Hammock Camping Info

After a lousy night's sleep in a tent a few years ago I decided to check out hammocks for backpacking and camping.  I bought an inexpensive nylon hammock from Walmart and have never looked back.  Since that time I've "upgraded" to other manufacturers - including Grand Trunk, Trek Light, ENO, and Hennessy - but for ease of use, sleeping comfort, compact size, and light weight the hammock is hard to beat in my estimation.  A quick list of what to pick up for hammock camping is not really a simple task.  There are several considerations: will there be biting insects?  If so then a bug net is helpful.  What will the temperature be like?  If it's very cold at all I will need some sort of under insulation to keep from having "cold butt syndrome."  Is rain a possibility?  If so then I'll want a rain fly.



Few hammocks in the background.

One quick option that I've purchased is the Hennessy Hammock (click here). 

The Hennessy includes everything (excluding the insulation) that you need for basic backpacking or camping as far as your hammock goes - hammock, bug net, rain fly, tree straps, and suspension system.  There are other manufacturers that offer similar setups.  I've modified my Hennessy by changing out the suspension system and tree straps for the Marlin Spike Whoopie Kit from Arrowhead Equipment.  I can't say enough good about the whoopie sling setup.  They are so easy to attach and adjust.  it is a definite inconvenience to try to adjust your hammock left or right with many other systems (including the one that comes with the Hennessy). 

I also modified my Hennessy's entry system.  I bought the Expedition Asym Classic which has a bottom velcro entrance/exit.  It's pretty cool but ultimately not very comfortable to use and is very limiting when you want to easily grab something outside of your hammock.  I had 2QZQ Hammock Specialties install a side zipper for me and it's incredible.  I should have spent the original $20 difference and ordered my Hennessy with a zipper.

Hennessy zipper modification.

Hennessy suspension ropes attached to their tree straps.

If you don't go the all-inclusive route then you can customize your setup in a number of different ways but here's a quick list of items to get and things to consider:

Hammock: lots of options out there - Grand Trunk, Trek Light, ENO to just name a few.

Hammock, whoopie slings, and tree straps all in the attached bag.

Tarp: you can DIY like a buddy of mine or buy one premade - mine are all premade.  You'll want to include some way to run a ridge line to hang the tarp or buy one that is ready to hang already like the ProFly Rain Tarp from ENO.  You can sort of see mine in this cropped pic from a backpacking trip in 2013.

Insulation: you'll need some way to keep from getting cold because of convection.  The cheap route is a simple camping pad, like what you would use in a tent - this is what I currently use.  Other options are underquilts (like those at Arrowhead Equipment) or the "Super Shelter" from Hennessy.  I would love an underquilt but haven't yet spent the $$$ on one.

Bug net: depending on where you go and the time of year you will probably want some way to keep mosquitos from biting you while you sleep.  You can make a bug net, buy one that encloses your entire hammock, or buy one that is integrated like the Hennessy.

Tree straps: you need something to attach to trees while camping.  Most systems are some sort of strap rather than rope.  Ropes will much more easily cut into the tree causing damage.  There are several options out there but I still prefer the system I mentioned earlier from Arrowhead.

Tree straps from Arrowhead Equipment.

Suspension: you need a way to attach the hammock to the tree straps.  Many hammocks only come with the hammock, you'll have to buy suspension lines separately.  I am a strong advocate for whoopie slings.  They are super lightweight, and incredibly easy to attach and adjust - well worth the money.

Here's the Marlin Spike setup from Arrowhead.

Whoopie slings suspension.

Stakes: don't forget enough stakes to stake out your rainfly.

Second hammock: one last thing that I've found extremely helpful is having a second hammock to hang under my main hammock to use for gear storage.  This is especially helpful when its raining but is great any other time as well.

There is so much more that could be written but hopefully this is helpful.  For more hammock information check out the book The Ultimate Hang as well as the Ultimate Hang website.  Tons of helpful tips.

Get out there!

~Rhyno