Purposeful Gear – Hammock System Part 1, by Crusoe
I am a hammock camper and have around 2,500 miles and well over 120 nights spent suspended between two trees. I will never sleep in a tent again unless I absolutely must. In a hammock you stay warmer, drier, and cleaner than you ever could in a tent. This article is based upon my personal thru hiker perspective but can also be tailored to meet your individual requirements. It should be noted that a complete hammock set up is more expensive than a tent and is a bit heavier depending on the manufacturer and model.
When choosing a hammock, you can backpack with, I would stay away from the budget models you can usually find in REI. Instead, use a cottage manufacturer that specializes in hammocks and hammock systems. The best bet is to go with a 11-foot gathered end hammock that is cut as wide as possible. You do not sleep like a banana, but instead lay flat on a diagonal. This ensures you have a flat lay and there are no pressure points pushing against you. I often hear side sleepers tell me that they could never sleep on their backs, but I am here to tell you that it will be the best night sleep you have ever gotten. In fact, I am working on outfitting my bedroom to install a hammock to sleep in every night. Crazy? Nope, you gotta try it.
With a gathered end hammock, you have two basic options: 1) integrated bug net or 2) no bug net. I have both. When bug pressure is low (wintertime) I can get away with no integrated net, but I do have an after-market net I can slide over in a pinch. I personally prefer an integrated bug net as it is less fuss and can be used year-round.
The next key consideration is what type of suspension you want to use. This is where the straps connect to your hammock. There are three main types: 1) buckles, 2) loops or 3) whoopie slings. The first two are my favorites and the easiest to use. I have found whoopie slings (they are like a Chinese finger trap) temperamental and challenging when it is cold outside. For new hammock campers I recommend buckles as they are the easiest to use and can be manipulated even with gloves on. I personally use a loop system and tie a becket hitch knot because it is less hardware to deal with.
A hammock system has a place in your preps, just as much as a tent (or instead of a tent). With the right amount of planning and proper site selection you can easily tuck away into the forest and remain unseen. The next two articles will be about tarps and insulation.
Here is my basic hammock set up.
Dream Hammock Darien in 1.1 fabric
Autumn Ultralight Becket Loops
Autumn Ultralight Dyneema Straps
Crusoe is retired from the Air Force after 30-years of service as a flight crew member. He spends most of his time thinking about the apocalypse and how to mitigate its effects. When not immersed in academic pursuits, he is often on a trail hiking in the mountains of North Georgia or reading with a glass of Irish whiskey and a German Shepherd by his side. Global travel enthusiast, history nerd, Appalachian Trail thru hiker, and recovering ultra-endurance athlete. He can be reached at [email protected]
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GUNS N GEAR
Excellent post.
I have made my own hammocks out of old parachutes. Simple. There’s something like 20 straight lines of stitching involved in a parachute hammock, which although I have made them on an old Singer sewing machine, they could be done by hand just as easily.
I have converted all of my hammocks over to buckle and strap systems, not so much for the ease of use, but because a 1 inch webbing strap tends to leave far less sign on the tree bark than any of the amsteel cordage types.
As another “tactical” consideration, it’s worth slinging your hammock at around knee height with your backside just a few inches off the ground. This is to better avoid being silhouetted at night and to ensure a quick, injury-free exit out of the hammock if required.
I ditched insect netting in a hammock years ago. Most times I’m in a sleeping bag anyway, so I use an insect headnet. It reduces bulk and lightens the load.
I have yet to find an underquilt system which I find satisfactory, so I use a fold-up insulated pad in the hammock in cold weather.
A British “basha” or a USMC field tarp are a bit small for the purpose, but can work well as a hammock tarp when pitched on the diagonal. In hot weather stake out the sides of the tarp for better airflow and in wet weather stake the sides of the tarp close to the ground to keep driving rain out.
Great information!!! Thanks for sharing
With at least as many miles and nights spent in the backcountry as the author, I agree IF we are talking about camping in normal times. In a survival, SHTF, WROL, get home situation, I could not disagree more for the following reasons:
1. Stealth. As the pictures in this article clearly show, a hammock is the only horizontal object in a vertical world. It is easier to spot and quickly draws the eye of even an untrained observer. A low-slung one-person tent covered with light foliage, or a synthetic camo tarp is virtually invisible.
2. Ease of set-up. With a little practice, you can have a free-standing tent completely assembled from no more than a kneeling position and be safely inside in under 5 minutes. No matter how expensive a hammock I have bought, by the time you find the trees, hang the hammock, hang a rain fly, attach the under quilt, and do final adjustments, even for a pro you are talking at least 10-15 minutes from an easily visible standing position. After a long day of avoiding bad guys or a stressful hike, the last thing you want to be doing is screwing around with hammock assembly.
