I've had this one for a while.

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I am a side sleeper,   if you it is a large enough one (11ft) and lie diagonal in the hammock you can sleep on your side no problem.

Set up for a weeknof camping at Scout Camp.


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I’ve been a tent camper until this past weekend. First night, I got in late and set up an expedient hammock with a usmc tarp. It worked, but was not ideal. Being straight, I sank into it and the “sides” scrunched my shoulders in.

Second night, a buddy lent me his one hammock. Said it’s like a $10 jobber he got for free. Low expectations set… boy howdy, that thing was comfortable. Didn’t wake up sore or stiff.

In both, I put my z-fold foam pad. It does make it easier to get in/out. I just used a poncho liner over me the first night. Second, I zipped the poncho liner (anyone got a link for real USGI surplus poncholiner/woobies?) I was warm and cozy both nights around 65-70*, wearing normal pants and t shirt to sleep.

Normally I’m a side sleeper, and was leery of the hammock for that. However, Uncle Sam made sure that I could sleep anywhere, so in a couple minutes I was knocked out.

I bought a snugpack with mosquito net. Between it and a tarp, it’s pushing close to the size of a usgi 2man tent when packed. However it’s significantly lighter, and broken in two stuffsacks. I’ll have to test out the snugpack, I think it should do me well, if a $10 walmart jobber did the trick.

I don’t think that I will use it with the wife or just one buddy. Easier to set up a 2man.

How do y’all manage your gear? I stuck a screw peg in the tree and hung my main pack off it, with the option to put a poncho over it. Not bending over to dig in my ruck was pretty convenient. With a tent, I put my ruck in the vestibule.

Gear management: I keep a couple of s-hooks in my bag along with a few carabiners and cam-lock cord tighteners(?).  Some pre-knotted paracord makes it easy to wrap a tree a couple of times to provide some hang points if I need them.  

You can also hang a sling under your hammock to keep things off of the ground.  It's not quite as convenient to access, but it does tend to keep the dirt and bugs out of your gear.  I bought a cheap net hammock from Amazon, maybe $7-$10?  I have not used this yet, but will the next time I'm out.



If you haven't tried sleeping at a slight diagonal to your hammock instead of keeping your body in line, you should give it a shot.  I don't know how it works in hammocks without spreader bars, but it certainly helps to keep mine from wrapping around me like a cocoon.

Last thing, I bought a relatively inexpensive rain fly to use instead of a tarp.  It's not quite as versatile, but it is lighter and packs down smaller.  Not a big deal for me at this point since I'm usually near my car and can afford to bring extra stuff, but once this fall really hits and I take some motorcycle trips out through the mountains I'll be glad to have less bulk.

Thanks.

Some paracord or a strap designated for the ruck is a lot friendlier than using screw hooks. Just put the poncho on it before you hang it. A good carabiner will help.

I have a handful of tarps. Only one that’s “quality” is the usgi. Picked up a $40 one on amazon (expectations are kinda low here), used twice so far. Works well, is a elongated hexagon, advertised for hammock use. I got it in OD green, but the fabric is kinda shiny. Burnt up some partial cans of spray paint giving it some having-fun-cam.

When I set it up, I left the corner at my head/ruck unstaked as a door. I think an elongated octagon would be a better shape, so it can be closed in on the ends. I’ve seen these advertised and may get one of those to replace this one.

When using the usgi tarp, at least without a spreader, the shape and proportions, as well as the strength of the fabric, made it very deep, probably twice as deep as the hammock I was lent.

The USGI tarp is pretty high quality and versatile, but a rain fly designed for use over a hammock is still very versatile with some imagination. I would be perfectly fine carrying only a rainfly instead of the classic tarp when bringing a hammock. With a tent, I’d prefer the classic tarp to use as a base, as the fabric is much more durable than the rainfly I have. Naturally, I try to protect my tent bottom, and carry a proper rain fly for the tent.

The tent is bulky, about 16” long by 5” diameter, when stowed with 5 poles (three required, and where better to store the extra poles?), and rain fly. IIRC it weighs 9lbs as issued. We’ll call it 10lbs as carried. However it comfortably sleeps two grown men, with their gear, at -5*…

been a while since I hammock camped but there is nothing better I must say.
I always carry one with me while hiking though for an occasional nap in the woods, doing another section on the AT in a couple weeks so I'll have one with my for that

good tarp, good too quilt and good bottom quilt make for a great hang.  If you get cold check into hammock gear or enlightened equipment quilts.

