Hammocks!

So i`d like to add a hammock to my BOB as well as backpack camping.

What do you guys suggestion?
I need to fill the following requirements.

- Tough & Durable
- Can fit in backpack
- No supports (for weight, and wrap-around = no falling out)
- Multi-Layer if possible so if it's cold you can sandwhich yourself between two things (therm-a-rest).


What do you use or suggest? And where can I see/buy them?
Thanks!

-Todd

So Far I`ve found:
http://www.hennessyhammock.com
http://www.campingsurvival.com/hammocks.html
http://www.myhammock.com/campinghammocks.html

And the hammock that looks like it may work for what I want.
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?...2&fp=F#

Hennessy hammocks look to be the "best" but also cost a fortune and would be bad if someone stole one.

I haven't slept in this one, but it was very comfortable at a demo that I checked out. Very reasonably priced, also.
Eagles Nest Hammock

Hammocks? My goodness, what an idea. Why didn't I think of that? Hammocks! There's only four places to get hammocks; There's the Hammock Hut, that's on third. There's Hammocks-R-Us, that's on third too. You got Put-Your-Butt-There that's also on third. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot... Matter of fact, they're all in the same complex; it's the hammock complex on third, in the Hammock District. You know, there's a little place called Mary Ann's Hammocks. The nice thing about that place is Mary Ann gets in the hammock with you.

How about an extremely ccompact hammock. For all you folks with hammock knowledge which one packs up the smallest? I would be interested in such a thing.

www.hammockcamping.com/Newsletters/2005/May2005.htm (scroll to bottom of page for lots of links)
www.jacksrbetter.com (cold weather gear for henessey hammocks)
www.speerhammocks.com

I guess it all depends on what you want to do with that hammock.
If you want to spend a night out of the rain and free of moskitos bites, then a Hennessy hammock is what you need.

Hennessy hammocks are GREAT ! and small and light and easy to pack/unpack (more so if you have the snake skins).
The thermarest mattress I recently bought to take along with my HH is OK except a bit too narrow. I'm now looking for a larger mattress, so when on my back my arms can also rest on the mattress...

Hands down... get yerself a Hennessy!!!

Troy

P.S. I think Frenchy will probably second that.

Taking a look at your pick, it'll be a far second to the Hennessy, I've got an Explorer Deluxe asym, and the only way somebody's gonna steal it, is after they pry the pistol out of my cold, dead hand... I love it!!!

Troy

Brian, the Hennessy's not the smallest, a common 15$ net from X-mart is about 1/5 the size, and about 1/4 the weight, but if you ever spend a night in a Hennessy, you won't settle for anything else. At about a foot long by about 5 or 6 inches around (in the stuff sack), and about a pound and a quarter, considering how valuable a good night's sleep is, I'd say it's one of, if not the most important piece of camping gear I've got, and that put's it pretty high up on the BOB list too.

Troy

I have camped in an REI / Kmart / Walmart net hammock for about 10 years. After I put up the hammock I use a siltarp hung over a line run just above the hammock. Tie the tarp corner to corner. Just stake the other corners to the ground.

In my experience nylon hammocks start to sag about ½ way through the night. Put up your net hammock as taut as you can then lay in it for about 5 minutes to stretch it out. Get up pull it taut again and hang your tarp. The line between the trees makes a great place to hang items you may need during the night, Water bottle, flashlight etc. Pull the tarp back and you have a very comfortable seat for during the day.

You can get a one man net hammock for about $15.00 but I prefer the room of the 2 man for about $25.00.

I don’t leave home without my hammock. It’s great for picnics. Girls always want to “try” it out.

Cameron

Oh yes..During bug season I sleep with a head net on.

