Hammock vs Tent – What's the best camping shelter??
Hammock vs Tent – What's the best camping shelter??
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A few benefits of hammock camping you forgot to mention was you don’t need to find even ground . you don’t need to clear away underbrush so has less environmental impact . you have a place to sit can use the hammock like a chair . you can pitch them on the ground if you cant find suitable trees . if its raining you can tuck it up or pack it away and use the tarp as shelter so still plenty of room . but what i reckon is the best thing about hammocks is you did mention id i dont have to crawl around on the ground , the ease of getting in and out off and the sleep comport
Superior Gear from Minnesota. Great hammocks 🙂
If you are camping in mosquito country due your self a favor and get a double bottom hammock. They can not bite threw the double layers so you are safe in the hammock with an attached bug net. The next favor you can do is to get a double bottom hammock you can sleep on the diagonal in. There are several different hammocks that fill booth bills. Warbonnet and Hennessy are two that I have. Clark hammocks are a traditional lay but are also bug proof , mine is. I found in weather 50 degrees and cooler( here in Florida ) the bugs are not out so a open single bottom ( ENO Type ) works pretty good. I’ve been using hammocks 90% of the time and a tent for the rest during my 80 years. I started in hammocks at 13. Have questions about Hammocks get a copy of "The Ultimate Hang " by Derek Hansen , vol # 2 is huge compared to vol #1. I learned a lot from reading it and yes you can teach an old dog something new. things. One thing was , you can use a hammock like a Bivy when push comes to shove.
As an older chap these days with creaky bones, I find the hammock easier. I get a better sleep and don’t have to be peeled off the floor.
You are spot on……horses for courses👍
Now take a look at Amok equipments draumr hammock! It’s absolutely awesome if your a stomach/side sleeper.
I recall in a previous video you stated you are over 6 feet tall, that being said you should look into an 11 foot hammock or even a longer 12′ hammock, that ENO is too short for anyone over 6′ (the Dutchware Chameleon, the the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC, even Hennessy Hammocks are all very nice hammocks and they all offer longer hammocks for the giant in the trees). Next, that hammock is stretched too tight, it will rip out, put a Ridgeline on that ENO and pitch it at a30° angle, the Ridgeline guarantees your hammock will have the same "sag" in it every time you hang.
Lastly, you didn’t mention anything about how to lay in the hammock. It is important to lay Asymmetrical to the trees. Think of it like a sundial (clock face) with the trees at 12 and 6 o’clock, then you want the lay at the 1 to 7 0’clock position or the 11 to 5 o’clock position. this will allow you to lay flat, even sleep on your side.
There are hammocks out there (Warbonnet, Hennessy, etc.) that are cut Asymmetrically, this provides a footbox.
And finally, tarps. If stranded on shore for a day or two or more, tarps. They are light, pack down small, almost nothing to fail, easy to move and are adaptable to almost any terrain, situation, and repairable when needed.
As a family we use our tents regularly through the late spring and summer – a small Wild Country duolite tourer and a big Marmot limestone 6P which are both great.
My scout group invested in hammocks during the pandemic when we weren’t allowed to share tents – now we have several overnight hammock camps every year through the autumn and winter – very cosy, rain proof, easy to set up in the woods and when we’ve got the whole troop set up in one area there’s a real community feel to it, with lots of tarps scattered around. When the scouts are camping for more than a night, we use tents.
If someone of your height finds an ENO hammock comfortable then you’d probably get as good a sleep as in you own bed, if not better, if you got yourself an even more comfortable hammock. ENOs are shorter hammocks and I’ve found hammocks that are longer are typically more comfortable. My preference is for the Warbonnet Outdoors hammocks but there are plenty of great vendors out there that make longer hammocks that you’d probably find to be more comfortable – Dutchware, Hammock Gear, Superior Gear, Hennessy, etc. That being said, if the ENO works for you that’s awesome. 👍
I love my Tentsile Una tree-tent, but if I go far enough north into Lapland, I won’t find anything that deserves to be called a tree – much less three of them to hang it from. On the other hand, I bought the Una specifically because I struggled to find flat enough spots on the rocky tree-covered islands further south in Finland. Horses for courses!
