I Tried Hammock Camping
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- I tried hammock camping for the first time! Using a budget set up I went to my local woodland to try out a hammock camp.
It’s still winter, but temperatures were still quite mild. My cheap down sleeping bag and budget under quilt kept me toasty warm. But warmth isn’t everything…
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#camping #outdoors #hammockcamping
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Rule #1 - don’t go camping in the rain when you have never setup / shaken out your gear. I always recommend setting up a “trial run” is the backyard or local park.
Glad you gave it a go.
The big advantage of a hammock is you don't have to find a flat spot to pitch, just 2 trees 3-4M apart. Ideal in places like Scotland or Wales in wooded areas.
Setting up does get much quicker with practice and if you get the height right it can be used as a chair too.
Of course it's absolutely useless if there are no trees. 👍👍
Just an idea if you can't find a perfect spot for a tent or a hammock, bring an ultralight bivy (many options such as tyvek) with you just in case you need to take a rest. You can use it in a tent or hammock too it adds a few degree warmth.
You do know There is hammocks/bivy tents that can be placed on the ground like a tent are hung in the tree like a hammack best of both worlds nightcat flat hammack is a game changer 👍🏻
@@Truthwillalwayswinoverlies
I have seen them but haven't tried one yet. Seen some mixed reviews on them.
Have tried a bivvy, ok in emergencies but would never use them for any trip longer than an overnighter.
After 54 years of wild camping I can honestly say a good tent beats everything else I've tried but it's an individual choice. 👍👍
@@jeremymanning2132 I've used it for 12 days as a bivy no bother with it and as a flat lay hammack it's way more comfortable than regular style hammock.. Just always bring a tarp and adjustable hiking sticks to pitch for Cookin sitting station. Depending on the weather. Yes what ever works best for you stick with it 👍🏻
Not to mention if it rains, you stay dry in a hammock
I strarted with a cheap amazon single 9' hammock with a cheap underquilt, i didn't have a great night sleep but i manage to installed it the right way and after that it was ok. The next year i decide to upgrade to something better and i did not have a big budget so i ordered a Onewind double 11' hammock with bug net, wow what a deffrence, i also bough the underquilt and top quilt from the same company, i have to tell you somthing, if you have the right gear and you set it up the right way you will sleep like a baby and never go back to a tent!
It is a faff but it does get easier and for me it’s the most comfortable sleep I’ve ever had camping with my dodgy hips 😂
Kudos for giving it a try, especially on such a rainy night!! 🥰🥰
The sound of the rain was the best thing about it 🤣
First time I hammock camped, I used a dd ultralight tarp, snugpak cocoon, and ultralight hamock, it was minus 3, and i was boiling in the cocoon (no sleeping bag). I'd watched several vids before going, so set up was pretty good for first time. Only mistake I made was i never realised the cocoon was tapered (wider at shoulder end which oscar outdoors had made me realise later on) and slept wrong way round. Next time was easier. And now can set up pretty much in a similar time to setting my tents up. If right it is so comfy. And the first time i went, I saw a doe and her baby deer virtually right next to me. Just a tip, tie some strings dangling down from straps to draw rain water away from hammock.
Yeah I did the string thing to stop the rain getting into the hammock 👍
You were never going to enjoy it mate, right from the beginning, the negative vibe could be felt, practice makes perfect, try it again with a more open mind and you will learn from yr last mistakes and have a better time, it's trial and error 😊
Its definitely not for everyone Ben, but does get easier and more comfy once you get your set up right. Im out for a dangle myself this week.
Well done Ben for giving it a try.
Give me a shout and I’ll bring a few different ones for you to try, I’ll set them up for you, so you can see how good they can be.
I don’t think you chose the best location for hammock and Tarp set up.
Getting the right distance is always a must most hammock are 10/11 feet long so over 4 meters I like 5/6 meters.
Good to see you took the tip of ground mat.
Please give it another try.
All the best fella
Johnny 😊👊🔥
As a seasoned hammock camper i must say:
1. First mistake is buying cheap gear from Temu because it is of questionable quality and you most probably willingly gave off your data to the hackers.
2. Cheap hammock may not be as comfortable as high quality one. While choosing one you should consider it's overall length as it is important factor in relation to your height. The longer, the better especially if you are a tall person.
3. I'm almost sure you didn't lay properly in it - you should position yourself in it diagonally in relation to the axis of hammock. It helps a lot if hammock has built in ridgeline. Laying properly and It having it is a factor of comfort since ridgeline helps maintain proper sag without paying attention to angle of three straps.
4. You should hang your hammock first, then tarp. That would keep it close to the hammock giving you more coverage and protection from wind and rain.
