What is the first thing that comes to your mind when someone talks about camping? A tent, right? For decades, camping trips haven’t happened without tents being present or mentioned.
However, lately, this has started to change. Now, we have an alternative camping method: using a hammock. This is not the hammock you have in your backyard that is woven from a net and has spreader bars made from wood that could easily turn you over and hurt you, but a hammock designed specifically for sleeping.
For a long time, these kinds of hammocks have been common in South and Central America. However, these same hammocks are undergoing many changes today in terms of the materials used and advanced designs. They are becoming more popular among backpackers and car campers throughout the world.
Advantages of Using Camping Hammocks
Comfort
Camping hammocks provide more comfort, which can reduce stress and burnout. You can finally say goodbye to sleeping on mud, roots, bugs, rocks, and uneven, sloping ground. Camping using hammocks elevates your experience. It does take time to learn the best way to sleep comfortably in a hammock. But once you get the hang of it, you can have one of the best experiences. You are more likely to have an awesome night’s sleep in your hammock outdoors. Many even prefer to sleep in their hammock rather than their bed. In order to have a refreshing experience when you set out on your journey each morning and return to your home feeling completely rejuvenated, take a hammock along.
Versatile
Hammocks are versatile. They can be used in different types of locations. You could tie it between rocks and trees, above a stream, near a waterfall, on top of a hill, or even under piers. You could also tie it between the roof racks of two cars.
Better Health & Wellness
The hammock can also serve as a lounger and a chair. So you could read, relax, and take a nap in the hammock while outdoors, and you could do the same when at home. You could set your hammock up in the backyard to be used anytime, unlike tents that get folded and packed away in the basement until you go out on your next trip or vacation.
Easy To Set Up
Hammocks are easy to set up. Most hammocks can be set up easily and quickly. For example, a Hennessy Hammock takes just two minutes to set up. You don’t have to struggle with tent poles; you can just hang the hammock and use it instantly.
Lightweight and Compact
Hammocks save space and are lightweight. For example, the Hennessy hammock is exceptionally lightweight. Though the Hennessy has mosquito netting and a rainfly, it is still light, weighing below 3 lbs. This hammock is so comfy that you can sleep without your pillow. The best part about these is that you can carry only the things important to you and not all the accessories that may come with the hammock.
Reduces Stress And Helps You To Relax
Hammocks offer more openness. People who prefer a strong roof will not prefer hammocks. But those who want to feel nature and inhale fresh air would sleep in hammocks happily without giving it a second thought. Imagine going to sleep with the gentle breeze singing you a lullaby while you admire the stars above and waking up to a beautiful sky. It sounds out of this world, right? If the weather forecast warns about rain or if you wish to sleep longer, then carry a rain tarp and put it above your hammock. It will save you from getting wet in the rain and from the bright sunlight if you wish to sleep past sunrise.
Durable
Hammocks have great value. Most camping hammocks are rugged and made from good quality materials, just like many of the tents available in the market.
3 Things to Keep in Mind When Hammock Camping
Hammocks can be versatile, relaxing, fun, and affordable. But they do have drawbacks, too.
Insulation
When camping in warmer places, the hammock will help your body remain cool because of the air movement that it can provide. You would feel hot in a tent otherwise. However, in places with colder temperatures, sleeping in tents is advised as the ground that you will sleep on will act as insulation. The ground will return the heat that your body gives off. But if you sleep in a hammock, then your body heat will escape from the bottom side, which will cause your bottom to feel cold, whereas the top of your body will stay warm because of the blankets covering it.
To avoid this from happening and keep your entire body warm, you will have to place an insulated blanket or a rugged sleeping bag on the hammock to line it. Or you could add an insulation layer on the outside of the bottom part of your hammock. These types of layers are known as “underquilts.”
Warmer nights don’t demand insulation. You can stay warm with any light blanket.
Sleep Diagonally
Though many think that sleeping with your feet and head parallel to the hammock’s ends will be best, it is advisable to sleep at a slight angle. That way, you will not feel uncomfortable while sleeping and will be able to lay flat and enjoy the hammock’s comfort. Hennessy hammocks have an inbuilt asymmetrical design that makes it possible for you to be in a diagonal position easily and comfortably. If you feel a little discomfort in the neck or your knees, using a small pillow will comfort you. Polyester washable pillows using Nemo’s micro suede foam are something that you could use. Otherwise, you could roll up your clothes and use them as a pillow to avoid using more space.
Sleeping alone in a hammock is very comfortable. But, if you wish to sleep hugging your partner, then buy a hammock that can hold two people. The Roo Double Parachute provides plenty of space, enough to accommodate two people in one hammock. They can bear a total weight of 500 pounds.
Practice Your Hang
Your hammock comfort level depends on how well it is hung and how much you have allowed it to sag. So the height, angle, and also the distance between the anchor points become important. Once the hammock is hung at the correct height and angle and has a proper distance between the anchor points, you will get the perfect sag that will let you sleep comfortably.
The Hennessy hammock has a ridgeline (a cord that stretches above the hammock) that helps you get the ideal sag. This way, you don’t have to keep changing the hammock setup every night. You will have to try to set it up a few times until you master the trade of getting the perfect sag. And once you do get that right, your hammock will be your camping buddy for life.
Final Thoughts
Hammock camping is simple, convenient, and advantageous. You may pitch your hammock nearly everywhere and set it up in a flash. Say goodbye to sleeping on the ground and look forward to a good night’s sleep that your hammock provides. The odds are that once you try camping with a hammock, you will not want to go back to tents!
