Hammock for Bivy Hunts

[JohnFitzgerald]

Anyone ever sleep in a hammock for a bivy hunt?

[AmericanBwana]

Watch out! The last time I saw this on another site, the USFS had to be called to put out the forum flaming that occurred.

FWIW, I use a warbonnet traveler with a an KAQ underquilt, and a 12x12 tarp for my base camp. Pretty comfortable, a touch more weight than a tent, but I'm not sleeping on the ground.

I plan on camping in not less than 20 degree weather (30 is the target), with a 20 degree bag as an over quilt. My main goal is not sleeping on the ground.

I can provide the weights if you'd like.

AB

[ChukarNUT]

My back hurts just from reading this title!! id take my thermarest and bag in the dirt over a hammock. OR Bivy is very nice and light though and keeps you dry, only weighs 1#. My mtn. hardwear down bag-OR bivy-and thermarest pro lite short pad weigh 4# total. works great for short bivy hunts.

[>>>---WW---->]

Been thinking about one. But instead of the over quilt, under guilt, and pad thing, I've been wondering just why you couldn't zip up an old sleeping bag around the hammock. You would have cover on top as well as a dead air space underneath. Whatta ya think!!!

[JGH]

I'll be watching this thread ... my son just got a Hennesy Hammock ... seems comfortable, but was only in it to try it out for a bit.

Overall, it seems like it'd be nice for timbered country with not much level ground ... in decent temperatures.

[AmericanBwana]

Been thinking about one. But instead of the over quilt, under guilt, and pad thing, I've been wondering just why you couldn't zip up an old sleeping bag around the hammock. You would have cover on top as well as a dead air space underneath. Whatta ya think!!!

Bill, that is actually called a Pea Pod.

Some hammock shapes allow this option. Others have an asymmetrical shape, which allows you to sleep 'kitty corner' on the flattest part of the hammock.

The underquilt replaces the pad. I started with the pad, but found I woke up feeling damp.

AB

[RockChucker30]

Hammocks have advantages and disadvantages compared to a tent or tarp.

The biggest advantage, and the reason people are willing to put up with the quirks of hammock camping is COMFORT. I put that in all caps for emphasis. If you haven't slept in a good hammock and known what you were doing when you slept then you have no idea how comfortable they can be.

The other big advantage is how quick and easy they are to set up and take down. You don't have to have level ground, and as long as there are two trees the right distance apart then you are ready to hang.

The cons....hammocks have a steep learning curve. You have to get the pitch right and lay in them correctly to get the most comfort out of them. Also, it takes more knowledge and skill to stay warm in a hammock than it does in a tent.

In a tent you simply lay down a foam pad, then get in a sleeping bag rated colder than the expected temps. Simple. With a hammock you have dead air space underneath you, plus you have wind chill underneath you. So you either have to put a foam pad in the hammock with you or you use an underquilt which is like a blanket with shock cord in it that stretches out underneath the hammock, insulating you.

Hammocks can get pricey as well, and of course they are useless above treeline.

I prefer a hammock for most applications here in TN, especially in buggy weather. But on a backpack hunt I'd go with my SO Lil Bug Out for weight primarily.

I use a Tree to Tree Trail Gear Switchback 1.9 SL with a custom OES MacCat tarp. My wife uses a Warbonnet Blackbird with a Mambajamba tarp. I also have an Enlightened Equipment Rev X 20° quilt and a Hammock Gear Incubator 20° underquilt. I don't have a problem recommending any of this gear. It is all top notch.

http://www.tttrailgear.com
http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/
http://www.enlightenedequipment.com/
http://www.hammockgear.com/

[>>>---WW---->]

Question for you hangers!

I don't want to go out and spend a chunk of change for a bunch of hammock equipment just to find out it really isn't for me. So, would it be wise to get on Amazon and buy a $30 dollar one to experiment with? Then if I like it, maybe upgrade later. Or would the cheap one even compare good enough to give me an idea if I'd like it or not?

[RockChucker30]

WW,

You can pick up an Eno double nest pretty reasonable, then mod it yourself to add some upgraded features.

Hammockforums is a tremendous resource for all this stuff.

[Navesgane]

Question for you hangers!

I don't want to go out and spend a chunk of change for a bunch of hammock equipment just to find out it really isn't for me. So, would it be wise to get on Amazon and buy a $30 dollar one to experiment with? Then if I like it, maybe upgrade later. Or would the cheap one even compare good enough to give me an idea if I'd like it or not?

I wouldn't. Would you buy a $30 bow to see if you like bow hunting? There are a lot of people in the market for hammocks and if you buy a decent one and find out it's not fr you, you can always resell it- even if you lose $30 that you would if you bought a junk one, and you'll get to experience the full quality.

[AmericanBwana]

The biggest complain people have about hammocks is Cold Bum Syndrome. Without either a pad or underquilt, any body part that touches the hammock will probably get cold below say 60 degrees.

A cheap Walmart foam pad is a good start, just make sure it is at least shoulder width.

Another thing to consider is you will probably have a breeze blowing over you at night. This tends to draw heat away also. Using a the tarp to block the wind may be warranted.

A Warbonnet Traveler starts at $60. I've also heard good things about the Eno Doublenest. The local REI has them for $70 or so.

Hammockforums has some DIY designs you can try. Basically some nylon tied together on both ends. They also have some more complex designs for the adventurous.

[cnelk]

I would think that September weather would be a con for using hammocks.
What if it rains? Or windy?
I bet that tarp or tent would feel pretty good for those times

[Navesgane]

Weather forecasting and camp location is vital for choosing a hammock over a tent

[Huntrgathr]

There was a great thread on "The Site That Is Never To Be Named". I went over there to find a link for you but accidentally clicked on a couple threads just to see what's happening over there and I lost at least 5 IQ points just having read them. Search at your own risk.

[itsnlkthing]

Anyone have any experience with this type of tarp arrangement? http://m.rei.com/mt/www.rei.com/product ... -rain-tarp
I have the double nest and it is extremely comfortable but I have never used it in cold or rainy conditions.

[AmericanBwana]

I would think that September weather would be a con for using hammocks.
What if it rains? Or windy?
I bet that tarp or tent would feel pretty good for those times

Good points.
1. Site selection is important. Having some tree's around you to act as a wind break is a good idea.
2. Tarp selection. The Eno Housefly pictured below has doors on both ends. When closed up you effectively have a tent.
3. Windy. Some tarps have tie out on the sides to keep the tarp from pressing in against the hammock during windy weather.

One benefit of a hammock in inclimate weather is the built in seat.



My hammock set up is really geared toward summer (scout trips and worm drowning) and the first two weeks of September.

Some people like tents, some tarps, and some hammocks. I don't really what they use as long as they get out there and have fun.

[cnelk]

When I think of a hammock, it reminds me of Gilligan and Skipper on Gilligan's Island

[Lefty]

My back hurts just from reading this title!! id take my thermarest and bag in the dirt over a hammock. ,......

I roll around too much at night and I have never found a hammock to be comfortable for more than 30 minutes.I think they are for a yourger back.
A few of my scout use them for camping and love them. But some of theose boys are small , in the morning they aere curled up into a small ball

[RockChucker30]

I'm 6'3" and primarily side sleep, but I toss and turn all night. Thus my choice of the switchback hammock. It lets me sleep on either side or my back very easily. I can even swap ends in it if I wanted to.

If it's raining I tend to like a hammock better than a tent simply because you're up off the ground. You can get door kits for hammocks, or grizz beaks, etc. If it was a terrible storm with 70 mph winds then I'd rather be in my LBO.