5 big mistakes people make hammock camping

We all start somewhere and we all make mistakes for sure. I'm no exception to this rule. Hammock camping is one of those things that can take a while to get really dialed in since they don't come with instructions. Watch as I go over how to hang a hammock and how to properly lay in a hammock.

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[Oldsparkey]

Tim, Even in the Semi tropics like Florida during the wee hours of a summers morning I get the cold butt syndrome. I go to bed without anything under me. Then in the early morning hours roll over and slide a partially inflated, self inflating, Threm-a-rest mattress under me.
If you are going to use a hammock for camping get a good one designed for camping. The best I found is a double bottom one which will stop the mosquitoes from biting your back as you sleep.
If you are new to hammock camping or thinking about it then do yourself a BIG favor. Spend a couple bucks and get Derek Hansen's book. THE ULTIMATE HANG , an illustrated guide to Hammock Camping.
I have been camping in hammocks for over 60 years and I learned things by reading his book plus it is a fun read.

[Caveman_Conor]

How are the other Super Troopers doing?

[iMatthewWilliams]

The first time I went backpacking I bought a cheap hammock from walmart. Went in northern PA in mid November without a pad or underquilt. I was so uninformed.. Spent the night fighting the cold while mulitple packs of coyotes (on either side of me) yip-howled very loudly, getting closer as the night went on... Only got 1 hour of sleep and decided to hike out the next morning.

I had a blast and don't regret anything.

[TonyTooTuff]

Thanks for all the sleepless nights, trials and errors you experienced so we don’t have to just figure it out for ourselves. It’s appreciated.

[RealJPMcGrath]

Happy I watched this BEFORE hammock camping for the first time lol. Saved me like 5 years of learning from miserable experiences!

[lanceflanagan]

For under insulation, I use a reflective pad that's designed for windscreens in the summer, works perfect.

[AdventureTimeOutdoors]

Great tips Tim. I have used a drip line in some heavy rain and it worked really well. When I first started out I had a grand trunk skeeter beater hammock and it did come with those cheap ropes. They do beat up the trees but they are also more work to set up. A good set of straps are better for the trees, faster to set up and are just plain easy. Happy fathers day my friend

[buddhagem]

Great tips! Planning my first hammock trip for next week. Very helpful. Thank you!

[kevshelley]

Great idea for a quick, concise video. Thanks Tim, well done.

[Shipfixer]

I just bought my first hammock and a 16' Kelty Noah tarp. I'm going to use them for motorcycle camping in Alaska where I live. Your advice is priceless to me. I never knew you were supposed to sleep diagonally in the hammock. I went outside and strung it up right away to try it. What a difference! Kind thanks. Instant LIKE and SUBSCRIBE! Greetings from Alaska.

[DragonRoams]

Great items to cover. The ridge line tension was a mistake I made early on.

[joshbee]

Good info. I'm getting back on the A.T. in a few months and thought to leave the (3.2 lb) tent at home this trip. Now looking forward to hammock shopping and giving it a go. Happy trails, folks.
Eric B. in Charleston, SC

[massachusettsprepper]

Some very good tips indeed Tim. Thanks for sharing brother.

[southernappalachianrecon]

Great tips man! I just started hammock camping so this video was helpful 👍

[petermckenney]

Thanks man good advice my first 50 mile thru hike 27 Sept and first hammock tarp shelter too. I will put this advice to use .

[asudebate]

Great video. The thing i love most about it is that you get straight to the point and the point of the video. Can't say how refreshing that is.

[julessd]

I love that you include taking care of the trees.

[HuckOutdoors]

Great tips Tim! Had my first time overnight in a full hammock setup on my last trip. It was a success!

[MuskratJim]

Awesome tips, Thank you! I have a Hennessy Expedition hammock with the Hexagon Fly. The one tip I didn't know about was testing the ridge-line tension.
SUBBED YOU for it!

[thomahammer]

Great info! Thanks for sharing your knowledge to us beginners!