Camping Hammock

Camping and Outdoor Equipment

Camping Hammock

A camping hammock is a great alternative to a camping bed for anyone who is camping. Backpackers in particular favour the camping hammock because they are easy to transport, lightweight and very efficient. They make an excellent addition to your camping and outdoor equipment. When the camping hammock is folded up properly it will only take up as much space in your backpack as a tennis ball and they weigh just about 18 ounces. The perfect criteria for a piece of backpacking equipment that has an essential use.

When the camping hammock is unfolded and hung correctly it will give you as much sleeping space as any decent single bed. And with the technology applied to them and new materials used, it is not uncommon for a camping hammock to be able to hold up to 500 pounds. That weight tolerance is more than enough tolerance for the majority of us.

The camping hammock can be used for just pure indulgent relaxation as well as sleeping on. For instance if you are hiking and come across some wonderful views and areas you wish to spend time in then just set up the camping hammock.

Examples of The Camping Hammock

Eagles Nest Doublenest Camping Hammock

Here we have a larger size of the camping hammock that allows room for up to 3 people to relax on it. It is 2 feet wider than the single version and just makes you want to curl up and go to sleep. It is constructed out of breathable woven nylon which is very high strength. The lines too are very strong being constructed from super strong nautical grade line and the whole hammock is stitched together using high grade triple interlocking stitching. It can hold up to 400 pounds in weight and has dimensions of 6 foot 8 inches x 9 foot 10 inches and weighs just 22 ounces. And when it comes to packing this little beauty away, it packs down to the size of a grapefruit.

Features

1- Breathable high strength woven nylon

2- nautical grade lines

3- Holds up to 400 pounds

4- 6ft 8in x 9ft 10in

5- Weight 22 oz

Hennessy Expedition Camping Hammock

This camping hammock gives you all the convenience and simplicity you require when you are camping. Because you are off the ground you are not affected by the terrain or wetness. When it comes to sleeping in this camping hammock you can adopt any position and even lie flat if you sleep on the diagonal. Such is the ingenuity of this camping hammock that you can even unhook one of the outside lines and use the hammock as a chair. Perfect for reading a map or just chilling in front of the fire.A lot of thought has gone in to the construction of the entrance and it will remain shut even if you tend to move around a lot. The netting on this hammock does all it’s meant to do and also gives you a 360 degree view around the whole camping hammock. It is ultra light and packs up very small and to set it up only takes a matter of minutes. Half that time is all that is required to take it down.

Features

1- Hammock, tent, chair, lounger combo

2- Weight 2.5 pounds

3- Weight capacity 250 pounds

4- Lightweight

5- Compact

6- Assymmetrical shape

7- Self closing entrance

8- Pack size 6 in x 12 in

Grand Trunk Nano Camping Hammock

This camping hammock is the Nano 7 and is actually the lightest camping hammock in the world. It weighs just 6.7 ounces and is ideal for camping and perfect for backpacking where weight and space are at a premium. When it comes to backpacking you usually have to compromise comfort for weight and size. However with this Nano 7 that is not the case. This hammock is ideal for a good rest and sleep after any day’s tough exertions. It has a 300 pound weight capacity and there is triple stitching at all of the weight bearing points for extra strength. This camping hammock is supplied with 2 lightweight carabiners for very easy hanging.

Features

1- Lightest camping hammock in the world - 6.7 ounces

2- Weight capacity 300 pounds

3- Has an attached stuff sack

4- Triple stitched seams

5- Lightweight carabiners included.

Type of Camping Hammock For You

The camping hammock is available in a wide range of styles, designs and capabilities. In order to choose the right camping hammock for you it is essential that you actually assess the type of camping that you participate in. For the purpose of this website we shall take a look at 3 levels of camping and their appropriate types of camping hammock.

For light camping where you just go out for a night or two under the stars and stay on a site then the main concern for you is going to be the actual comfort of the camping hammock to sleep in. And of course the ability to be able to set up the hammock easily. Such hammocks that would be suitable for you in this scenario are the Mayan hammock, parachute nylon hammock and any other lighter non ornamented Brazilian style hammocks. For the hammock you will require some straps of some sort and maybe an additional mosquito net to ensure a good nights sleep. All of these pieces of equipment can be located at any decent camping supply store or the internet.

For use on a campground that will include overnight excursions in to the surrounding areas a more dedicated type of equipment is required. You are moving up a rung on the camping ladder and hence require better equipment for this moderate style of camping. You will require camping hammocks similar to basic or low level camping but will need to take in to consideration the chances of bad weather and the weight and size of your camping hammock. If you backpack away from your site then bear in mind that weight becomes an issue. The type of camping hammock that could be ideal for you is the parachute nylon hammock with it’s own stuff sack. These types of hammock weigh just a pound, pack up to the size of a grapefruit and are weather resistant. Some of these models will also include built in netting to fit around the hammock. It is not a bad idea either to purchase a rain fly for this hammock. You then have the option of making yourself a temporary shelter in advers weather conditions.

