There are some who prefer to sleep on a ground pad with a sleeping bag. And there are some who prefer to sleep in camping hammocks. And these two factions often disagree about which method is better..
You can like what you like, but this article will take a defensive stance for hammock camping. Here are a few of the reasons it’s great.
Sleep Anywhere You Can Find Two Trees
Setting up a campsite can be difficult; you have to select a safe location, preferably one that is not exposed to wind or direct sunlight, but which is also not overhung by dangers such as dead trees, snow cornices, and the like. You also need to select a dry location.
Establishing a camp with a hammock is much easier. You just need two sturdy trees, or any other such structures that can support a hammock’s lines.
No Ground Pad Needed
Sleeping directly on the ground is dangerous, especially in cold weather. That is no concern with a hammock, as you will not be in contact with the ground anyway. Therefore you won’t need to carry a ground pad, which just adds weight and takes up space.
Inherent Protection Against Wet Earth
Another problem with sleeping on the ground is you need to protect your tent from wet earth. This is something you can usually account for by either being prudent in your campsite selection, or judicious in your application of waterproof ground cover. You will not need to account for these factors with a hammock.
Lightweight Design, Packability
With a camping hammock, you can forgo not only the sleeping bag and sleeping pad, but the tent altogether. That makes this the ultimate solution for ultralight backpacking and camping. Even the lightest tents and sleeping bags will take more space and weight than most hammocks.
Easy to Set Up
While some argue there is a bit of a learning curve associated with setting up a hammock, even for the uninitiated it is usually easier and faster than pitching a tent. This saves time and effort, so you can focus on your reason for being in the woods (or just waste less time at night after a long hike getting camp set).
Comfort
Some may prefer sleeping on a ground pad with a sleeping bag, but there are others who swear by the comfort of a camping hammock. Another thing about the comfort of sleeping in a hammock is that it will not put any weird pressure points on your body, the way the ground can. You should try it and see if the hype is substantiated.
Perhaps Even Better Sleep
There is also a faction that claims that sleeping in a hammock affords better sleep, though that is another hypothesis you’d do well to test on your own.
Hammock Sleeping Is the “Leave No Trace” Solution Sleeping System
One final argument in favor of camping hammocks is that when set up properly, they’re the minimalist solution to setting up camp. Properly set up and taken down, it’ll be impossible the next day to even see there was a camp there.
Where to Get a Camping Hammock Setup
As you can see, there are numerous potential advantages to a camping hammock over a tent, ground pad and sleeping bag. Plus, adding a camping hammock to your pack or bug-out bag will add very little volume and weight, so it’s a great secondary redundant measure.
If you are interested in exploring options in camping hammocks, rain tarps, bug nets and other essentials you might want, take a closer look at what’s in store at CH KADELS. They carry a wide range of camping gear, bushcraft tools, and emergency preparedness supplies, so you’ll like what you find.
