Old Fart With Questions

[GW Sears]

I recently turned 60, with two bad knees and a ruptured disk, so I don't hike any more. In fact, I just found that my 30 year old thermarest is a bad fit on my 60-year old body. I'm touring on a motorcycle, and looking at hammock camping as a way of keeping some flexibility in my stop points rather than being forced into motels.

I did sleep in hammocks several times when younger, in the mesh backpacking hammocks available at the time. I never liked being treated as a sausage

I have two concerns -- getting in and out of the hammock, and a need to sleep on my side.

I have been looking at three different types and makes of hammocks:

• Hennessy Explorer Deluxe
• Claytor Jungle
• DIY Bridge

I would appreciate any comments and or suggestions on these or other hammocks with regard to my concerns.

Thanks

[Ramblinrev]

I have never beenn in a claytor. I own a HH Safari and I own a couple DIY Bridge. I have mobility issues in that I have a very difficult time getting up off the ground. My preference is the Hennessey for the mobility issues. I am a side sleeper and can do so very nicely in the HH. I have difficulty adjusting my position to get out of the straight Bridge that I have. I can do it, but it is not as easy as the HH. The Dual Mode Bridge is the same as long as I am in the bridge mode. Switch it to the gathered mode and you had better have a physical therapist assistant there to help me get out. The HH is bottom entry and I find it very easy to enter and exit. Some folks say the bottom entry gets old after a while, but for me... it is a wonderful that I don't think I will tire of.

[Peter_pan]

I recently turned 60, with two bad knees and a ruptured disk, so I don't hike any more. In fact, I just found that my 30 year old thermarest is a bad fit on my 60-year old body. I'm touring on a motorcycle, and looking at hammock camping as a way of keeping some flexibility in my stop points rather than being forced into motels.

I did sleep in hammocks several times when younger, in the mesh backpacking hammocks available at the time. I never liked being treated as a sausage

I have two concerns -- getting in and out of the hammock, and a need to sleep on my side.

I have been looking at three different types and makes of hammocks:

• Hennessy Explorer Deluxe
• Claytor Jungle
• DIY Bridge

I would appreciate any comments and or suggestions on these or other hammocks with regard to my concerns.

Thanks

Bear Rider,

I too am 60+ and a long distance tourer ( BMW K1200LTC).... The BMBH is easily packed, sets up fast without any knots or lashings ... It is a great side sleeper... It is easy to get in and out ... If you experiance any problems let us know and we can send you a handicap assisiance stap to facilitate lift and balance in and out.... The one we did for Frolicing Dino seems to work well for her.

Pan

[miisterwright]

I'm still a kid at 24, and don't have any mobility issues aside from my currently broken little toe (still going backpacking this weekend...) But I just wanted to say that the Claytor Jungle that I use is great for side sleeping in my opinion. A bridge would probably be better since I think it lays truely flat, but I've never tried a bridge. I don't know how difficult the Claytor would be to get into ( not as hard as some hammocks I've gotten into, maybe because it's narrow so, with a pad in it and not much sag, it doesn't sink down so much in the middle as some others.)
If the need to sleep on your side is a comfort thing and not a medical thing, I will add that although I can't sleep on my back in a bed I can in a hammock.
Best of luck in finding a good hammock. ~Bryan