Anyone have any advice on using a Hammock on the trail or in car camping?

I guess what I am asking is are they worth it?
And what do you use for insulation?

Oh, they are very much worth it if the weather is with you. They aren't so good in high wind- Raven wants to fly, but not in as a kite. :P I mostly use them in warmer weather, so I don't bother with insulation, just my sleeping bag. People who do use foam pads, either ground pads or upholstery foam.

Also, apparently you're supposed to lie cross-wise in them. This makes them much more stable.

Crosswise....

With your feet and head hanging off?

Hahahaha... no.

OK, if you've got one of the hammocks that have the cross-bars at the end, you'll lie in that 'normally.' But, since hammocks didn't originate in the US... we use them wrong. Also, this doesn't count with the "military" hammocks that have mosquito nets, bells, & whistles.

The ends tie to the tree, or whatever. You lie perpendicular to the ends. Sit your butt down in the middle of the hammock like you normally would, then put your feet into the edge (so you're in a fetal position). Don't swing 90 degrees and put your feet towards the ends that are tied. Once your feet are on the edge, kick your feet out, then stretch out your torso. It takes a second to figure this out, but the hammock is A LOT more stable this way. You can also sit with this method, by adjusting where you put your rear-end initially.

http://www.fungifts.com.au/images/products/small/hammock_320.jpg

THE answer ...

On, those. Hate the crossbars, rather be in a fishnet or parasilk burrito. :P I've tipped every crossbar hammock I've tried, and they are too bulky to pack.

*blush* or broken the crossbars before I tipped it.

Not perpendicular but at an angle, 45 degrees or so seems to work for me. There's not a hammock made that'll hold me perpendicularly...

-Blast, who is really tall

I’ve been considering buying or building a hammock as an alternative to the standard tarp or tent. It’d be pretty cool to pitch your shelter over any ground you want. Steep hills, rocky ground, swampy areas… as long as there’s something to hang the bad boy from.

For insulation most people make their own cocoon that wraps below the hammock so your weight doesn’t compress the insulation and I know there are commercial alternatives.

Search the web for forums and hammock companies.

Check out these two sites(Both Safe):
Hammock Forums (Hammock Specific)
WhiteBlaze (Thru-hiking)

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I love my Hennesy Hammock (I do want the larger rain fly though).

I am reluctant to use a tent again after using the hammock while backpacking.

I've owned a Hennessy Hammock for quite a few years now, and have used it in all kinds of weather. I like it a lot - it's incredibly comfortable - but it does have its quirks.

I don't like using it for more than one night in bad (especially wet) weather. Not because it isn't dry - properly hung, it will keep you nice and dry - but simply from the lack of storage space. For instance, there's no place to put your rain gear or boots where they won't get wet in a driven rain. In cold weather, there's no place to put your overcoat.

This can be partially handled by pitching a tarp over or next to the hammock, but that sort of defeats the "traveling light" aspect of the hammock.

Of course, it's darned near impossible to dress inside of one. Those who can are a lot more flexible than I am!

As for cold weather, I've slept in mine down to about 28degF and was quite warm. I use a Big Agnes bag, coupled with a RidgeRest closed-cell foam pad and the popular fleece/foam window shade mod that you can find all over the net. In fact, if the weather gets much above 40degF I sweat too much in this combo, and I'm a notoriously cold sleeper.

Great product, but consider your needs carefully. I love mine - in fact, I spent this last weekend in it - but it's not for everyone. If you like bivy bags or the very tiny one-person tents, you might be a hammock person.

-=[ Grant ]=-

Thanks for all the ideas, and the links to the Hammock boards.
I tried mine out last night and I loved it