Doing all this things correctly may change your perception but I must admit - hammock camping definitely has a steep learning curve associated with it.
He definitely didn't set the hammock up correctly. The hammock looked like it had an attached bug net, but he wrapped the under quilt around it. This would have made it impossible for the hammock to open up or sleep at an angle inside as the under quilt straps would have constricted the sides of the hammock. About the tarp after the hammock, you're not first I heard say that, but I disagree. Tarp first will give you protection from the sun and / or rain while setting up the hammock if it is up first, but there is more than one way to skin a cat.
I always had trouble sleeping comfortably in the woods, but with a hammock sleep like a baby. Last time i slept over 9 hours and didn't want to get up, whereas with tents and bivy's i had a problem getting even 6 hours of sleep
Priorities. First you put up the hammock, then put up a ridgeline, then the tarp. Practice!
I can pace off my distance between trees (12 to 20 feet, so 4.5 to 7 steps for me).
I carry some extra dyneema cord in case my straps aren't long enough.
Hang the hammock so that its lowest point is right for you. For my mayan hammock, that's above the knee, for my camping hammock, it's just below my knee.
To get into a hammock, stand with your back to it, pick up the far side of the hammock with one hand, pull it up onto that side shoulder and hold it, then take hold of the near side near your knee with the other hand and sit back.
double wide is always best for a hammock, the most comfortable is to sleep on the diagonal.
I put my ridgeline and tarp up first if it's raining. Goes up quick and lets me set the rest up while staying mostly dry.
*Tarp* goes up first. Because it can be put up in seconds.
There are so many tricks for speeding up setup/takedown. Having the tarp permanently attached to the tarp ridge line, rolled up in "snake skins", makes it quick to deploy. Larger versions of snake skins are available for the hammock and it's possible to stow hammock + underquilt + sleeping bag all together so that all you have to do is put up your tree straps, connect the ends of the hammock bundle to them and slide back the skins to reveal hammock, underquilt and sleeping bag already set up. Similarly, the tarp ridgeline gets tied and tensioned between the trees , snake skins pulled to the sides, tarp unrolled. Use the prusik loops to quickly position it over the hammock and peg out the guy lines.
Completely set up in minutes. There are probably some tents that are quicker, but the average dome tent with mesh inner and rain fly take a lot longer than that to set up.
I did long distance hiking in a Hennessy UL hammock for 20+ years.
Now at 63 and the same desire to hike and camp,
I've moved to a Haven XL.
Heavier but very comfortable.
Tarp and hammock for me for sure . Took me a couple of tries to get the hang right but once youve got it sorted its a great sleep and no concerns about a badger biting your face off .
It happened to you too?? Bastard badgers!
Been using a Hennessy hammock for 8 years now. Will never go back to a tent unless i have to. Far superior in my opinion
When I first started hammock camping, it was cumbersome, now I can set up quicker than I can set up a conventional dome tent + fly. My practice run was at a place where I could drive up to within 20 metres of the trees I was setting up in, had the van loaded with stuff I "might need" and the knowledge that if it wasn't working I could sleep in the van or, as a last resort, drive home in the middle of the night. No way was I going to backpack in with an untested system only to discover I lacked something I needed or had taken too much crap.
Came away from a successful night's camp despite the cheap department-store tarp, the lack of underquilt, the failure of my inflatable pad and the steady rain for most the night... and with a list of things I wanted to buy or replace.
Orange stealth guylines.😆😄 I love a good bit of sarcasm.
Me too 🤪
It's all down to practice...... the gear you have is OK, but there is much better available. Keep at it, try different locations and different set up's in relation to the hammock tension and tarp hight. You'll soon suss out your best and most comfortable set up. I tie my hammock so it is taught between the trees at high chest hight, slightly higher at the foot end. This gives me a near flat lie of sleep diagonally. Under quilt needs to be loose fitting so it traps the air and isn't compressesd when you lay down. A good pillow makes all the difference too. Don't give up on it yet, you'll grow to love it.
Keep safe. Cheers.....
I remember my first long multiday hike with my hammock. On day 3 I changed to a quick setup where the hammock, tarp, under quilt, sleeping bag was integrated. It took maybe 2 minutes to get the entire thing setup. Most of the time being looking for where I placed the ground stakes.
do like the creative problem solving with setting up a unique system every night too though. scratch the puzzle part of my brain. Takes way longer though
Well done, mate.
You did an excellent job.
I have done both hammock and tent camping and think they both have their place.
If you have a tent with a hooked in inner that can be left set up for a quick pitch, you can do the same with the hammock and underblanket. Plus, have the guy lines ready connected so you can put it straight up. With a little practice you can put the this up within a couple of minutes.
It's great in summer with the open sides.
Loved the video.
