Best Hammocks

Grace_n_WideOpenSpaces · 10-08-2011, 03:39 PM

I have been wanting to buy a hammock, so we can take it camping, for a long time. Does anyone have suggestions, on the best hammock, that you can just ''throw up'', without much effort?

briansnat · 10-08-2011, 07:15 PM

If you mean a hammock to sleep in, Hennessy and Clark hammocks have quite a following.

If you just want something to hang out in during the day, check out the Eno Single Nest or the Hammock Bliss Ultralight. Use hammock straps to hang them for quick and easy setup.

Lorax · 10-08-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by briansnat

If you mean a hammock to sleep in, Hennessy and Clark hammocks have quite a following.

If you just want something to hang out in during the day, check out the Eno Single Nest or the Hammock Bliss Ultralight. Use hammock straps to hang them for quick and easy setup.

Everything said here I agree with. Also look at the Warbonnet Blackbird. I have all four and they are all different.
It will depend on your use and how you usually sleep.

IndianaHiker · 10-09-2011, 04:13 PM

Just used one of these today. My first Hammock and loved it best nights sleep I ever had in the woods. These are pretty cheap also.

Grandtrunk Hammock Ultralight Also got the straps shows on the web site.

Hammock and with the Tarp I currently have been using Granite Gear White Lightning.

oldsarge · 10-09-2011, 04:53 PM

IndianaHiker, What a great set up! Reminds me of what I used in Panama back in the 80's. This is one of my students at the Jungle school. Although your's is most likely much lighter and of better quality. I used an issue poncho for overhead protection and a hammock made from an multipurpose net. Used my mosquito bar to keep the bugs off. This guy used a poncho liner as his hammock. One thing I found that worked great for me was, on the cords leading to your hammock, leave some tails of cordage hanging down from the main one. When it rains, water will run down the cord and wick into your sleeping bag, the little tails you leave hanging cause the water to build up and drip straight down. I really need to get out more and do some over nighter's. thanks for the pic's

Miley · 10-09-2011, 06:14 PM

I was also in need of some hammock ideas. Thanks for sharing some good hammocks, and pictures. I think I will try sleeping in a hammock, since it seems so popular, I usually just lounge in them.

IndianaHiker · 10-09-2011, 09:43 PM

@ Old Sarge,
Sounds like you slept in a few hammocks. Question for you . Only problem was when using a sleeping pad it kept sliding down on the foot side of the hammock. Is this because I had the head to high or just that the hammock material was so slick. Part of the night my pad and feet were hanging over the end of the hammock. Last night that was ok but in the winter that would suck.

Walking Man · 10-09-2011, 10:18 PM

Unfortunately, I can't sleep in a hammock because of my back. I'm strictly a ground man. I do take an air mattress with me though and actually do well on the ground. I've been told I need a harder mattress at home. I could just camp out though and spare the expense.

outwest · 10-10-2011, 10:23 AM

I love these ideas and might need to try it next time we head out. Not sure how long it will take to figure out but I have a feeling for a newb like me some trial and error is okay. We all learn one way right?

oldsarge · 10-10-2011, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndianaHiker

@ Old Sarge,
Sounds like you slept in a few hammocks. Question for you . Only problem was when using a sleeping pad it kept sliding down on the foot side of the hammock. Is this because I had the head to high or just that the hammock material was so slick. Part of the night my pad and feet were hanging over the end of the hammock. Last night that was ok but in the winter that would suck.

I would think your head was higher and caused you to slip some. Also the material could be slippery as well. I tied my hammock level as I could, once I got in, it sagged so I was able to adjust myself. I used a solid fabric hammock once that had a piece of wood on each end to keep the ends wide, this wasn't too bad, but when I went to a net style hammock, I used spreader bars woven through the netting on each end and my sleeping pad was kind of wedged in there, it worked so much better and I had hardley any movement at all throughout the night. The nice thing about using a sleeping pad is that you can hang a mosquito bar under your tarp and tuck it under the pad loosely so it hangs down a bit. Keeps the bugs off real nice. Here's another one of our non-tactical sleeping arrangement's...no this is not me, this is Frank Marcheski, one of the instructors who is also known for his single handed capture of an eight foot Bushmaster. Got pictures of that too!