Hammock vs Tent - What's the best camping shelter??

🫶 PADDLING GEAR I USE

🤟 CAMPING GEAR I USE

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[emanohtolify]

As both a kayaker and hammock camper, I've almost exclusively switched over to hammock camping. I'd say size/weight wise, both are about even. Hammock camping packs into more but smaller stuff sacks.

For newer hammock campers, my three game-changing suggestions are:

1. An 11 ft hammock vs the shorter 9.5-10' big box hammocks. The extra material allows for a proper diagonal "cuban" lay.

2. A structural Ridgeline above your head takes the tension from your suspension and transfers it above your head, vs the body of the hammock. It also allows the hammock to droop appropriately so you can attain the perfect lay.

3. Lastly, an underquilt is a game changer. Even in the hottest temps, your butt will still get cold. You can level up heat ratings on your underquilt. I use a 20° underquilt year round. Some suggest a camping pad to up the R rating, but that sounds horrible. A traditional underquilt is designed to hug you and hold in heat.

Then, you can also layer with different types of suspensions, tarps, top quilts, and other gear assessories. There are hammocks with integrated bug nets, and there are after-market bug nets that encapsulate your whole system, and you can hang out in a camp chair under your tarp if weathered in. Hammock camping is a whole other level of black hole gear acquisition.

[arcanum]

Funnily enough, ENO hammocks are generally considered a bit subpar among the hammock camping community. They can work, but they're a bit shorter than ideal. They're portable lounging hammocks with modifications for camping. These days there are a LOT of hammocks designed specifically for camping, ranging from traditional gathered end hammocks (with or without spreader bars), to bridge hammocks, to wild designs like Amok's Draumr transverse hammock, which converts to a chair and lays flat enough for side and stomach sleepers. There are also increasing numbers of options for portable stands and tree alternatives. Some brands to look at: Warbonnet Outdoors, Dutchware, Amok, Haven Tents, Tensa Outdoors.

[matthewjacobs]

I'm coming up on 80 years old and ...My days of sleeping on the ground are over...Hammocks allow me to still camp 100%...P.S. Thank You for using Tree Saver straps

[lukewolsey]

As a family we use our tents regularly through the late spring and summer - a small Wild Country duolite tourer and a big Marmot limestone 6P which are both great.

My scout group invested in hammocks during the pandemic when we weren't allowed to share tents - now we have several overnight hammock camps every year through the autumn and winter - very cosy, rain proof, easy to set up in the woods and when we've got the whole troop set up in one area there's a real community feel to it, with lots of tarps scattered around. When the scouts are camping for more than a night, we use tents.

[cpfpv]

I love you for doing this review!! thank you!! I also see those tree tents that you strap to three trees... which also looks like a lot of fun

[Derchlands]

Very nice comparison.

The one point I disagree on is which one is better to hang out in the rain. I love a rain storm in my hammock, I use a really wide tarp and set it up in porch mode. Porch mode for those that don't know is using teeking poles or sticks to prop one side of your tarp up to almost a flat plane like a roof, one side should be lower for drainage. My tarp is 12' x 11'6" so there is a huge area where I can either unzip my bugnet and use my hammock as a chair and watch the storm or even set up a chair underneath. It's like sitting on your porch at home. Tents you are enclosed and cramped. With my porch mode hammock I've had 4 people under my tarp while we cook, play cards, etc..

[davemiller]

I haven’t used an under quilt and have been comfy in my hammock down into the 30s. The tip I got was to run my hammock through my sleeping bag. That way I am not compressing the insulation. As you probably already know, a light knit hat works wonders in keeping me warm while sleeping.

[matte-d]

Thought that site with the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV (1:25) looked familiar; I was there (Brulé Harbour in Lake Superior Provincial Park) in May and strung my hammock from that birch. Beautiful site, beautiful park. Looking forward to seeing your video from your Superior trip!

[laggmonkei]

Now take a look at Amok equipments draumr hammock! It's absolutely awesome if your a stomach/side sleeper.

[RYLJ]

You can use a hammock as a tent if needed just bring a pad and ground cloth and steaks or make em and string trekking poles best of both worlds ...Put down ground cloth then put pad in hammock and setup poles the right distance with hammock attached two strings for each pole then add tarp on top of whole thing..If no trees around works great ...

[Uhmm]

Superior Gear from Minnesota. Great hammocks :-)

[liammalarky]

As an older chap these days with creaky bones, I find the hammock easier. I get a better sleep and don't have to be peeled off the floor.

[SteveKuo]

I do a lot of whitewater outfitting/overnighters. In the Pacific Northwest there are tree camps and island rockbar/sandbar camps. I used to use a cot with bivy and sometimes tent. About 7 years ago I switched out to 100% hammock and haven't looked back.

When river camping I'm using an ENO Nomad Stand and ENO Nomad Shelter for my hammock (9' hammock). It's a great way to have a tent AND hammock. Additionally it is fully freestanding, so no need for trees. I recently spent a week in Iceland with it weathering Hurricane Isaac and it was awesome.

