What made you a "hanger"?

[yedilala]

Hi everyone, this is my first post! But I've been lurking for some time

My family is Colombian, so hammocks are not as weird to have in the home culturally. I was born and raised in NJ though, so whenever I talk about moving to a hammock full time I get a mixed bag of reactions. I'm starting to realize I have three types of friends: those that think it is cool and are curious, those that think I've lost it, and those that don't care what I sleep in as long as I'm happy. I enjoy talking to all three about the switch, it is always interesting conversation.

I'm making the switch as soon as my stand comes in, and my reasons are varied:
1. I'm in the process of becoming minimalist and beds are bulky
2. I hurt my knees last year and sleeping on a bed just exacerbates the problem
3. I've always loved hammocks and had the best rest in them
4. I want to feel like I'm always on vacation

I love that there is a community here, I see a lot of kindred spirits.

[Oms]

Welcome, Merry Christmas!

[JohnnyC]

They're just so darn comfy.

[jimmyq99]

Bought an ultralight hammock, tried it out at work over coffee break and loved it. I carry one every day in my work bag and when the time is right, a ten minute hang in the trees beats any, well maybe not Google or Hootsuite, but MANY workplace break rooms.Work hammock 2.jpg

[New2trees]

The Hard Ground and sleeping on rocks. I always seem to find a rock or a root.

No More I say No More......

[Sheff]

I always thought they were relaxing. When I was a kid I remember seeing woven hammocks for sale at flea markets and other places and always wanted one. I put one up in my parents' back yard and took Sunday afternoon naps in it in the summertime. When I was married and had my first child I decided I wanted a good hammock that I could relax in and nap in. My wife got me an ENO doublenest for my birthday so we could both relax together and I was hooked after that. I found random youtube videos and things talking about how to stay warm while camping in a hammock and decided to try it at a campout I was on with some youth from the scout troop I work with. It snowed 8 inches that night but I had some pads in my hammock and rigged a tarp above me to keep me dry. I slept so good that I was hooked. Since then I happened to meet someone on Hammock Forums who told me about it and haven't looked back since.

[recon71]

I first used a hammock in 1971.
Learned how comfortable they are in the army in Vietnam in 1971.
After I retired, I took up bicycle riding. Then I became interested in bicycle touring and began looking for light simple and compact camping gear. I found Shugs you tube videos and found the Hammock Forums. And then remembered how comfortable the
hammock was in Vietnam. I bought a Hennessey and can't wait for spring.

[JamaShea]

I have always been looking to lighten our pack load and hammocks seem to be the best, practical option. I have backpacked for years, but my wife is new to the outdoors. I have succeeded in getting her from car camping with coolers and cast iron skillets to only what we can carry in our packs. Still only doing overnight to long weekend trips at this point, but we are both really enjoying the outdoors and looking forward to our first hammock camping experience once the weather is a bit warmer- as we do not have winter gear for our hammock yet.

[oldraven]

Always had one hung in back yard. would hang in it after mowing the lawn sipping a beer. Also I just got tired of the tent and rocks so here we go.

[rocksandroses]

Pretty sure I saw a picture on instagram or pinterest a few years ago of a forest with 15 or so colorful ENO's hanging at all heights, and that immediately caught my eye. I started looking into hammocks for backpacking and eventually got a doublenest because of its price and versatility (I liked that I can use it for backpacking but also just for chilling in the woods in the middle of a quick hike). Then I stumbled upon Shug's videos and the rest is history.. Now I'm trying to convert some friends so I have people to hang with, which is harder than expected with minimally-outdoorsy twenty-somethings. Regardless, I'm so happy to have found hammock forums!