Too hot in Texas!!

**Kayak Camper** · 09-29-2010, 11:29

Newb here looking for a little advice...I've managed to drain my phone battery the past two days reading on this site. I have to say the information on here is plentiful and can be a tad overwhelming if you aren't familiar with the jargon. I have gotten into kayak camping and am looking for a lighter, more compact solution to dragging along the tent. A friend on my kayaking forum pointed me over here.

I'm looking at getting a used but in good shape hammock from here and wanted to know a few things. I get hot...fast. That's why I'm thinking this is the right way for me to go. My main concern would be the humidity down here causing me to wake up soaking wet. Whats the best way for me to prevent this from happening? I'd like to stay cost effective since I'll be looking at a good chunk for the hammock itself. If all goes well I'd like to snag the HH UL for sale on here so that would be my starting point. Where do I need to go from there?

Oh I'm sure this info would be helpful

I'm 5'8 and 175 lbs

Thanks in advance for the help!

**UncleMJM** · 09-29-2010, 11:37

First, welcome to the forums. You'll find that not only is there a lot of great information, but there are a great number of Texas hangers as well.

The hammock is not only more comfortable than the tent but much cooler. The humidity concerns that you have are real for your area but they are the same, or worse in a tent.

The best way to beat the humidity issues is good ventilation and you will get that with a hammock / tarp set up.

Do a thread search on Texas Group hangs if you haven't already and go to one. You'll see lots of different set-ups, be welcomed by folks who know what it is like to be new to this tree hanging thing, and in many cases find gear for sale or trade that you can try before you make a decision.

**Kayak Camper** · 09-29-2010, 12:41

Well I'm sending the payment to pak-man for the Hennessy and hope to have it by the 7th...I'm stoked! If there is one MUST have addition to this that I should get before I take her out what would it be. It's already got a larger tarp and snakeskins...

Oh and thanks for the heads up on the "hang out". I'll see what I can find!

**UncleMJM** · 09-29-2010, 12:55

Hammock, Tarp, Snake Skins and you are good to go for summer nights.

Once we get cooler at night, below 70*, like this week, you will need to consider some insulation under you. That can be as simple and inexpensive as the blue pads WalMart carries or as elaborate and expensive as some of the Down Underquilts you can learn about on here.

Also, here's a link to our Texas Fall Group Hang coming up in November.

**Jsaults** · 09-29-2010, 13:43

Single-layer hammock body? Check.
Weight limit acceptable? Check.

This summer in hot & humid conditions (about 75 at night) I actually became chilled in my back (cold butt syndrome or CBS). From my point of view, a tent is no substitute in this kind of weather.

Welcome to the fraternity!

Jim

**1stcavmp77** · 09-29-2010, 13:50

yeah i would say that just being in a hammock in the first place is going to go a long way toward being cooler vs being in a tent. and the comfort level goes up geometricly when you're in a hammock.

**Alan** · 09-29-2010, 16:22

Welcome to HF!

Gather your stuff together and join us at the Texas Fall Group Hang. You'll learn more in that one weekend than you'd ever thought possible.

**clb** · 09-29-2010, 18:07

Welcome fellow Texan, and yeah, what "they" said. The great thing about a hammock is what I think of as convective cooling, even the slightest breeze is simply wonderful. Gives me goose bumps just thinkin' about it.

leigh

**babelfish5** · 09-29-2010, 18:30

I usually go without a single layer hammock and will pitch my tarp in snake skins. That seems to help with the airflow around me. I usually stay fairly comfortable at night. If the rains start to come in, I can get up and deploy my tarp in a few minutes.