The Hammock Backpack

People will buy almost anything once. This is pointless as Justin says. Why? Plus it's a Kickstarter project, so probably won't come to fruition.

Makes me cringe every time I see one of these new hammock companies using ropes instead of tree straps. Just one more of the same old thing. Lots of people jumping on the hammock band wagon with absolutely nothing new to offer the community.

Matt

Something similar was proposed at Trailspace last year or maybe early this year…
The idea did not make that much sense to me (for hikers) but there was some enthusiasm there.

What would be an interesting idea is if you could just carry around a backpack harness and the hammock could be formed into the sack which would strap into your harness. This way you would eliminate the outershell of your pack.

Since Hammocks need to be a heavier weight fabric anyway and don't immediately fail with small holes you might be able to save weight this way.

As for the idea on kickstarter whay wouldn't you just always keep your hammock in your backpack at least before you attached the to you had a choice.

Holy cow. Folks have already given nearly $9,000 for this with 15 days to go.

edit: Greg posted a similar thought 2 mins prior

Ryan

Greg and Ryan,

Google "bridgeskin" and "hammockforums". It's been done as a DIY (and might cool one at that), by a gent named Dutch, owner of Dutchwaregear.com. He posted his third iteration in May 2013. In short, it is a bridge hammock with integrated straps that folds into a gearskin type pack.

I can see how a bridge hammock could fairly easily be turned into a backpack. That's much closer to the innovation that impresses.

Ryan

A camping hammock is so much more than just the hammock body. That plain hammock is okay for a hot afternoon nap, but you need tarp, bug screen, and top and bottom insulation to use it for use as a shelter. And then you are tied to that one pack model, etc, etc.

You can buy a 9oz hammock plus whoopie slings and tree straps for about $60 if you want a quality UL afternoon lounger: http://www.buttinasling.com/dolalo.html. You can buy cheap hammocks, but you'll nickle and dime yourself getting a decent suspension and then all the pieces to make it a usable overnight shelter. No free lunch!

Nice way to raise $10k!