Hammock camping is a modern form of camping that has become more popular in recent years. Hammock camping entails bringing a specialized camping hammock into the backcountry or front-country. You hang your camping hammock between two anchor points, usually two trees, to relax, camp out, and sleep in nature.
Sounds like a win-win to me!
Check out: Hammock Camping 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
What Is Hammock Camping?
Hammock camping is a lightweight, practical way of camping. You have a light hammock and some accessories to set up camp and spend the night in nature. Hammock camping can save you weight, storage, and the uncomfortable experience of camping on the ground.
What are camping hammocks made of?
Some materials that are often used in camping hammocks are:
- Parachute Nylon: Lightweight, durable, breathable, and quick-drying.
- Polyester: UV resistant, less stretchable than nylon, stable sleeping surface.
- Ripstop Nylon: Reinforced to prevent tearing, ultra-lightweight, durable.
What is the meaning of hammock camping?
Hammock camping is an alternative way to tent camping, to get out in nature and enjoy recreational camping. With hammock camping, however, you will be suspended in the air instead of inside the room of a tent.
Letting you chill out in elevated comfort while taking in the views. Noice.
IS HAMMOCK CAMPING GOOD?
Yes, hammock camping is a good way of camping. Like all things, it has pros and cons. Hammock camping is an increasingly popular way of camping that allows you to sleep suspended in the air with nothing but a few straps and some fabric keeping you off the ground.
With today’s camping hammock technology available, you should be both comfortable and safe in your hammock.
Hammock camping can save space and weight compared to tent camping
It’s usually lighter than a tent, cheap (depending on your model), and doesn’t take up much space, making it a great option for backpackers and campers who want to travel light.
It’s a question debated for years, and while some people swear by it, others have their doubts.
In my opinion, hammock camping is a great way to camp. It provides a comfortable and bug-free place to sleep (when paired with a bug net), and it’s lightweight and easy to set up. It can be a great option for car camping and backpacking. However, hammock camping isn’t for everyone.
Will I sleep like a banana when hammock camping?
One fear of trying out hammock camping is comfort. Will you be bent like a banana all night through?
That depends on the model of hammock you go for. The cheapest kinds can prove impossible to get a good night’s sleep in, while other models provide you with a near flat-lay experience.
Also, more traditional banana-shaped hammocks require a diagonal lay technique which is the key to comfort.
If your back is giving you trouble before trying to hammock camp you should think things through before heading out. The most important part, however, is testing your equipment out beforehand.
Try lying in a hammock at home for an extended period of time first, and see how that feels.
Personally, I’ve slept better in my hammock than I’ve ever done in a tent. Stony ground pressing into my back, uneven, ant-filled slopes, and unearthly hot tents are a thing of the past for me (or rather I sleep above it).
HOW DO YOU START CAMPING WITH A HAMMOCK?
How do you start hammock camping? To get you going, I’ve made a list with some pointers.
How to start camping with a hammock:
- Find the right hammock for your needs
- or borrow a friend’s hammock to try first
- Make a list of what you need to bring
- Get proper equipment (you don’t need much to start, but prepare)
- Do a practice camp test close to home
- Find a location (remember, it’s hard to camp with a hammock above the treeline)
- Plan your route
- Experience, adapt, and improve for your next hammock camping trip
Don’t get discouraged if your first try isn’t a roaring success. As I mentioned before, there is a bit of technique to hanging and lying in your hammock. You can also upgrade to a better hammock after a while, which will almost certainly improve your experience.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO CAMP IN A HAMMOCK?
Generally speaking, you don’t need much to start camping in a hammock. You do, however, need a few basic supplies as all camping does.
There is also lots of gear you CAN bring, that will make your experience more fun, comfortable, and enjoyable.
Required gear to start hammock camping:
- Regular camping gear (another post altogether)
- A hammock
- Suspension system/straps (don’t damage trees as rope does)
Gear that will make your experience more enjoyable:
- Bug net
- Sleeping pad or underquilt (hammocks can get cold underneath)
- Tarp (for rain protection)
WHICH CAMPING HAMMOCK IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The first time trying camping in a hammock can be scary. I mean, are hammocks even good to sleep in when camping? You don’t want to be stuck in the forest with an uncomfortable bed, in the middle of the night. Choosing the right hammock is important.
What is right for you will depend on several factors:
- Your age and health
- How much you are willing to spend
- What type of hammock do you prefer
- How do you expect to use your hammock
For example, my 19-year-old nephew loves his rather basic hammock and sleeps through the night like a baby. I myself, prefer to lay flat, have an easy setup, and am willing to spend a bit more to be comfortable, than him. That’s why I’m using the Haven Tent Hammock.
So, if you are like my nephew, or just want to dip your toes before jumping in, you should probably try a cheaper hammock at first to make sure it’s a good fit for you. You can always upgrade later.
If you are more like me, you can benefit from going for a better hammock right away.
Look at some potential hammocks you can buy at each price point.
HAMMOCK CAMPING: Conclusion
Hammock camping is a great way to experience the great outdoors. A hammock brings you even closer to nature than traditional tent camping.
Nothing I’ve found so far quite beats the relaxing, calm feeling you get when you spend your nights gently swaying in the trees, and enjoying the starry skies above while the sounds of nature are lulling you to sleep.
I’ve told you a lot about what hammock camping is, and why you should probably try it. It’s still one of those things you get when you first try it, in a way that words can’t explain.
Got any other questions on your mind? Leave a comment below.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start hammocking!
Simon, the founder of HappyHammockCamper, is a passionate hammock camping enthusiast who discovered the joys of this unique camping style a few years ago. Through HappyHammockCamper, he shares his knowledge and experience in hammock camping, gear and camping tips.
