My Backpacking Hammock Setup 2020
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Date: 2020-08-18
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Comments and reviews: 10
Mike
They always get you with the underquilt! (lolz) I've been hammock camping for years. especially in the winter. I don't know why. Maybe it's some sort of sickness. But there's just something about hanging that tarp low and tight around my hammock, keeping out the cold and wind. checking my thermometer and seeing that it's in the high 30s inside my little silnylon nook while the wind and snow are howling in the low 20s or teens outside. But I digress. For an underquilt, I have two options I use, depending on the weather. For anything 30 and above, I use my Snugpak hammock cocoon. It's exactly like it sounds. encasing the entire hammock in plush, downy warmth. For anything 29 and below, I use my homemade underquilt. See, when I was looking at the underquilts, I was having a tough time finding one that fits. I'm a fairly big guy and something that reaches from my shoulders to my knees leaves a lot exposed to the elements. So what I did was purchase a rectangular sleeping bag of the extra long variety, secured a length of shock cord to the corners, one piece on the bottom and another up top, and then I use that to attach it to my hammock at the end points. This provides protection from head to toe. And I've camped down into the single digits and been toasty warm with this set up. The truly horrible thing is having to go to the bathroom. but that's what the P bottle is for. Yes, they made a model just for the ladies!
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They always get you with the underquilt! (lolz) I've been hammock camping for years. especially in the winter. I don't know why. Maybe it's some sort of sickness. But there's just something about hanging that tarp low and tight around my hammock, keeping out the cold and wind. checking my thermometer and seeing that it's in the high 30s inside my little silnylon nook while the wind and snow are howling in the low 20s or teens outside. But I digress. For an underquilt, I have two options I use, depending on the weather. For anything 30 and above, I use my Snugpak hammock cocoon. It's exactly like it sounds. encasing the entire hammock in plush, downy warmth. For anything 29 and below, I use my homemade underquilt. See, when I was looking at the underquilts, I was having a tough time finding one that fits. I'm a fairly big guy and something that reaches from my shoulders to my knees leaves a lot exposed to the elements. So what I did was purchase a rectangular sleeping bag of the extra long variety, secured a length of shock cord to the corners, one piece on the bottom and another up top, and then I use that to attach it to my hammock at the end points. This provides protection from head to toe. And I've camped down into the single digits and been toasty warm with this set up. The truly horrible thing is having to go to the bathroom. but that's what the P bottle is for. Yes, they made a model just for the ladies!
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Joshua
I feel like I'm full on amateur hour up in here.
I've been fussing over trying to build my hammock setup on a budget, and ironically wasted some money because I didn't know what I wanted.
I can't really afford to drop 500. I only even got a hammock because it was on sale, and then I decided I should probably turn it INTO a setup.
Even after I get my underquilt I woudn't have spent 100 on the present iteration, but I'm sure it weighs twice as much as yours in turn, and isn't nearly as nice either.
I definitely hackjob'd everything together with mine, though I did pick it up from Amazon. Prices have increased since I bought them.
> Covacure bug net hammock. 23, 1. 76lb.
> Bear Butt rainfly. 30, just over one pound.
> ODSE full length four season (41F) underquilt, 40, 2 lb, haven't bought this one yet.
> Still using the stock suspension, although I did use a set of luggage ratchets, I know that those are horribly weight-inefficient, and that I might rather just use the stock suspension to save about three pounds, lol.
My original hammock that got me into this mess was a Songmics that was for a STEEP sale for 15.
But I live in Florida, and bugs are a thing, and I quickly realized that trying to find an add-on bugnet was going to be a frustrating and annoying circumstance, so I bought the Covacure.
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I feel like I'm full on amateur hour up in here.
I've been fussing over trying to build my hammock setup on a budget, and ironically wasted some money because I didn't know what I wanted.
I can't really afford to drop 500. I only even got a hammock because it was on sale, and then I decided I should probably turn it INTO a setup.
Even after I get my underquilt I woudn't have spent 100 on the present iteration, but I'm sure it weighs twice as much as yours in turn, and isn't nearly as nice either.
I definitely hackjob'd everything together with mine, though I did pick it up from Amazon. Prices have increased since I bought them.
> Covacure bug net hammock. 23, 1. 76lb.
> Bear Butt rainfly. 30, just over one pound.
> ODSE full length four season (41F) underquilt, 40, 2 lb, haven't bought this one yet.
> Still using the stock suspension, although I did use a set of luggage ratchets, I know that those are horribly weight-inefficient, and that I might rather just use the stock suspension to save about three pounds, lol.
My original hammock that got me into this mess was a Songmics that was for a STEEP sale for 15.
But I live in Florida, and bugs are a thing, and I quickly realized that trying to find an add-on bugnet was going to be a frustrating and annoying circumstance, so I bought the Covacure.
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Eric
Hammocking is definitely a journey of discovery and learning. You'll make adjustments based on location, weather, etc. There's a lot of trial and error to figure out what works for you. One thing I recently learned on a hot humid night next to a lake in Minnesota is that mosquitoes can bite through a single layer hammock wherever your skin is touching the fabric. I didn't have any clothing between me and the fabric. ;) I have a Simply Light Designs hammock with the built-in bug net very similar to yours. My front side was fine. My entire back side had mosquito bites on every square millimeter, and itched like you wouldn't believe for several of the most torturous days of my life! :( Hopefully I didn't get bird flu or malaria or something. If I were to do it again I would get a hammock without the bug net, and get a separate bug net that completely envelopes the hammock.