Cheers Doug 👍
Good show, not too crazy for a first attempt. My first two hammock overnights were a little rough, but I definitely prefer it to tenting.
Some lessons I've learned... You can get skins, basically long fabric tubes, to hold your tarp and ridgeline together. A bigger skin can keep the hammock with the underquilt already attached. Once it's dialed in, it's a quick setup, and nicer in the rain since you can get the tarp up first and have lots of room to work.
Longer hammocks tend to be more comfortable, and a structural hammock ridgeline make getting the hang more consistent between trips.
I definitely wish I was local to you, I think experiencing an easy and comfortable setup would have you hooked. And there's no crawling around on the ground to get in and out of bed 😂
Now superior hammock gear has uq sewn in or hooked w/ snaps.
@@sheilahenry7279 Yup, and Dutchware has the Chameleon with a zip-on quilt. Love the concept ✌️
It does take a couple of outings before you can do a quick set up. If i need shorter hammock straps i just wrap them round the tree twice to use up the excess length. I hang my hammock first and then set up my ridgeline and tarp. Onewind do a good tarp which is shaped so you can close the ends up and keep the breeze and sideways rain from getting in. Always have my foot end a little higher than the head as it stop me from sliding down the hammock during the night. Also, i prefer a down quilt rather than a sleeping bag. These are just things that have made my dangling better and more comfy.
It’s a love/hate when it comes to hammock camping. Very much about finding a hammock that suits you though as if not comfy you get knee pain from bending legs the wrong way.
Tents are way easier to whack up though but once a hammock/tarp setup is up it’s great. Added bonus of being able to see the surroundings being out the rain. Also the hammock is your chair too so less weight to carry.
That would definitely depend on your tent and how dialled your hammock setup is. I can get tarp and hammock up in a couple of minutes. Easier if you leave the prusik knots attached to the ridgeline and leave mini-clips on them. Then it's just a case of a bowline and taut line (truckers if its really windy) to hang the ridge. Hang in a diamond in most conditions for speed and a-frame when windy.
Cinch straps are the best compromise suspension for hammocks as they are 100% adjustable, only a weight penalty compared to a whoopie. Having a ridgeline on the hammock not only helps get that perfect hang but also gives you resistance when you've tensioned enough.
In all i would say hammocks are easier than tents if you know the necessary knots for the tarp, and choose the right suspension system.
@@hendrixinfinity3992 I love my hammock. Up in a few minutes. Bungee straps or ridgeline, both go up in seconds. Then a shelter to work under. Hammock for woodland camping and tent for open air for me mostly
Have you had a chance to get back out and try it again? I won't ever go back to a tent after the last 10 years of hammock camping I've done. I will say you did almost everything incorrectly here, yet you still did better than I did on my first hammock overnighter lol
Not yet. I’ve got some better kit to try out next time though. And plenty of tips from people commenting. Should be a pro now 😁
This hammock is too short and the underquilt is generally not supposed to be tied around the extremities of the hammock like that (it seems to make the hammock even shorter). The aim is to lay almost flat in diagonal. Good hammocks for adults are generally around 330cm long.
A comfortable setup would require to have the straps making a 30° angle with the ground. The head side should be slighty lower that the feet side (with the ridgline making an angle of around 7-10° with the ground for me).
Well done for giving it a go, I like both. I especially like the rocking of the hammock as it gets me off to sleep quicker than it does in tents.
Practice Ben, it gets easier. Kudos for trying it when it's peeing it down. 🌲🌧
I'm a tarp / tarp and a hammock guy.
I find the sleep to be super comfy once you get used to it and for me I feel that being sleeping this way you feel more at nature which is really nice.
Doesn't take long to set up. Tarp also offers such versatility and openness. Long log fires, cooking under tarp and staying dry etc.
For me it's the way forward.
As offered above if you're local (Kent give me a shout )
Hey Jon whereabouts in Kent are you? I'm Maidstone way. I agree with you Hammocking is super comfy. My last time I was woken up by foot fall to see a badger walk under my hammock which was great to see.
So many UK bought hammocks in my opinion are far too short. For me to be comfortable, it needs to be 11'-12' long. That's the only way I can lay flat. The angle it drops (how tight the hammock is), just a few mm can make a massive difference to the comfort too. It definitely is more messing about at first but for me, it's the most comfortable way to sleep. I've slept in one full time for 4 years now. The only exception is in a tent, I Wildcamp every weekend. I'd tried a few beds and was in agony after 3 hours and struggled to walk when I got up (I broke my neck, which is the reason). I can lie in a hammock all day if I wanted. I think most struggle because the hammock is just too small. I'm 180cm (5'11")
I read if under 5’6” get a 10’ & if iverva5’6” get an 11’
@@sheilahenry7279 That's what I've seen too, but I'd still go 11'+.
