Houstonian - Hammocks?!

[tertius]

So I'm going on an overnight hike this coming weekend. It's going to be hot (97/77). I heard for sleeping, a hammack is great in this type of weather.

I'm an avid camper (when I get the time). Mostly car camping and day hiking.

30 year old from Houston (been here 3 years) originally from South Africa with my wife and hiking buddy (Django the Standard hypermiling Schnauzer).

Where do I start?

[mattyg]

first welcome, and coming hear is a great start. i would start in the forums section hammock camping general hammock talk. ask questions

[Wisp]

Welcome from Magnolia (just a bit northwest of Tomball). Just this summer, I began using a hammock for the hot TX summer camping and its much cooler than tenting. Make sure you have a bug net though. The skeeters are out in full force around Houston. Check out the vendor section of the forum to research the hammock choices. These cottage vendors are awesome and master craftsmen. If you are handy, there are several threads on making your own DIY hammocks, tarps and equipment on the cheap.

[Mule]

Welcome from the State of Indiana.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mule47/#

[anvil440]

Howdy. I'm in San Antonio. I just did a weekend campout with the Boy Scouts. It ran about 80 degrees all night without much of a breeze. We camped out near an extremely buggy area of the Medina river. All I needed on that trip was my hammock and bugnet. No need for a tarp, underquilt, pad, or top quilt. I slept pretty comfortable until the mosquitoes found my arm that was pressed up against the bugnet.

If you're just starting out, you can go a couple of ways. Go big and get everything you need, or go cheap and put together a kit piece-by-piece. The latter decision will most likely end up costing you more in the long run however. There are a few places you should start and determine what's best for you based on what you are looking for and what you are willing to spend.

Warbonnet Outdoors - I would suggest double layer
Grand Trunk Goods
ENO
Hennessy Hammocks

I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Oh, you can also build your own hammock.

Good luck.

[anvil440]

BTW, Wal-Mart sells a pretty decent little travel hammock for around $25. You can usually find them in the outdoor section near the folding chairs. It's small and blue and doesn't look at all like what you would first expect.