Is it possible to hold your backpack in your hammock with you?

[VictoriaGuy]

Traveling like the OP is suggesting is not the place for high tech gear.
I would get very good at DIY and nothing I displayed would look sellable.

+1

To the OP: You will be 'interesting enough' if you are travelling 'off the regular tourist routes' in the 3rd world without drawing extra attention to yourself. So, if you are in the Amazon, a hammock is the appropriate tool. Other places, not so much.
If you are a typical N. American, the lack of privacy will drive you crazy....you will be wishing you had a nice tent (or lockable hotel room!) to retreat into vs a hammock. Imagine 'getting ready for bed' and going to sleep in your hammock with 25 village kids crowded around, watching every move....sound like fun?

'Been there, done that', but not in a hammock.....
YMMV etc...

[VictoriaGuy]

So is it right to assume that a gathered end hammock would be significantly better for this purpose? Thanks for your responses.

You haven't stated 'this purpose' very clearly. What do you have in mind, exactly?

[johng]

You haven't stated 'this purpose' very clearly. What do you have in mind, exactly?

Sorry, in retrospect this may have been a dumb thread, I guess what I was really asking was: does anyone else have experience with holding their (large) backpack in their arms or pressed next to them while hammocking? I was wondering about how this might affect hammock balance. In regards to the "nomadic" thing, that was just an explanation of why I would be doing this: I might be in a crowded place, at a music festival or something, where it seems more likely that other people might try to steal my backpack or something in it, than in a situation where I am hiking through a trail by myself where I would barely come into contact with anyone else.

[awilder]

Not sure if this helps your situation, but something like this might help. I can understand your concern about someone walking off with your pack at an event like a music festival. A full tarp with doors or a net like Grand Trunk's would give you a little bit of security. I think most thieves are opportunist and would be LESS likely to enter your tent, tarp, or net to steal your items. Not saying it won't happen, but it would force someone to be more deliberate in stealing your items.

[aussie_jason]

Just fashion a sling to hold your backpack under your hammock, ENO has the Underbelly Gear Sling for that purpose but you could make your own easily enough.

[nuttysquirrel]

http://www.mollymacpack.com/box.html http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/jef...ockpack-cover/

[Seigfried]

If you're using a bridge, just put it in the middle.

[Picaro]

This may not suit you in terms of weight, but it will serve very well in other respects.
It has large storage bays at the foot and head....http://www.maverickgear.com.au/index.html

If you look in the gallery, you can get an idea of the storage.

Otherwise, a hanging loop up inside the gathered end of any 10 or 11 foot GE hammock, will accomodate a good size pack below your feet.

[Phantom Grappler]

I hang my almost empty pack on tarp ridge line that is one eighth amsteel near the foot end of hammock. If some one is determined to steal your stuff It will be stolen. A dogs ears never sleep but then again in the third world they will eat your dog or steal your dog to sell it for cash. To stop a casual thief hang your pack on foot end of hammock and have an extra string of fishing line tied on it too maybe the thief won't see the smaller line and it will wake you. On the other hand maybe the thief will bust your head first. Maybe you should travel with friends so you don't have to worry so much
Good luck my friend

[Picaro]

Another possibility if using a JRB Bear Mountain Deluxe Bridge, with an UQ, not a pad....I think there would be enough space above your feet to fashion some sort of shelf to accommodate your gear. Without taking mine out to measure, I think off the top of my head that this would work.
If a shelf was made of nylon the pack could be above your feet while you sleep, and slipped in under the shelf out of sight while you are out of the hammock.