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03/25/2019 09:35AM |
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03/25/2019 09:48AM |
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03/25/2019 03:57PM |
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03/26/2019 06:43AM |
KarlBAndersen1: "I can't figure out what age has to do with it."
Personally, my back whines about sleeping on the ground MUCH more at 50+ than it ever did when I was younger.
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03/26/2019 06:30AM |
I also think of a tent as primary shelter that protects and gives comfort in all conditions - wind, rain, snow, hail - whatever. I camped once with a person who slept in a well made hammock and loved it. He normally slept well and it was lighter than a tent by far. But I will always remember one night when a thunderstorm was approaching. As the wind started to pick up I couldn't remember if we had tied the canoes down, so I got up and went down by the lake to check them. As I walked near his hammock I was struck by how much it was moving around due to the wind and movement of the trees he had it tied to. Couldn't tell if he was awake or not. The next morning the bags under his eyes and state of stupefaction told the story...didn't need to ask.
I can also feel claustrophobic in small cramped shelters and I can recall trips where I have spent long, rainy days in the tent without feeling like I was going crazy. I liked having my gear within easy reach in those times.
That said, I love the hammock I put up in camp for relaxation!
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03/25/2019 05:34PM |
If there's rain, kids are in the tent, I'm in the hammock. No rain, we're all in hammocks. Never slept better in the woods.
If there are hanging trees available, I'm not sleeping on the ground.
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03/26/2019 06:24AM |
I'm 65 and have been hammock camping for five years.
I wish they had them like today when I was 18.
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03/25/2019 05:58PM |
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03/25/2019 10:34AM |
I would like to get a hammock sometime though, just for midday naps. Seems it would be especially nice on a rainy afternoon.
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03/26/2019 06:30PM |
singlebladecanoe: "Cool, I was expecting more tent campers than hammocks. I've always been a tent camper but just got in a Dream Hammock and UGQ tarp. Just waiting for my under and top quilts to get in to give it a try in the yard."
Well, you sure are starting off with style! Top choice on your gear. I have the same setup. Just amazing quality from both of UGQ and Dream. Welcome to the club!
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03/25/2019 05:07PM |
Tomcat: "I prefer tent, it provides a comfortable spacious environment insulated from weather, dirt, and insects where I can spread my gear out if I want and share time with others. Feels more like a home away from home than just a bed away from home."
+1
I went from tent to hammock, and back to a tent. The hammock was very comfortable for a while but, now in my late 60's, a good quality inflatable sleep pad works best for me.
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03/24/2019 08:14PM |
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03/24/2019 10:40PM |
singlebladecanoe: "How many out there use a Tent? How many a Hammock? And why do you chose what you did?"
In my 20's sleeping on a 3/4 length closed-cell foam pad or Thermarest was fine. Today, I am more than twice as old and 25% heavier. The weight of the sleeping pad I would need to sleep comfortably on the ground is more weight than I want to carry. Sleeping in a hammock, with down under-quilt is simply far more comfortable than any other camp sleep system. Additionaly, lightweight tents are small and confining. For comparable weight, I get shelter as large as all of outdoors should I choose it. I love the 360 degree views sleeping under a tarp allows.
I have a tent. I have a bivy. I have cowboy camped. Nothing provides as luxurious sleep as my hammock.
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03/25/2019 03:02AM |
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03/25/2019 04:31AM |
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03/25/2019 06:20AM |
ParkerMag: "Only time I'm on the ground anymore is when I'm tripping/camping with my wife. I find the hammock more comfortable, and a lot more flexible as to site selection."
+1
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03/24/2019 07:30PM |
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03/24/2019 11:57PM |
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03/25/2019 06:16AM |
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03/25/2019 07:04AM |
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03/25/2019 07:01AM |
I considered a hammock. Sleeping in the hammock is awesome. I am also a side sleeper. Sometimes stomach sleeper. Doesn't matter. I've got an original Warbonnet Blackbird, and it works great. If the weather's going to be nice, I'll porch out one side of the tarp to give myself a nice view of the water in the morning.
Only time I've had trouble sleeping in it is when I was just next to the water and these two guys fishing at 6am couldn't stop talking about how quiet it was. Loudly. They seemed displeased when I told them they were annoying and to go away. (Gotta admit...we were on the same lake the next night....was tempting to go by earlier and prove that point to them, but I resisted.)
The only other issue I had using a hammock one trip was when I was at a spot and the only good tent spot also had the only good trees, and I had to give up the spot for my friend with the way-too-big tent.
When I've gone further north (Wabakimi / Woodland Caribou), I've used a tent. And missed my hammock. But I've also picked up a couple lighter weight hammocks along the way; I may pack one of those on the next trip through, just in case.
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03/25/2019 07:48AM |
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03/25/2019 09:02AM |
For me it was about sleeping comfort. I have low back pain and even have difficultly sleeping in many beds. The hammock provides the low back support I need and allows me to sleep pain free (and much better). It is true that it is lower weight, particularly if you invest in down underquilts and topquilts. A good set up (hammock, silnylon or silpoly tarp, down underquilt, and down topquilt) will set you back about $500 but thats not too dissimilar from a similar tent set up.
From my experience in the BW, you have much more flexibility with campsites with hammocks. When I go with the family, my wife and I sleep tandem (using a spreader bar and a single tarp). When I go with the guys, I am easily able to get far away from anyone else and sleep in utter quiet. Not being limited to traditional tent pads has been great.
I've never had any sort of issue getting wet in my hammock under a tarp. And I use a hex-shaped tarp. If wetness really concerns you, get a full sized tarp (a Warbonnet Superfly or similar offered by many vendors).
Finally, I've found that sleeping in a hammock keeps me better connected to nature. In a tent, I feel like I've stepped into a walled-in room where I can see and experience very little of what is going on outside. Not so in the hammock - more of my senses remain engaged even under the tarp.