Hammock camping is just like any other niche hobby, a few people get into while the great majority don't. Most people use tents because that's what they're familiar with, and they don't have the desire to spend time learning this new thing called "hanging". Those of us who prefer the hammock do so first and foremost because the comfort level is above and beyond what you get from sleeping on the ground, and I'm not afraid to say that for me it's even better than my own bed at home. So the fiddly nature of the hammock and all the components is indeed a downside for some people, but the ones that stick with it are those who rather enjoy it. It's kind of a fun ritual when you get to camp. In a way it's like learning to sail, as opposed to just using a motor boat to get to a place; or like those people that are into specialty coffee and roast their own beans, grind them, and take all their trinkets into the wilderness so that they can brew the perfect cup of coffee. In the meantime some other caffeine addicts just take a few sachets of instant coffee, boil some water and they're done. It all comes down to whether the advantages outweigh the downsides, and whether you enjoy it enough to continue pursuing it.

1.Built in mosquito net. 2. Zip both sides 3. Prusik loops on the ridge line to make the tarp taught. 4. Add more distance between trees to allow the hammock to be level. Much better sleep. 5. If your a side sleeper, lay sideways on, not lengthways. 6. Sit side ways and you have a garden swing, never need a camp seat again, and gets your feet off the ground after a good hike. You learn with experience with hammocks

Hammock camping got me back into the outdoors - well, along with the pandemic. Hammocks are finicky, yes - but they're versatile, too. I've been able to get a comfortable night's sleep right along the river banks, thanks to conveniently placed trees, and not had to worry about flooding. One trick with packing hammock insulation into a backpack is to ditch the stuffsacks - I just shove the topquilt, followed by the bottomquilt, into the bottom of the pack liner. It still compresses, but fills in all the nooks and crannies in the pack, so I end up with more space. (I'm pretty sure this is the method that Frozen of Outdoor Adventures used hammocking the AT, and it works great!)

I’ve used a tarp and hammock for over 20 years. I felt like an idiot the first time I used one, WHY had I not been doing this all along? I’m almost 60, sleep like a log in my hammock, every season, love it. You sure jumped into the high-end gear selection. Most people might have bought a Walmart tarp first! LOL. But unlike a tent, I can set my tarp up where I can kick back in my Helinox chair, cook on the stove or even a fire if you know what you’re doing. Can’t do that in a tent! My friend and I took two tarps, created a shelter over BOTH hammocks in winter, sat back in our chairs and used our Biolite stove to cook, heat the shelter well above ambient, and chill out. Damn I love my hammock!

Long time Hammock camper from Brazil here. That's my absolute favorite system in the rainforest. Lots of humidity and hight temperatures. One thing that we always did differently than your system is to put as much tension on the hammock as possible. Using tongles or pulley system knots. This minimizes the sagging and make the sleep much more comfortable (and even allows to "bunk bed" up to 3 hammocks for a single tarp, helping to ultralight in groups). My backpack was always hanging from a tree with the rain cover on. But everything important was always inside a drybag.

Think of the underquilt as your sleeping pad. For distance between trees, I just pace it out. (About 16' is usually good) Gear - hang pack from tree, if chance of rain hang under tarp from hammock straps. But often the best option, is to set your pack into the camp chair. Ridgeline organizer is same as the tent pockets. Or you can set the stuff you need access too in the camp chair next to your hammock. Think of the exposure of the hammock like sleeping in a tent w/out the rainfly. You have the mesh inner tent. That's similar to a bugnet on the hammock. Tip: If your feet get cold, your foot end might be too high compared to your head end. Tip 2: In a tent, you might want a thick pillow, in a hammock, try a thin pillow so that it doesn't tip your head forward. Tip 3: Nite Ize Micro lantern ($10/$20 Battery/rechargable) Tiny lantern perfect for hanging from the ridgeline for light while in the hammock. Much better than using your headlamp. IMO.

Best sleep I've ever gotten in the woods. But....there is a learning curve. I got my setup dialed and then counted the paces between trees. 7-13 steps is perfect for my setup. Yours will be different. Probably. Dutchware has awesome products and components to make your setup more functional. His beetle buckle suspension is the fastest, easiest, lightest, and most adjustable suspension I've seen. I've tried every style, and even made my own. Daisy chains are great if you can't tie your shoe laces and have to wear Velcro shoes. Dyneema whoopie slings and/or Marlin spike hitches are great if you're a tinkerer and like to fiddle and tweak stuff. If you do a whoopie sling and Marlin spike hitch, reverse the whoopie sling so your fixed end goes over the marlin spike hitch, and the adjustable end goes to the carabiner. If the adjustable end accidentally slips, it won't saw thru your tree strap. Ask me how I know. Haven't had a single problem since I started doing that. Lay at a diagonal, lay at a diagonal, lay at a diagonal. The gentle sway is so relaxing, unless you're hammered drunk and have the spins. Then you spin like a gas station hot dog on a roller grill....sideways. It's weird, but if you can embrace it, I found it very enjoyable. 😄 Don't listen to the sleeping pad naysayers. The right pad can be super comfy. I tried an underquilt for the first time last month, and I have to say, I much prefer my Klymit Insulated Hammock-V sleeping pad. The wings keep me warm, and the pad helps spread the hammock so I don't feel so constrained. And you can still lay diagonally. If it works for you, do it. Hang your own hang. Ignore everyone on the Internet. They're always wrong. I'm always right. Learn how to tie a couple knots. You might not need them to set up your hammock, but they can help in a pinch and with some other things, like making a quick hanger that goes around a tree for hanging your pack, or making some sliding loops for hanging gear and drying your clothes. Also, learn how to pitch your tarp on the ground as a tent. Learn a couple different pitches. Weatherproof pitches, high airflow pitches, pitches that give you a floor to stay dry. That way, if you have a hammock failure, you can always go to the ground and deal with it in the morning. While we're on that, never hang higher than you're willing to fall. Ever. I'm just as happy 6 inches off the ground as I am 18 inches above it. Hang low. Learn how to use a small stone and some rope to make tarp wall pull-outs (Dutchware also has a product for this). They can about double the space you have under your tarp. Makes a huge difference. Snake skins are a godsend. Trust me. If you have time, hang on your lunch breaks at work. You'll get fast and comfortable with setup and teardown, and you can catch a quick siesta while you're at it. Just don't forget to set an alarm so you're not late getting back to work. Prepare to be picked on by your coworkers. It's just jealousy. Don't stress over it. Porch mode is the absolute best, especially when it's raining during the day and you're stuck under the tarp. Better than any tent, period. Relax. Learn. Play. Try new things, setups, and equipment. Find what works for you and roll with it. Just because the Internet says it's the best doesn't mean it's the best for you.

