Hammock Query

[Emdiesse]

I have been and bought a hammock and I am wondering if I have made the right desicion.

I bought a nylon netted one to be used with a basha but I thought, should I have bought a polyester one thats not netted. Does it matter? I bought it because it was smaller than the poleyester one I saw.

How cold can it be before you should stop using your hammock? Can you not just use a nice warm sleeping bag aswell as the hammock to keep warm?

Thanks

[JohnC]

I am still getting the hang of using a hammock and there are many on the site who can tell you more. However I use a sleeping pad in the hammock under my bag and, if required a blanket over the top. It's warm enough, though I guess that depends on the sleeping bag. I still have a lightweight net hammock, but find the group buy material hammock I got last year to be very comfortable.

[Emdiesse]

I am still getting the hang of using a hammock and there are many on the site who can tell you more. However I use a sleeping pad in the hammock under my bag and, if required a blanket over the top. It's warm enough, though I guess that depends on the sleeping bag. I still have a lightweight net hammock, but find the group buy material hammock I got last year to be very comfortable.

OK, so a net ones fine then. It was cheaper and lighter, and i figured its the basha that keeps you dry and the sleeping bag keeps you warm in cold weather.

[g4ghb]

personally I find the poly ones more comfortable - even though the net is smaller / lighter it seems to stick to me and i could feel the individual 'strings' with a thin / no sleeping bag - or the one i had did!


I say has asit was 'killed' by my daughters and the Scouts last summer! - think ythe almost managed to 'rock it' over 360 degrees!! so that probably diddn't help - they diddn't fall out though (till it snapped! lol)

[Emdiesse]

I suppose a net hammock would be good to start out with though.

[maverix]

Youll find that you will need something to insulate you on the underside where the sleeping bag gets compressed under your weight. Sleeping bags needs the air in them to provide maximum insulation

I use a double layered material and slip my mat between the layers. Or on the odd occassion im without a mat i set up a little closer to the fire to keep my toosh warm

[soup_monger]

The best tip I can give is to go to your nearest cloth/fabric warehouse and buy 2 metres of standard synthetic fleece (£8 or £9).
Use this as a blanket folded along it's length on top of your sleep mat (underneath your sleeping bag) and it's very cosy even in -3 (weighs hardly anything at all).
I discovered this when I was looking for a sleeping bag liner and then I realised I would not have room in my sleeping bag for anything when fully dressed in 5 layers.
Also useful as a warm cloak when sitting about.
I would have suffered on my last trip if I hadn't had this.
Cheers :)

[Emdiesse]

The best tip I can give is to go to your nearest cloth/fabric warehouse and buy 2 metres of standard synthetic fleece (£8 or £9).
Use this as a blanket folded along it's length on top of your sleep mat (underneath your sleeping bag) and it's very cosy even in -3 (weighs hardly anything at all).
I discovered this when I was looking for a sleeping bag liner and then I realised I would not have room in my sleeping bag for anything when fully dressed in 5 layers.
Also useful as a warm cloak when sitting about.
I would have suffered on my last trip if I hadn't had this.
Cheers :)

I was going to mention fleece :D

[soup_monger]

What?....where? :)

[Don Redondo]

Hmmm, I've put this up once today but there's lots of info on hammocks here:

http://www.tothewoods.net/JeffsHikingPage.html

I'm a definite convert to hammocks, although they do have their limitations eg hard to pitch if there's no trees around :) although there are ways around it.

personally I would'nt even consider one of those cheap netting hammocks, there are much better out there even before heading into Hennesey territory. as for sleeping pads, I find them a nightmare to keep under you, especially if you are someone who moves around in the night. An underquilt is the answer.

One thing is sure tho' once you get used to it you will never have a better nights sleep anywhere. Banish those stiff limbs and sore spots forever. good for the back too.

[MagiKelly]

If it is the green lightweight netting one they are superb, as fishing nets, carry bags and almost anything EXCEPT sleeping in.

Wayland had one and it managed to convince him that hammocks were things of last resort. Now he has a group buy one ( a hennessy, DD hammock would be the same) he is converted.

[Emdiesse]

Yeah, tis a green nylon hammock. So even if its not the best to sleep in its still a good item to keep.

[Adi]

I feel you may have wasted your money, i might be wrong but they are probably only of use for lounging around in the garden or on the beach on a warm summers days.

I would have thought that they would be very uncomfortable and cold to use for a nights hammocking and you would get really peed off with getting caught up in it.

[P@ul]

Yeah, tis a green nylon hammock. So even if its not the best to sleep in its still a good item to keep.
I would keep it and use it for storage of gear etc, set it up under the hammock you sleep in.
Paul

[Emdiesse]

Excellent Idea, will keep it safer from creepy crawleys and scavengers I suppose :D, Now it feels less of a waste of money. Ta

How many people here own one, just to make me even more reassured

[leon-1]

I feel you may have wasted your money, i might be wrong but they are probably only of use for lounging around in the garden or on the beach on a warm summers days.

I would have thought that they would be very uncomfortable and cold to use for a nights hammocking and you would get really peed off with getting caught up in it.

I have heard this type of hammock give out with a very loud "CRAaacCK" followed by a definite "THUD" in Kathendini (the jungle) in Kenya, normally followed by air that would of gone the deepest shade of blue possible if it hadn't been so black already, it put me off them for life.

They are not bad bits of kit, they are not really comfortable, but at the same time they weigh little and pack down small. Thier major problem is they are not really for this enviroment and as such they don't perform overly well.

One of the other guys mentioned that they can be used as a lightweight gearloft or a fishing net and that is a fair point, but for summer months you should be able to get away with using one.

In mid to late autumn,winter, early to mid spring I would look at something a little sturdier that you can use.

