Tried my first night hang last night here in N. Illinois. I wanted to try this out before investing a lot of money, so..........

Bought a hammock at Wally World. I already have a nice CCS tarp, sleeping pads I could use to keep my butt warm and would just flip my sleeping bag over and use it like an over quilt.

The skeeters aren't out yet in my neck of the woods, so I figured I didn't need a bug net yet.

Well, headed out for my first over nighter last night in my back yard.

It was rainly lightly, but I was dry and love the sound of rain on the tarp.

Got everything situated and climbed in...........I'm laying diagonally in my hammock and the sleeping pad is under me. I stayed warm, so that wasn't the problem.

I just could never fall asleep. I laid there, warm and toasty, for about three hours and gave up. Just never got comfortable enough to drift off. I never did any tossing and turning, but I guess I just never relaxed.

Climbed in my tent, went right to sleep.

Guess I'm going to have to try tweaking things a bit.

Anyone else had a similar first try?

Yeah, this was my first experiences. I didn't have the blissful experience that others have with their first night - but then, I wasn't quite the camper I am today.

I find my first night in the woods is hit/miss anyway - sometimes I'm awake for what feels like the whole night, although I feel rested the next day. Sometimes I go right down, although maybe a bit later than at home.

One thing to consider - a better hammock will lay better, so any discomforts that may have been nagging at you may iron out. Dutch has some cheap hammocks with better body materials if you'd like a step up from the Wal-mart hammocks. I've been there though - I have a couple of Yukon hammocks from a sale long ago. The actual hammock is usually the cheapest part of the system, though...

I tried several times before I could sleep. I think it was more my nerves and apprehension that kept me awake. When I was doing my initial testing it took me about two or three nights of trying before it felt right to sleep in the hammock. I can now lay down and be out in a matter of minutes. Keep practicing and your body will learn that hammock = sleepy time.

I can tell you that after a long hard day portaging I have never had a problem falling to sleep.

I didn't have any problem with my first hang (in a Warbonnet Blackbird), but many folks report similar issues after their virgin night. Try hanging your hammock a little looser next time.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I spent part of the afternoon trying different hangs and test driving........Tighter, looser, etc. I think I've finally settled on a hang that seems comfy, with my feet higher then my head.

I've also figured out how to position my feet so that my legs are supported. Last night, my feet were supported, my butt was supported but my legs were not. It sort of felt like my knees were trying to bend backwards.

Another trial run tonight! It's no great disaster if I don't succeed immediately. I've got my tent set up a few feet from the hammock, so I've got a more familiar shelter just a few feet away and fully ready should I need to retreat.

Your lack of knee support is a common issue. Try sticking a piece of clothing under there to support that part of your legs. I personally use a small inflatable pillow for just that purpose.

There may be no one here that could sleep the night through in a Wally World hammock. Was it a-symmetrical so you could lay flat?
Also, my first night wasn't right in my Hennessy either, just because of the big change. The second was better, and after that I was good.

Well, night number 2 wasn't much of a success. Hit the hang at 9:00 p.m., kind of tossed and turned until 1:00 a.m., then hit the tent again.

I was ready to bail out around midnight, but my nose was warning me that there was a skunk nearby, so I waited awhile.

I am thinking that the Wally World hammock could be contributing to the problem. I don't think it is wide enough to allow me enough of a flat lay. I had to keep changing positions in order to stay comfy.

In addition, it was warm and very humid, so laying on the closed cell pad got a bit damp on my butt.

I'm not giving up yet, but I may have to invest in a more suitable hammock. I've been doing my research online at some of the better camping hammock manufacturers and find that the hammocks themselves aren't that expensive. It adds up with all the accessories, so maybe I'll order a hammock which is reasonable but bare bones and give it another try.

One thing I've learned in my many years is that you generally get what you pay for and cheap camping gear usually doesn't deliver.

I'd sure like to give this experiment an adequate try.....I really like the concept.

