Comparing 1-Person Tents, Hammocks: Price, Weight

[4shot]

To add to the discussion-
Is it more expensive- Yes
Is it lighter than my old tarp rig- No
Is it more comfortable Always---and that is why I switched.

This sums up my thinking-

I have really been intrigued by the whole hammock thing and lurk here. However, more expensive and heavier (that is a lethal combination imo)always keeps me from pulling the trigger on a hammock.

I do sleep well on the ground (ever since I discovered Exped sleeping mats - before that I had almost quit the whole camping/backpacking scene).

I do see the advantage of hammock as sometimes there simply isn't a good place to set up a tent but the price point keeps me from entering the hammock market. Yes there are cheap hammock options out there but will those options distort my perception of hanging?

When out on a trip, I will not compromise on the quality of sleep. That is of utmost importance to me.

[keg]

If keeping to comparable light weights, things may be closer.

My light solo tent set-up
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 - $370 - 1.2 kg
Self-inflating ground pad - $60 - 500g

First hammock set-up
WBBB 1.0 dbl - $110 IIRC - 0.8 kg
WB Edge Tarp - $85 - 0.32 kg
Blue CCF pad - $15 - 0.2 kg


In this case, the hammock was lighter, less expensive, more spacious, and far more comfortable.

[nothermark]

Cheaper:
Well, it depends on what you mean by 'equivalent', I guess. Cheap department store tents can be had for $50 and up - including zippered bug protection and some sort of waterproof floor and fly.

I don't think it's 'fair' to compare a very basic hammock setup with a name-brand tent (MSR Hubba for example), but if that is the comparison, the tent loses, I suppose.

Easier: What's easier than buying a tent and pitching it? (assuming you have someplace flat to camp )

Just for the sake of discussion:

Tablecloth ~$10, plastic tarp ~$10, 2 HF cargo straps $2 on sale, 50 ft utility cord $3, 40 ft amsteel ~ $15. Bugnet is the catch, no numbers but some simple ideas around. Can do the hammock with no sewing and once made pitches as easily as any tent I have seen. With that one will be a lot more comfortable on a $10 foam pad in the hammock instead of the tent. ;-)

[VictoriaGuy]

If keeping to comparable light weights, things may be closer.

My light solo tent set-up
Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2 - $370 - 1.2 kg
Self-inflating ground pad - $60 - 500g

First hammock set-up
WBBB 1.0 dbl - $110 IIRC - 0.8 kg
WB Edge Tarp - $85 - 0.32 kg
Blue CCF pad - $15 - 0.2 kg


In this case, the hammock was lighter, less expensive, more spacious, and far more comfortable.

Thanks for those facts and figures. It makes the comparison clearer.
Did you include the peg weights with your Edge Tarp? (The UL2 number does include pegs, I think. ??) Not a big deal....

I agree that the hammock feels much more spacious than any small tent, but in a driving sideways rain/wind situation, the UL2 provides 35 sq of totally protected (from above/side - 7sqft is unfloored vestibule) floor area. I don't think you could say the same for the Edge tarp.

And my hammock is certainly more comfortable than being on the ground with a light pad . So we agree on that, though I suspect my (heavier) hammock suits me better than a gathered end hammock.

The OP's blog was, I think, aimed at prospective hammock users as well as 'the converted' - I think it's important not to 'over-sell' hammocks in our enthusiasm.

[Cranky Bear]

I am surprised he left off the tarptents by Henry Shire

I just noticed he has a 4 person tent now

Very true, I hadn't thought about the TT.

No I haven't seen it yet, gonna go take a look at it now, thanks..

[Jcavenagh]

Good article and dejoha's research method is a viable one. I agree that hammock camping is more expensive for me. But once I found out how much more comfortable I am in the hammock, I was willing to pay the price.

Along the same lines, a well-marbled, dry-aged steak is more expensive than one you might get at an Outback Steakhouse. They are both enjoyable, but I would rather have the deluxe version if I can.

I have been making money now for about 40 years and have been very slow to spend it. (I'm not cheap, I'm just careful with my money ). I feel I deserve to spend a little to make my camping significantly more enjoyable.

You get what you pay for.

[frenchycamp]

First of all I don't care what people think of hammocks, I'm not not here to convert the masses. Second of all hammock CAMPING might be be more expensive than tent CAMPING (you can go to Mallwart and get a tent for $40). But for BACKPACKING (think light, top of the line equipment) my hammock set up is cheaper and lighter than my tent set up.

Big Agnes seedhouse SL1 $269

BIAS weight weenie, with knotty mods and complete suspension system(starps,toggles, whoopies) $97.95
Warbonnet big mamajamba $110
Total hammock set up $207.95

I'm using same ridgerest pad and top quilt for both down to 30º.

Real weight for seedhouse (on my scale) 46 oz
Real weight for mama plus ww with suspensions 25.60 oz

Almost half the weight for way less money.........

[dejoha]

Well, there are three Hilleberg 1-person tents, and the most expensive (Soulo) is listed. Fair is fair....

I am surprised he left off the tarptents by Henry Shire

I just noticed he has a 4 person tent now

Absolutely agree.......

Dejoha as always a great article and a very interesting topic, although I am a bit surprised that you included MLD yet left off SixMoons.

Thanks all. As I mentioned a few times, I wasn't trying to make an exhaustive list, but show a smattering of examples out there from various brands. I wasn't trying to limit Hennessy with just the expensive example, but I wanted to show a few extremes without showing a bias towards hammocks. It's a gamble: had I picked the cheapest, some might point out his most expensive.

Again, not meant to be an exhaustive list. I intentionally cherry picked a few examples from different ends of the spectrum.

[Cranky Bear]

Thanks all. As I mentioned a few times, I wasn't trying to make an exhaustive list, but show a smattering of examples out there from various brands. I wasn't trying to limit Hennessy with just the expensive example, but I wanted to show a few extremes without showing a bias towards hammocks. It's a gamble: had I picked the cheapest, some might point out his most expensive.

Again, not meant to be an exhaustive list. I intentionally cherry picked a few examples from different ends of the spectrum.

Completely understood, thanks again for the write up.

[AKA Pete]

Hammock camping is using pretty much durable goods - as long as freaks of nature don't blow your camp apart or a tree fall on something.

Before I got in to hammock camping I slept out under the stars of if the kids were along used a cheep - under $40 - two to three person tent.

One of the girls used the tent when she was in college and returned it to me packed. Couple of years later the little one wanted to go camping so I took out the tent to practice with it. Two of the poles were broke at the end right at the metal tip. Went online and the price of replacement poles was more than a new tent down at the sports store.

Hammock camping is cheep to get into - it's the upgrades that kill your bank account.