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Hammocking is definitely a journey of discovery and learning. You'll make adjustments based on location, weather, etc. There's a lot of trial and error to figure out what works for you. One thing I recently learned on a hot humid night next to a lake in Minnesota is that mosquitoes can bite through a single layer hammock wherever your skin is touching the fabric. I didn't have any clothing between me and the fabric. ;) I have a Simply Light Designs hammock with the built-in bug net very similar to yours. My front side was fine. My entire back side had mosquito bites on every square millimeter, and itched like you wouldn't believe for several of the most torturous days of my life! :( Hopefully I didn't get bird flu or malaria or something. If I were to do it again I would get a hammock without the bug net, and get a separate bug net that completely envelopes the hammock.
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MRo
In freezing rain and cold winds, you may have issue with the smaller tarp and untieing the becket hitch. Water soaked frozen knots are problematic. Cold wind will suck the heat out of your Underquilt in a hurry. Consider an underquilt protector or a larger tarp, at least 10 -11 ft wide. Consider a larger Dyneema tarp only for weather above freezing. Also get 9 inch Y-stakes at least for the four tarp corners. I had my AT tarp set-up blow down on the AT with 6 V-stakes. Consider adding a third stake-out point on the middle perimeter of the tarp just in case and then take two extra Y-stakes. Leave the level at home, you will not need it after you set up a few times.
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In freezing rain and cold winds, you may have issue with the smaller tarp and untieing the becket hitch. Water soaked frozen knots are problematic. Cold wind will suck the heat out of your Underquilt in a hurry. Consider an underquilt protector or a larger tarp, at least 10 -11 ft wide. Consider a larger Dyneema tarp only for weather above freezing. Also get 9 inch Y-stakes at least for the four tarp corners. I had my AT tarp set-up blow down on the AT with 6 V-stakes. Consider adding a third stake-out point on the middle perimeter of the tarp just in case and then take two extra Y-stakes. Leave the level at home, you will not need it after you set up a few times.
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soylent
You got hosed. Add-on, add-on, add-on. did you buy that crap at a car dealerahip? That company should be ashamed. An underquilt? lmao. You know what works pretty darn well is a reflective car window shade. The kind that is silver and has the bubble wrap stuff inside. Put that in your hammock and lay on it and you'd be surprised. And about 200 richer. What a sucker.
Edit: And a tarp YOU have to waterproof? Whats the purpose of a tarp if not to keep the water off? Girl. hey, if you're ever in the market for property.
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You got hosed. Add-on, add-on, add-on. did you buy that crap at a car dealerahip? That company should be ashamed. An underquilt? lmao. You know what works pretty darn well is a reflective car window shade. The kind that is silver and has the bubble wrap stuff inside. Put that in your hammock and lay on it and you'd be surprised. And about 200 richer. What a sucker.
Edit: And a tarp YOU have to waterproof? Whats the purpose of a tarp if not to keep the water off? Girl. hey, if you're ever in the market for property.
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Lee
Nice setup! I would definitely recommend adding a carabiner at each end of the hammock between the hammock loops and the suspension straps. When it rains, the tree straps are going to get wet, and that moisture is going to work its way down into your hammock if you don't create some sort of brake. Make sure that your carabiners are covered by your tarp when you hang it, and always use carabiners that are rated for climbing.
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Nice setup! I would definitely recommend adding a carabiner at each end of the hammock between the hammock loops and the suspension straps. When it rains, the tree straps are going to get wet, and that moisture is going to work its way down into your hammock if you don't create some sort of brake. Make sure that your carabiners are covered by your tarp when you hang it, and always use carabiners that are rated for climbing.
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kris
My problem with a hammock is the vulnerability. To me it's a bit easier for someone to come up and stab you while you're asleep, or an animal to attack you just the same. Don't get me wrong a tent is almost as vulnerable, but you can have a weapon next to you and a bit more space to move around and protect yourself. Just my opinion.
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My problem with a hammock is the vulnerability. To me it's a bit easier for someone to come up and stab you while you're asleep, or an animal to attack you just the same. Don't get me wrong a tent is almost as vulnerable, but you can have a weapon next to you and a bit more space to move around and protect yourself. Just my opinion.
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Ray
Dixie. you are a triple crown thru hiker. please. stop pandering to us beginners and speak like a veteran. I need someone to say ok. look. do not take this. take this. do this. do that. and give me what I need for a good experience and let me deal with the unforseen myself. Not a criticism. just a word of advice.
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Dixie. you are a triple crown thru hiker. please. stop pandering to us beginners and speak like a veteran. I need someone to say ok. look. do not take this. take this. do this. do that. and give me what I need for a good experience and let me deal with the unforseen myself. Not a criticism. just a word of advice.
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mark
My solo tent and my Eno Sub7 plus Helios suspension straps together weigh less than your rig and cost a lot less. One of the problems with hammock camping is the requirement of trees. I live just a few miles from the AT around the GSMNP and even there I find BC sites that are not hammock friendly.
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My solo tent and my Eno Sub7 plus Helios suspension straps together weigh less than your rig and cost a lot less. One of the problems with hammock camping is the requirement of trees. I live just a few miles from the AT around the GSMNP and even there I find BC sites that are not hammock friendly.
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Arthur
I went with hammock gear incubator full length underquilt 0 degree overstuffed 4 oz might be too hot and the winter but maybe not going to try it on the Appalachian Trail next year I've used it in Jersey when it was 14 degrees out I was warm
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I went with hammock gear incubator full length underquilt 0 degree overstuffed 4 oz might be too hot and the winter but maybe not going to try it on the Appalachian Trail next year I've used it in Jersey when it was 14 degrees out I was warm
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