Hot and humid takes the fun out of anything.
Take into consideration that you weren't paddling and portaging all day either (or were you?) and anything feels good after that.

quote PortageKeeper: "Hot and humid takes the fun out of anything.
Take into consideration that you weren't paddling and portaging all day either (or were you?) and anything feels good after that."

Good point. Nothing improves a sleeping system of any sort like being tired to the bone!

I have taken this into consideration. After retreating to the tent once again last night, it took at least another hour for me to fall asleep.

I have to admit that I enjoy being in the hammock. When I move, it rocks gently back and forth which is very soothing and I like that close to nature feel (even with a skunk nearby).

Don't give up, you will get the hang of it.

I would agree with PortageKeeper that to make this work you probably will need an asymmetrical hammock that's specifically designed for camping. As you say, the hammock is the inexpensive part. I recommend you spring for a decent hammock, and if you find that hanging isn't for you the hammock can always be sold for close to what you paid for it. It seems that most folks when they get into hanging start off with the least expensive options and try to jerry-rig a system together, but then realize the futility and start to upgrade.
The research that you are doing will allow you to learn from others experiences/mistakes and save you some money and heartache on the front end by avoiding common pitfalls. Don't give up yet!

I found it difficult to nap in my basement. Still do. But put me in the woods and im out within minutes. And don't wake up till the next morning (unless drinking beer before hand)

A tablecloth hammock is super cheap and easy DIY project and the fabric is soo nice on your skin. If you are handy with a thread injector you can easily turn an old cheap sleeping bag into an underquilt that would work perfectly well. If temps are high a military poncho liner works like a charm for very little cost. Be warned once you start down the rabbit hole it is a long way to the bottom. A gathered end hammock can be just as comfortable as any of the asym hammocks given they are hung right.

military poncho line

DIY gathered end hammock

quote awbrown: "One thing I've learned in my many years is that you generally get what you pay for and cheap camping gear usually doesn't deliver."

Wish we could pin this quote to the top of every vendor page.

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote awbrown: "One thing I've learned in my many years is that you generally get what you pay for and cheap camping gear usually doesn't deliver."

Wish we could pin this quote to the top of every vendor page."

With age comes wisdom and a wee bit more disposable income. There was a time when I had to "make do" with what I could scrape together......I'm a much happier camper now that I can make outdoor gear more of a priority.......

Just wish Dan Cooke made hammocks.....LOL

quote awbrown: "

quote OBX2Kayak: "

quote awbrown: "One thing I've learned in my many years is that you generally get what you pay for and cheap camping gear usually doesn't deliver."

Wish we could pin this quote to the top of every vendor page."

With age comes wisdom and a wee bit more disposable income. There was a time when I had to "make do" with what I could scrape together......I'm a much happier camper now that I can make outdoor gear more of a priority.......


Just wish Dan Cooke made hammocks.....LOL"

I would buy one!

Well if you were to buy the blackbird and didn't like it, you could sell it used on hammock forums.net and get most of your money back. Might be worth the risk. They sell used for near retail price there for some reason.just a thought.

quote bobbwca: "Well if you were to buy the blackbird and didn't like it, you could sell it used on hammock forums.net and get most of your money back. Might be worth the risk. They sell used for near retail price there for some reason.just a thought."

Hi Bob........I got a chance to test run Bonvicken's Blackbird at the Wing Night....Nice setup and I can see why they are popular.

Did my due diligence and research. So I went to their website and they are not taking orders right now. I understand a key employee left and that created big problems.

So, I think I'll probably just wait until they are back to normal and go that route. They also will take it back if I bought it and just couldn't "float my boat" so to speak.

Hmm, very nice return policy. Getting the perfect hang is easy, but it's takes a little practice to get the angles right.

In the meantime maybe read up on it, do some research on hammockforums, and maybe buy the book, The Ultimate Hang. A good read.

+1 on the ultimate hang, it helped me alot when i was first getting started.