I love sleeping in my hammock

I was on the ground, but I was up there last weekend also. I had to come home early (stupid cell phone signal availability from when you are near I80), so I only got one night out. It did occur to me how many more choices for camp sites I would have had if I had gotten a hammock.

Agreed, I converted this year and will never go back. No more sloped ground, tree roots, puddles.

Glad to hear it – the AFT is one of my favorite trails.  Plenty of places to pitch a tent or a tarp, but infinitely more options with a hammock.

My hiking buddies (ground dwellers) refer to my hammock as a “Bear Burrito” (as if their silnylon will keep out an animal who wants to investigate them).

I have been experimenting with different hammocks, as I like being off the ground, and I like the ease of entry/exit and sitting height of hammocks.  However, I’ve yet to be completely comfortable since I toss and turn…I still sleep better on the ground with a full size Exped pad.  I’m not giving up the search just yet….I won’t ever completely give up my ground setups though.

First night I spent in one I slept 14 hours straight.

Never looked back.

@dirtbaghiker I’m curious of what kind suspension you’re using?

Ken T,

I wish my experience was like yours…I haven’t given up yet, though.  I’ve got a bridge hammock on the way so we’ll see how that goes.

It is certainly worth the time experimenting. Zzzzzzzzz.

Same here. Hammocks any day. @Hoosier, currently I like Ultimate Straps Nanoweave. About $15 on Amazon or Massdrop

@Hossier t.. whoppie slings with 6 ft tree straps.

10 or 11 ft? Are you using a tarp? Plans to use it for very cold/snow conditions?

You hammock guys are gonna force me to try this!!

@Bob 11×5 ft hammock or 10 ft and +70″ for me. 5 ft 10″ tall size large shirt. Smaller hammocks give me calf ridge. Most times I use mosquito or winter socks. Always a tarp. In winter, Warbonnet Superfly.

Last winter I slept at -25F (forecast called for a low of 0F), with my 15F bag and EE 40F quilt over me. Under I had a 1/4″ foamy from Gossamer Gear and a HG 20F full quilt, inside a winter sock. I wore my puffy and all layers, and I was warm and comfy. Loved it!

Bob – Any time you want to try a hammock please let me know and I’ll give you a full setup to try, including underquilt, top quilt, and tarp.  Maybe our spring trip should be on the AFT…

In addition to Kevin’s offer, I would also help anyone out by lending one of my setups. After going this direction, I’m very passionate about the camp benefits along with quality of sleep that a hammock offers. I’m very active on BPL and I get the impression that the overall community still views hammocks as too heavy to consider trying them for UL backpacking. I will tell you that’s not the case any longer but body weight is of course a factor. If you’re under 200lbs, a full zipper bug net hammock with suspension and Cuben tarp can be 20oz or less. Underquilts need not be any heavier than a comparably r-rated pad and in warmer conditions, an underquilt will weigh less than a full length pad. I will gladly serve as a point of contact for anyone who wants to learn about the facets of hammock camping. Feel free to PM me and I’m even glad to get on the phone to answer questions.

Also happy to show and tell if you are in the Boston area. Although I still consider myself new…

Thanks for the offers, Gents!

I’ve hiked with Kevin a good amount and have seen his setups… they fit nicely in his Arc Zip and aren’t nearly as bulky as I had presumed they might be. Now that my pooch is staying home with my wife more, it is looking like a possible option. I’ve thought before of giving hammocks a whirl but didn’t want to buy a decent setup and discover it wasn’t for me. Like Rob P, I’m a toss-n-turner, but maybe in a hammock that won’t be the case. Only way to know is to try it!

I rotisserie sleep on the ground but move hardly at all hanging. The magic is no pressure points once your lay is figured out.

I am primarily a side sleeper in bed, and toss and turn. No problem with the hammock. Before I started investing more money in a backpacking full kit, I started taking naps in my backyard and progressively moved to sleeping in the yard overnight. And then things went on from there.

Ideal bed solution for tiny living spaces.

Thanks for the thread and some love for this sub forum that I fought for.

Hanging since ‘99

Happy to show and tell here in Chico. Actually have a setup out on loan now converting yet another groundling :)

10 ft. I will only use my tarp if rains windy or snow. I got Hammock gear cuben hex tarp, 11 foot. I also have MLD cuben asym tarp.. but the difference in weight and size between the 2 .. for me, i just as well always carry the Hammock gear tarp.  More dry space under it or even sun protection (a bit), if needed.