For backpacking I use an 11' hammock. Hoping later this year to upgrade to a Yobo Cricket hammock stand for space and weight savings on the river.

[subyk]

I have hammock and tarp trip experience, and I can tell you that a hammock is far better when you don't know what type of woods you'll be sleeping in. This is because you can end up in an area full of spruce cones, roots, and rocks, and you'll spend half an hour cleaning the sleeping spot. On the other hand, a tarp offers more space, so especially with kids, you can all sleep inside and save a significant amount of weight. You can split the gear across the kids, and everyone will have a low weight in their backpack, which is great. And by the way, if you have a hammock, you also need something underneath it (like a thermal blanket, for example) and a tarp, which adds more weight.

A big advantage of a hammock is the bug net - it's fantastic. I recommend only hammocks with bug nets.

In conclusion, for a single trip, I would definitely choose a hammock. For a family trip, I would choose a tarp. Both are decent choices.

[arumrunner]

I have been using both for many years. Hammocks are great when conditions are favourable. However, when you get a line squall and torrential rain coming in sideways, hammocks covers/tarps tend to balloon upwards and everything under it gets soaked. including your sleeping kit. There are now manufactures (OneTigris ROCDOMUS) that make tarps that go right to the ground. So you are sort of hanging inside a full sized tent. If you trip with a dog, a hammock has no space for them vrs a tent with a vestibule. Rocky uneven ground for tent campers can be overcome with the use of a cot such as the Helinox Cot One.

Thanks for the comparison, you touched on all the main discussion points pretty well. Happy paddling!

[Oldsparkey]

If you are camping in mosquito country due your self a favor and get a double bottom hammock. They can not bite threw the double layers so you are safe in the hammock with an attached bug net. The next favor you can do is to get a double bottom hammock you can sleep on the diagonal in. There are several different hammocks that fill booth bills. Warbonnet and Hennessy are two that I have. Clark hammocks are a traditional lay but are also bug proof, mine is. I found in weather 50 degrees and cooler( here in Florida ) the bugs are not out so a open single bottom ( ENO Type ) works pretty good. I've been using hammocks 90% of the time and a tent for the rest during my 80 years. I started in hammocks at 13. Have questions about Hammocks get a copy of "The Ultimate Hang " by Derek Hansen, vol # 2 is huge compared to vol #1. I learned a lot from reading it and yes you can teach an old dog something new. things. One thing was, you can use a hammock like a Bivy when push comes to shove.

[emanohtolify]

One tip I want to pass along. After going exclusively into hammock camping, I had several unused, high-end backpacking tents in my gear closet. For a fun summer to-do project, I had my kids get out the tents I hadn't used in many years and set them up. Nearly every tent pole elastic had roached out and had lost its elasticity. The rain fly weather proofing had dried out and lost its protective coating. I had to get replacement elastic cordage and replace it in every pole. I'm still working my way through re-seam sealing the flys and waterproofing the rain flys. Will I ever use them again? Maybe not, but I want them to be ready if I ever need to grab one for some reason. So lesson learned, check your gear if you don't use it for a while.

[larmclock]

Here are my personal thoughts and experiences

temperature: hammocks are more susceptible to cold. tents are pretty much good as long as you have a sleeping bag that is "close enough" to temp, and a pad that isn't paper thin. hammocking has more wind and tends to require more insulation as temps drop. that being said, if you do have enough insulation, hammocks are more cozy IMO

rain: I have never gotten wet in my hammock. Not saying it can't happen with an oversight or gear failure, but I have been the only person who woke up dry on a trip and it was solely because I was not on the ground. again, it is also more cozy

trees/flat ground: hammocks need trees with the right distance/diameter, and tents need flat ground. This is pretty much an even fight, and I have had my fair share of struggles with each

setting up: hammocks have more adjustability, which makes them annoyingly customizable in how they feel. You can get a hammock REALLY comfortable, but tents are almost always acceptable as soon as they are set up. hammocks also set up better in the rain which is a bonus

gear storage: hammocks are very limited. If i was expecting a big storm I might clip my pack onto the strap, but other than that, it's on the ground. tents get a win here

last thing: hammocks also allow you to set up and still see everything around you, so enjoying the scenery/stars is super easy should you chose it

[StoneE]

If someone of your height finds an ENO hammock comfortable then you'd probably get as good a sleep as in you own bed, if not better, if you got yourself an even more comfortable hammock. ENOs are shorter hammocks and I've found hammocks that are longer are typically more comfortable. My preference is for the Warbonnet Outdoors hammocks but there are plenty of great vendors out there that make longer hammocks that you'd probably find to be more comfortable – Dutchware, Hammock Gear, Superior Gear, Hennessy, etc. That being said, if the ENO works for you that's awesome. 👍

[neonsamurai]

Personally I use tents that pitch the inner and outer together at the same time (Eg any Hilleberg tent), as they keep the inner dry no matter the weather. Most North American non trekking pole tents tents are inner first so that you can pitch just the inner on a nice day, but they are awful to setup in bad weather, as the inner will be soaked if you do not or cannot pitch a tarp over it first.