My first hammock!

[Dirt4dinner]

I just got my new Hennessy Hammock (well I bought it used, but new to me!) in the mail today. I set it up within 5 minutes using my patio pillars as makeshift trees. It works very well, super comfortable and I can't wait for my first night in it. Heck...I might sleep out there on the patio tonight

[Dirt4dinner]

I have a spare hammock you can try out Rally_Toad...the only problem is I don't have the gear to make it warm in the winter. It's just one of those leaps of faith you will have to make, and then thank us all later.

[Jeffshadows]

You ultralighters sure are a strange bunch

[rally_toad]

So what all does one need to get all set up for hammocking? The hammock, underquilt, sleeping quilt, and rain fly? Anything else? What will that whole setup set me back?

[rushthezeppelin]

It's supposed to be kind of a pain to get in and out of but I'm going to have to use my old thermarest and my bag till I get a quilt setup. I'm obviously going to loose some warmth rating but just with thermals I'm still toasty warm in my setup down to 25 on ground. I'll bet throwing on some fleece and other layers could get me down to that again if I was hanging. If I do get too cold though I can goto the ground without much hurt with the claytor.....just lower my tarp ridge and it's back to what I'm doing right now with a groundcover and an A frame tarp shelter. Probably gonna be a while till I have a quilt setup so I'll make it work : P All I know is I can't sleep on another rock, root or slight incline (bag sliding down pad is always fun ><) again.

[Jeffshadows]

Are they pretty comfortable?

[azbackpackr]

So what all does one need to get all set up for hammocking? The hammock, underquilt, sleeping quilt, and rain fly? Anything else? What will that whole setup set me back?

Two trees to swing it between, too. Not to be found very much around Yuma, that's for sure!

I know, the hammock people are very gung ho about their chosen sleeping place. I'd be willing to borrow one and try it out, but would not buy one unless I had first slept in one and liked it. I have heard that the newer ones are not as claustrophobic and sagging as the old ones were.

I seldom have camped anywhere where you could string the thing, though, except in the forested White Mountains.

[Dirt4dinner]

Your sleeping bag will be fine, I used a Marmot Mummy Bag in my hammock for almost a year before I just got a GoLite Quilt, and the only reason I got the quilt was because my bag was getting old. It's not to bad getting in and out of a bag, just unzip it about half way down and it will be cake.

[Dirt4dinner]

You don't need an underquilt right off the bat. A good sleeping pad, warm clothes and a good bag will get you comfy below 40.

YES THEY ARE SOOOOO COMFY! I woke up in the morning the other day in Angel Basin, and thought I was at home on my $2000 Pillow Top mattress....I was fairly disappointed when I realized I was in Angel Basin in the rain...

[Jeffshadows]

You don't need an underquilt right off the bat. A good sleeping pad, warm clothes and a good bag will get you comfy below 40.

YES THEY ARE SOOOOO COMFY! I woke up in the morning the other day in Angel Basin, and thought I was at home on my $2000 Pillow Top mattress....I was fairly disappointed when I realized I was in Angel Basin in the rain...

Cool...if my bivy hadn't been so expensive I might consider making the switch.

[JoelHazelton]

I've read that they will tweak your body in weird ways when you sleep, like bend your spine and not allow for much mobility. I tend to toss and turn and shift when I sleep. Would this be an issue? Then again, I toss and turn because the ground gets too hard, which apparently won't be much of an issue when I'm in midair, slung between two trees.

[rushthezeppelin]

Are they pretty comfortable?