Yep I'm not so concerned with shelter (though I would turn away from it intentionally). I'm used to just throwing a down a piece of plastic and a sleeping bag on the ground with a boonie hat and a head net in the summer. However as I get older the ground gets less and less comfortable. I bought the smallest Thermarest self-inflatable pad (not willing to carry the larger ones) but it really doesnt make much difference. Probably about 50%-75% of my camping is done in places where I could hang a hammock so I have often though that is may be a nice addition to my gear but I am pretty extreme about keeping pack size and weight to a minimum when I hike and camp. I don't even own a frame pack. A regular rucksack is as big as I ever go. The Adventure Racer looks to be somewhat small with a pack weight of 15oz but with a max load of 180# and a 5'10" person I fear I would get a little restless in my sleep and tear it or something. I can just see me falling through the bottom. Talk about a rude awakening! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'll have to check out these Walmart net hammocks as well.

Which therm-a-rest did you get?

If you can't tell the difference between it and the ground you are not letting it inflate properly or it has a hole. I have the orange 4 season therm-a-rest and I can tell! It feels VERY comfy and I have a bad back and am VERY picky (read EXPENSIVE home bed).

Also a friend has the cheapest therm-a-rest and it makes a huge difference!

If you think it might have a hole open it up let it sit for 10 minutes then blow it up more with your mouth then close it. Let it sit or you sit on it and see if you can feel the ground. I can get mine where I don't feel the ground and it's not "to hard".

I really like the Hennessy but wow $ And it's not like I couldn't sleep in the cheaper ones I got.. so I`ll report back <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm not very familiar with hammocks, with the exception of one that I laid in and flipped over and out. How long does it take you to find two trees the right distance apart?

Sue

I loved my Thermarest - I used it at home as well as in the field (no bed - sleep on the floor) and it was really comfortable - until my dog chewed a hole in it. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

that's not a possibility with a Hennessy Hammock

not long ! Much easier than to find a level place without rocks, roots, etc.... to install a tent....
except if you hike above tree line....

You might be colder in a hammock than in other shelters, because of airflow beneath you. Maybe not your first choice for sheltering in Alaska, but probably good for Texas!

Interesting. I have the orange one. I'll get the specs and post them and also try out your suggestions.

Take a serious look at the Hennessy... you mentioned getting older, sleeping in a net puts your body in a curve that's hard to shake off in the morning. In the HH, you sleep on a diagonal with the tie off points that leaves you laying almost perfectly flat, hence a whole lot more comfortable. As a member of the "over forty" club, and cursed with arthritis, I can tell you first hand, the minimal weight difference is well worth it. As for room in the pack, if you get the snakeskins Frenchy mentioned (yes, I've got them too), you can sling it over your pack, alla WW I G. I. bedroll style, or over your shoulder like a bandolier, either way, no lost space in the pack.
I've got nothing to do with HH other than being one VERY happy customer, but I gotta tell ya, it's some of the best outdoor gear cash I've ever spent.

Troy

If you've got a good hammock, with long enough tie off line, it doesn't take long at all. My rig's good for anything between about 8 to 16 ft. apart, if the trees/posts/whatever are farther apart than that, I tie on extra lengths of line. Over about 25 ft. it's kind'a tough to get the tension right though.

Troy

The orange one is a 4 season (why I got it) and it's awesome! My guess is something is not allowing it to fill properly or you may be used to sinking more and maybe need to make it a lil firmer.

As far as hammocks not being warm the Hennessy and other $ hammocks show them being used in Winter, so as long as you have something UNDER you that doesn't allow air to freely move you should be ok.

I just checked. It's the Therm-a-Rest ProLite 3 S (small).

Ah ok, that's 1.0" inches thick.
The ProLite 4 which I have is 1.5"
Sorry I thought only the 4 was orange my mistake.

And I believe the one my friend has is 1.25".

You having a small probably means your not to big of a guy so 1.0" you would think would be enough to be comfortable but if it's not (after blowing it up) maybe it's time to upgrade <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The basecamp is 1.75" but is a lot larger to pack. The ProLites sure package small and tiny <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> They fit in my pack even.

Hennessy has a new "Four Season" option that insulates the bottom of the thing.

Yep, and I found someone else making '4 season kits' for them too.