I have always loved hammocks (even the 'terrible' webbed ones that everyone apparently makes fun of) and this past year I bought an Eno Doublenest to relax on. I have been using it to just relax in the local areas and on a few car camping trips where I brought my hammock to hang out during the afternoon. I found it amazingly comfortable despite using it 'wrong' in the banana style (I plan on trying the off-center lay, but I really like my head elevated and not having to use any head or neck support) and it immediately made me want to camp with it but I didn't really feel prepared.
Before I continue here is my hammock/sleeping related gear list (some which I gathered with the idea of eventually sleeping outside, I had NO idea that what I wanted to do was so popular):
- ENO Doublenest
- ENO Atlas Straps
- ENO Guardian bug net
- Glacier's edge 40* sleeping bag (ugh, I hate this because it is big and heavy and doesn't pack down so is by far my bulkiest item but I can't afford a good bag right now, I plan to see if my standard down comforter would work :-/ )
- 100' coil of 550 paracord ( I might shorten this, but I love the utility of paracord for repairs and DIY, I use it to hang my bug net and plan to use it for my tarp)
- 25' of (i believe) 4mm Paracord (it is thicker and has over double the strength of 550 Para, I used this for the times that I was surrounded by trees that were too big or too far apart to use my preferred straps)
- Ozark Trail All-Purpose Tarp 8' x 10' (It is what I used as my 4-man tent's groundcloth)
My friend and I are planning on doing a light-weight backpacking trip in a few weeks (possibly the weekend of the 13th or a few days earlier but we don't have the date set yet, definitely no earlier than the 9th) I really want to hammock sleep on the trip but I'm also pushed to doing it in terms of simple need, we are going light and minimal new gear purchases (neither of us have been backpacking since the 90's when packs were almost always 40+lbs)
While doing my preparation and evaluating possible necessary gear purchases I found the only thing I am truly missing to sleep comfortably in my hammock is some under hammock insulation (I think). The weather averages for at least one of the areas we are talking about ranges from high forties to mid seventies with the records being high-20s or low-30s to low 90s.
I want to buy gear that will get great bang for buck (works in a range of seasons, if I can only use it in super rare circumstances I would rather get something else and augment for those rare times), pack decently light and compact, I can have by the time the trip comes, and is comfortable.
I have a 50l pack that I will be purchasing^ because I don't have a pack at all so my remaining funds are limited.
So to wrap this up some questions:
- What would be a good bottom insulation? I am tempted by the cheapness of the blue CCF, but I am also tempted to try the no-sew parka liner mod I read about if I can find one locally ( I don't think I can get access to a sewing machine before my trip and haven't sewed since middle school) but I don't have a good grasp on insulation/weight or insul/bulk ratios on any of the bottom layer options; comfort is also a big deal. I have a second sleeping bag that could zip into my first, but I don't see how I could bring two in my pack o_O
- I REALLY prefer the carabiner style set-up, the stupid ease and simplicity of adjustment and everything else make it my preferred method, (the fact that I rock climb and have many carabiners make it even easier to choose) but what do people normally do in the PCNW where the trees can be huge and/or far apart?
- Is it worth changing my tarp? I know this is a cost/weight analysis that I ultimately have to decide on for myself but I'd like to hear opinions.
- Where should I place the importance on gear purchases and/or replacement for a nicer time (comfort, pack-size, weight) I think priority 1 with that list is getting a nice sleeping bag or topquilt but I don't have that kind of cash right now, but I am not sure about the others which leads to...
- Are any of these purchases/replacements amazing buys, or ridiculously inexpensive solutions that makes that a easy and cheap change, even it it isn't as important? An example is IF I can get the no-sew parka UQ to work (it is available in my area, I don't botch it, and it will work for the temperatures I'm expecting) it is about a $15 change from what I hear that would be great
- Is there something that I might have laying around the house that might be great and I'm overlooking?
I have been lurking this forum for a couple days and you guys seem quite friendly and I look forward to learning more about hammocks. I appreciate the time you have taken to read this and am grateful for any advice or opinions you offer.
^The Osprey Atmos 50 because it is on sale for $150 which is right on my price-range, has a decent capacity and outside gear attachment that will serve until I get to the point where i could use a more specialized pack, (For example, I doubt my sleeping bag will fit in my bag and will have to strap on) and the lifetime warranty is SUPER appealing
Bookmarks