrown62 *
thanks for ur advices.hiking is a process to find beautiful scene and different ways to live.i think i would hike hammock to see if it is my way.
thank u again and wish u have funny time outdoors.
* This post was
edited 03/14/12 01:34am by zack0109 *
Brassica wrote: A hammock would make sense if you were backpacking or bicycle touring and needed to save weight. Plus, you are going to have to accept the compromises listed above and find two trees. The trees requirement excludes hammock camping in the desert, grasslands, or alpine country above the tree line.
While I am also a ground hugger, I've met guys who were so into their hammocks that they would pitch them with two hiking poles and many guy lines. Looked like a lot of work to me, but again these guys were making fun of my definitely old school A-frame Timberline. I agree that a good hammock can keep you dry and the right gear can keep you warm. They just aren't for me.
A hammock would make sense if you were backpacking or bicycle touring and needed to save weight. Plus, you are going to have to accept the compromises listed above and find two trees. The trees requirement excludes hammock camping in the desert, grasslands, or alpine country above the tree line.
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