Hammock Camping 101 | 5 Tips for a better night sleep in a hammock

Hammock camping is awesome and I love it. But there is a bit of a learning curve in order to have a good experience with hammock camping. It also takes a bit more work at camp to get your shelter setup than a tent. However, I feel like the sleep I get out of a hammock is worth the extra time I spend on setting up my hammock. Plus, I'm one of those guys who likes to fiddle around with my hammock once I'm at camp. I'm always looking for ways to improve my camping experience. If this sounds like you then hammock camping may be right for you.

This video describes five tips that I use to achieve a better night sleep in my hammock. I have the hanging a hammock is part science and part art. And finding the balance in between those two is where you will find that sweet spot for your hammock experience. I don't always get a great night sleep in a hammock but these are five things that help me sleep better in my hammock...

1. Elevate your feet: this helps minimize the swelling in your feet and relieves some of the pressure that has built up in your feet from hiking all day.

2. Hang a drip line: The drip line prevents water from dripping into your hammock and down your back during a heavy rainstorm. This has never happened to me but I have seen Youtube videos where this has occurred. I will admit I think it takes a heavy long down pour of rain for this to occur but the weight you are adding is negligible and I think it's just good practice.

3. Go to bed fresh and clean: I achieve this by bringing camp clothes for sleeping. I love getting into a fresh set of clothes before I go to bed. But before I do that I use large wet wipes to knock all the dirt off my skin. This puts me in a mind set of feeling refreshed and helps me sleep better.

4. I bring support for my legs (i.e. under my knees): I use my clothes bag stuffed with my hiking clothes from that day into a clothes bag which I then put under my knees when I sleep to give me a little bit more support and relieves some of the pressure on my legs.

5. Don't go to be cold: If you go to bed cold then it is harder to warm up during the night. And you might at first as you are warming up in your hammock but once you lie still and start sleeping, I tend to find I get colder through out the night. So I do my best to not go to bed cold as well as keep extra layers of clothing at hand if I do get cold during the night.

I hope you find this video helpful. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. Thanks for watching!

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[Kovcheg]

Woah, a video that doesn't cater to short attention spans. I really appreciated the simple editing that didn't change perspective every 5 to 10 seconds. I'm planning on doing some backpacking and have decided on hammock camping. I've found this helpful and I'll be checking out your other videos!

[iceman]

Nice to see you addressing some of the common issues that hammockers experience! For #1, the other reason to elevate your foot end is that your "sweet spot" is slightly easier to find when your foot end is higher. You mentioned 3-6", but I've gone as far as a foot up. Sliding back in the hammock is a GOOD thing as long as it's not too much. Happy hanging!

[leoniesmith]

I love finding that sweet spot. Last weekend I woke up after a solid eight hours of sleep, perfectly comfortable and rested. When it is colder, I use a leak proof bottle of warm water at my feet. I now have a Superior Shelter and have decided that a good tarp is essential. When the wind came from the direction of my feet, and I could easily close the doors and go straight back to sleep.

[Tgauchsin]

It took me a while to be able to really get dialed in on my hammock hang. I can sleep diagonally in my eno double nest and be perfectly comfortable all night. The biggest win I had this year was upgrading to an underquilt and top quilt. I’ve taken it into pretty low temps. And my new tarp has much better coverage and doors. Big game changer. Blocks wind and rain so much better.

[KTheStruggler]

My hips can't handle sleeping on the ground too well. I can for sure but boy do I feel it next day, hammock definitely isn't perfect but I don't wake up in pain so that's always a plus, being out in the north Appalachians definitely helps, have no shortage of trees out here

[marekoybetchay]

thanks for the tips i also like sleeping in hammock during my camping

[alkydah]

I pack "compression leggings", which are essentially long johns that are made from a very light material. Packs down tiny. Keeps you warm.

[christopherwhite]

As someone who can never get comfortable in a tent, looking forward to giving the hammock a go.

I found your video doing some research and can’t wait to watch some of your other videos, you have some pretty good content!

[lawrencefieselman]

I've always been a ground sleeper and I have a good mattress (Nemo Tensor) but, like you, I always wake up, if I sleep at all, with sore hips and shoulders. I'm going on my first hammock camping tomorrow so this video is very timely for me. I appreciate all your advice.

[gonzowildcamping]

Great video. Thanks for the tips. I have never used a hammock, but looking to get one to try out and this will really help me.

[michaelthomson]

Good tips. Although lately I've been feeling claustrophobic in my HH. So I ordered up a double layer 1.6 Chameleon, it will be here next week.
The last time time I my HH was a couple of weeks ago, the first night was horrible, I think my feet were too high, I lowered them to about level for the second night, it was much better, But I didn't lower the foot end till 3:30am, by then it was too late, should have done at 10pm.
I'm hoping an 11' hammock will be better. for 23 years I've been using HH, kind of excited for the change.
You're right, hammocks are the best. Even after two decades, I'm still trying to get it right.

Where does Sherpa sleep when she is on an over nighter with you?

[sundaymorninghikes]

Just found your channel! I'm a tree swinger as well and your tips are spot on! I always tell people (tent or hammock) not to go to bed cold.
What miracles do you have for getting out in those cold mornings? Pee bottle aside, you got to get out eventually!

[JB]

Nice video. I like the stuff sack/pillow combo idea. Is that the medium or medium plus size? Do you find that you ever need a head pillow in a hammock? Thanks

[lostmarimo]

i'm going to have to try the support under the knee thing because the pressure from doing the foot slide thing makes my inside leg fall asleep :v

[lekhacchaulong]

thasnks for the tips, which breed is your dog btw?

[dansmith]

I take a small inflatable pillow for under the knees but putting the next day's clothes there is genius

[MAXCOBRALAZERFACE]

If it isn’t broke don’t fix it but brother you got to try the warbonnet blackbird. I can sleep on my side in that hammock.

[bavasshokie]

What size is that zpacks pillow? Looks like a medium?

[jenniferpatrick]

Actually I like my hammock more than my bed.

[timmo]

What does your entire set up weigh? Hammock and rigging and cover? I assume you got a tarp as well unseen in the vid. I’m impressed with the tiny diameter of your line except the bit that wraps the tree. Here in Australia that would absolutely ring bark a tree. I got seat belt type lanyards which do a pretty good lightweight job of tree protection