I've been hammock camping for about 4 years now. I'm still learning and tweaking as I go. It has become easier to pick the 2 trees by eyesight as I survey the potential campsite. I, personally, leave my underquilt attached to my hammock to save time mucking around getting it on and adjusted properly. Even throughout winter it's stored attached to the hammock, I just do what I do for my sleeping bags and store them loosely in a breathable bag. I found my perfect ridgeline ratio, so now when I setup, once I get the right tension on the ridgeline, I've got the right hang. Guy lines are permanently attached to my tarp to save time and keep them from getting lost. Mini figure 9 carabiners are used on the stake end to speed up setup and adjustments. Also I confirm the distance between trees but setting up the tarp first. This also gives me a dry place to unpack or at least some protection from the elements while setting up my hammock. I usually just lay my backpack on the ground tarp directly under my hammock with the lid orientation towards the head end of the hammock in case I happen to need something out of it but don't want to leave the hammock. On my last trip I just put my chair under the tarp and placed my pack in the chair, which I think I'll be doing more often. I'm still working on getting the tarp height over the hammock just right but that'll come in time... I tend to put the tarp so I can stand under it but when I'm in my hammock I'm often at the bottom of the tarp or slightly below the bottom edges.

The best beginner tip I’ve gotten, when it comes to packs, is pick your pack 3rd. First pick your shelter system, then pick your sleep system (that fits your shelter system), then pick a pack that will fit those plus whatever other items you may want to bring depending on the length of a trip and access to recourses.

Remember when you FIRST started camping in a tent? Remember how fiddly it was keeping track of pegs and finding a patch of ground that wouldn't end up being full of rocks and logs? But you did all that 1000 times and now it is in your muscle memory. Hammocking is the same way. Right now, with only a handful of hangs under your belt, all the various peices required for a good night's sleep seem very complex. But once you have fone them 1000 times, it will be an unconscious action to just do them. What I have found that works well for me is the following. 1.) Figure out how many feet is one standard step for you. This makes tree selection easy. Pace out 15 feet to 16 feet. There's your hang in an 11 foot hammock. Likewise, figure out your personal wingspan. It is pretty close to how tall you are. Then adjust your hiking poles so tip to tip, you have about 15 to 16 feet. These are two quick and easy ways to measure distance between anchor points. 2. Strap height. The further apart your anchors are, the higher your suspension has to be set on those anchors to acheive a 30 degree hang angle. As a short woman, even with perfectly spaced trees, I still have to use my hiking poles to get my straps high enough that I am not scraping the ground. Optimal height if you have optimay spaced anchors is about 6 feet up. Remember, the further apart your anchor points, the higher your straps have to go. 3. Make an "L" with your finger and thumb of one hand. Draw an imaginary line between the tips of the digits. You have a 30/60/90 triangle. NOW use that to guage your hang angle by replacing the imaginary line with your suspension strap. Toss your gear in your hammock while you test this. 4. To enable a flatter lay, consider an asymetrical hammock like the Chameleon. It really does reduxe shoulder squeeze and get you on the diagonal better. This is the major reason I went with Dutch for my hammock system. Plus the Chameleon is very modular for 4 season camping. 5. You might also consider a bridge hammock, wich is the flattest lay you will get in a hammock. 6. Dutch has lots os dodads. Can I tie knots? In my youth I climbed Veedauwoo every weekend. I can tie knots forever. The doodads enable me to not have to fiddle fart with knots. I love my tarp suspension with a Dutch hook on one end and a Wasp on the other. I set it up right n tight, then connect my tarp to the prussick soft shackles and adjust. Easy peasy. Likewise with ringworms on my tie outs. Breakdown is a breeze, as well. 7. Packing your insulation - you have a waterproof backpack liner, I assume? Ditch the stuff sacks and just stugg your top and under quilts into your pack liner. Nestle your hammock and your tarp on top, then pack the rest of your gear as usual. These are my tips and tricks. They've helped a lot to gain consistency with my hang. I hope they are useful to you :)

Hammock camping is a game changer for anyone who has trouble sleeping on the ground or suffers from back pain. Yes it can be a bit more of a learning curve at first but once you get your “system” down its a much more enjoyable experience. I spend about 300 days a year in a hammock and have converted to hammock sleeping full time. There’s certainly a plethora of overwhelming choices when it comes to hammock gear and equipment but spending time on hammock camping forums and groups as well as here in YT is the best way to lear what works best. I think that most people believe that finding a place to hang is easier than finding a tent site because they can pretty much hang anywhere there is trees. However, I find that finding the best place to hang is far more difficult because of the exposure you mentioned in your video. Finding a place where the wind and elements are limited can be the most challenging. You’ve got to find trees with appropriate size and spacing for your setup. Site selection will make a huge difference in your overall experience! Enjoy the hang!

I’m a couple of years into hammock camping and LOVE it! I’ve got a bad back, so sleeping in a hammock actually keeps me as pain free as I can get in the backcountry. Yes, it’s finicky to get just the right hang, but every time I get out there I get a little faster. Beetle buckles from Dutchware have been essential to quickly adjusting my angles. I’ve also been drier and warmer since switching to hammock. If you’re feeling too exposed, consider a winter tarp with doors. I hang my pack on a tree in a gear hanger sack (also from Dutchware). A lot of people just hang their empty pack on their footend suspension. As far as ridgeline organizers go, they’re pretty standard. I use one from Hammock Gear that has a few more pockets plus an opening in the middle to slide something in. I just hate that it attaches with Velcro.

2 points. 1) RAIN - hammock camping is great in the rain - you can setup the tarp first and take it down last. That keeps your gear more dry. 2) bungee string - for the tie out lines for the tarp - substitute about 1/4 - 1/3 of the length of string with bungee string. This helps keep the tarp tighter through the night.

"the ultimate hang" is a must read to the newbie of hammock camping. I found there is a learning curve, but I never had a better night sleep in the woods. I had a lot of back pain sleeping on the ground and a hammock has eliminated that completely for me. In my opinion hammocks are the way to go

I’ve been using a hammock for almost twenty years. It took me awhile to get the proper set up, but, I found that like anything else practice is the best teacher . I watched dozens of UKposts videos. Read books on the subject. After many days and nights I learned how to set my hammock in a way that suits me . I’m at the point now that I can be set up and ready to go in just a few minutes. Hammocks are not for everyone, just as tents are not for everyone. To each their own. Which ever you prefer practice, practice, practice. As the saying goes, “ Know before you go “.