Something I'd missed is, use a structural ridge line. It makes it more comfortable and makes it easier to get the correct hang.
I did hammock camping for the first time in 2018 at a bushcraft meeting. I was wary because my hammock did not come with some bits. But I managed to set it up and my tarp I enjoyed it. When packing up I was shown a easy way to pack up ready to get it all out again.
The price you paid for the underblanket. You could of bought one from dd hammocks. Which are really comfortable and bounce back the heat.
I also bought some woopie slings and karabenas. Now it's a breeze setting up.
I hope you don't give up on hammock camping.
One night I dosed off then about two in the morning. I heard a loud scream sounded like a woman. It was the call of a fox lol 😂
My first attempt with a gathered end (banana) hammock was a disaster. I froze as I didn't know about underquilts, even though it was a mild spring night. I got the angles wrong and put the thing away for three years. Then I watched a few RUclipss and got the right gear and it was much better. Then I discovered lay flat suspension hammocks! revolutionary!
Been sleeping in Warbonnet Outdoors asymmetric hammock for almost 10 years now…previously owned the Camp Rite Cot Tent and you just can’t compare the comfort of the hammock. With the proper underquilt and top fly, you will be extremely warm and dry. I’ve been in plenty of storms camping in Canada and my Warbonnet has always kept me dry.
I have a bad back so hammock camping allows me to backpack. And my last two camps, I dispersed camp, was able to hang on uneven ground. I also used a portable fire pit. Also, my Hennessy hammock, the tarp is attached to the hammock line so I just attach both lines and tie out the tarp. I use a reflective bubble pad that goes into a slot so I don't even have to setup an underquilt, much quicker. I also use a "under belly", it's like a little hammock that hangs under the hammock that I put all my gear in to keep it off the ground. Also the Hennessy is asymmetrical so you lay from one corner to the other, almost flat.
It does take a while to master TBF, I nearly gave up after trying 2 hammocks previous to my One Wind 12ft. Yes it takes way longer to set up than a tent, but I just love to look out in the morning and see the world, I love the height of a hammock for getting in and out, I normally sleep better in a hammock too. Weight for weight a tent will always win, but factor in a sleep mat etc it kinda balances out. You should give it a few more goes, perhaps in summer.
I might go tarpless in summer 💅🏻
@DaleyOutdoors 🤣 I've been tarpless a few times in a hammock, it's so beautiful looking up at the trees, the sky & stars 🌟
Bought a cheap (£22) Asian 11 foot hammock weighing 550g including proper carabiners either end, my tarp is lightweight, my whole setup is around 2,7kg with both down underquilt and top quilt, tarp, straps, etc. I have tents also, but nothing comes close to the comfort of being cocooned in a well set up hammock. Far too many U.K. made videos leave prospective hammock campers with a poor impression due to poor gear selection (there’s an awful lot of unsuitable but often cheapo hammock gear offered to catch the inexperienced, but by contrast hardly anybody goes camping with an equivalent ‘festival’ tent and rudimentary (and equally frankly unsuitable) gear. The Americans are generally far more adept and knowledgeable about how to set up a comfy tarp & hammock set-up. See Shug Emery, etc. 😊
I really rate the OneTigris Kompound hammock. It was the third (and last) one that I have bought and definitely the most sturdy and comfortable
If you want to learn hanging, theres really only one man for the job, and thats old Shug
I remember when it used to take a while to hang a tarp and a hammock. Now it takes about five minutes if I'm talking to somebody or two minutes if I'm hiking solo.
Getting the top quilt and underquilt set up takes me about as long as blowing up an air mattress and pulling out a sleeping bag.
That hammock looked a bit short mate. Well done for giving it a try. Sleeping diagonally in my 11ft hammock is bliss. There are things like a structural ridgeline thrt really change the comort and repeatability/speed of setup. If you give it another go I'd definitely binge Shug Emerys content as I'm sure all we string hangers have done at some point! Enjoyed the content, sub from me mate and if you fancy camping out in west wales give me a shout.
I've got a bigger hammock to try in a couple of weeks 👍
Fair play for giving it a go! I would say (as others have mentionned in the comments already) to watch people like Shugemery who have been hammock camping for years and pick up some tips. Couple of things i picked up on from your vid are that, for the best lay, your feet should be slightly higher than your body/head otherwise you will slide down towards the foot end. Makes a world of difference. Definitely purchase longer tree straps with more loops (i got some excellent tree straps included in my one tigris hammock which i cant reccomend more highly). As for setting up quicker, for the tarp's main line between trees, have a search for a camlock which is a self-gripping carabiner which has honestly reduced the faff of tying-retying the main tarp line and reduced setup time of a tarp from 10mins into under 5mins. But stick at it! I still camp in a tent, but when the opportunity arises for a hammock i take it, such a comfortable nights sleep
I find it WAY easier to setup my hammock than a tent but of course it takes a little practice. Especially great if it's raining - just throw the tarp up and set the rest up under it. When you get a proper diagonal lay in a hammock it's easily as comfortable as sleeping in a bed.