Hammock user here 100% at least since 2005. Last time I tried tenting was during a wilderness course and forced by the instructors to share a tent with two other guys. That was back in 2018 and I won’t let that happen again. I’d rather carry all my hammock kit, plus a share of their tent so that I can be left alone in my hammock.
trees are deadly in Australia
river redgums have killed hundreds of people over the years as they will randomly drop a huge branch without warning.
So no hammock camping over here – in fact most people camp AWAY from the overhanging trees and find a clearing in the open.
For a tent, you need flat ground, preferably dry surface (rocks are a pain) where hammock need trees, but they don’t care about bumpy/pokey or sloped surfaces. For two people who want to be together, tents are better.
Have hammock over a year bought, never used. Used always the tent.
hammock sre better in rain and wind in the rain the tent can get a wet bottom if your doing a solo hammock
Very nice comparison.
The one point I disagree on is which one is better to hang out in the rain. I love a rain storm in my hammock, I use a really wide tarp and set it up in porch mode. Porch mode for those that don’t know is using teeking poles or sticks to prop one side of your tarp up to almost a flat plane like a roof, one side should be lower for drainage. My tarp is 12′ x 11’6" so there is a huge area where I can either unzip my bugnet and use my hammock as a chair and watch the storm or even set up a chair underneath. It’s like sitting on your porch at home. Tents you are enclosed and cramped. With my porch mode hammock I’ve had 4 people under my tarp while we cook, play cards, etc..
I love you for doing this review!! thank you!! I also see those tree tents that you strap to three trees… which also looks like a lot of fun
have you ever tried a haven hammock
Wait… hammocks are lighter? Are you including the weight of the bottom quilt and tarp? I find this one a big surprise. Please educate me.
I haven’t used an under quilt and have been comfy in my hammock down into the 30s. The tip I got was to run my hammock through my sleeping bag. That way I am not compressing the insulation. As you probably already know, a light knit hat works wonders in keeping me warm while sleeping.
Funnily enough, ENO hammocks are generally considered a bit subpar among the hammock camping community. They can work, but they’re a bit shorter than ideal. They’re portable lounging hammocks with modifications for camping. These days there are a LOT of hammocks designed specifically for camping, ranging from traditional gathered end hammocks (with or without spreader bars), to bridge hammocks, to wild designs like Amok’s Draumr transverse hammock, which converts to a chair and lays flat enough for side and stomach sleepers. There are also increasing numbers of options for portable stands and tree alternatives. Some brands to look at: Warbonnet Outdoors, Dutchware, Amok, Haven Tents, Tensa Outdoors.
Crua hammock tent ⛺️
As both a kayaker and hammock camper, I’ve almost exclusively switched over to hammock camping. I’d say size/weight wise, both are about even. Hammock camping packs into more but smaller stuff sacks.
For newer hammock campers, my three game-changing suggestions are:
1. An 11 ft hammock vs the shorter 9.5-10′ big box hammocks. The extra material allows for a proper diagonal "cuban" lay.
2. A structural Ridgeline above your head takes the tension from your suspension and transfers it above your head, vs the body of the hammock. It also allows the hammock to droop appropriately so you can attain the perfect lay.
3. Lastly, an underquilt is a game changer. Even in the hottest temps, your butt will still get cold. You can level up heat ratings on your underquilt. I use a 20° underquilt year round. Some suggest a camping pad to up the R rating, but that sounds horrible. A traditional underquilt is designed to hug you and hold in heat.
Then, you can also layer with different types of suspensions, tarps, top quilts, and other gear assessories. There are hammocks with integrated bug nets, and there are after-market bug nets that encapsulate your whole system, and you can hang out in a camp chair under your tarp if weathered in. Hammock camping is a whole other level of black hole gear acquisition.