I've set up tents ranging from 2 person 12 person for years maybe even a decade and it has never taken me longer to set up my hammock than a tent. 5 minutes max for me and it's 2 minutes to pack up if that.

Using a pillow or down jacket under my knees has made my sleep experience much more comfortable. I started backpacking a few years ago and purchased the Sheltowee Hammock system because of your video on the hammock. Thank you for making videos. That system is very user-friendly, especially with the straps and how the hammock packs up. I use Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pods to pack my sleep insulation. Helps keep them compact, organized, and shaped for my backpack. Ridgeline organizer is a must. Glad I purchased that accessory for my hammock. I hang my backpack with a carabiner to stay dry and off the ground. A larger tarp with doors will help feel more enclosed, and protected from rain. Using a hammock for shorter basecamp adventures is best. Use a ground sleep system for longer mile adventures. Both sleep systems seem to have their own unique quirks.

Been off the ground since 2013 and love it. To get my pack and assorted gear off the ground and under the tarp I made a gear hammock. Mine hangs from the ridgeline above the hammock but they can also be hung from the suspension beside the hammock. SLD sells one but they're simple to make yourself.

Nice video Devon. You know, there isn’t a specific thing per se, but it’s actually the style of hammock that makes a big difference for me. After re-purchasing a ridge runner a little while back I realized a bridge hammock really does make a big difference for me. Being able to lay flat on my side, and having the saddlebags built into it go a long ways. And when I do get out the hammock camp with my CPAP machine, it will be easier with my ridge runner.

I use a Kelty Noah 16 X 16 tarp to create a shelter around my hammock. I use clips to create doors on both sides. Not only do you get a different sleeping experience, but you also have that sense of security from being closed in especially at night, and in bad weather.

It's always seems funny to me when tent camper move to hammock and think how different it is because I did more hammocks before I got into tents and thought that tent setups and packing them felt strange. Ditch the stuff sack and stuff you insulation on the bottom of you bag. Fits a lot easier that way. Ridgeline organizers are almost a must have item. I just sew my own which takes about 30 min. Just simple rectangle with two pockets on each side and connect them with mitten hooks to prusik knots on my ridgline. I leave it on when packet. Play with your tarp setups. Putting one side up with sticks, tecking poles or tieing them to trees can be a great experience. Having a view at all times when in a hammock is always great.

Definitely been a learning curve for me, but as far from ideal as it was at the first, I knew right away I didn’t want to go back to the agony of sleeping on the ground again. Learned early on how essential an underquilt is. A couple nights of still being cold led me to the Hammock Gear Incubator (or is that the top quilt?) seen in this video. Made a huge difference. Another huge milestone was investing in a Hammock Gear Standard Hammock. Much easier diagnal lay and much more visibility than the enveloping ENO hammocks (the Traveler isn’t too bad). I live right across Hood Canal from the Olympic Mountains. One of the big lessons I learned is that you need much more suspension length when camping in old growth forests of the PNW. I’d bring 2 sets of straps per hammock, but that was bulky and heavy. Got some 5/8” x 22’ climbing webbing which works for the kids, but too much stretch for my near 200 pounds. Finally nailed it with some 15’ Dynema straps from Warbonnet. Plus some backup 6’ Dynema whoopie slings to extend them. Super strong, super light weight, and super compact. I do a Becket hitch and just clip the loop into the carabiner.

Welcome to wonderful world of hammock camping. Some tricks I try to follow is knowing what the terain is like under the hammock and setting up your gear such as a pice of plastic for your shoes or pack, knowing if there is soft grass or sand under the hammock or rocks and thistles, rf if it is best to hang your pack from your suspension or a tree. Getting the tarp sidways to wind and rain makes a big difference as well. And YES ridgeline organizers such as those from Dutch or comthing that you make really help. I have a small flashight that hangs directly above my head so I can easily find light in the middle of the night and a beanie in a pouch that sits hangs at the end of the hammock above my head in case it gets cold

I started backpacking in a tent then as I got older I migrated to a tarp with a bug tent underneath to save weight. I now use a hammock setup. I just completed a 2 week section hike on the AT. Why I prefer a hammock setup. 1) I sleep better than on the ground. 2) Being older it is much easier to take care of business in the middle of the night, it is much easier to swing your legs over the hammock and stand up than to unzip the tent, crawl off the ground, find a spot and then reverse. 3)My hammock doubles as a hammock chair and I cook sitting in my hammock. 3) I can camp anywhere there are two appropriately separated trees, and the ground doesn't need to be level. I have spent a number of nights on the side of ridges where it would be impossible to tent camp. A friend of mine who is thru-hiking the AT this year said he had only had about 3 really level camp sites in 3 months on the trail. The hammock gives more options on where to camp. 4) when hiking with my friend he was jealous of how quickly I had my hammock and tarp setup compared to his tent. After hiking with him for 2 weeks he asked to borrow my setup for a couple of weeks and ended up converting to a hammock rig. Yes especially in the beginning the hammock is more fiddley and takes a bit of time to get used to But I have gotten quite good at and enjoy the sleep and freedom it provides. With practice you can pitch quickly and be lounging in comfort while your friends finding a site, staking out their tent.

Love that you are getting into this! Autumn Ultralight is supposed to be secret 🤫. Her stuff is amazing. I run the Dream Hammock Darien in 1.2 and the ridgeline organizer from them is my favorite as my water bottle slide into the middle of it. Hang time hook makes watching a movie AMAZING in the hammock. I got some Niteize LED string lights to go on my ridgeline so I can see my hammock better at night and I just love the look. Peak Loft for electronics and Diddy bag as well as beanie and insulation Hoodie (I use a Senchi Alpha). Newest experiment is a wide mouthed soft 750mL Nalgene flask as a pee bottle. Just sit up and go without getting out. As for the pack, that chair is now multi use! I unpack what I need into the hammock, and when it's bedtime I bring my chair within arms reach of the hammock and put everything not in the hammock in the chair. Then in the morning after breakfast I again use the chair to organize my stuff as I pack so I'm not bent over. Summer quilts make a big difference. I have the Loco Libre 50⁰ Operator TQ/UQ. Both fit into a 10L dry bag and all together weigh 18.5 Oz. Good down to 60⁰ for me, anything near 50⁰ needs the 20⁰ HG quilts I started with. The HG down pillow is perfect for me. It hangs from the ridge line so you don't lose it.

