Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 15
  1. #1
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    2

    Noob, trying to test this out on the cheap. Am I doing it right?

    Lifelong tent camper here. I've never had a great nights sleep in a tent, even after investing a lot of $ in equipment. Have been wanting to try a hammock for a while,and am trying to test it out on the cheap.

    Have a trip booked for Broken Bow, OK at the end of September. Historically, temps are a mean of 71, with a high of 83 and low of 58. Here's what I'm thinking:

    • Borrow my buddies Double Nest Eno
    • Buy a bug net
    • Use my Big Agnes Gunn Creek 30 degree bag w/ insulated pad (the bag has a pocket to keep the pad in place)
    • Hope it doesn't rain, if it does, will pitch my tent (no tarp for the hammock)


    With this approach, I'd only be out the cost of a bug net. Wondering if I'm setting myself up for failure? After reading here, seems everyone uses a UQ. Is it going to be that huge of a difference? Or will I likely still have a way better nights sleep than I would in a tent? That's my goal. With the temps, also wondering if I could just ditch the pad and use the bag?

    Also, I'm 6'. Haven't seen a height rating on the Eno, not sure if that'll be an issue...

  2. #2
    SilvrSurfr's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Jersey Shore, NJ
    Hammock
    Dutch PolyD
    Tarp
    HG Winter Palace
    Insulation
    HG 0, 20, 40
    Suspension
    Dutch Whoopie Hook
    Posts
    14,716
    Images
    3
    Definitely don't try sleeping without a pad. You need some kind of insulation under you, and the insulation will just compress under you and you'll end up with cold butt syndrome (CBS). Seventy degrees is right around the temp that most people get cold underneath in a hammock.

    I wouldn't waste my time buying a bugnet. A decent bugnet will be minimum $60, and for that money you can get a cheap hammock with integrated bugnet. I own a Byer Moskito Hammock that can be found for $30 to $40 at EMS or REI, though it is a little short for me (I'm 5'11"), as are the ENO hammocks. The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro can usually be found for around $60-$70. It's a longer hammock (10.5 ft) that you might find more comfortable. Amazon is also selling cheapo Chinese models with bugnets, and some people are buying Yukon hammocks, though I have never tried any of them and am a bit leary.

    May as well buy yourself a cheap Wally World tarp (don't use the grommets; they rip) for $10 or $15 and try the full experience. Get some stakes and cheap cord for guylines and ridgeline and you'll be hammocking on the cheap!
    "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Ralph Waldo Emerson

  3. #3
    Senior Member Mountnman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Miamisburg, Ohio
    Hammock
    DIY
    Tarp
    HG Winter Palace
    Insulation
    HG TQ,UQ, DIY
    Suspension
    Whoopies or rings
    Posts
    1,939
    Sounds like you have a good plan to start out with. You can just get you a cheap tarp to use from walmart just in case there is rain in the forecast.
    I used a Big A bag and pad for a little while when I first started out. I think it is the best combo for using a pad in the hammock. If it is an inflatable pad be sure not to inflate all the way or it will be hard to stay on.

    UQ's are for sure the much easier to use from my personal experience. No where near the aggravation of a pad. But you have to start out somewhere and many of us started out on a pad.

    Ditching the pad would probably be regretted.

    I am 6"1 and a Double Nest fits me fine. Was my first hammock.
    "I love not man the less, but Nature more."
    Byron

  4. #4
    Senior Member PTAaron's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Novi, MI
    Hammock
    Dutch ARGON/ENO DN
    Tarp
    Hennessey Hex
    Insulation
    Jarbidge/UGQ FJ
    Suspension
    Ti Cinch Buckles
    Posts
    390
    I'll jump in with the "get a cheap tarp" crowd - my Harbor Freight tarp worked great in the backyard for my first few hangs.
    The DN should be plenty big for you - I'm 6'1" and it fits me very comfortably.
    Can't comment on your bag/pad combo but you definitely don't want to go without some sort of bottom insulation.
    -Aaron
    Proud owner of TurtleDog stand #198

    <img src="http://img.geocaching.com/stats/img.aspx?txt=View+my+profile&uid=e552b4d3-9422-4fbb-8d61-f90878ebb791"</img>

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    USA
    Hammock
    DIY 11'
    Tarp
    DIY Hex
    Insulation
    Sleep bag
    Suspension
    Home made Whoopies
    Posts
    103
    If you have camping gear rethink some of it.. I bet you have a tarp. Does your tent have a ground cloth under it when you set it up? That is a tarp in a different usage. Does your tent have a removable rain fly and is it a family size tent? If the measurements on it are good that will get you by for the morning dew protection, though probably bad in rain. If you are willing to take the tent since Broken Bow is usually car camping anyways, just pitch it for piece of mind the first trip.

    6 mil clear plastic from Walmart on a roll the wide roll. That is about $5 and when rolled to length and cut it will fold out to the same size as the Old Blue tarp from Walmart. You get about 4 tarp equivalent pieces from a single roll. This is what I always kept in my truck when camping with cub scouts in case someone forgot a ground cloth for under the tent. Last trip Den leader that got me interested in hammocks had to use a piece since he forgot his tarp at home. Worked fine for morning dew.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Fancy Ramen's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Hammock
    Dream Hammock Darien
    Tarp
    Dutch Xenon
    Insulation
    Burrow/Incubator
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    237
    I think your BA combo with the pad is a good idea to try out hanging to see how you like it. Not worth the trouble of buying a bug net if you are borrowing your friend's hammock IMO.

    I would probably get one of those with a built-in bug net like Silver said before.
    As for the tarp, I made a hex cut tarp from a plastic painters drop sheet for about $12 including paracord, so if you want to dirtbag it, you can go that way.

