What do you like best about using a hammock?

[Scratch]

I try to think about what I really like about my hammocks.

1) No pressure points, so I don't wake up with any aches or pains.
2) I can position the hammock to have my head slightly higher than my feet (helps reduce acid reflux) .. and allows me to sleep without a pillow.
3) The cocoon feel. I like the way the sides roll-up and kinda 'wrap around' me.
4) I like knowing that I'm above the ground. I could never sleep on a ground cloth with a tarp .... wondering about what creepy crawling things are trying to attack me.
5) It seems more compatible for using a quilt ... which saves me weight.
6) On a still, dry, clear night ... I can leave the tarp off and fall asleep looking at the stars
7) It provides a new reason to use PayPal.

Are there other reasons??

[PuckerFactor]

8 ) It's soooooo easy to make your own gear!

Acer

[angrysparrow]

- I stay drier and less muddy in the rain, because I'm not laying on the muddy ground.

- I like the slight swinging motion.

- The hammock is 'always the same', regardless of where I hang it. On the ground, I was always dealing with rocks or roots, or a slope.

[lori]

I kinda have fun actually sleeping while the tent folk end up sleeping in because they couldn't... get up, make a cup of coffee with my slow, quiet, reliable alcohol stove, and if I'm feeling generous maybe stuff their canisters in my pockets so when they hustle to fire up the jetboils they need, they'll actually light.

[MedicineMan]

I was at Albert Mountain, shelter full but the kind thru's offered to make room because a God awefull storm was waging war..i asked for just a little space to cook and that I'd hang out in the back after i ate.....told em my section ended the next day and if any wanted a ride into Franklin, NC i'd be happy to oblige....next morning one of the thru-hikers was poking me to wake up-he didn't want to miss the ride into town. I slept/overslept through a killer storm.
Also concur about the 'healing' effects of the hammock, waking up and not feeling stiff or beat up like i used to in a tent.
And the view (if one is available) is always better from the hammock.
I'd forgotten about crawling down in the wet muddy ground...so nice to have evolved.

[shrek]

Just one word....COMFORT

[HappyCamper]

Besides sleeping like a happy baby, I like that I can setup my larger tarp in different configurations vs. my tent. Hang it high, hang it low, hang it Baker Hut style. Keep end open. Close the end. Hang it but keep it in skins for quick deployment when necessary. I like that can I stand up under my tarp. No more dirty/muddy tent bottom. I like that I have a hammock seat when putting on my shoes. I read quite a bit when out camping and I love that I have an extremely comfy reading spot compared to a tent.

[TinaLouise]

when I tent-camped I used an EXPED pad that I had to manually pump up. I now use quilts with my hammock.
Crawling in or out of my tent, my knees would scream, especially when I'd not see a rock or stick and roll my kneecap over it. My knees never come near the ground now that I'm in a hammock!!
The tent did have one plus to it. I was always awake very early in the mornings, no alarm needed to wake me. With the hammock, I tend to sleep a lot longer!!! Course after getting out of the tent, I had to take a handful of pain killers!!!

[Quoddy]

The uninterrupted sleep with no tossing and turning. Oh, how I love it. I thought about that last night when I couldn't get completely comfortable in my bed.

[TDunc]

All of the above....

Adding...
1) That I always get a chuckle when I watch tent dwellers try and stay dry when they have to come out to cook, etc.
2) When I find a neat view or site to camp, have trees will camp! I have hung downslope with a beautiful view and the tent campers had to go on down the hill and find a flat spot.


Comfort is still the big issue for this old back of mine.