Having what I consider my dialed-in lightweight backpacking system, I have to admit I’ve always been plagued with the curiosity about hammock camping. Realistically, it’s not the lightest weight solution, when compared to something as light as a silnylon or cuben fiber tarp and a down sleeping bag. But it does offer some very real benefits over sleeping on the ground.
First, you’re not sleeping on the ground. Depending on the terrain and weather, the ground can be uneven, muddy, rocky, and otherwise unforgiving; a hammock, provided you have a couple of trees to hang one from, allows you to transcend that problem by elevating your sleeping accommodations above any terrain.
Second, a hammock allows you to sleep with your sore tootsies elevated, which can be a boon to overworked feet needing some recovery time. But don’t think you have to sleep curled up like a banana, either. By laying slightly diagonally in a hammock, you can actually lay fairly flat and get a great night’s sleep.
Third, it’s a great way to practice Leave No Trace camping, since you don’t have to disturb the ground to pitch a tent or a tarp.
Fourth, it’s a great way to get above all the critters and creepy crawlies that like to explore your ground tarp. I love nature, but if I can cut down on spiders in the mouth, that’s always a good thing to me.
This summer and fall I will be experimenting with a Hennessy Hammock and sharing my experiences with using it on the trail. The Hennessy Hammock is fully enclosed in mosquito netting on the top and includes a unique bottom entry system that seals with velcro automagically when you boost yourself up through the opening. A tarp suspended over the hammock keeps the rain out.
At Sheepleg, we carry two versions of the Hammock, the Expedition, and the Explorer Deluxe. The Expedition is for those under 6 feet tall, less than 250lbs, and the Explorer Deluxe is for those over 6 feet tall and supports 300lbs.
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