wbrown62
Texas
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Joined: 01/09/2011
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I dont think any tent would stop a river from finding its way through seam or zipper after a deluge running right through the middle of a campsite regardless of quality. I do have a quality tent with a Sierra Designs tent that is completely seam sealed and Big Agnes sleeping pads and I spend many more nights in it than I do the hammock. Its just that hammocks have their benefits also. I have also used my hammock as a tent. Using a Hennessy Hammock as a tent
I am simply trying to tout the benefits of a hammock and it seems that most people on here only think of the simple woven hammocks on a tropical beach. Quality camping hammocks are much more than that. With a hammock, you don't have to be concerned about rocks, sticks, level ground, rain water etc. All that is required is 2 trees.
Hennessy Hammock
2011 Keystone Bullet 246RBS
2000 Chevrolet Silverado
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tplife
SoCal
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2 trees and a frame (or your own property) as here out west you can't attach anything to a tree, bush, etc. Ain't it grand?!?
People's Republik of Kalifornia
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RDS33
Nebraska
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tplife wrote:2 trees and a frame (or your own property) as here out west you can't attach anything to a tree, bush, etc. Ain't it grand?!?
Yes there are places where trees are not available or you can't attach anything to them. Then unless you have something else to hang from you may be grounded.
Some people use a pad for bottom insulation, so if worse comes to worse they have the pad when they go to the ground. The tarp still works for rain cover if needed. Some of the hammocks can be rigged for ground service to help keep the critters at bay.
I primarily use the hammock for backpacking, and usually hike in areas that have trees available. I plan my hikes with that in mind.
But some great places to hike like the Grand Canyon, will limit the use of trees because they are not available or it is not permitted.
However, where hammocks can be used they provide a great nights sleep.
If you are car or truck camping with a family with young children, then the tent provides some advantages that may be necessary.
I have even hung my hammock between fifth wheel campers when space was limited.
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crosscheck
Coldstream, BC
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Joined: 12/14/2010
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I saw the first hammocks in Italy 2 summers ago. Both single cyclists. Weather very warm. Looked interesting. Many people who have tryed them say they are comfortable. I'm sure that is the case.
After 40 plus years and counting of tenting, for me there has never been a time when I couldn't set up a tent but many times when you couldn't sling up a hammock.
Backpacking in the alpine, no trees.
Wilderness canoeing in the north, no trees.
Camping in the desert, no trees.
Cycling in Europe, crowded tenting areas, few good spots for hammocks.
Waiting out a 24 hour storm in tent, cooking under vestibule, feasible in hammock?
I always have a partner(wife) and even our small 3 season tent has room to put gear inside.Can you both sit up in a hammock a read etc. for hours?
Horrendous bugs during summertime, I'm sure hammock has that figured out.
Light weight single tent, 2lb,13oz, tent hammock, 2lb,9oz.
Rain water on floor of tent, sleeping mat is waterproof and thick enough, bag doesn't get wet.
Our 3 season tent has 1 pole, setup if in heavy rain including fly in 2 minuits(both of us). Stakeing extra.
Shouldn't knock something that I know little about but for us, tents do just fine.
Vienna, Austria. We lucked out and got the only tent spot by the RV dump station.Not a lot of room for hammocks here.
Dave
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tplife
SoCal
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RDS33 wrote:tplife wrote:2 trees and a frame (or your own property) as here out west you can't attach anything to a tree, bush, etc. Ain't it grand?!?
Yes there are places where trees are not available or you can't attach anything to them. Then unless you have something else to hang from you may be grounded.
Some people use a pad for bottom insulation, so if worse comes to worse they have the pad when they go to the ground. The tarp still works for rain cover if needed. Some of the hammocks can be rigged for ground service to help keep the critters at bay.
I primarily use the hammock for backpacking, and usually hike in areas that have trees available. I plan my hikes with that in mind.
But some great places to hike like the Grand Canyon, will limit the use of trees because they are not available or it is not permitted.
However, where hammocks can be used they provide a great nights sleep.
If you are car or truck camping with a family with young children, then the tent provides some advantages that may be necessary.
I have even hung my hammock between fifth wheel campers when space was limited. Here in California they warn you the first time and take your stuff down. The second time they cite you with a ticket. You cannot attach anything (lanterns, hammocks, tarps, nails, ropes etc.) to a tree or a bush. You would have to bring your own frame. 
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brklyncamper
Brooklyn, NY
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Joined: 07/25/2011
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I'd love some more insight as to the benefits of using a hammock over tents. I checked out the Hennessy Hammocks site and they definitely look cool - sort of like cocoons for humans. But with the excellent tents and all the accompanying technology that comes with them why use a hammock? I'm just trying to understand and fully respect others' choices. Thanks.
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wbrown62
Texas
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brklyncamper wrote:I'd love some more insight as to the benefits of using a hammock over tents. I checked out the Hennessy Hammocks site and they definitely look cool - sort of like cocoons for humans. But with the excellent tents and all the accompanying technology that comes with them why use a hammock? I'm just trying to understand and fully respect others' choices. Thanks.
I think it really boils down to personal preference more than anything. I use a tent much more often but I do enjoy the time spent in a hammock. A few of the benefits are regardless of ground conditions that may make pitching a tent not feasible a hammock may work better. In warm conditions a pad is not necessary. In a big downpour there is little to no concern about water coming in. I own good backpacking tents and in a downpour, I would still think about water creeping in somewhere.
A few drawbacks are hammocks can be cold when temps are lower. There are remedies for this, but I have not tried any. They are more difficult to enter than a tent. You do not want to be going in and out very much. And also trees while not required are really what hammocks are all about. I have set mine up on the ground using trekking poles. Also, as stated above some areas do not allow attaching anything to trees. Anywhere I backpack there are many, many trees and hanging a hammock is not a problem. Probably other pros and cons that I am overlooking, but never the less, I think personal preference is the biggest.
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brklyncamper
Brooklyn, NY
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Thanks for replying wbrown62. I can see how a hammock would be a big plus in rain. Plus, temperatures tend to be warmer in rainy conditions. Hmm. Maybe I'll try one out.
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RDS33
Nebraska
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brklyncamper wrote:I'd love some more insight as to the benefits of using a hammock over tents. I checked out the Hennessy Hammocks site and they definitely look cool - sort of like cocoons for humans. But with the excellent tents and all the accompanying technology that comes with them why use a hammock? I'm just trying to understand and fully respect others' choices. Thanks.
Comfort is the number one reason that many hammock camping hikers like to use hammocks. For me they are much more comfortable than being on a 1 1/2 inch inflatable pad.
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llewis
Alpharetta, GA
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Joined: 01/27/2012
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I found a How to Hang a Hammock guide that has some pretty interesting information.
I'm usually a tent person, but I think that page would be helpful for hanging.
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