  7. #7
    Banned
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Plano, TX
    Hammock
    Cotton Amazonian, WBBB XLC
    Tarp
    Kelty, WB Superfly
    Insulation
    uq or pad
    Suspension
    Webbing, Whoopies
    Posts
    976
    Images
    10

    Many good options, have fun, SE OK is great

    There are actually dozens of options you could use that would work out fine to give hammock hang'n a try. I generally prefer an integrated bugnet in very buggy environments because the zipper pull is fast and easy with just one hand while the other hand is holding something and it may be more cost effective long term. BUT! a standalone hammock with no bug net is great to have as well, especially for day hiking without a bug net that gets hung up in all the leaves and briars so you just add a net when needed. Bottom line neither way is BEST! IMO. Very cheap option is to buy a generic bug net at Army Navy store locally or online and modify/cut out small slits in ends to work with hammock if you can sew with needle and thread or bit of stitch witchery just a little bit. This ain't no rocket science. Add Ridge Line hang it from that, fold bottom over, pin with clothes pins and done, I did this when I was about 8 years old with a little help from my mother. (I'm an 49 year old coot now.)

    Woot.com often has Yukon Outfitters Hammock Tarps 11 x 9.4 on sale for about $20. But a Hardware store, Harbor Freight or Wal-mart 8x6" rectangular tarpaulin hung asymmetrically for a 10' ridge line might barely work, you can use tarp grippers instead of the metal grommets that may rip out in strong winds. These tarps are useful for many other things later but not ideal for over your hammock long term, lacking cat cut edges they flap in the wind and are not light weight or compact and have a fairly short life, but are relatively cheap if for some strange reason you decide you don't like to hammock camp. Tent as backup is a good idea. I like to throw ice cooler in there to keep it shady and out of sight of other campers and even unhook hammock roll or stuff it and put in tent to discourage folks from taking it (best in car if car camping). Leave a cheap plastic tarp hung up high at all times to mark your camping spot, write name or whatever on it with marker. BTW these cheap tarps can be used for temporary shade and rain protection over your food/cooking area when car, ATV, or canoe camping etc. keep firewood dry and 101 other uses, so $10-20 is not wasted long term. Beaver's Bend State Park does did not have a controlled entrance or charge for day use so local people drive through there all the time, 99.99% might be honest but if one likes your gear it could be a problem.

    I have camped in SE OK, Beaver's Bend State Park and further down the Lower Mountain Fork all the way to Arkansas (Horatio at Hwy 41) along the Little River which it feeds into. This area is great for both Backpacking and canoeing. Better white water on the Upper Mountain Fork (ideal rain conditions only) and on rivers west and NE of there. But the hiking trails in that area are great as well and far more than most people know. Best to stay on the well marked trails because there are some folks growing stuff in those woods, and producing stuff in sheds that may not be exactly legal and they do not like unexpected guests, may greet you with high velocity lead (word to the wise).

    Military surplus bug net $15 + $7.50 shipping online, might be cheaper locally so call around.

    http://shop.vtarmynavy.com/military-...ct0GgJMdvD_BwE

    Stitch Witchery is not as good as a hemmed loop with sock cord or velcro closure installed with a sewing machine but all you need are some scissors and an iron. Buy it a Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby and almost any place that sells fabric.

    http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/dri...a%7Cpmt%7Ce%7C

    Last edited by ntxkayakr; 08-24-2014 at 09:36. Reason: links

  8. #8
    New Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    2
    Some great replies here. Thanks all.

    • Bug net: I may just spring for the Skeeter Beater. We'll be camping along rivers, and I'm expecting the bugs to be out in force.
    • Bottom Insulation: Would I be able to use the Big Anges as a "bottom sheet" without the pad, and another fleece or bag as a top quilt?
    • Tarp: Good call on just using my tent tarp. It's got a fly and a bottom footprint that I should be able to rig up.

  9. #9
    Banned
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    Plano, TX
    Hammock
    Cotton Amazonian, WBBB XLC
    Tarp
    Kelty, WB Superfly
    Insulation
    uq or pad
    Suspension
    Webbing, Whoopies
    Posts
    976
    Images
    10

    Stylish Mosquito protection for camping and hiking

    If the skeet'rs get really thick you can walk around the campground with one of these stylish outfits, frighting small children and your gear should be safe. I have heard that hot young women think men wearing these are irresistible. I asked my wife if I could buy one for her, but her response would violate the TOS of HF, so I will not repeat it. LOL. Perhaps I was misinformed. LOL

    mosquito-netting-clothing-set.gif

  10. #10
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    8,761
    Images
    129
    Hi Dagobah,
    Welcome to the forum.
    The only thing I might add to all the great advice already given is get this gear together
    and set it up in your back yard and try a couple nights sleeping in it.
    It will really help build your confidence and you can easly fix any issues that come up.

    Oh, we love trip report here so please consider taking some picts and letting us know what worked and what didn't.

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Noob Hang Test
      By Short White Guy in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 07-24-2013, 16:10
    2. Please recommend a cheap first hammock for a large noob
      By RubberneckLion in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 20
      Last Post: 05-03-2011, 22:32
    3. The Cheapest Cheap to Ever Cheap the Cheap (A Rant)
      By SilverbackBob in forum General Hammock Talk
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 09-02-2010, 15:31
    4. cheap test?
      By wabi in forum Bottom Insulation
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 06-14-2010, 12:19
    5. *Test for cheap hammock sleep system*
      By Peanutdude in forum Do-It-Yourself (DIY)
      Replies: 5
      Last Post: 11-14-2009, 19:28

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •