What do you put on the ground under your hammock?

**Marmaduke** · 09-22-2016, 10:57

Originally Posted by SilvrSurfr

I don't suffer from "what if I have to ground?" syndrome though it seems a fairly common affliction. I haven't had to go to ground in six years and don't plan on it. If it's dry, I leave my pack underneath my hammock. Otherwise, I hang the pack on my hammock ridgeline.

The best thing to have on the ground....is the ground. I'm the same way. I don't go anywhere that may cause me to "go to ground". That isn't even a concern. I get sick to my stomach just thinking about sleeping in a tent.

**Chesapeake** · 09-22-2016, 10:58

I use a large piece of cammo goretex when I'm car camping or don't mind the extra weight. It gets slung under my pack rolled up if I'm only hiking a short distance. At home I use 2 foam pads, the kind that fit together like puzzle pieces. They work great and don't get cold. But if I need a light weight option I use a small piece of tyvek or a large black trash bag, the kind you would use in your yard for cleaning up leaves and such. I find that the bags are fairly durrable and can be found every where. Tyvek is the best light weight option though. The goretex is nice though because it covers almost the entire area under my tarp and is also waterproof. Basically it all depends on how far I'm hiking or where I'm going.

**Atlas918** · 09-22-2016, 10:59

If it is dry, my shoes and pack will go on the ground. If it has been raining a lot the few days before, I'll bring a piece of Tyvek to set my stuff down on. I've never once had the worry of going to ground while hiking. In the Eastern US 99% of the time there are trees everywhere.

**Dos** · 09-22-2016, 11:03

Originally Posted by Atlas918

How do you go about washing it? This sounds intriguing, but if I ruin the washing machine my wife will kill me :P

Easy as pie.
just take the sheet and load it just like you do clothes.
Put it through wash cycle.
Then hang dry.

Your wife won't even know you did a load

**TrailSlug** · 09-22-2016, 11:08

I purchased my Tyvek from a vendor a few years ago and it had a border sewn on and tie downs. I can't for the life of me remember where I bought this. Any of you guys know what vendor sells the premade Tyvek?

**airick** · 09-22-2016, 11:20

I use a 3-4 foot piece of reflectix. I find so many uses for that little bit of weight, I just strap it to the outside of my pack.

I did the math. Reflectix is .771 oz/sqft
4 foot length of 16" wide reflectix = 4.11oz

Uses: ground cloth, butt pad, footbox pad, DL hammock heat reflector, wind screen, bad poncho, mini card table, hail shield(been caught in hail several times) shiny signal thing, sleeping/nap pad, place to change your boots/socks on, parabolic directional cell phone signal enhancer(yes this has worked for me), pillow, and many more I'm sure.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

**vladdtoo** · 09-22-2016, 11:22

I'm a fan of washed tyvek. It's light, compact and cheap. And I have 50' remnant of a role from a home remodel.

**Hobopelican** · 09-22-2016, 11:35

Originally Posted by Dos

Easy as pie.
just take the sheet and load it just like you do clothes.
Put it through wash cycle.
Then hang dry.
Your wife won't even know you did a load

This. It holds together really well. I think I used a permanent press cycle, but I don't think it matters. I did mine twice and it came out nice and soft. No worries!

**Roundtrip Raven** · 09-22-2016, 11:37

You could use a Gossamer Gear thinlite pad. It can double up as extra insulation in the hammock or when you go to the ground.

https://youtu.be/XjL4ric6JZc?t=7m32s