Ok, lots of good input on hammocks here. Myself, I am a side and stomach sleeper and can't sleep on my back at all. Never have been able to. I find that a hammock is the only way to sleep in the jungle. It is so wet and rains so much, camping on the earth is not pleasant. Not to mention the insects, snakes and other undesireables.
My first hammock experience was with a US Army M1966 hammock which is sort of well designed and has little toggles with shock cord for attaching a poncho as a fly. You are at your own devices to get and hang a mosquito net with the M1966 hammock, there is not one included. It is light in weight but way too narrow and the tendacy is to fall out or feel insecure. That first few weeks with the hammock did give me an appreciation of the advantage of a hammock for a jungle environment though.
I now have a few different hammocks, both wider with bug netting and separate bashas. I have used them in forest areas and like the ability to be able to pitch camp in any terrain, although a flat area is still best. It can be hazardous to get out of a hammock on the downhill side of a steep slope!
I have experienced several nights with a chilly bottom even with a thermarest inside, the only relief is to turn and warm one side at a time. Hawaii is cold when you get up high!
My favorite hammock is the RM Pyramid system because the hammock is so wide. It does however cost a lot of money for the little use it receives. There is just about no place to use a hammock here in the local desert, no trees spaced for hanging the thing. For the desert I use my MSR Hubba Hubba, no need to have any high points to tie off to.
If you can hang a hammock though, I think it is worth a go, they can be a good way to sleep and a fun way to have your own little hanging world. Cheers!
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