I have the exact same system; just got it in March. You’re right, there is some learning to be done. I bought the ridge line organizer from Hammock Gear but before that arrived I just used a small stuff sack clipped around the ridge line, worked fine. If you’re feeling exposed, try sleeping inside the bug net, even if there are no bugs. Kinda simulates the tent feeling a teeny bit. I’m also considering swapping out the daisy chain for cinch buckles or something a bit more easy to customize. And you’re bang on about taking up more space in the pack. Like you I put both pieces of insulation inside my pack, then I put the hammock and tarp in a long stuff sack and strap that to the top of my pack in the same spot I would have carried my tent. It works so far.

I do hammock backpacking for years and I can sleep 8 hours without wake up. Love it

I've backpacked with a hammock for years winter and summer in the Wasatch mountains of Utah. I only recently got an under quilt, I used to use a light wool blanket under my sleeping bag and it worked great. I've never heard of a top quilt, it seems unnecessary. Most hammocks have pockets for the small things or the stuff sack, sometimes sewn on the side. I hang my bag on a tree and cover it with the bags rain fly, it's always stayed dry. Shoes either in the hammock by my feet or directly underneath. I always sleep comfortably. I use daisy chain straps. I feel like this fella is over complicating hammocks. They are very easy, takes me 5 minutes, lighter then a tent. Takes up less room then a tent

There are tarps with storm doors, they feel much less exposed. I have the Warbonnet Superfly and I like to keep my foot end closed and head end partially opened as an entrance. It also has a tent pole sleeve to increase the interior volume a bit. Also I put a partially inflated air pillow under the back of my knees so I don't feel calf pressure. I think a down pillow is better for your head , air pillows are a bit too high in this scenario. You could also just used a down jacket.

As a general rule, I hammock when camp life is more of a focus and tent when going light and fast. Two pieces of insulation fit much better into your backpack if you ditch the stuff sacks and just stuff them down at the bottom of your pack's internal waterproof bag. That also simplifies and shortens the packing process. I'm a little mystified why folks insist on using stuff sacks for quilts. Any of the Hammockgear mesh ridgeline lofts or organizers are good choices. The lofts are for bigger gear and clothing items and the organizers for smaller things. I find peak lofts harder to access. For items you do not need immediate access to, I put them in the backpack and hang it on either of the hammock's continuous loops with a biner (the points where you connect the underquilt).

I am just getting into it as well. I have resisted it for a long time. I have to say, I really enjoy it. A lot. What made my hammock camping experience better is my friends. Constantly picking their brains, watching, listening and learning. Once I finally made the plunge, most of it seemed to come quite easily to me. I attribute that to having seen it and being exposed to it a lot before hand. I wish I had gotten into this sooner

I've been hammock camping for a little over five years. Had access to a cabin, and when it was being rejuvenated, I learned the hammock. You do feel exposed at first, but now, though the cabin is in fine shape, I prefer being outside in the hammock, and feel a little "cocooned" in a tent. I'm almost 68, and the ground never permits me to sleep (I'm even a light sleeper at home), but I sleep like a babe in the hammock. My ridgeline is in the same stuffsack as my tarp; it already has a bowline knot on one end, and two prussik knots, so I just put the ridgeline up first (making a knuckle through the bowline and putting a stick through it, then a trucker's hitch on the other end), then the tarp, in case of inclement weather, and hang the pack on one of the trees with a cover. Since I take a chair, I just put a lot of stuff in it (and always use its own sack, slid onto the "x" of the legs, to put phone, cigars, lighters, etc. under the seat), and just pull it under the tarp before retiring. I spend much more time breaking camp than striking camp, and can set up tarp and hammock as fast as my old 1970s Eureka Timberline 2 (which I love, as tents go). Thanks for your thoughts, and for inviting ours. Happy camping!

Omg. Brilliant. This is every last Q+A topic that a tent hiker has when trying out the hammock routine. Lots of subtle setup things and fussing around. Learn your prusik knots and get those drip lines in place!!

Practice, practice, practice worked for me to get more familiar with hammocking. Started in backyard then took hammocks with me on multiple day hikes to get the set up and hang worked out. Not always gonna find the perfect spot so be prepared for the unexpected. As your hammocking skills evolve so will your hammocks and your set ups. I know my hammock set ups and the way i pack my hammocks have evolved over time

That's the largest bulkiest hammock system I've ever seen! I use the Hennessey deluxe hammock system which is easily a 3rd of the size of just 1 of those stuff sacks. Works great for my bikepacking adventures. Seems like you've over complicated the process, because it takes me 10 minutes or less for set up or pack up. 5 minutes or less if I don't use the rain fly/tarp.

I wish I had known about Amsteel suspension cordage. It's so lightweight and holds securely. I'm now using dog bones on my hammock ends, whoopie slings for adjustment, and soft shackles to replace carabiners. Has taken my base hammock down to 18.98 ounces including shortened tree straps.

You are still a young man. Crawling around on your knees is a bummer when you age. I was a ground dweller for decades and once I dialed in my routine, I’ve never felt more rested than in a hammock.hammock gear makes a terrific dyneema ridge line organizer. Don’t give up till the miracle happens

I used a hammock system for my first ever backpacking trip (I went to Yosemite en route to half dome). I had a hammock, sleeping pad, and my sleeping bag. No under quilt, no rain fly, no net. Of course I was very inexperienced then, and luckily the weather was absolutely PERFECT throughout the trip. Since then, I ditched the sleeping pad for the under quilt and got a rain tarp/net. I always make sure the trails I’m going have trees, otherwise I’ll opt for my tent. But if I can, I’ll opt for my hammock system :)

A buddy of mine talked me into a hammock this year. I've found the one big advantage to a hammock is that it's much better in damp climates. Staying off the wet ground is wonderful. Re: ridgeline organizer, I also recommend a large side pocket. My Blackbird XLC has one built into the design. My wife's Simply Light Designs Trail Lair has one sewn in. Dutchware Gear has their Sidecar add on pocket as well. I hang my backpack from the toe end of my hammock if it might rain. Or on a tree otherwise. As for packing, I've recently picked up a "hammock catch-all" bag from Simply Light Designs. It's like a giant tarp snake skin. It holds my hammock, quilts, and pillow all assembled. Then I just roll it tight and cram it into my pack. Before that, I just packed the pieces loose. The tarp on the other hand goes in an exterior pocket, for quick deployment should it be raining....Dutchware stingers are super helpful for quick tarp deployment.

I think that hammocking vs tenting is like skiing vs snowboarding. Whichever you start with first will be easier and more comfortable for you. Switching over takes adjustment. I got a hammock early on and found daisy chains super easy to use. It's still tricky falling asleep comfortably because I'm a side-sleeper, but I sleep great when I get it. As a remedy for bulk, I've just been using my sleeping pad in the hammock. I know people say you need a quilt, but for warm weather it works just fine. It also forces the hammock open, giving me more room. That just goes to show that you don't need to spend big bucks on high-end stuff. My hammock, sleeping pad, and tarp were all $30 a piece or less. The one thing I invested in were good ENO straps, and those were $40. You don't want anything that stretches (and in some parks you are required to use straps at least 1 inch thick to prevent damage to trees). I'll be curious to see if an insulated pad works in cooler temperatures. However, I would feel more secure in a tent in winter/shoulder season weather.

