How To Sleep In A Hammock The Right Way [You're Doing it Wrong]

Hey there! We’re Josh and Alisha, the creators of Terradrift, which is all about sustainable travel and adventure. That means travel tips, adventure guides, gear reviews, and a whole lot more. And all of it encourages you to explore responsibly. 'Cause we've just got the one planet, and since we like to get out there and enjoy it as often as possible both near and far, it's our responsibility to treat it with a little bit of respect. So lace up the ol' boots, grab your favorite pack, and wander on! #terradrift #wanderon #Hammocks

[onewheeldad]

This was a great video - knew most of the info, but its never bad to get a refresher. I'll definitely look into a hammock with a built in ridge - hadn't considered that option before.

[JillianstJohn--]

In 1987 I was in a severe car accident where my car flipped a few times so I've been going to the chiropractor. I was having severe back pain in 2015 and so I got rid of my bed and replaced it with a hammock for a year and I have never been back to the chiropractor again!!!

[skyler]

I sleep in a hammock full time, its actually made my back problems nearly nonexistent and I feel like I pop up in the morning a lot faster than I used to.

[low_rento]

Dude I tried to lying diagonally it changed my life you are a blessing thank you😃

[Oldsparkey]

You hit the information right on the nail head, good info. In my 60 plus years of Hammock camping I have found some things you skipped over. Getting the perfect 30 degree hang use your hand as a gauge. Your thumb as the upright on the tree. Your index fingers tip at end of the hammock. The angle between the top of your thumb and the tip of the index finger is 30 degrees. It should look like the make believe pistol kids make with there thumb and index finger. After a while the correct 30 degrees just comes naturally, no measuring.
I like to use a self inflating air mattress ( Therm-a-rest full length mummy style ) in my hammock. It's about 1/2 to 3/4 inflated so it conforms to my body and the hammock eliminating any pressure points. If I have to ground sleep then I still have insulation under me.
All of my jungle hammocks are double bottom ( not width ) hammocks. The double bottom material stop's the mosquitos from feasting on me. The overhead bug net stops them from above.

[crmn]

I've been hammock camping for several years. Mine is largely diy tough I bought my underquilt and bug net. 100% on the tree killing straps. I've not been able to stay places because people are like the last hammock killed a tree. I use a two inch car tow strap that I cut in half and sewed two loops into.

[jreverie]

Awesome video! I have a disc bulge issue and have noticed I sleep better in a hammock rather than a traditional bed at home haha. That tip of sleeping diagonally is an amazing one!! Subscribed

[ColbyJoe]

You didn't cover how side sleepers sleep in one... I am really interested in this, do you just not sleep on your side in a hammock at all? Or should you try sideways but diagonal?

[jrivasphoto]

I have been sleeping in a hammock for yeeears and I still learned a lot with your video. Thanks.

[jasonknotts]

A normal climbing rope is fine it won't kill trees. Plus a rope is multi use unlike the strap

[hopscotch]

I sleep in a hammock over a bed for the last 5-6 years. Never had any issues

[DannyB-csvx]

Being a back sleeper, I find something under my knees works well.

[GJBedrin]

I don't know I feel like lying diagonally doesn't work. Every time I've tried it it feels like the pressure of the material against my head is way too much in that there's a big wall of hammock on the other side that my head isn't on. You can even see your head tilting to the side in the overhead picture of you lying on the hammock diagonally

[checkavilatility]

The 30 degree rule is a recent hammocking myth. 45 degrees or more is much better. Just have a look at what people who sleep in these things on a regular basis are doing. Like down in Mexico. Also, camping hammocks are notoriously small and uncomfortable for sleeping but are a good compromise to keep it portable. The only reason to have a ridge line on a camping hammock is to support a bug net. Hammocking has become a cult like phenomenon.

[sundaymorninghikes]

I hammock camp 95% of the time for the past ten+ years - I fell in love with it right away. I'm still trying different things all the time. Love my DW Chameleon!

[ladytempest]

I just went out on a long hike with my partner yesterday at our local state park. It would of been awesome if we could of stopped at our halfway point, and slept a couple hours to refresh, and head back out.
Unfortunately we didn't have a tent or a hammock system so we had to press on begrudgingly, lol. Well that's going to change. We're planning to invest in a light hammock system now. Thanks for what you do! Love your shirt, it's so cute 😍

[wisenber]

FWIW, you can add a ridgeline to virtually any gathered end hammock. 80-90 percent of the hammock's length is a good place to start when dialing it in.
Ditching the sleeping bag and going with a quilt makes getting in and out much easier while allowing you to move about as well.
Avoiding nylon straps and cordage helps avoid waking up with your behind on the ground in the middle of the night (and your tarp from sagging). Nylon stretches more than polyester, polypro or Dyneema. Don't be the bushcraft guy using paracord to hang a hammock or a tarp.

[grazhopper]

Thanks! Went from sleeping like a banana, to better sleep than my sleep number bed! Full night on my back and I’m a stomach sleeper who flops. No flopping, just mega deep sleep. Super great info!!!

[Hellhamster]

The only thing unstable with my hammock is me

[CraneInTheField]

Great lacing advice, never would have thought of such easy fixes!