How much difference does the UQ make?

Being used to the tent, I’m not sure exactly how much colder it is.

Such as let’s say we set up a solid tent, with ground-tarp, and rain fly on. Hammock is setup at a “normal” height, so you can easily sit down and get your boots off. Hexagonal rain fly is kept low. The sleeping system is your “standard”. For me that would be the USGI, mat, bivvy, bag, and poncho liner. You put the mat inside the hammock.

What’s the difference in temperature ya’ll find comfortable between them? Like 40* in the hammock, but 20* in the tent? 30* difference? I assume the tent is warmer, correct?

I was just looking at using a poncho liner as field expedient under quilt. Would ya’ll rather rig that up, or just stuff your poncho liner inside the bag? Pretend it’s going to be colder than you planned for.

An underquilt is a must in my opinion.  I would say a tent is about 5 degrees warmer for the same weight as a hammock set up,  as your heat is captured by your bag/pad and then again to a smaller degree within your tent. (Why there is condensation on tents often).  

That said,  i wouldn't trade the comfort of the hammock for those 5 degrees.  

Your UQ should be the same temp rating as whatever you have on top of you,  so a poncho liner will probably leave you cold underneath even with a good top quilt or bag.  Remember a bag is just wasted weight as any sleeping bag insulation between you and the hammock will be compressed to nothing and not provide any insulation.  The liner between you and the hammock is mostly wasted.

I tried using a pad when I first started but it was just too uncomfortable and too much of a hassle and not as warm due to gaps and not being able to inflate it as much as I wanted.

I've hammocked down to 20 easily with just my normal top and underquilt no problem.  With a extra blankets and quilts around me i've gone down to 0.

One part I’m also lost on, is how can the point of insulation compression be made, when your body weight is compressing it just the same while laying on the ground? Assuming the same bag/bivvy/mat/whatever, shouldn’t you be losing heat to the ground faster? Or does it really come down to simple air flow (even when not “windy”)?

I thought the pad was pretty nice, but not really necessary for comfort. Just makes life a bit easier holding the hammock open a bit, offering protection to the hammock material (a hole in the mat won’t be the reason you wake up by gravity, but a hole in the hammock might be). Of course I don’t see why your mat wouldn’t offer the same insulation, at least the relatively non-compressible closed-cell types.

I had ended up buying a snugpak jungle hammock. Not thrilled you can’t remove the mosquito net for winter use. Surely it will be great during summer though. I’ve only set it up once so far, but it seems very high quality and built to last. I like the strap setup it comes with. They advertise 550 cord, but it looks more like “775” or “1100” cord. I almost fell asleep in it the 30 seconds I laid in it in the test.

Snugpak offers their own “cocoon”, which I assume has to work seamlessly with their hammocks. They don’t claim any temperature rating on it. Anyone used it?

I have a nice hammock setup for napping out in the woods. But for overnight it is the most uncomfortable, painful and least restful way of sleeping I can imagine. I tried multiple times before I gave it up, nothing I changed made it any better.

I have a piece of radiant-barrier insulation I cut to fit. It's 1/8" thick with double-sided aluminum encasing little dead-air-cells.

Works great - reflects my body heat and blocks any breeze.

It is a wee bit bulky, but damn worth it.

Just last weekend (buddy in pic).
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So you just cut down a piece of what amounts to a “mat” to fit better in a hammock?

Well boys, I can now agree that the hammock is colder. I’m thinking about 10*.

Did two nights, it was right around freezing. Snowed last night, bit more wind.

I would have tented with my sleeping system and underwear or full synthetic base layer in these conditions. Friday, I rocked some cheapo 60% cotton longjohns. Knowing they suck, I kept on a light long sleeve and light hoodie. I was fairly warm and comfortable, but wanted some more comfort last night and had on a thinner fuzzy shirt as well. It compensated for the extra wind and I slept the same.

My back was not cold either night. Usually in the tent my ground side gets a bit cold. I’m usually a side sleeper, which compresses the insulation more than being spread out and cradled in the hammock. So while the hammock is overall more comfortable, I don’t sleep quite as soundly because I want to roll on my side… I also normally use my rain jacket or such as a pillow in the tent. I did not find it necessary to have any head support.

Using the traditional sleeping system in the hammock was a royal pain to get into and get situated. However, once I was there, it was all good. I felt very well bundled up and cozy.