3. Author said: “In a hammock you stay warmer, drier, and cleaner than you ever could in a tent.” Maybe. IF you erect a huge tarp, IF you install a heavy under-quilt, IF you spread another tarp under the hammock, you might achieve all three.
While a hammock can be great, when it comes down to choosing between a hammock or tent for survival purposes or a covert action shelter, it could be a deadly mistake to believe peacetime rules apply.
If doing ninja stuff you use ninja equipment. For all other scenarios find what is comfortable and meets your requirements.
I can set up my complete hammock system quicker than an equivalent tent….and break it down.
And 1 final comment…read Che’ Guerilla Warfare…they used hammocks as their primary sleep system.
I’ll remember that the next time I’m in a Cuban jungle.
😎
https://hennessyhammock.com/
I gave up on tents years ago, the Hennessy Hammock is my favorite. It has a diamond shape so you can lay flat and has a bottom self closing entry that makes entry and exit a breeze.
If you cover the Hammock with a reflective tarp you can be hidden from thermal as well.
Another benefit of a hammock is no bugs, snakes, or other critters can get to you.
Absolutely. I ran into a couple folks who loved their Hennessy. Solid hammock. I hate sleeping with the bugs
What fabric do you recommend? I did not see the 1.1 fabric on their list?
Matt….1.6 is a great all around fabric. I had mine custom made to be as light as possible. My netless is in 1.6 and a previous Darien I had was in 1.7 MTN.
@onesmoothmother, we also have used Hennessey hammocks for years. Rock solid. Off the ground, away from the Louisiana creepy crawlies and, staying cool with free air circulation around you. Never used them until we moved to the south from the rocky mountain region.
Check out ripstopbytheroll.com for materials and kits if you are a diy’er. I have bought and assembled quite a few of their kits. They have good prices and (used to be) fast shipping.
Built my whole kit and sleep out all 4 seasons in the Cascade mountains, comfortable well into the 20s.
That is awesome. I have a RayWay pack kit I have been fiddling with. I am intrigued about DIY projects as well. Hike with Jenny Jardine (co-owner) of RayWay in NH and ME this past summer and all her gear is DIY
That’s great. If you can see a straight stitch on a machine, you can totally make a hammock. I made my tarp, my underquilt, and I’m planning to make a top quilt this year. You can totally do this. If you want help shoot me a message.
I’m actually looking at either NH or northern Maine for relocation myself.
If you read the three books by James C Donahue about his time with the Mobil Guerilla Force in Vietnam they were operating in “Charlie” backyard and they slept in hammocks instead of digging like line infantry. Another thing he talks about is stringing a hammock on a bamboo pole and using it as a field expedient litter.
I appreciate this topic, as I don’t recall reading about the use of a hammock in a WROL/bugout situation. I’m new to hammock camping and have made my own 11′ gathered end from a taffeta tablecloth (directions from Dereck Hansen @ Ultimate Hang). I’m modifying my down sleeping bag to be an underquilt, but leaving it intact so that it can still function as a sleeping bag. I made a top quilt from a Costco down throw. I recently tested it out a few weeks ago when temps dropped down to the low 30’s. A few more changes are needed, but I’m headed in the right direction. I’d like to purchase custom UQ/TQ, but not yet ready to spend the $$. I’m looking forward to reading the following installments from Patriotman.
I am glad you like the subject. Sounds like you have a solid set up. I wish I was better at DIY projects.
Back in my days in the CAV I used a jungle hammock exclusively. My shit was up and ready before anyone else’s and as the commander or S-4 or what the hell ever I was, I did not have time to fiddle around. In hot areas I left my wooby in the hammock, in colder areas I left my bag inside. Strung tween two trees if available, two vehicles if not, or one tree and one vehicle. Very fast to stow too, take down roll up, easy peasy, If needed one could cut and go. I slept well and when you need good sleep its important to get it. I loved knowing I was going to hit the hammock not worrying about root, rocks, chiggers, you name it.
Saber 7
Interesting topic. Sleeping on my back is not natural for myself, but when good and tired, it works. I’ve tried it once and it worked good and kept me out of the snow. Used a close foam pad inside the hammock and woobie at about 20F and was otherwise fully clothed.
I have 3 hammocks, as these are a good option to have. Sleeping on my back is not natural for myself, but when good and tired, it works. I’ve tried it once and it worked good by kept me off of the snow. Used a close foam pad inside the hammock and woobie at about 20F, was otherwise fully clothed and could nap comfortably. Try using a less expensive one first.