Excursions, mountaineering and jungle trekking are more extreme forms of camping and hence will require more specialised equipment. The camping hammock in this case are usually referred to as jungle hammocks or Venezuelan hammocks. They come with built in flies, netting and possess designs that allow you to change from hanging to ground sleep systems. Weight and portability also play an important part in design of these hammocks. But they are trumped by versatility and comfort though you should still be able to get a reasonable nights sleep with this type of camping hammock.

A camping hammock is so much more comfortable to sleep in than sleeping on a tent floor and this is where we do have to question the thoughts of some backpackers. For sleeping some backpackers take along camping mats with them for extra comfort when sleeping in a tent. We don’t doubt the comfort qualities of these camping mats, but they do need to be rolled up and packed to transport them. These mats are lightweight, but do take up space.

Hammock Camping

Hammock camping is a stream of camping where the camper sleeps in a hammock instead of using a conventional tent on the ground. Some hammocks can be set up on the ground if there are not any supports available for it. When the weather is bad a tarp can be used with the camping hammock to keep the rain off the camper. If mosquitoes are a problem in the area that you are camping, then an additional mosquito net can be used in conjunction with the camping hammock to protect the user.

It was in Pre- Columbian Latin America that the hammock was developed and still to this day is manufactured widely in the region. Believe it or not, it is not actually known who invented the hammock and many maintain that the hammock was a device that just evolved out of need and tradition. Hammock is an Indian word which means “thrown fishing net”. It is known that Indians used the hammock on fishing trips. They would sleep in the hammocks to be off the ground to have safety from snakes and other dangerous creatures.

Advantages

Hammock camping does not harm the environment in the same way that camping with a tent does. The camping hammock can be attached to trees with removable webbing straps that do not damage the bark of the tree and leave no marks after use. If you visit a camping spot where a tent has been pitched, you will see that the grass, scrub and topsoil have been affected. So the camping hammock has become a huge success amongst those campers who adopt the “Leave No Trace” style of camping.

Using a camping hammock opens up a lot more possible camping spots for a camper. Such sites with stony ground or slopes which are not feasible for tent camping are just a couple of extra options available to the hammock camper. Sleeping off the ground keeps the camper dry, whereas water has a tendency to seep in to a tent during a downpour. The camping hammock is very light and hence ideal for reducing backpack weight. This is why backpackers love the camping hammock.

One of the main benefits of hammock camping can though be a serious drawback. By being in a hammock during hot weather the user has a cooling flow of air all around him. But in cold weather this air flow will make it harder for the camper to stay warm especially if there is a sudden temperature drop at night. When sleeping on the camping hammock with a sleeping bag, the weight of the sleeper will compress the sleeping bag significantly. This will reduce the bags ability to trap warm air and give the necessary insulation. To try and compensate for this you can suspend a quilt under the hammock. There are versions of the camping hammock that have an extra layer of fabric or even a series of pockets on the bottom of the hammock. These pockets can be filled with any insulating material such as foam or even dead leaves to keep the cold out. Another problem with the camping hammock when out in the wilderness is that you require 2 trees close together to be able to set the hammock up. And of course the 2 trees have to be strong enough to bear the weight. So if you are in an area where there are no tree then sleep could become a problem.

But if you know both the pros and cons of the camping hammock then you can plan accordingly. Many people who have used a camping hammock, refuse to sleep any other way on a camping trip and consider the camping hammock to be one of their most important items of camping and outdoor equipment.

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Find 2 points to which you can tie the hammock, ideally between two trees, and then just relax with a nice cold drink and enjoy your surroundings to your heart’s content. On a campsite you can set up the hammock outside the tent or RV and use it as an alternative to camping furniture. And, perhaps this is where the camping hammock comes in to it’s element, combined with a mosquito net and rain tarp a makeshift shelter can be made eliminating the need for an actual tent. Not in cold weather camping mind you!

Whereas the camping hammock can fit in to any side pocket of a backpack. Perhaps they have not tried hammock sleeping before or are unaware of the option or just set in their ways. However so many outdoor enthusiasts have tried to sleep in a camping hammock and now will never go back to a camping mat.

The main advantage that the camping hammock has in the comfort stakes is the fact that it is off the ground. If the ground is hard, wet and cold you will not experience any of the discomforts this can cause. You will be elevated and both warm and dry. And don’t worry if there is a sudden drop in temperature at night time. You can use a sleeping bag liner with your hammock or just jump in the sleeping bag itself.

The camping hammock can also be quite versatile. Not only can you sleep in it, but when out in the wilderness it can be used as a storage piece of outdoor equipment. For instance if you are out in bear country, you will know that you cannot store food at ground level. So set up the camping hammock and use it just like kitchen shelving for storing your food. And in the wild or inside your tent the camping hammock can be used to hold all your camping and outdoor equipment in the same manner.

The camping hammock is catching on in popularity and as a result the manufacturers are now making many different models, styles and designs for you to choose from. They can be purchased from any decent camping and outdoor equipment store. And with today’s technology you are even able to buy one from the comfort of your own home via the internet.