I would have expected some decent condensation inside my tent in these conditions. I did not have any in my bivvy or on the tarp. Being able to stay dry helps significantly.

A modified octagonal shape would certainly be an improvement for “bad” weather. Being able to use those extra sides to close in would significantly increase your wind and rain protection. I was able to get a spot broadside to the wind, so it wasn’t such an issue. Two of my guys chose poorly and ended up with an open end facing the wind, they paid for it with more like a 20* penalty.

Definitely looking into a cocoon system, if only for the ease of getting in/out. I would like to find a cocoon that offers it’s own bivvy for standalone wind/rain protection.

Hopefully my anecdote helps someone debating on using a hammock or what to bring. I think overall it is worth it.

What do yall do with your rifle in a setup like this? I didn’t want to have it in the hammock with me, laying on top, compressing my insulation and soaking my heat. Being a secure site, I just leaned it up next to my ruck and tree under the poncho used to keep my ruck dry/concealed. One of my guys suggested I look into using a ridge-beam (sapling) for my tarp, and running the gear ties (twisty ties on steroids) around it and the rifle. So it is suspended above you while sleeping. I could also see velcro straps, or cordage loops with a windlass to choke working.

I also wasn’t keen on how I stowed my pants (with all my normal junk). I just kinda stuffed/piled them up at my feet inside the hammock, outside the bivvy. Friday night I kicked my pants out, but at least the sound woke me up. Usually I put them above my head inside the tent.

The portion of the sleeping bag underneath you on the ground is compressed and useless too,  thats why you need a sleeping pad,  it stays inflated/ or closed cell stays thick enough to trap the air under you.  Thats why most ultralight guys go with a quilt now to save the useless weight of whatever part of the bag is under you.   If you don't have a sleeping pad to insulate you from the ground you would get cold much faster than the air,  yes.

Lots of people use the pad under you in a hammock,  i just think it is a huge pain to keep under you.   Shouldn't be a problem keeping the hammock open,  not really what a pad should do.  The hammock should stay open by itself if it is long enough (11 ft for me) and you have the proper hang angle.   If you have it too tight, or too lose between trees it could close up on you,   and of course you should sleep on the diagonal.    I use a structural ridgeline that ensures I have the right angle no matter how far apart the trees are.

How do you actually get diagonal? The two I’ve used kept me straight. Even then, it’s still better than being on the ground.

I found that I want to put my head side a bit lower to start, if it’s hung evenly, then I wake up with my feet in the air.

I guess the key to being able to lay diagonal is having a long and wide enough hammock,  I like 11 feet long and 5 feet wide,  and having the angle of pitch correct.   If you have it too tight it will cocoon you.     I use dutchwear stuff mostly,  have about 6 of his hammocks,  they are relatively cheap ($55) and have lots of options that I have tried out including material type, ridgline, etc.  If you get one,  make sure you get a rigid structural ridgeline,  it ensures you have the right pitch angle no matter how far apart your trees are or how tight you pull it.   it only adds $8.
https://dutchwaregear.com/product-category/hammock-gear/hammocks/netless-hammocks/

Your upper half of your body weighs more than your legs,  so no matter what your upper half will be at the lowest point of the hammock in the morning.  I actually hang my head side a bit lower to keep me centered in the hammock,  but yes my feet are in the air a little.

For my final set up,  I use a dutchwear half zip hammock,  with whoopie slings (this is a neat suspension system that is super easy adjustable,  it looks complicated at first but isn't,  and its amazing it can hold your weight but it can)  and some simple tree saver straps.   Then I have a dyneema hexagonal tarp with elastic on all the tie points.  Then two JacksRBetter quilts for top and underneath with some elastic cord to suspend the underquilt.

Pretty much, although I grabbed to wrong one for this trip.

I also have one I cut to fit inside my sleeping bag but didn't realize that's the one I had until we were back! LOL

*There may have been a bit of alcohol involved...

I recently became curious about hammock camping so I came into the backpacking and camping section for the first time and was thrilled that this thread was at the very top

Looks like there's a lot more to consider than I imagined.

What are you hammock campers doing to keep your gear and shoes and stuff dry?  Just put that stuff under your hammock or what?