I've hammock camped in backcountry Canada for decades. If you set it up well its fine, best in warm weather. Only thing I don't like is feeling super vanurable in the dead of night sometimes. Hearing something out there creeping around while you're in a suspended bear taco is unsettling.
I tried it once never again, I like my nice cosy tent
Glad it’s not just me 🤣
Morning mate,to be honest I didn't think I could sleep in one . But after trying it out for a bit I loved it. I've always been a ground sleeper. But when mi mate said you should try it I said ya ?? After a couple of weeks I loved it . All u have to do is keep at it , an they are many benefits from hammock camping.
I think it works better in areas with warmer and better weather like California for example. During summer you probably don't need the under quilt or sleeping bag. Just bring a blanket or something. No rain means no tarp, but you probably could use a mosquito net though.
you can hang in deep frost just fine... and you don't have to dig away the snow first to plan a tent on the ground, thats the benefit of an underquilt and a top quilt.
Hey,
I did my first solo outdoor sleep with a hammock this winter. First find 2 trees beeing around 14 feet away, measure it with your feet. I know recommended is tarp before hammock, but since we dont know what kinda hammock setting is the best for us we should do it first this time. You can setup a hammock sloppy, normal or tight this determens the sleeping position from curved to little curved to nearly straight. Is a hassle but try them for a few minutes and you will find your sweetspot. next time you can skip this because you know your preference. you said you lowered your feet site, i prefer it a little above the headsite becuase gravity pulls you down, and you dont slide in your foot compartment.
Sleeping in a cheep hammock is like sleeping on a cheep air mattress in a cheep tent. And like others have said it takes several times out before you get quicker and better at setup.
I love sleeping in my hammock, I use bungees to put up my tarp and in a diamond formation I only use two pegs.. Well done for trying it out... ATB Chris.
Yeah I think a diamond would have been better in the rain 👍
@@DaleyOutdoors And gives a better view out too...
I've done tent and hammock camping for years. Get decent gear (e.g., Warbonnet's bridge hammock) and hammock camping wins every time. Speed comes with practice, and hammock camping is much more comfortable. No worries about rocks, roots, or even ground. Also, in heavy rain no issues with pooling water.
I still have a tent but only use it when camping in a desert or above the treeline. Be comfortable.
In between my main tarp and my hammock i like to string a second line, from that line i can hang bug netting , a smaller lighter weight tarp, or even a blanket
Hammocked around Europe a couple of times. Not best when cold as you need under blanket, but for light weight quick camping with a guaranteed dry bed in massive rain, you can't beat it.
I have a full hammock setup but I struggle to fully embrace it. Tents are now so cheap and light that's its tough to give up on them. I've gone backpacking twice now with two.friends who took their hammocks while I took a tent and each time it got extremely windy and freezing cold. I slept right through it, tucked away in my tent, while they both spent the night freezing. I have slept in my hammock on 3 occasions and have slept very well but I don't know, something about hanging there exposed just bothers me.
I can see in the mountains it being really good because 99% of the land you cant pitch a tent on. Hammock you can put on a 60 degree slope.
Adventures with the marine is an essential channel in my opinion for learning what size hammock and how to hang it, i was an avid tent man but finding forests with no even ground in sight but plenty of trees set me off
I was camping in the high mountains north of vail colorado. I was in a hennessy hammock. About two in the morning, something came walking around my set up. I felt like a burrito. I had a pistol in bear spray, but I was in a position that I was not able to use either. When I returned, I sold the Hammock.
Hammock camping is the go to method for Brazilian special forces operating in the amazon. They note a few advantages over tents:
Easier to keep dry in the very humid Amazonian environment.
Stays away from the countless insects that roam the ground.
Better air circulation.
Of course, the amazon is an entirely different biome, but it would seem it is one case where the Hammock proves to be a better solution than a tent.
Good to give it a go just wanted to add that my very expensive hamock setup takes up almost no space, but i imagine if i spent the same ammount of money on a tent the tent would also take up no space in my backpack
Agree with your thoughts. When I did my back in 15 years ago I started hammock camping to take the pressure off. Ended up having to carry more gear, more weight and whilst it did wonders for my back whilst sleeping, it wasn't anything better than a good sleeping pad. I also don't like having my pack and boots sitting out. I live in Australia and many of critters love to make a home in warm dry places. I'll stick with my mozzie net, tarp and sleeping pad. Thanks for posting.
"I`m gonna go off home and wash my pegs!" 🤣 I love your casual, down to earth style, your humour, and your honesty! Always great entertainment, much better than Netflix, and we won`t even mention Amazon prime! 😉👍
Haha thanks! 😆
One day several year ago, I was talking to my adult son about nothing in particular. I told him that I bought a hammock for car camping, meaning, to lie in and read and nap. He said, “you can go backing now.” What? I started researching and learned about what I would have to purchase and endure hammock wilderness backpack camping, It was a lot. Never ventured that way. Several thousands of dollars later and a tent, I am an avid backcountry backpacker. Never have hammock camped, but I sure like it for napping when car camping.
Hammock tent camp is the best! Most comfortable nights ever, survived major thunderstorms, dry as a bug! Love mine. Never ground sleeping again.
Watch Ray Mears, you won't believe how fast that man gets settled in his hammock. Don't give up...practise makes perfect.
To start with your hammock is way too short. It's also advantageous to have a tarp that has flaps you can pull together as makeshift doors. I've got over 600 nights sleeping in a hammock and it is superior sleep. The main thing is you need 2 trees of optimal distance apart however, with a tent you need a flat space with a cleared floor. Tents get flooded and or muddy to pack up in rain as well. I have tents and can have a tarp and hammock up in the same amount of time as pitching a tent and airing up a mattress. You can not lay diagonal in an 8 ft hammock and that's a must for comfort.
I lay diagonally in my 8 foot hammock just fine, but I'm a woman and the hammock is a good bit longer than my height.
@@Meskarune there is gonna be quite a calf ridge which to me is uncomfortable. I have an 8ft DD I have since retired.
You’re making ME want to try it now…
Wanna buy a hammock?
The trees you selected to hang from were way to close. I didn't even realize you had a ridgeline on the hammock at first because of how much slack there was. You want to make sure the trees you select are far enough apart to allow you a 30 degree angle on your straps, which provides the flatest hang. Once you have adequate distance between trees you can adjust your suspension based on the ridgeline tension. If there's too much slack, lower the strap height at trees and increase tension. If it's far too tight, reduce the strap tension and raise the height at the trees. Hammock camping has a steep learning curve, but once you've got it down it's like riding a bike.
Also, I'm with everyone else in recommending Shug. He's the hammock camping guru.
You need to pick up a copy of Derek Hansen "the Ultimate Hang #2. I have camped in hammocks for over 60 years and only in a tent when I am forced to. I learned some new things from his book and , YES , you can teach an Old Dog new tricks. Hammock camping is knowing what you are doing ( proper equipment ) and how to do it. I can set up in places a tent never would go and I can set up quicker. Trying hammocks 1 time is like trying to walk a mile after your 1st step as a child. With me the first thing up is the tarp , the last thing down is the tarp. That works really well when it is raining and you want to keep things dry.
Years of sleeping under hoochies (bashas) kept me away from tarps and thus hammocks. I've done a few hikes with them now, and unless it's dreadful weather I'm now all for them. I think the best thing I did was learn how to get a ridge line up in quick time, then everything else is much easier (and drier).
Amen, Brother. I gave the hammock many opportunities to satisfy my sleeping needs. I managed to get a good night sleep once. And I've spent over a dozen nights with a hammock setup. I'm a tent guy. Hooah
Try putting a tent in that spot then you will understand the beauty of hammock camping
Hammock camping is great, especially for rainy nights. Hang yours a little tighter so you aren't doubled up all night. Definitely hang the foot six inches or so lower than the head. You don't need a ground pad, but bring an extra wool blanket for under you. Use a tarp that is several feet longer than the hammock so rain doesn't sneak in the ends. If it is still raining in the morning, you can pack up your entire camp under the tarp, and then do the tarp last; that way all your gear stays dry except the tarp.
I carry an ultralight hammock in case of emergency (terrible ground) but otherwise i just have a bivy bed roll strapped to my bag and all i need to do it toss it on the ground and inflate my air mat inside of it. Doesnt get easier than that.
I like hammock camping the only two gripes I have are the time it takes to get out to take a leak (unless you are one of those that waters the floor in the night) and balance getting in after having a beer. Or more to the point comically spinning around as you go to sit back
I love my hammock, however some fine tuning in your back garden is recommended. You jumped in at the deepend without armbands😂
I don’t have any trees in my garden. 🤪
@@DaleyOutdoors It can take quite a few goes before you get the setup just right and know how to achieve it, particularly the under quilt. It's my most comfortable setup by a country mile, although when cycle touring I mostly use my tent, because when campsite camping, you can't guarantee having trees on your pitch. I don't sleep anything like as well in a tent, but I can always pitch it. When canoe camping in Sweden, the hammock comes into its own. Not only is it fantastically comfortable, you can't always find a good pitch for a tent because there are so many trees and the ground is uneven. I think everyone struggles with setting up a hammock the first time. Also, there are hammocks and hammocks. I use the Dutchware Cameleon but there are other 'premium' setups that help you to fine-tune the perfect lay.