[spamel]

I have a parasilk hammock that I made myself, which is very comfortable. I also have the netted hammock that you have bought and didn't find it a problem at all. Saying that, I'm around 10 stone when wet, so it probably won't break on me, and because it packs down small, I take it on RAF flights in my smock pocket and ask the loady if I can string it up when we are on our way. They nearly always say yes and I can have a bit of a relaxed kip!! Never caught fish with it, but I obviously thought about it as more than a possibility. I think it's a fair to good bit of kit!

[Emdiesse]

I have heard about these DD hammocks and they seem quite good. Are they waterproof, or is the cucoon thing just to keep midges and wind out?


thanks

[jdlenton]

emidiesse out of interest where did you get your net hammocks from i've been after one as a gear hammock for a while pm with price details and supplyer if you dont want to put them in the thread James

[Stuart]

sorry to add to your doubts Emdiesse but i have to agree that net hammocks are no good for sleeping on in the bush.

if it is a very light weight compact one you should keep hold of it though as they make good 'shelves' for keeping your gear on next to your hammock

[Emdiesse]

emidiesse out of interest where did you get your net hammocks from i've been after one as a gear hammock for a while pm with price details and supplyer if you dont want to put them in the thread James

I got it from a local shop near me called camouflage corner. It was 8.99. I have seen some on surplusandoutdoors and surplusansadventure aswell.

Yeah ,I won't be using it to sleep on now, i was going to do what you have all suggested for gear.

I am planning on purchasing one of the DD Hammocks, they seem good, esspecially the cucoon idea. Does it keep rain out, or just wind, midgews, etc, or do I need a basha aswell (I'd get one anyway, but just out of interest.)?

[JimH]

I suppose a net hammock would be good to start out with though.

NNNOOOOOO!!!! :yikes:

Unless you want to develop a hunch back and a permanent chequerboard pattern on yer ****.

Or you are 4'0" with pachyderm hide.

Jim.

[Emdiesse]

NNNOOOOOO!!!! :yikes:

Unless you want to develop a hunch back and a permanent chequerboard pattern on yer ****.

Or you are 4'0" with pachyderm hide.

Jim.

Yeah. I understand that now and my previous post stated I would use it for gear :D, everyone seems to oppose them so theres obviously something wrong with using them :P

I am planning on a purchase of a DD hammock now. Does its cucoon design keep out water or just wind, midges, etc. I am going to get a basha aswell anyway.

Thanks

[leon-1]

Hi mate, I have been using a DD hammock for about 8 months or so now and they are pretty good.

The enclosable design is not designed for weather proofing, you will require to add drip lines or squash balls to the sashes and you will still require a tarp, it does provide a certain amount of protection against midges and mosquitos, but it is by no means totally bug proof.

Most people that use them in the UK actually lay on top of the double layer with a sleeping pad inbetween the layers.

I hope this will be of use to you.:)

[Emdiesse]

Ahah I see what you mean about double layering it with the sleepibng pad in between as I have learnt from previous posts to one of my threadsa about the compression of the sack under you and it needs air flow for it to be warm.

Also, yes, I totally understand about the drip lines or squash balls, else the water would come down into the hammock, but I suppose thats the same with most if not all hammocks, yes?

So note to self is to make sure I have mozzy net aswell :D

But the DD hammocks seem good prices and I have seen the group buys aswell which make it cheaper.

[leon-1]

Also, yes, I totally understand about the drip lines or squash balls, else the water would come down into the hammock, but I suppose thats the same with most if not all hammocks, yes?

So note to self is to make sure I have mozzy net aswell :D

But the DD hammocks seem good prices and I have seen the group buys aswell which make it cheaper.

The DD hammocks are a good price for what you get (anyone who has one will tell you).

Not all hammocks require drip lines, some hove rings attached to the sashes closer to the hammock and these work in the same way as a drip line. Others have hooks hich also work in a similair fashion.

I rarely use a Mosi-Net (I don't tend to get eaten too badly), but they do come in handy and I do have a couple of nets for use in other places which have bigger problems with mossies.:)

[Emdiesse]

The DD hammocks are a good price for what you get (anyone who has one will tell you).

Not all hammocks require drip lines, some hove rings attached to the sashes closer to the hammock and these work in the same way as a drip line. Others have hooks hich also work in a similair fashion.

I rarely use a Mosi-Net (I don't tend to get eaten too badly), but they do come in handy and I do have a couple of nets for use in other places which have bigger problems with mossies.:)

thanks for all the advice guys. My DD Hammock is on its way :D
Do you need a bivy bag with a hammock (whilst using a basha). I doubt it but I may aswell ask.

[MagiKelly]

Do you need a bivy bag with a hammock (whilst using a basha). I doubt it but I may aswell ask.

Nope, not unless your tarp is too short.

One of my most entertaining nights last year was listening to JimH trying to get into a sleeping bag then into a bivi bag then inserting a delaminated thermarest type mat between the two before climbing into a hammock whilst it was snowing.

The other highlight of the night was hearing JimH swear loudly when he woke up with a wallaby 18 inches from his face. It was sheltering under his tarp from the snow. Some things you just couldnn't make up.

[Shankly]

Hi there Emdiesse,
For what its worth, I always use a bivvi-bag in my hammock, with a thermarest tucked inside with the sleeping bag. The only time I don't use is it, is during odd summer tripswhen the temperature negates its use. As for the net hammocks, well I would definately keep a hold of that puppy, I take it out with me and the kids all the time, it serves as a good seat when I want a rest and as a play hammock for the kids. Not only that but as mentioned before its ideal for storing kit in when camping and its size and weight mean that it can just be shoved in your pocket -Brilliant !! :D