Hammock advice/ tips

[demented dale]

I was lounging about in a hammock at a festival over the weekend and think I want to buy one. Any advice out there. I am open to any or all suggestions the only prerequisite is the color which needs to be black 1st choice or green or grey. I normally go with what you guys on here suggest so any help gratefully recieved. Thank you. DD xxxx
ps perhaps someone even has one for sale maybe?????

 

[crlthrn]

Hi Dale. I'm the proud owner of a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC. It's genuinely an amazing product, but hails from the US and isn't cheap, starting at $200. I bought mine over 10 years ago so it was cheaper then. https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/product/blackbird-xlc/
Read the reviews. It comes supplied with a zip-on bugnet which will even keep those nasty, tiny, midges at bay!
Be advised, you absolutely will need an underquilt of some kind, whatever hammock you may choose, to avoid being miserably cold as your warmth is completely lost from underneath! You'll also need a tarp to keep the rain off. There are few weight savings using a hammock versus a backpacking tent, sadly. If you know someone going to the States they could carry one back for you as they and a down underquilt pack down nicely. I have friends who regularly go to Florida. I cat-sit for them and they bring back stuff for me. I'll be in Mayo in early October and will have mine with me. I'll be happy to show it, and the underquilt, to you to give you an idea of what's involved.

 

[Megatramp]

Hammocks rock!

I have a basic Decathlon one for sitting/lounging in when I'm in the woods/garden. Cost about a tenner, years ago mind.

For trips/touring I use a cheap Amzn one, abt £13 when I bought it, complete with tree huggers and a fairly decent 7' x 9' tarp. The main feature though has to be the bug net. Got 2 initially, for a motorcycle trip with my eldest son, then bought 3 more for the family after the best sleep. We use them a lot.

Agree about the under quilt though. I use my sleep mat in the hammock (I always take that and my bivvy bag in case I want to kip where there's no trees) which helps a bit, but on colder nights I use a blanket suspended underneath. An old sleeping bag would do the same. I peg a Poundland tarp underneath for a clean, dry work area and put everything in a bin liner to protect from overnight damp/frost.

Not tried any of the more expensive ones as I'm more than happy with the ones we have but there's one called Amok if you don't like the cocooned in feeling.

 

[crosslandkelly]

+1 for the bugnet.
I use a Tenth Wonder 'Green Hornet' hammock. It's a bit longer than the DD Frontline, and feel a bit less restricted around the shoulders.
Depending on your budget, have a look at the lay flat and bridge hammocks. If I was looking to upgrade my hammock, that's where I would look.

 

[demented dale]

Fab info and thanks. Anyone got any pictures? or links for best places/prices. Thank you again x

 

[Woody girl]

One thing I invested in for a quick and easy set up was a set of daisy chains and a couple of carabiners for the hammock. I've also got a 4x4 tarp as it gives much more coverage, especially if it's wet. This is my dd set up at the wilderness gathering. Obviously, its set up for comfort with chairs and tables etc, but i can pare it down if wanted. Though most of this did fit into a red 60 litre kit bag, and a small ruck, which you can just about see under the hammock.

 

[Megatramp]

Woody girl, that looks very homely.

 

[Broch]

I use a

I was lounging about in a hammock at a festival over the weekend and think I want to buy one. Any advice out there. I am open to any or all suggestions the only prerequisite is the color which needs to be black 1st choice or green or grey. I normally go with what you guys on here suggest so any help gratefully recieved. Thank you. DD xxxx
ps perhaps someone even has one for sale maybe?????

Consider downloading the Ultimate Hang - it has a lot of useful tips in one package:

The Ultimate Hang: Hammock Camping Illustrated eBook : Hansen, Derek, Hansen, Derek: Amazon.co.uk: Books

The Ultimate Hang: Hammock Camping Illustrated eBook : Hansen, Derek, Hansen, Derek: Amazon.co.uk: Books

amzn.eu

If you plan on overnighting (rather than lounging) you will need to be able to develop the diagonal lay to get anything like a flat sleep. To do that you need a wide hammock (that is plenty of fabric in the width) - the basic measurement is that the outstretched fabric should be at least as wide as your outstretched arms finger tip to finger tip; a diagonal lay is made easier with an asymmetrical hammock but it's not vital.

An underblanket is a must (I use the DD one). I never use the bug net (said elsewhere, I can't stand that enclosed feeling and in the pitch dark they are a pain to escape ) so I just use insect repellent on my face and arms.

One last thing, I'd advise you to get a decent one or you may be put off, but don't spend a fortune just in case you don't get on with it. It takes a few nights of use to find a comfortable lay at first.