That's the exactly what happened to me my first and last time camping in a hammock. It rained all night and I didn't sleep well at all. But I just watched a video on Y.T. channel "Clint Gibbs " and he was testing equipment for a bike packing trip and he used a hammock called a Warbonnet and it was different than those bundled up end hammocks. I may try it again with one of those. He said he slept good and he couldn't sleep in one bundled up at the end s. You might want to check the video out, it's short but that hammock looked comfortable.
Hammocks have a learning curve to them. Better take a longer hammock 11'-12' with a ridgeline and set up the ridgeline so you have comfortable horizontal diagonal lay in it, and you are not squeezed from the sides. Then you find hammocks are much more comfortable than tents. But tent setups are actually lighter.
The thing is you don't need to assemble all the pieces every day. You can roll up a hammock, quilt and sleeping bag together, throwing straps inside. It simplifies both setting up and teardown a lot.
It looks like the hammock is a bit short.
I love both hammock and tent I tend to enjoy the hammock more these days
Each to their own
Some bungee at the tarp tie out points help,maintain a reasonably taut tarp, it appears to be anything but the way the light breeze is moving it about. Site selection - not the best. Your hammock looks to be about 2 foot too short. 11 foot minimum recommended for a diagonal and flat lay. As for time, first time you put up your tent I bet it took a bit of time, you’re clearly inexperienced with hammock camping - putting up a tarp can literally take a minute. A down underquilt and top quilt transform the experience. A Nissen Pot noodle would be far more cost effective and tasty for a ready meal.
I clearly stated I was inexperienced 🤓👍
As a side sleeper I just can't get on with Hammocks as well as pissing twice or three times a night.
I think I'll stick with a tent, bivi and tarp. Atb Taff 🤠👊
HaHa, not even watched this yet and saved to my watch later. Nothing better than watching my favourite outdoor droll merchant get uncomfortable.
I got one of them chairs from temu and a got to say a have no complaints. My friend got got same chair as me but from somewhere different and it's the same I only payed about 3 pound as I had discount also got a bush box for about 3 pound as well no complaints they do the job. I have a few things from there. You just have to watch what you buying and think about it lol. Etrol stuffs on temu and they are a propa camping company. There stuffs good gear they don't do that much but what they do is top notch. Am looking to get the A frame mesh from them instead of the DD one to use under tarp. Looks well built.
Hammocks are not for everyone. It takes some fiddling to get it right and if just casual camping, tents are the way. As I see below, watch some Shug videos if you want to learn about hammocking. I could see some things that could have made your night out better, but even if all those things were done, I still find it take quite a few nights out to get everything just right. Mind you, the reward is a luxurious night of sleep, but it is a bit of a journey to get there. Good on you for giving it a go!
I started out Bushcrafting and Hammock camping. It takes a bit of experience to get it licked but….. honestly been. There done it but I absolutely prefer tents these days and my hammock gear rarely gets out of storage.
It can be dirty uncomfortable and at times just a downright unpleasant nights sleep. Imho better in the summer months for the odd night in the woods where you don’t want to chance puncturing your bathtub on a tent.
Cool content and you are definitely good fun to watch.
Thanks! I might give it another go in the summer with a bigger hammock 🤓👍
I second watching Shug's videos. With a long enough hammock, a diagonal lay, a correctly set up under-quilt, the right tree strap and tree distances you will be so much more comfortable. Add a few more tricks of the hang and you might change your opinion.
There are times when only a hammock will work, thankfully not many; but to that end, have a look at the Night Cat Lay Flat Hammock, that can also double up as a bivi style tent. In both modes, it works well (as a first time hammocker, who definitely doesn't sleep like a banana!)
Well, what can I say? I definitely think that though hammock camping is fun, it is a lot more suited to warmer climes where you don't have to take 2 quilts just to keep both halves of you warm (top and bottom, I mean!) - As @jeremymanning2132 mentioned, you can hang it low enough for it to be a chair as well as your bed, so less weight there, and setting up gets quicker with practice!
As for the Firepot meal, I'm glad the pouch did its job, but as they say with regards to the meal... You can't polish a t*rd!
