Overall Weight

[Dochartaigh]

Actually it's pretty easy to compare:

Shelter: Hammock (and bug net), Tarp, and sometime ground sheet vs Tent, Rain Fly, and sometimes ground sheet
Bottom Insulation: Underquilt or Pad vs Pad
Top Insulation: Sleepingbag or Top Quilt (same for both)

I think boston has it. Top and bottom insulation, weight-wise, are pretty darn equal in weight when comparing a tent vs. hammock. That leads the tent itself, vs. a hammock + bug protection + tarp to compare the weight.

If we take a staple of UL tents (within monetary sanity...i.e. no $600+ Zpacks cuben tent) like a TarpTent, you're looking at around 29-35 ounces (can vary a bit depending on the model). That's pretty easy to match in weight with a hammock. You can get something like a Dream Hammock Darien for 16 ounces, 3 ounces for suspension, which leaves 10-16 ounces for a tarp. The only full coverage tarp (i.e. with doors) that fits into that weight range is cuben and is expensive. You can also get an 11' tarp like the Warbonnet Edge which will come into that weight limit as well but not have as much coverage from the sides.

Once you get into cuben fiber tents, which can come in at a 16-17 ounces, there's nothing else in the hammock world that can compare really (there is...but you're looking at a shorter hammock, which you better weigh around 140 pounds to not max out the weight limit of, with a really skimpy coverage tarp...and maybe not even a bug net...but I don't count that as a fair comparison to the full coverage you get from a tent).

[g2outdoors]

Ground dwellers can always be lighter than hangers because they don't carry a hammock. We carry shelter, top/bottom insulation and a hammock. They only have to carry shelter and top/bottom insulation. That's just the way it is. However, you can't weigh comfort and that goes a long way in my book.

However, you can still be ridiculously light weight with a hammock setup.

[Nodust]

So I've got my hammock setup and I'm very happy with it. The only downside is that it actually weighs more than my friends 2 person kelty tent. Right now I'm using the pacific rap ring/caribiner suspension setup and I was wondering if I would see a noticeable difference in the weight if I swapped over to the dutchware setup (http://www.dutchwaregear.com/cinch-b...uspension.html)

I have the hennessy asym zipper model, with the hex deluxe tarp wrapped in snake skins all stuffed into the bag and like I said it's noticeably heavier than his tent. The rings and biners don't weigh much by themself but I guess all together I'm adding weight? Should I go to the cinch buckle system?

Thanks in advance!

That will save some weight. How much IDK. Weigh your rings and carabiner. The cinch buckles also are very easy to use. But you will need to separate the tarp from hammock if you already haven't.

[DuctTape]

If weight is the only issue, then to win the contest bring nothing and sleep in the dirt. In general all gear decisions should be based on "the right tool for the job" mantra. Summer weight gear doesn't fare well in winter (but it is lighter). A minimalist tarp doesn't fare well in stormy conditions (but it is lighter). A beer can pot doesn't fare well on a trip with real cooking (but it is lighter). Focus on the trip requirements and choose the lightest gear for safety and enjoyment (to paraphrase from Nessmuk).

[T- Minus]

IMO most the posters are spot on, however My point is this; even though the tent may be lighter its missing its sleeping comfort item, the lonesome tent cot; when ground dwellers can get a cot under a lb to equal or be near the same off the ground comfort then I will compare systems. I think when making a comparison it should be equal; the same unbalanced argument would be tent vs tarp for shelter.

[UrsaMajor1887]

I look at the overall weight picture. My base pack weight, back in the day, was 32 lbs. without food, fuel, or water. That was a ground setup and I was carrying 1/2 of a 2 person tent.

Now I am down to 10lbs. or so, for the same trip, with a hammock.

If my kit was 5-10 oz lighter with a tent over the hammock, I would still take my hammock.

So my point would be: look at your whole kit and base it on YOUR comfort and don't try to keep up with the ground dweller. When you are hanging in a cocoon of downey or synthetic goodness umungst the trees getting the best night's sleep one can get in the woods, the extra few ounces have no meaning.

Oh, and Dutch bling makes me happy, so get some if it will make you happy, not because you are counting grams, unless that makes you happy.