What is a good Lightweight camping hammock?
I am looking for a lightweight camping hammock that includes rain protection built into the tent. I do not want to spend 100s either. I saw one for 300 dollars and that is too much. Also, I am looking for a lightweight backpack. Optimally both would be compact and lightweight. I do not know much about brands, functions, and types. Please help.
Some friends swear this is the cats meow for camping hammocks and it’s priced right.
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/
For a back pack, this one comes in at 2lbs 11ozs and is on sale now
http://www.rei.com/product/778465
The big problem with the hammock is when there are no trees and you don’t have big enough hiking sticks your not going to like the results especially at above tree line in the winter months.
I would prefer a free standing like this.
http://www.rei.com/product/761895
I know it comes in heavy at 5lbs but winter camping is that this will keep you dry and its light enough without the fly if your trip will have good weather.
I own and swear by the Hennessy Hammock. I have the Expedition A-sym. Its 2lbs 12oz has mosquitoe netting and a sil-nylon fly that will keep you high and dry, even during Nor`easter Storms. The thing I like about the A-sym as compared to any other hammock is that the Asymmetrical design (think offset.crooked diamond) allows you to sleep perfectly flat. I usually sleep on my side but you can also easily sleep on your stomach and not realize you`re in a hammock.
You obviously know the benefits of a hammock since you are looking for one,so I wont go into all the benefits but the Hennessy is the way to go. I`ve seen quite a few others but none of them are built as good as the hennessy, and at $140 its cheaper than a lightweight backpacking tent and its also lighter than one too.
http://hennessyhammock.com/comparisonchart.html
As for the Backpack I`d go with Deuter, a german backpack company and one of the most popular packs in Europe. I`d also recommend looking at Osprey but they tend to be a little more pricey. Both manufactures have lifetime warranties.
EDIT: MUSIC…
I usually open up my rain shell, windbreaker, or a fleece under my sleeping bag to combat the cold. Any 3 of those were made to keep the elements out while out on the trail and it works excellent in the hammock at keeping your back warm. A ground pad is awkward in the hammock which is why i ditched it. I figured I`m carryin the rain shell or fleece anyway. If its really cold i`ll lay the rain shell where my back is and then set the fleece where my feet go and then zip up the fleece around the bottom of my sleeping bag. Works like a charm
You are looking for a hennessey. They are more expensive than most but they are one of a kind and they are very rugged. You won’t be disappointed. They have an asymmetrical roomy interior, attached bug net, separate but integrated rain fly, zipper free closure, and can be outfitted for quick set up and warm winter camping.
Other complete systems include the Speer, the Clarke, a jungle hammock from the military, and a little jobber from this website called mosquitohammock.com. I have had this one and I loved it.
You can also get a separate hammock, with or without a mosquito net…and use it under a completely independent tarp. There are a lot. These are called travel or camping hammocks, as opposed to the rope or cotton woven ones that people have in their backyard. They pack the size of a softball and are less than a pound of packweight. You want one made of parachute nylon for the most comfort, durability, and compact design. With a bug net 40-60 dollars. Without a bug net 20-30 dollars. You get what you pay for to a certain extent…but there really are some good pieces…try The Travel Hammock or the Byer of Maine.
I have used many different hammocks. They are great nights sleep but personally I can’t hang in the winter. (HA literally!) WAY TOO COLD and the air gets underneath me and sends me straight to the ground. You can combat this by putting a camping mattress in there wiht you but the more stuff you have in there, the trickier it is to manage yourself and all these gravity-affected items in the hammock…everything bunches up under your butt.
This might help you with your problem
http://www.karlonia.com/2009/07/19/how-to-go-camping-backpacking/
just buy a mini hammock from walmart, their good enough for camping and bring a tarp to string over for rain protection, that’s all i do when hammock camping.
the "mini" in mini hammock isn’t the size, but for the compactness it provides, most hammocks are lightweight and compact either ways.