Hammock tenting is usually dismissed as being a gimmick, however in sure conditions it’s a very viable possibility and may even be an excellent technique to benefit from the nice outdoor.
Tents are so ingrained within the tradition of tenting that we frequently don’t take into account the rest as being an possibility, however those that have embraced the concept that the tent is likely to be extra of a hindrance than a assist have began to embrace hammocks as being an possibility.
For those who haven’t used a hammock for tenting earlier than, you is likely to be pondering of the kind we frequently see on seashores or in backyards. These are hammocks made out of rope, the kind we would see in a cartoon!
The varieties of hammocks being utilized by hardcore campers usually are not this selection. As a substitute, they’re normally product of tightly woven nylon and different high-tech supplies.
Folks don’t normally consider tenting as being a high-tech enterprise, however you solely need to flick thru the web site of a web based tenting retailer like MO Deal with & Outdoor to understand that tenting has come a great distance for the reason that days of the boy scout A-frame tent.
How Does Hammock Tenting Work?
Put very merely, as a substitute of taking a tent, you’re taking a hammock. Most hammocks can match inside your bag and trigger little to no inconvenience when being carried round all day.
They’re lighter in weight that just about any tent can presumably be, and there may be little or no setup required. When the time involves relaxation for the night time, merely connect the hammock to 2 sturdy constructions corresponding to timber and you might be able to settle in for the night time.
Simply as simply as being put up, hammocks might be taken down within the morning and slung in your tenting bag with minimal fuss, that means you possibly can proceed exploring a lot sooner than you might if having to pack up a tent.
With hammock tenting, you aren’t sure to a campsite and you’ll transfer round extremely simply, particularly in wilderness areas.
It sounds prefer it isn’t as interesting for 2 or extra folks, but when yow will discover an honest spot the place there may be area for a number of hammocks, there’s no motive you possibly can’t camp in a gaggle with hammocks. Two may even connect to the identical tree if you wish to be near your tenting associate.
It’s true that it isn’t as simple to do communal actions in hammocks, however that’s one of many trade-offs for the advantages that hammock tenting gives. In case you have a campfire arrange, then that may be an efficient technique to spend time collectively earlier than retreating to your hammocks.
What about safety?
With nothing between you and nature, it may be simple to suppose that there isn’t any safety in any respect supplied by these hammocks. Whether it is sunny, are you uncovered to the direct daylight? Whether it is raining, will your hammock merely fill with rain?
The rain dilemma is normally solved with attachments. Easy tarpaulin-style rain fly covers might be arrange which may give you protection and direct rain away from the sleeping space. Even in the event you aren’t eager to put money into a rain fly, you are able to do an analogous job with only a tarpaulin.
Similar to the hammock, these might be arrange by attaching to timber. Some folks really choose sleeping in a hammock when it will get wet. If you’re in an space the place a whole lot of rain can fall fairly shortly it’s simple for it to begin to accumulate underneath the tent and even begin to get within the tent or make issues muddy. Being suspended from a tree means this isn’t a problem!
Similar to the safety from the rain, a web might be arrange excessive of the hammock in case you are anxious about bugs getting in. You’ll be able to successfully flip the hammock right into a suspended cocoon. And there are additionally varieties of tenting hammocks which can be absolutely enclosed utilizing a breathable mesh materials and are designed to be used in areas the place mosquitoes could also be an issue throughout the night time.
Advantages of Hammock Tenting
There wouldn’t even be any kind of debate available if tenting in a hammock have been under no circumstances sensible. Fortunately, it has a whole lot of advantages! Some folks swear by sleeping in a hammock when on their journeys, and even take hammocks as an accompaniment to their tents.
Listed here are a few of the advantages of hammocks for tenting:
- They’re snug. There’s a motive why we sleep on a pleasant comfortable floor at residence. A mattress is good for avoiding bumps and uncomfortable spots, however hammocks are a snug technique to keep away from uneven and unforgiving floor surfaces whenever you’re on a tenting journey. Plus, they’re extra sensible than taking a mattress.
- Be out in nature. This is the reason we go tenting anyway, proper? Hammock tenting is an excellent technique to be sure you can get pleasure from your evenings beneath the celebs and don’t have to fret about being cooped up inside a tent. The sounds of nature and contemporary air might be vastly useful.
- They’re extremely light-weight. Some tenting hammocks are made out of very sensible supplies which suggests they’ve a whole lot of energy however nonetheless weigh a tiny quantity. This implies they are often added to your bag and weigh lower than a bottle of water. For those who’re occurring lengthy hikes, that weight saved is usually a massive plus level.
Issues to Contemplate
Just a few additional issues to consider if you’ll go hammock tenting:
- By no means arrange on a dying tree, this will shorten the lifetime of the tree and it could actually make it extra probably that it falls within the night time.
- Connect the hammock with supplies which received’t harm the tree in any manner. The aim isn’t to break nature.
- Ensure that the hammock has a capability which is sufficiently big to your wants.
- Comply with the directions for setup to make sure it’s sturdy and may help your weight by way of the night time. In any other case, you might be set for a nasty fall and a get up name you actually don’t need!
- Verify with any park rangers that hammock tenting is permitted. Not each park is pleased with it.
- Arrange someplace that may nonetheless be shady when the solar comes up. It will keep away from waking up and being burned by the solar.