Yeah,  I usually have up my tarp,  so pack, shoes go right under me so I can put on my shoes without getting out.  I also have alot of things hanging inside and outside,  usually have my headlamp hanging right above my head on the ridgeline,  also have a little pocket hanging there too for my cell phone.  Clothes for the next morning get shoved in down by my feet so they aren't so cold in the morning,  and yesterdays clothes get hung up outside if its not raining.

I've been a hammock user for a long time. So long that the group of backpackers I ran with were the people testing out some of the original under quilts with what became some of the manufacturers of them. Lots of testing and great trips.
Hammocks are nice. They are not a cure all for back pain and they are not for everyone. Nor do they fit every situation as I have spent many nights doing ground set ups on trips.

What I do notice is that I sleep an average of one full hour longer in my hammock than I do in a tent. That tells me something.
I'll be out on a week backpacking trip after next week. Still deciding on which of my 5 I will take along.

Use a strap/web/peg to hang your ruck on a tree, with a cheap poncho over it. Run the hook through the head hole and tuck the hood around. If your pack isn’t too obese, button the poncho around to keep it from fluttering in the wind. Having your ruck up off the ground is also really nice for the old back. Then I also use it as a pseudo table when setting up my junk, hygiene, etc. Just about anything I can do to avoid having to bend over, again.

I need to set up and test my “structural ridgeline”. I got some 1100 cord and 5kN ‘biners to make it. As stated by others, seems like your best bet to hang all the junk you can.

Previously I’ve ran my tarp ends about 6” above ground, so wind-driven rain isn’t a super big concern, but I do worry about my boots. Definitely planning to just knock the mud off them, and tie the laces together with a little square knot to hang off the ridge. Nobody wants wet boots. I’m going to be pissed (at myself) if I wake up to my boots wet. Probably not a great idea to hang soaking wet stuff over your hammock for risk of it dripping onto your sleeping system.

If you’re hurting for gear, and it’s not supposed to be nasty, you’ll be fine just keeping your stuff on the ground under the tarp.

Also, ya’ll got any sources for quality “accessory” carabiners that are still rated? The 5kN ones I got are from RockX. Seems legit, but expensive. I just didn’t want to use cheapo hardware store models with just a “50lb WLL” or the like.

In my teens and 20s I did a ton of hammock camping in the PacNW.

Just used a string hammock, a tarp and paracord.

Worked great

ETA:  I'd probably buy a fancy all in one setup now but I have great memories hammock camping

My full set up. At 11 feet long it is plenty of room.
The third is a mini hammock that I sling underneath to put shoes book etc in.
This is NOT a lightweight hammock But i think it will last for years.

The wife and kids are packing up this morning for their shakeout run on backpack camping.  All of them will use hammocks.  

I have one for when I go as well.  I haven't stayed in one overnight, but they've been fine for afternoon naps.  

I like hammocks.

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Eno Doublenest
One Tigris underquilt
North Face 20* bag or woobie temp dependant
Bushcraft Outfitters 10x10 Tarp
King bug net during non-winter months

Sleep however you want in one of these. 😉

Town's End "big guy" hammocks

Spendy, but comfy.  I wish it had an integrated but net like my Ridge runner, but it is VERY comfy, especially if you're not actually a "big" guy.

I've done the hammock thing plenty.  Learned how to make a poncho hammock in Panama, great for staying away from all the wildlife, and comfortable.

So I'be done the 2 poncho thing for years in 3 out of 4 seasons (one as hammock, one for overhead cover), then got a purpose-built hammock, same deal.

From my scoutmaster days I used several different hammocks. The latest fall, winter and spring setup is a Warbonnet traveler, Outdoor Vitals under quilt and a ENO bug net that stay assembled as a unit stuffed in a waterproof bag. This setup allows me to be up and running with only attaching it to the trees, then add either a Kelty 9 or 12 tarp for a cover and done. For winter I add a down bag as a top quilt. I survived thunderstorms and temp down to 16 degree with no problem. This unit only takes a few minutes to set up or tear down. The bug net that stays in place all the time help protect the under quilt and hammock. At home between campouts I hang the setup on a hanger in my closet to keep the down under quilt from getting matted down.

Last weekend. Warbonnet Blackbird w/ Dyneema tarp.

It'd be better to say I "made" an 1/8" thick mat from super high-quality radiant-barrier home insulation. It doesn't appear that my body weight compresses the cells, so it retains it's insulative properties and reflects my own body heat back.

I use a roll-up ground mat like I was issued in warmer temps.