Lightweight Camping setup?

[Gen273]

Can those of you with experience in this area share your opinion on a lightweight tent versus a hammock for hunting? I am not necessarily talking about an ultralight, but something under 8lbs or so.

 

[justinspicher]

I switched to a hammock/tarp for all my back country use a few years ago. It’s a steep learning curve, but it works well for me. I use mine all year. I don’t use an underquilt, just the 1/2 size foam mattress I carry for glassing, a 30° bag and my puffy jacket/pants. So far so good.

 

[Gen273]

I switched to a hammock/tarp for all my back country use a few years ago. It’s a steep learning curve, but it works well for me. I use mine all year. I don’t use an underquilt, just the 1/2 size foam mattress I carry for glassing, a 30° bag and my puffy jacket/pants. So far so good.

Thank you for the information. What hammock are you using?

 

[Clovis]

All in, you are likely able to get a complete system lighter using a tent, but I prefer hammock and tarp for most situations. I sleep better in the hammock w an underquilt than on even a good pad on the ground. Warbonnet hammock and Warbonnet mamajamba tarp. I use the bigger tarp so that I can set up my hammock on one side and still have a significant covered front porch for keeping gear out of the weather and a place to sit when not in hammock. Very comfortable and I am willing to trade a bit of weight for the added comfort and, depending on terrain, may open up some additional spots where the ground isn't conducive to a tent or laying on ground under a tarp.

 

[270-300]

I carry both. Hammocks are amazing for rail shelters and a place to relax when hunting. They dont block wind like a tent does though

 

[Pilsner]

If you are a side sleeper then hammocks are a hard sell. Despite trying dozens of times and different setups I was NEVER able to sleep in a hammock. Tried every variation out there including taking a trip across country to Hammock Days at Damascus Virginia and never got one to work for me for anything other than a "camp couch" to sit in.
YMMV

 

[Gen273]

If you are a side sleeper then hammocks are a hard sell. Despite trying dozens of times and different setups I was NEVER able to sleep in a hammock. Tried every variation out there including taking a trip across country to Hammock Days at Damascus Virginia and never got one to work for me for anything other than a "camp couch" to sit in.
YMMV

Thank you. This is good information because I am a side sleeper. Did you try a lay-flat hammock?

 

[Pilsner]

Yup. Along with symmetrical hang, asymmetrical hang, traditional hang, etc. I've tried them ALL. My wife loves her hammock setups - we both owe 3 or different set ups at this point - along with several of the folks that I do our once-a-month pack goat trips with. It just wasn't for me. Eno, Warbonnet, cottage brands - I've tried and failed to sleep well in any of them. I sold off my expensive set up and just keep the ones I've got left as camp loaners and camp couches.
Be sure to try one or ten different versions before you purchase one! By that I mean use it for a weekend AT LEAST and not just laying it in for 15 mins! A local gear shop by us rents them out so if your local gear shop does that it is a great way to try before you buy as buying quality hammock gear is not cheap.
I also never got to where I was saving weight over my ground set up for the same temp ranges. Could get close but never lighter, even after I swapped out cordage for amsteel and doing the usual UL changes to our setups. The wife doesn't mind the extra few ounces because she sleeps so well in her hammock. Again, YMMV. I am an unapologetic gear whore who loves to improve and modify every little thing on my gear, and I couldn't get it done.

 

[throwdarts]

I've used a Hennessy hammock ultralight backpacker for 20 yrs off & on. Love how lightweight it is(think 2.5 lbs for the hammock, straps & rainfly), bug screening, ease of setup & comfortable. The things I don't care for is lack of space for other gear in bad weather, the bottom velcro entrance(although they sell a side zip) & after 20yrs I'm over the weight rating for it. In last few years I've used a eno double nest with a 30° hykeandbyke sleeping bag & the Hennessy rainfly tarp over top which I'm mostly happy with, but just a night or two outings & still lack under roof area. On my 3-4 day backcountry runs, I still take the Hennessy for the bug netting. I'm likely going to get a little bigger Hennessey for the weight limit, side zip & larger fly. Can't speak to single man tents firsthand since I don't own one, but have been looking at the big Agnes copper spur ul1 for a little more room for me & gear, as well as a OR helium bivy which I could use with my Hennessey rainfly pitched differently which would also give me some extra under roof area. Let us know which way you go & why

 

[justinspicher]

Thank you for the information. What hammock are you using?