 

[demented dale]

I use a


Consider downloading the Ultimate Hang - it has a lot of useful tips in one package:

The Ultimate Hang: Hammock Camping Illustrated eBook : Hansen, Derek, Hansen, Derek: Amazon.co.uk: Books

The Ultimate Hang: Hammock Camping Illustrated eBook : Hansen, Derek, Hansen, Derek: Amazon.co.uk: Books

amzn.eu

If you plan on overnighting (rather than lounging) you will need to be able to develop the diagonal lay to get anything like a flat sleep. To do that you need a wide hammock (that is plenty of fabric in the width) - the basic measurement is that the outstretched fabric should be at least as wide as your outstretched arms finger tip to finger tip; a diagonal lay is made easier with an asymmetrical hammock but it's not vital.

An underblanket is a must (I use the DD one). I never use the bug net (said elsewhere, I can't stand that enclosed feeling and in the pitch dark they are a pain to escape ) so I just use insect repellent on my face and arms.

One last thing, I'd advise you to get a decent one or you may be put off, but don't spend a fortune just in case you don't get on with it. It takes a few nights of use to find a comfortable lay at first.

Thx xxxx

 

[TeeDee]

Few questions you may want to answer yourself before looking at the big bucks Hammocks.

Do you intend to casually lounge in it during the day? or Properly sleep in it at Night as your single sleep option?


If so - do you intend to winter camp using a Hammock? That requires additional and special considerations.

If you are NOT intending to sleep in them , but more casual summer lounge I can suggest Ticket to the Moon - various colour and size options.

Ticket To The Moon - Hammocks & Outdoor Accessories Manufacture

High-quality, durable & comfortable hammocks, accessories & outdoor equipment by Ticket To The Moon. Get the best deals & ultimate experience.

ticketothemoon.com

 

[demented dale]

Few questions you may want to answer yourself before looking at the big bucks Hammocks.

Do you intend to casually lounge in it during the day? or Properly sleep in it at Night as your single sleep option?


If so - do you intend to winter camp using a Hammock? That requires additional and special considerations.

If you are NOT intending to sleep in them , but more casual summer lounge I can suggest Ticket to the Moon - various colour and size options.

Ticket To The Moon - Hammocks & Outdoor Accessories Manufacture

High-quality, durable & comfortable hammocks, accessories & outdoor equipment by Ticket To The Moon. Get the best deals & ultimate experience.

ticketothemoon.com

Thanks TD. I am looking at a basic DD hammock which you can use for sleeping and dossing about. Its cheap enough at about £30. Do you know anything about them? I saw a group buy on here I think. XXXX

 

[TeeDee]

Thanks TD. I am looking at a basic DD hammock which you can use for sleeping and dossing about. Its cheap enough at about £30. Do you know anything about them? I saw a group buy on here I think. XXXX

I've never owned a DD hammock. I would imagine that they are fit for use. No added whistles or bells however. Not that it sounds like you will need them.

 

[Chris]

I just spent my first week in a hammock at the Moot, in a DD Frontline (XL version as I am long and broad). Perfectly comfy, slept great. I do recommend the whoopie slings though as it makes it much easier to setup.

 

[Woody girl]

Woody girl, that looks very homely.

It is!

Thanks TD. I am looking at a basic DD hammock which you can use for sleeping and dossing about. Its cheap enough at about £30. Do you know anything about them? I saw a group buy on here I think. XXXX

DD are a good entry level, I've had several over the years including a hennessay.
I find the dd very comfy when set up correctly and its my preferred hammock. I have ticket to the moon, aldi garden hammock, hennessay bottom entry and my dd. I'm a side sleeper and with a self inflating mat inserted ( aswell as the uq,) it helps stop the banana effect, and keeps the sides spread out a bit more.
I'm 5.7 and it's fine for me.

 

[Megatramp]

Just saw the same ones on Amzn and they're still only £14, albeit minus the tarp these days but still a cracking deal.

 

[crlthrn]

Fab info and thanks. Anyone got any pictures? or links for best places/prices. Thank you again x

Here's a pic from a campsite near Barmouth, Wales in late May 2017, of my Blackbird XLC with 3/4 length down underquilt and full length overquilt, complete with bugnet. Note the steeply sloping site! I was glad of the bug net!

And seemingly I'm not allowed to post pics without having them hosted elsewhere, or some such complexity. So, that's it. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[Nomad666]

Any tips on getting out of a hammock I really struggle getting out.

 

[TeeDee]

Any tips on getting out of a hammock I really struggle getting out.

Easy.

Let gravity assist you and do some of the heavy lifting.

 

[mrmike]

Any tips on getting out of a hammock I really struggle getting out.

Yes - try your best to make it look like a hero landing rather than face first...

 

[mrmike]

Seriously though, getting out of a gathered end hammock is much less perilous than stretcher bar? hammock.

Throw your legs over the edge whilst your backside is still relatively central to the hammock.