All the best, James 🙏💚
Haha the pouch works wonders keeping the heat in. Crap is crap no matter what temperature it is though 😆
Hammock camping is a preference thing 😊 You went out and gave it a try - There are variables which make each experience different, for your first time doing it alone and while it was raining and that changes things. Give it another try under ideal weather conditions the experience "might" be a good one for you. 😊
I agree....it does take longer to set up than a tent, the weight of my hammock set up is heavier than my tent set up 🤦 BUT I look forward to the challenge of finding the ideal trees and setting up my tarp and hammock. My main hassle is the sleeping bag with the zip on the side being awkward to get to hence why I've just ordered another (can never have too many sleeping bags) with a central zip.
As others have said fair play doing it in crap weather....it's lovely in the better weather (if we get any this year)
Get a top quilt instead
Definitely get a top quilt. Lighter and easier. The bottom of a sleeping bag is pretty much wasted weight. Once you crush the air out with your body weight the r value goes way down.
try a quilt instead ;-)
I put my feet 6 to 12 inches higher than my head. I use a tent when I can't use a hammock. With my Tensa poles I don't need trees for my hammock.
The older people get the more they probably enjoy hammocks. The difference between a night on the ground and a night in a hammock can be felt on the next day. After a while a person is able to judge the distance between trees or other objects. I slept on a football field couple of times. The distance between goal posts is ideal for a hammock😄
Things may be getting better in Europe but I would go for gear inspiration to USA. Dutchware gear for example is worth the time. They recently started selling a hammock with sown in underquilt = it will always be correctly setup and often lighter than two separate items.
Some things to consider. During the setup stage people usually keep their tarps in a sleeve unless it´s raining.
Top quilts are less of a hustle compared to standard sleeping bags when in a hammock. Hammocks are not all made in a same way. Better version allow to lay almost flat rather than the banana style that after a while gets uncomfortable. Hammocks with a ridgeline are usually easier to set up, at least in my experience.
And of course, cheap gear is usually heavy.
Your hammock doesn't have a ridgeline to help set a proper sag and a snakeskin for your tarp would help on the deploy
Looks too high to me . Surely the lower you pitch it the greater wind and rain protection?
You literally started complaining almost from the start.
I stopped watching before you finished setting up.
Doesn’t the rain run down the straps and soak the hammock?
Not if you leave a bit of cord hanging off the clips 👍
@@DaleyOutdoors ahhh a soak away. I see
Interesting video, really enjoyable! I'm definitely a 'tent person.' Question: Can one sleep on their side in a hammock (I'd think not too comfortably)?
Yes as long as you have one big enough, you can sleep diagonally across it 👍
@DaleyOutdoors Ah, ok...thanks! Admittedly, I still doubt I'll ever try a hammock.
Part of your problem is terrible gear, that hammock was tiny, paracord is a bad choice, and you use good gear for your tents.
Set up really isn't that different when you get used to it. A proper tarp is usually 6 to 8 tie out points, which most tents also have, hanging the hammock from the straps is seconds. A TQ and UQ is faster than blowing up a pad. Some like superior gear have built in underquilts so you take that step out.
This is a bit of a dishonest take because trying to compare something that you are experienced with and use good gear, to something you didn't for a first time with shit gear.
Its an honest review after a first try, like I said in the video 🤷♂️
You gave it a good shot. Outstanding adventure.
Looks like lots of good stuff on Temu, but I'm too worried about what they will do with my info to sign up
Just sign up with a free email address if you’re worried 👍
I have my ridge line pre rigged and I would say it saves me a solid 5 minutes also prefer a diamond tarp to a square, and keep it close to keep in the heat.
The diamond shape means less lines to tie
lol .. mate, nice vid. Didn't look like a lot of spots to drop a swag... all a bit boggy. Try to find a spot over some rocks, looking over a lake or flowing stream .. side of a mountain etc. where you can take in some views. .. setting up with mates would be a little bit more fun ? I'm trying it for the first time this weekend .. .. thought I would watch this after all the other Pro Hammock vids watched... what you pointed out is what I'm expecting though. Tunes and Beers needed ;)
My very humble opinion is this.... its not about comfort its about utility.
Most of the time I camp in places that range between "pedestrian" and "managed wild camps".
We have found a few places to camp in the wild which whilst being wonderful, had zero footprint for a tent, even a tiny bivvy tent.
But we could have camped there with hammocks and a basher.
There are lots of wild camping areas in the UK that are wonderful, but they just wont come with a 6x3 foot patch of land to camp on.
Genuine wild forest in the North of England is a combination of swamp and medieval jungle. Good luck finding a tent footprint in that.
Hammocks are a way of camping in places where tents just wont work. Tents rely on terrain, hammocks rely on tie points.
Thanks for trying it out the hammock though mate, sorry it didnt work out.