I have a Kammock Roo.

 

[Read1t48]

Nice! @justinspicher …Which tarp do you use?
Debating on the Roo or something like the Ridge Runner that would maybe allow me to sleep more flat iron my side.

 

[justinspicher]

I got my hammock/tarp and a set of python straps all from kammock.

 

[JREG19]

I've really tried hard to like sleeping in a hammock, but I always end up on the hard ground, because it's more comfortable. I am a side sleeper though.

During archery season, I don't usually bring a tent. Just a lightweight sleeping pad and tyvek. If the forecast calls for weather, I bring my Seek Outside Guardian.

Tent>hammock

 

[rogerdoger]

I am a fan of a tarp tent I can hang of a ridge line or use poles. I am using a warbonnet pup tent. Have used on windy nights and it works well, you can pretty much get coverage on all sides. I also bring a bivy and dual purpose it for a dry bag in my pack. With puptent, stakes, line, and Tyvek ground sheet I am around 3lbs.

 

[highcountrymuley]

I prefer a light 1P tent. Big Agnes Copper Spur 1p with stakes, footprint, rainfly is right at 3 #., 1# for sleeping pad and under 3# for inexpensive 20 * bag. I have used this setup since 2017 in early seasons experiencing rain and snow and hot temps. Works well.

 

[mtnbound]

Can those of you with experience in this area share your opinion on a lightweight tent versus a hammock for hunting? I am not necessarily talking about an ultralight, but something under 8lbs or so.

A hammock can be ok for good weather, but once you get stuck in one for hours and hours during bad weather, they suck. There is no room to dry gear out, cook, or move around. Yes, you can pitch another shelter or run a bigger tarp, but that's just adding to the fiddle factor and finding a space to pitch everything. For good weather, I prefer a tarp and or a bivy shelter. Once the weather changes, a tent is used.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Another issues with hammocks for backpack hunting is the bulk of the underquilt in addition to the top quilt. At this point in my life, I struggle more with volume than weight. Beyond that, I would love to hammock camp. It looks fun!

 

[throwdarts]

Another issues with hammocks for backpack hunting is the bulk of the underquilt in addition to the top quilt. At this point in my life, I struggle more with volume than weight. Beyond that, I would love to hammock camp. It looks fun!

Thought this might help.. I've used my neo air in high 20s low 30s with my big Agnes system 30° bag with my puffy jacket & baselayers & been very cozy in my Hennessey hammack. Actually I prefer using my pad in a hammock because I'm a side sleeper & that makes it doable. Also, you might look at hykeandbyke bags that slip over the hammock like a eno, so it acts like both top & bottom quilt, but you really get the feeling you're a bear burrito hanging out. I really like this setup cause you can keep it all together which makes breaking down & setup super quick. The only consistent downside to hammocks for me is bad weather & lack of under roof area

 

[StupidLightweight]

hykeandbyke

Thank you! I’ll check them out. Didn’t know hammock sleeping bags existed.

 

[River Reaper]

I’ve got a Paria Outdoors 10x10 tarp I pitch a few different ways with my trekking poles as a tent, usually fully enclosed (about 1.5lbs or so with stakes and cord). Then a Thermarest Neoair Xlite (1lb), a Borah Bivy (6oz), a Snugpack Jungle Blanket (2lbs), and a Trekology pillow (4oz).

I think in total it’s right at 6 or 7 pounds and good to 30 degrees for me. If I know for sure it’s going to be 40 degrees or lower though at night, I throw in my 10degree Warbonnet quilt that weighs 2lbs-ish as well, but it is usually just too warm for me if the nights are fairly warm.

I’ve been using this system for 4 or 5 years now and it’s been working great for me. I don’t feel the need to change anything yet.