Tarp/hammock

[guitarpreston]

Last year I got caught in a storm and rode part of it out under my 5x7 tarp. Between my bag and me, it was pretty snug and I need to practice pitching it more…but it did get me thinking about maybe a bit bigger tarp and then I see this in an ad. https://www.grandtrunk.com/products/moab-all-in-one-shelter-hammock
It’s a bit heavy but the concept was kinda neat. 100% sure I would fall out if I tried to sleep in there

 

[Gettincloser]

Has are very comfortable. I prefer them for summer trips kayaking down a river. In TX, it is considered public property if it is an island or less than 10" above the waterline. The islands are typically full of rock so we hang the hamock/tarp a over the rock or water and tie the kayaks to a tree nearby overnight.

In the winter, you need the hammock, tarp, quilt (over you) and an under quilt (under the hammock). By the time you add all of this up,it adds lbs!

As the same rate, people with back issues do like the comfort of a properly hung hammock! Also, if it is rough terrain but plenty of trees, level flat ground is not needed! If there are a few feet of snow, I can see the appeal. Just know, it is not the lightest but it is great where applicable.

 

[guitarpreston]

Has are very comfortable. I prefer them for summer trips kayaking down a river. In TX, it is considered public property if it is an island or less than 10" above the waterline. The islands are typically full of rock so we hang the hamock/tarp a over the rock or water and tie the kayaks to a tree nearby overnight.

In the winter, you need the hammock, tarp, quilt (over you) and an under quilt (under the hammock). By the time you add all of this up,it adds lbs!

As the same rate, people with back issues do like the comfort of a properly hung hammock! Also, if it is rough terrain but plenty of trees, level flat ground is not needed! If there are a few feet of snow, I can see the appeal. Just know, it is not the lightest but it is great where applicable.

I listened to Snyder podcast about the hammocks he’s tried out and they seem like a decent option if you’ve got trees for it. However those systems are pretty expensive compared to the one listed and the weight difference between it and a tent is not significant.

I was more thinking i would use it as a glassing tarp/emergency shelter that I could hang up if the situation was just right

 

[Gettincloser]

That would make more sense. When you said you would "fall out" I assumed that you were referring to hammock use. There are pro's and con's to both, the tent and hammock. Just make sure your "gear fits the mission". I have jumped most of the way down the rabbit hole (I have yet to commit to the underquilt.) But I do enjoy sleeping in the hammock. I am also a big fan of using a tarp for backup and or to cover gear if needed and just run a light bivy with mesh over the face, an insulated air pad and a quilt. This is by far the simplest system that fits nearly anywhere. (Like everything else, it has its own drawbacks.)

As far as using that tarp for gassing, I really like the cat-cut edges to get things tight easily without a lot of flop in the material. However, using that same tarp as a shelter in a nasty windy rain storm, watter can get blown ender those cuts at the edges... just take it to the ground for that situation!

 

[North of 60]

As the same rate, people with back issues do like the comfort of a properly hung hammock! Also, if it is rough terrain but plenty of trees, level flat ground is not needed! If there are a few feet of snow, I can see the appeal. Just know, it is not the lightest but it is great where applicable.

This^

Most with severe back issues (me included for many, many years) are simply unaware of the benefits of sleeping in a properly fitted hammock (sufficient length/width). The lack of awareness exists because beds are the norm for the U.S.

If folks hurt bad enough/long enough, they may become willing to try something different and enjoy the bliss (and not hurting) from sleeping in a properly fitted hammock.

 

[Pzak]

I have used a hammock for a few years and can confirm that when you get a good hang they can't be beat. I will pay the slight weight penalty of two quilts for the comfort and great sleep on 6-7 day hunts. You do need to practice with them however, as if you do not set them up right or use cheaper, smaller hammocks you can have issues with sliding towards one end or taco'ing your back. I have used a couple of different shelters, but for a no worry tarp, I really like the "Old Man Winter." I have been in some serious wind / rain with no issues under that tarp. Getting rocked to sleep is a heavy weather is a nice bonus...

 

[justinspicher]

I’m a pretty big fan of hammocks myself, and so far it’s all I’ve used over the past few years. It’s definitely been more of a learning curve compared to using a tent.

I’ve not used an underquilt, I generally use a foam mat and that seems to work pretty well. I’ve been in the teens with using just my mat.

 

[North of 60]

Yes, fit (sufficient length/width hammock for your height to get a diagonal lay) is paramount to comfort with a hammock as it is for many things.

A 12" tarp works well for me with an 11' hammock.

I've used mats as well and they've worked for me down to somewhere between 0-15 degrees with sufficient down clothing and a down sleeping bag.

Underquilts are much more comfortable to me than pads although they are bulky to stuff in a pack.

For those new to hammocking this may seem counterintuitive...insulation beneath you (pad or underquilt) is actually more important to staying warm than top insulation. Both are needed, and insulation beneath is more important.

 

[Pzak]

I’m a pretty big fan of hammocks myself, and so far it’s all I’ve used over the past few years. It’s definitely been more of a learning curve compared to using a tent.

I’ve not used an underquilt, I generally use a foam mat and that seems to work pretty well. I’ve been in the teens with using just my mat.

I jumped right into the underquilt and have experience with a 3/4 length 20* and a full length 10* quilt. I have not used the 3/4 length quilt in a few years. I have slept very comfortably in the low teens with my 10* bottom and 10* top quilt and usually need to dump heat at least once during the night if the low does not get into the 20's.

I should really get a full length 20* bottom quilt for earlier in the year.

I bit on the advice of saving weight and trying the 3/4 length quilt and used my sit pad under my heels for a couple of years. It was ok, but not as comfortable as a full length quilt.