Rock on! Super grateful you figured out how to pack in the 40 liter bag!👍❤️🔥

Having a guideline permanently attached to the hammock makes it easy have hooks ar clips on all of your gear and clip to the ridgeline. Also, set up your hammock at home count babysteps from tip to tip of rainfly. Whenever you pick campsite just babystep your spot and hang up the rigging.

I hadn’t used a tarp so far off the ground before, so I didn’t understand how the wind could grab it and flip it up. Once I ditched my tiny shepherds hooks that I used with my tent and got some serious sand pegs, my tarp started to stay put overnight! My hammock was fairly easy because I had a Hennessy which is very adjustable. Also - trees where I live are much wider than the average tree strap lol!

I have become a fan of hammock camping. Glad you’re enjoying it also. I’m really big into bikepacking, not backpacking, so my gear differs. I have three hammocks and a variety of hammock gear to choose from, and the one that works best for me in almost every case is my Amok Draumr 5.0 assymetrical hammock. It’s a game changer, but at a higher entry cost than budget gear. It lays flat, can be used as a chair, a reclining lounge, and the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. I have about 400 nights in it so far, from hot summer nights to cold, snowy winters. And everything in between. Keep on searching for what works best for you. Once you find the right set up for you, you’ll know. Enjoy!

Peak bags/pockets are great. I have one that is really big. As big as the gear loft on the new Copper Spur (my favorite tent). Two additional things to consider.... Hammocks with sleaves that hold a sleeping pad and some of my light gear (my preferred way). R value is whatever pad is. Summer and most of Winter I just carry a Thermarest accordion style and a quilt for comfort. Youth Hammock or gear sling (under or beside hammock) for gear if needed. Also great for camp chair...Ground to floor netting (stand and change) and last, a decent ground sheet. Obviously, you can go as light or heavy as you want but my pack whether tent or hammock is always very close to the same weight. Good luck. I enjoy your channel bunches... Thanks for the hard work and effort.

Realizing I didn’t need any kind of flat ground and only needed two trees and to figure out my level/equal strap heights… was golden. Then I moved on to the Moab area… Having google earth, a tent, a hammock and a hooped bivy in the vehicle is the best way to hop between different areas. Lately, I’m loving my hammock hanging from my trailer hitch in the desert.

Started hammock camping three years ago and will never go back to a tent. It is worlds more comfortable. I weighed out all my gear to compare tent gear to hammock gear and they were almost identical. That is with a tent that is 2lb, a light weight down sleeping bag and sleeping pad. My hammock gear includes a 45deg under quilt, 20deg sleeping quilt, and the hammock system with full fly that closes at the ends. I can easily swap the quilts for warmer weather. From Superior Gear, the pouches come with mini carabiners so they can be attached to the ridgeline to hold stuff. For my pack, I just put it in a trash bag and lay it on the ground, I could also easily plop it in my backpacking chair as well. Slept through multiple storms and never saw a drop under the tarp. Setup is also easier in the rain. Just put up your tarp first which is quick then you stay dry under it setting up the hammock.

I love hammocks, use them in Bear country of the Inland PNW. It does take some getting used to with the added exposure but a tent wont stop a bear either. I have moved to making my own hammocks and gear. Just finished 3 hammocks with zip on bug nets for the family. Still have a list of projects to do, DIY means never stopping and always improving my sleep systems.

most of the the ridge line organizers work the same some good ones are dutchware ,trailheadz,autumn outdoors bagizer I’ve learned a lot from shug and trying different gear to find what works for me

Thank you, Devin! Good to know, I hadn't thought of all the things you mentioned. I'm still deciding whether to try a hammock or not. I've seen some that are better priced than a bag & a pad combo. I've got a couple old outdoor 'leisure' type hammocks, I may try sleeping in one. Have a GREAT day, Neighbor!

I had many of the same challenges when I started hammock camping a few years ago. I prefer the Dutchware gear ridgeline organizer because it slides on to the ridgeline without Velcro straps. I find the Velcro catches on the bug net too much. I also highly recommend a continuous ridgeline for your tarp with the Dutch wasp and for easy adjustability. You may also want to consider a hang time hook to hold your phone while in the hammock. I don’t go on a trip without it. Hope this helps

I love my Ridge Runner Bridge hammock. I slept in a gathered end hammock for years but I got to feel like I was sleeping in a bag and my heels always had a pressure discomfort. After switching to my bridge hammock I have gotten the best sleep that I have ever gotten. The under quilt can be put on without as much of a problem as a gathered end hammock. There is no need to adjust it. It just works. I have modified it for a ridge line so I can lay in comfort and watch a movie with my Hang Time. The side pockets are so handy. I have a single layer and would prefer this then the double layer because the 20 degree under quilt is that good. I just can't say enough good things about it.

I do definitely understand the overwhelming options being scary when you start. I was looking all over and got kinda scared at all the options. I ended up with a kammock mantis because it was very user friendly, not many options, no knots, everything in one package. After having that for a few years I went to dream Hammock and made all the customizations and I love it. The set up complications I don't get so much, even my first few times out I found it really easy to get the right lay, I would maybe adjust it once or twice. I always eyeball, you don't need to be that exact, then I set in it and make sure it's good height, if it is I'll slip off my shoes and lay down. If I feel I need to adjust all do that and test again. On the exposure, I get that as well. When it's dark and quiet a squirrel can sound like a bear when you are tired. I tell new people to bring ear buds and that usually drowns that out. On space, I actually find a hammock feels more spacious and organized than a tent. The Ridgeline organizer, peak lofts, and sometimes side wings/pockets. I find myself way more organized with what I need access to. On space, well under my tarp especially in porch mode I feel like I have a ton of room and I can sit up in that space and cook and enjoy the view.

A peak shelf, and the Ridgeline organizer from dutchware gear. The shelf gives you a place to shove your top quilt, or puffy, to get it out of your way. I have been kicking the idea of buying a gear sling for under my hammock. I usually just put my pack in my chair under my tarp so I can access my stuff at night. Also a nite-ize moonlit lantern for the hammock is a great lightweight option. Hope you enjoy the hammock.

best gear organizer i've used comes from Autumn Outdoor Gear. it's called the Baganizer and love its duel use as a stuff sack for your hammock.