I use a tent cot 🤔
Its a tent with a cot attached…
Its too heavy for backpacking but
great for drive up tent sites.
I 1st used one in Everglades National Park.
Its raised off the ground and keeps you
clear of bugs, snakes and other creatures
that may visit you 🤐
Personally I use tents that pitch the inner and outer together at the same time (Eg any Hilleberg tent), as they keep the inner dry no matter the weather. Most North American non trekking pole tents tents are inner first so that you can pitch just the inner on a nice day, but they are awful to setup in bad weather, as the inner will be soaked if you do not or cannot pitch a tarp over it first.
Me and 3 pit bulls in a hammock? Pass, Thanx !
Thank you
Use both, hammock 80% of the time 😅😅
You choose best system for the camp
I use hammock , bivvy , tent and even cot
All have their place .
One tip I want to pass along. After going exclusively into hammock camping, I had several unused, high-end backpacking tents in my gear closet. For a fun summer to-do project, I had my kids get out the tents I hadn’t used in many years and set them up. Nearly every tent pole elastic had roached out and had lost its elasticity. The rain fly weather proofing had dried out and lost its protective coating. I had to get replacement elastic cordage and replace it in every pole. I’m still working my way through re-seam sealing the flys and waterproofing the rain flys. Will I ever use them again? Maybe not, but I want them to be ready if I ever need to grab one for some reason. So lesson learned, check your gear if you don’t use it for a while.
I love hammocks and would use them any day over a tent. Once in college in 1989, a buddy and I pitched our tent in a depression on top of a knoll…it started raining so hard, and you guessed it – it flooded my tent! What a stupid thing to do! 😂
i cant because i only sleep on my side on tents for me
Thought that site with the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV (1:25) looked familiar; I was there (Brulé Harbour in Lake Superior Provincial Park) in May and strung my hammock from that birch. Beautiful site, beautiful park. Looking forward to seeing your video from your Superior trip!
I have been using both for many years. Hammocks are great when conditions are favourable. However, when you get a line squall and torrential rain coming in sideways, hammocks covers/tarps tend to balloon upwards and everything under it gets soaked. including your sleeping kit. There are now manufactures (OneTigris ROCDOMUS) that make tarps that go right to the ground. So you are sort of hanging inside a full sized tent. If you trip with a dog, a hammock has no space for them vrs a tent with a vestibule. Rocky uneven ground for tent campers can be overcome with the use of a cot such as the Helinox Cot One.
Thanks for the comparison, you touched on all the main discussion points pretty well. Happy paddling!
I use both hot boxes and bear tacos depending on the area. I agree with Ken both have good points and bad points. Both can be miserable if not set up properly.
If I know I am going somewhere where trees are plentiful, then a hammock will be used every time, they are the best choice. No leveling of the ground required and you are off the ground if it is raining. When I was on the west coast trail where it was all beach, then I used a tent. My choice for hammock tent is the Hennessy Hammock asym, you sleep very straight.
I do a lot of whitewater outfitting/overnighters. In the Pacific Northwest there are tree camps and island rockbar/sandbar camps. I used to use a cot with bivy and sometimes tent. About 7 years ago I switched out to 100% hammock and haven’t looked back.
When river camping I’m using an ENO Nomad Stand and ENO Nomad Shelter for my hammock (9′ hammock). It’s a great way to have a tent AND hammock. Additionally it is fully freestanding, so no need for trees. I recently spent a week in Iceland with it weathering Hurricane Isaac and it was awesome.
For backpacking I use an 11′ hammock. Hoping later this year to upgrade to a Yobo Cricket hammock stand for space and weight savings on the river.
My back couldn’t take the hammock. Need firm flat surface
I’m 58. I’ve been using Hennessy hammocks for about 20 years, that have been modified with Dutchware hardware. If there are no trees its tarps or a tent with bugs.