If you lay diagonally in them like you are supposed to they are supposed to keep you incredibly flat. Being flat and slightly cushioned is all i ask for.....in fact I wonder if it would be better than the crappy futon I sleep on. Would be funny if I start sleeping better on the trail than at home

[te_wa]

rallytoad, a good initial setup can cost a little over $100
get a Ridgerest Large (25x77 you will love the large size) because you want full body coverage. (think of the way a hammock wraps around your body, then think of exposed, cold shoulders and arms. Get the large!)
Get a Claytor Mosquito with pad sleeve (there is some debate if it comes with the pad sleeve or not.)
RTZ will let us know if it's a double bottom.
A Claytor has some heavier nylon (stretchy!) webbing that you should replace with polypropolene webbing you can find at SpeerHammock or JacksRBetter or Strapworks that is a 1" seatbelt webbing (no stretch)
then get the cinch buckles from ONrope1 and bring the works over here so we can sew the new straps on.
I know, it sounds like a lot of work but that's what you must do with a bargain hammock. You can also just buy the Warbonnet Traveller or Blackbird and have it all done right, off the bat so to speak. A tarp can be bought from Campmor- they sell cheap silnylon tarps in rectangle sizes, the 8x10 is very nice for the $ (60 or so?)
you can also spend slightly more and get a OES tarp with catenary cuts made just for hammocks. JrB sells tarps too. I made my own. see pic:

101_1183.jpg

there are other hammocks that are camping ready, like the Hennessy line that D4D has. I dont like the bottom entry, and lack of pad sleeve. But you may love those things. Clark makes ready-camp hammocks. Travel Hammock company has a couple. the JrB Bridge like Ryan has is a really nice one. For any of these, you have to spend more. But I feel its an investment you wont have to back out on, or change in any way. The Bridge hammock is the finest of the fine, IMO

[te_wa]

I've read that they will tweak your body in weird ways when you sleep, like bend your spine and not allow for much mobility. I tend to toss and turn and shift when I sleep. Would this be an issue? Then again, I toss and turn because the ground gets too hard, which apparently won't be much of an issue when I'm in midair, slung between two trees.

there is no argument that some who try hammocks prefer to go back to the ground. But these make up less than 10% of hangers. Whatever you read, you will find completely the opposite opinions at the Hammockforums.
Hammocks are great especially for side sleepers, like me. I lay totally or near totally flat at all times!
They are so comfortable because in most cases, your body contacts the hammock along the entire length... with exeption of your neck, and sometimes under the knee. You can remedy this issue (if it is indeed an issue, it isnt with me) with a fleece or a stuff sack or something as a pillow. Usually the hammock makes its own "pillow" This is of course no different than floating in the water on your back. Its a very nice way to sleep.

[Hoffmaster]

there is no argument that some who try hammocks prefer to go back to the ground. But these make up less than 10% of hangers.

That's kind of an odd stat. Wouldn't it be more like 0%? I mean, a hanger is not a hanger if they're sleeping on the ground. I don't think you can call yourself a "hanger" if you've only tried a hammock once.

[te_wa]

true! and most "hangers" or "poseurs?" probably had the wrong setup for them. Its kinda like a first time tenter using a hard pad and a cold bag and a leaking tent, and then saying that camping sucks. Good call, Matt. (plenty of trees in OH I bet!)

[Hoffmaster]

(plenty of trees in OH I bet!)

Too many at times. Come out and see for yourself. You'd like it!

[Jeffshadows]

true! and most "hangers" or "poseurs?" probably had the wrong setup for them. Its kinda like a first time tenter using a hard pad and a cold bag and a leaking tent, and then saying that camping sucks. Good call, Matt. (plenty of trees in OH I bet!)

It's shocking how often this happens, too!

[Hoffmaster]

Its kinda like a first time tenter using a hard pad and a cold bag and a leaking tent, and then saying that camping sucks.

That sounds like my first backpacking trip, minus the tent and pad. I only owned a cold sleeping bag, and got rained on at the Roger's Canyon ruins. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

[rushthezeppelin]

(plenty of trees in OH I bet!)

Too many at times. Come out and see for yourself. You'd like it!

Is it like Kentucky? My folks live there......nothing but rolling hills with fields and forests.

[Hoffmaster]

Is it like Kentucky? My folks live there......nothing but rolling hills with fields and forests.

Yeah... probably. I've never spent any time in KY except passing through, but come spring and summer I'll be there a lot. Lots of good climbing and backpacking in the Red River Gorge.