I have always used a tent and after watching your video I think I will continue,, Good video,, Thanks, Trail Flea...

Porch mode with poles holding one side of the tarp up. Adjustable ridge line for fine tuning. For the tarp continuous loop with namaclaws. Love It

I’m might be weird but a hammock with spreader bars is ideal for me. Also raccoons will walk under you and climb out on your ridge line. We scared each other.

Been hammocking for about 12 years now. You'll love the cinch buckles. To save a space in your pack, you can set up your hammock, put your UQ on it, and take them down as a unit, and stuff them into a compression sack. You can also leave your TQ inside your hammock and take all 3 down as a unit, or, just the hammock inside the UQ, and stuff your TQ into your pack like you would any quilt/sleeping bag. Biggest thing I've learned is to sleep on a diagonal, use a pillow under your head and another one under your knees. Blowups are fine, but I use a travel pillow, or a Thermarest style pillow under my head (down in the winter), and a Klymit Cush seat under my knees. One other thing I learned was that if you want to lighten your load, you can get a 3/4 length underquilt, and use a sit pad under your lower legs/feet. It also lessens the amount of space needed in your bag. Finally, you can get a "gear sling" that goes under your hammock, or can be hung separately next to the side of the hammock you don't exit from, which can hold your pack, shoes, etc. They don't weigh that much and are very handy. You can also get a peak bag from Simply LIght. That can be hung either inside the hammock, or off your ridgeline/straps to hold things like your headlamp, etc. as an alternative to a ridgeline organizer. Check out the Accessories in the Store on Dream Hammock's website as well. One very last thing, I would also suggest you get a set of Nama Claws for your tarp ridgeline. Makes adjustment sooo easy. Not much heavier than a Prusik loop, just easier to use for adjustment.

Very junior hammock camper here, already thinking of how to make set up easier; first will be to sewing snakeskins to enclose my entire setup ( hammock, Quilt, underquilt, sleep clothes, ridge line organizers)

There's indeed a learning curve and a gear evolution 😄 My DD Travel hammock/Bivi came with weird straps that you're supposed to tie straight to the tree - which (from my research) sounded like an invitation to have rainwater run down them into the hammock, so I bought a couple of carabiners and some daisy chains and experimented around with that for a while. Then I bought whoopie slings, which I'm using with the daisy chains (rather than go out and buy different tree straps) and made my own Dyneema continuous loops for the hammock ends and a structural ridgeline. I'm sure people looking at it would go "why the hell did you do it *_that_* way?" It just developed out of what I got and what it took to get it to work.

You touched on a lot of good points here that people don’t talk about much with hammock camping. I have friends that love it. A lot of it is personal preference. I’m a side sleeper and I tend to flip from side to side a lot. Probably just takes more getting used to but I just didn’t like the set up and couldn’t really get used to it. Around here where I camp a tent just makes More sense and I know this is dependent on the terrain and climate you’re in. Some people will even tell you they can just sleep under a tarp. Not here, good luck fighting back all the mosquitoes 😆. Definitely need bug netting around here! For me the reasons I listed are why a traditional free standing tent just makes a lot more sense. Like I said it’s all personal preference.

I use the Kammok Mantis it has built in storage on the side perfect for a cell phone and little gear. I also use the Joey sling to keep my gear off the ground. As a person with back issues I find a hammock more restful definitely easier to get out of then crawling out of a little backpacking tent. I use a quilt I find it easier and the under quilt I put in the backpack first loose no storage bags and the compress down nicely but yeah the gear is bigger it takes a little bit to get used to unlike a tent like mine I had the poles outside the rain fly and ground cover in the outside front the tent inside the hammock has to be inside I can save a little space by placing the rainfly outside of the pack. I love it I am so glad I switched so much faster and easier on my back to set up too.

I remember that first super exposed feeling. I’ll never forget that moment. Wind blowing up from the gorge causing the small trees I was hanging from to sway rhythmically.

I’m 74 and have been camping since I was a kid. I’ve found pluses and minuses with a hammock. The biggest drawback to a hammock from my experience is weight. You really need a sled or a canoe to transport a system that requires quilts, tarp, etc. if you’re going hiking a far distance over several days. On the positive side once you get used to it you learn to sleep on your back and it is far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, especially for a back that is my age. Long story short, if I’m hiking into the back country, over several days, I use my tent. When I have a canoe or kayak, or in the winter with a sled, I use my hammock. Everyone is different; I would say go with what your more comfortable with.

Just from a casual listen to your video two things I would recommend are a structural Ridgeline that has already been mentioned I'm sure. You can use a level app on your phone to see what angle your structural Ridgeline is at so you can always set either level or your head end up or down according to your preferences. The other thing I would highly recommend is a backpack liner to keep everything inside dry but also at night I take that out of my pack and put my backpack and loose items in that bag and rubberband it closed. This keeps things dry and smaller things from getting scattered by the wind.

G'day mate, I have 2 recommendations for you regarding stowage of your gear. Inside your hammock, you can try a Hennessy (L or XL) mesh pocket (ridgeline organizer) They install easily (velcro) & are pretty handy BUT you need to consider whether your internal ridgeline IS or ISN'T a weight bearing. Eg a puffy down jacket or top quilt will fit well & not put undue stress on the line. If you have a "Dyneema" type ridgeline that can handle some weight, it won't be an issue. If you don't like things hanging over your face, simply slide it back down the ridgeline after you've accessed your kit Underneath your hammock you can try a DD gear sling or Onewind gear hammock. Both are a similar design of mini hammock, slung underneath the hammock you're in. These will keep heavier gear nearby & out of the elements. (You can also stick your feet in them, while seated in your hammock to give your hammock the "recliner" feel!!!) Hope this has been of some help. Cheers, Dave (hangin' upside down, down under)

Great video. Like others have said, check out all the shug videos. I love hammock camping on the AT because I never have to look for a relatively flat spot without a root or slope - when your ready to stop hiking, you usually can. Setting up a tarp in the rain and taking off wet clothes standing up is awesome compared to crawling into a tent. Coffee in the morning while lounging in a hammock is the best - I usually just lean over, light my silent alcohol stove and make coffee. A hammock is always off the ground and is very nice for lounging. Set up your tarp with dutchware and a ridge line - I use Dutch fleas in the corners and 4 stakes with attached lines - quick to stake and attach to tension. If you can , porch mode with trekking poles really opens things up. What I like about the ridge line is that I can slide the tarp to where I want it and it gives you a place to attach small carabiners to that you can use to hang your clothes and odds and ends bags - I use hmg pods with small carabiners, but any bag works. Clip your empty pack to your hammock line and keep all but your camp shoes off the ground. I use a 12 ft tarp over a 11 ft hammock and don’t have problems with coverage. If you know your facing wind and rain, take the time to set up smartly and keep the tarp low to the ground.- at least on the wind side. While there is more fiddling, the time spent scouting for good tent space can go on forever. If you like to sleep with some gear, check out the war bonnet hammock with shelf; I love the airflow and comfort of my dream weaver sparrow and the Dutch wear chameleon is nice. I started with woopie slings and Dutch clip straps and have never regretted this set up, it just works. My hammock, tarp, and quilt have been sprayed with permethrin, the bugs stay far away - I haven’t yet needed my hammock bug netting. My pack is packed with quilts on the bottom, followed by food bag, followed by clothes bag, followed by odds and ends bag and cook set, followed by hammock and then tarp - all fits in a 40 liter frameless light af pack - easy. Because I typically use a partial under quilt in the summer, I use a thermarest sit pad for my feet in the hammock, it works well enough and gives me the pad for use throughout the day; get one of these. The one down side for me, if my feet have really taken a beating, I typically put something soft between my feet to separate them as the hammock wants to push my feet together - ouch! My back packing set up without food and water is < 14 lbs and is much more comfortable than my tent setup which is about a lb lighter. Buy quilts that manage the temperatures you will travel in - warmer than you need just takes up space and weighs you down.

I have used a cheap Grand Trunk double hammock for 5 years now with a built in net and a spreader bar for my shoulders. It is great. It's long with lots of room. A double will let you get very flat and a wide bar instead of a cinch is easy on the shoulders.

Got no problems with leg cramped when using air mattress in hammock for support and a triangle tent rainfly around the hammock for complete shelter minus the floor i also tied bag at hight next to hammock for storage

One solid stuff sack can handle top and under quilts. Between my warbonnet eldorado, minifly, and sld top/bottom quilt, I was running a lighter big three than a lot of people on the Appalachian trail. The learning curve is definitely worth it. And the distance of trees matters less as long as you’ve got a decent thirty degree hand angle

Novice hammock camper here. Very relate-able points (especially different sleep and feeling exposed!). My tip would be making a pillow for under your knees (I use a stuff sack with clothes), it breaks the banana shape en relieves stress from my knees. Makes it so much more comfortable. Thanks for the great video!

I packed 20 feet of 550/paracord with 1 of my hammocks. 1 has. 12 extra feet on either side, it's always good to learn a few quality knots.

Yeah the feeling of exposure sleeping in anything less than a tent is pretty intimidating at first. But when you can peek out from under it and see thousands of stars in the sky, it’s worth it.

I enjoyed my first try with a hammock this past july while scouting some deer country in the sierras. The 3rd night I kept feeling something rockin me and nudging me and when I woke and realized it was real and it was a young black bear it literally scared the bejesus out of me. I havent been back in the hammock since even though nothing bad happened its left that thought in the back of my mind...

1. You no longer need to find level ground. 2 Feet end of hammock needs to be clearly higher than head end. 3. Once you get to used sleeping in hammock you will sleep better than you ever could in tent.

My rain tarp has extra triangle shaped flaps at the ends that crisscross to give it more of a tent feeling. It keeps the weather out a lot better and it feels more secure. I also set the tarp up a bit lower so I can bring it almost to the ground. It makes a huge difference in feeling exposed on stormy nights

When your hammock softly sways in the breeze at night, the frequency of the swaying is awfully close to the frequency of footsteps when walking slowly. And when you have some vegetation touching your hammock from the underside, it sounds like someone is slowly walking around your camp. Took me a while to figure this out and get use to it.

my set up consist of a tarp a bit larger then the length of my hammock (4x3 meter) and i hang my back pack at the foot end of my hammock. now as far as your under and over quilt are concerned , they seem way to big double what i have . see if you can get something thats definitely more compressed

DUDE 😁 So well said!! I've done both extensively and you are spot on 👍. Set-up can be a real PITA... but I find clean-up is a dream. Quick and easy. BTW, if I'm hammocking I now bring a good garbage bag for my gear and lay it underneath me. NICELY DONE 🥳

I have been hammock camping for more than thirteen years. I have tried five different hammocks and five different rain flys. I am on my third fourth suspension system. You are right about all the strange quirky things about hammock camping. I t still beats the ground! I am currently using whoppie slings as my suspension system and a 11’ hammock. All I have to say is keep on camping!

I hammock camped for a year in Havvai'i. It's the only way to camp now, I will never go back to anything else. I even spent a night outside (in the hammock) during a tropical storm (downgraded hurricane). It was wild. One of the best tricks I learned was to replace the guy lines holding the rain fly with the same nylon straps you use to hang the hammock. It's a little more expensive (you will need between 3 - 4 sets of straps depending on how many anchor points it has). I've also used underquilts, but recently I came across a new solution - the next hammock I'm getting is a Draumr 5.0 and it has a sleeve for a sleeping pad (they sell sleeping pads too, but I see no reason not to go with a cheaper foam cell pad instead). the sleeping pad works as insulation too, and it can be used in a pinch to sleep on the side of the road if you are not set up or are in the process of moving to a new site.

Love the hammock just no comparison with ground sleeping. Got the Comelian hammock from Dutchware. Took forever cause I couldn't afford one but I feel like I graduated. All the bells and whistles. I really like how he tied in the underblancket with the hammock making it a whole system. Very cool!

I actually picked up a rather nice hammock kit from Kammock through its Kickstarter campaign (for the discount), and while the hammock itself turned out to be rather nice, I'm still on the fence about hammock camping. On the one hand, it does make for a comfortable sleep, but on the other it's a bit awkward for just about everything else. And it's not an option in some of the most majestic alpine environments where the trees are scrubby (if they grow there at all). It does take a bit of practice to get used to pitching a hammock, but I don't see that as a negative, just a learning curve. And once you figure it out, it's kind of trivial -- just like pitching a trekking pole tent; once you get used to the right geometry for yours, it becomes pretty easy. For me the issue was the shelter side; in a tent you have space to organize your gear out of the rain, which you kind of don't in a hammock. When I was camping on a group trip and sharing my tipi we did stash some of our gear outside of the tent, and for that I wrapped my pack in a small tarp to keep it dry since it's not waterproof. When hammocking in the rain, I brought that same small tarp (a Klymit Roamer), but used it as a groundsheet to lay out my gear to attempt to dry it, and also as a place to sit out of the rain. Later though when I was doing some colder weather camping I got an Exped insulated mat, and that was so comfortable that it rivaled the hammock, and that was that. So the next time I went camping in the rain, I used a large 10x12 tarp as an overhead shelter, the Klymit Roamer to sit on, and an Outdoor Research AscentShell bivy to sleep in. That was actually quite nice, because I had an enormous amount of space plus a nice warm and waterproof sleeping environment. I honestly didn't NEED the big tarp, but it was nice to have the big space.

I went hammock camping once in a costco style hammock, no insulation, just a -4*C sleeping bag and warm clothes during a chilly night. I have, however, spent a lot of time hammocking around the forests throughout the day time. My rule of thumb was to always have roughly 4ft of space between the lowest part of my hammock and the ground for a body weight of 137lbs. Honestly, just to save time, make the tension in the hammock and cords as tight as possible and set a hanging line roughly 2ft above the hammock (high tension aswell) and set up a tarp or poncho that youd then wrap around the hammock itself (keep in mind i only had these 4 items and it was only around 15*C at night. Mosquitos still managed to fly through but i only ever counted 2-3 mere minutes before my alarm rang. TLDR: Set ur lines and hammock with high tensions asap to save time, wrap a tarp around it for rain and flies to save money and weight.

I just have a Eno setup with the Eno ridge line organizer and I also have a gear hammock sling that just hangs under the hammock to put my backpack in and my shoes

Welcome to the world of hammock camping Devon!! :-) You will learn the setup that is best for you, also buy a tarp with "doors" if you more more protection from bad weather as well as more privacy. I've been using a Warbonnet Blackbird XLC hammock for several years and really like it, I sleep like a baby in it!! Also, simple mods on the hammock can make useful on the ground, by sewing 550-cord loops on the bottom corners and center points for tent stakes, and of course a ground sheet.

I have been looking to get a Warbonnet XLC for my fish/camp channel and break from the tent when I can. Been camping on rocks and sand bars but there are some Great areas with a view that a hammock would be better suited especially when I take my ventures to the BWCA. Great video and you hit a lot of key points!

The fact that you can set up a hammock over any groundtype as long as there's trees is a really big plus for me. I'm far from professional but just pacing out the distance between trees and using the finger pistol trick to set up the lines has me hanging fine everytime in around 10 minutes including tarp setup. I have the tarp ridgeline ready to go with 3 small prussik loops on it that I attach to the tarp loops with small sticks. Ridgline is tied off with truckers hitch. I keep the tarp bagged with the loops on top so I can attach it to the ridgeline prussiks while bagged so it doesnt touch the ground. Then unbag and pull apart the prussiks untill tension is good and they will keep everything in place. Then span out the corners as disired. The hammock is stored with lines attached. I take one end while keeping it in the bag and tie it to a tree then unbag and unroll the hammock so it never touches the ground either. Walk it out to the other tree and eyeball how long that side will be in a balanced setup and tie it off. Undo the other side and adjust untill, when you make a "finger gun" (laying down L shape) the line touches both thumb and index finger and your setup should be at least good enough. I can set this up over a swamp without any part of my shelter getting a speck of mud on it wich is impossible with tents.

I’ve only ever hammock camped so may not be great for comparison but there are some things I’ve learned. What works best for someone else may not work well for you. I personally like a little flatter pitch because I’m a side sleeper and sleep with a lot of pillows at home. That little flatter pitch hugs me just right and supports me to sleep semi on my side/back. Always pitch your feet slightly higher. Not like a foot but a few inches. ALWAYS bring cotton drip lines. I run two on my set up because we hike just south of Pisgah National Forest a lot and it’s like a mini rainforest. Try to set up in a more wooded area to prevent the effects of swirling wind. Hope this helps.

you may find using a sleeping pad in the hammock helps with the constriction you mentioned

I bought a bed organizer, one that you can hang from a bunk bed. It was $10 on Amazon. It has 3 velcro loops so it can be hung just about anywhere and holds all I need. It fits my phone, book, headlamp, water bottle, etc.

This past weekend, I camped two nights...one in a tent and one in a hammock. The pros of a tent is that it is nice to have gear inside with you, but I slept horribly...struggled to stay comfortable and on my sleep pad. I have great gear...copper spur, tensor pad, hammock gear insulation. Night two, I slept in my hammock and it was some of the best sleep I have had in WEEKS.

I use heavy duty rope ratchet’s to my fastener device and I made spreader system but ,you can use 550 cord that won’t stretch more once it kinda sorta does at first but the rope ratchet lets you have way more ease when trees Aren’t the perfect width apart .

Wonderful walk through of the challenges/differences when hammock camping. 🤙

I went with a different type of hammock a bridge hammock and the one I have has a pocket under the hammock that allows me to use my insulated sleeping pad so I don't need an underquilt. Saves a lot of room in my pack. Sleeps great as well and the spreader bars are carbon fiber so the whole setup is as light as my tent setup.

I've been using the Warbonnet XLC for a few years now and the flat angle lay is so comfortable that I don't care about tent anymore. For that open feeling at night. I don't get it because I use the Warbonnet Superfly tarp and it closes on both ends. I sleep really low to the ground but not touching. About 2 feet off the ground when I lay in it. This allows me to setup the Superfly tarp as a tent, staking all the sides to to the ground enclosed all around. Making it a hammock in a tent. And I don't worry about rain anymore. Lol

There are some great hiking dry bags out there that will remove any worry about wet gear hanging it or not

The most important thing about hammock camping is knowing your knots and knowing how to use which knot where. Initially my setups took a ton of time, but now everything is streamlined and ready to quickly deploy and pack back up again. I have quick releases on my ridge line and prusik quick releases for my tarp. The only thing that takes time is staking out the tarp and adjusting the hammock tension. In return you get a refreshing night of sleep. Tents always feel stuffy to me, but in a hammock it really feels as if I'm camping in the open.

Tips for Your Hammock System 1. Deploy your system multiple times before you go. Then your setup time will be less than 90secs. 2. H ridge line is key to repeating the same lay. 3. Once you get your perfect lay note height of straps to your body...shoulder, mouth, eyes, top of head 4. Mesh bags work great for H ridge line organizer 5. Use simple tension knots ...eliminating hardware 6. Make your own snake skin from tyvek eliminating the need for a stuff sack ..include a built in pouch inside snake skin for stake and tree straps 7. Keep guy lines and ridge lines always fastened where they attach 8. If using dynema tarp, a continuous tarp ridge line is not needed. Attach at each end of the tarp 9. When packing up. a. Detach each end of the hammock and attach to tarp ridgeline. b. Detach tree straps and place in snake skin pouch. c. Slide snake skin midway of tarp d . Detach one end of tarp ridge line and place in snake skin e. Secure end of snake skin with band then do the other end.