Is it worth it?

**flyakker** · 01-13-2017, 13:39

I concur, it is worth it for me. It is definitely more comfortable. In the warm months (Houston has a > than most), it is easy to carry in my Jeep at all times. A quick stop anywhere can yield a relaxing hang while listening to a game on the radio, reading a book, napping, or just relaxing looking at the trees and sky. I have bumped a couple of people into the hammock world that are not on the forum, including my brother and best friend. There is a lot of information to digest when you play around on here, but it can be as simple as, if it works for you, and you are enjoying it, that is all you need! I was worried about my hammock being "not good enough", but as it turns out, it is. It was a hammock I got on Amazon, and it has yielded over 18mos, to date, of backpacking, camping, glamping, relaxing at the park, in the back yard, and shows no signs of giving out on me. I think I paid $35 or 40 for it. It can now be had for $25 on Amazon. I got some cheapo daisy chain/loop straps from Amazon, and a rainfly. It works. I just ordered some Amsteel and different straps from Dutch (AWESOME and PROMPT customer service, btw!), just to try to something new, and start shedding ounces from my backpack. It was my choice to go cheap, and the hammock worked out, others have tried it that have some of the hammocks from vendors from this site, and gave a thumbs up. My straps, they stretch. I wake up several inches lower than when I go down for the night (sometimes wake up in the night with my rear scraping the dirt), but they have served me for the time. I was ready to upgrade and tinker. Like you, I didn't want to sink a lot of money into it. But, over 10 years of rugby, kickboxing, and genetics have joined forces to give me spinal issues that started in my late-mid thirties. At 41, I can tell you, and my best friend at 46, sleeping in a hammock will do WONDERS for your back and neck! Hmm... Where can I jump to next. Oh, and I do see myself spending on one of these vendors hammocks in the future. Integrated bug net, great for us southerners!!! More ounce reduction from the ol bugout! In the end, you have to make up your own mind, but I hope our testimonies help! Keep testing the waters with what you have, do some research, and then dive in, hang out, and relax!

**T- Minus** · 01-13-2017, 13:39

I would rather sleep in the sky than on the toilet of beast.

**Gumbo** · 01-13-2017, 13:43

I admit that what drove me to the idea of hammock camping was the idea of not sleeping on the ground. After twenty years of military service, I felt I had done more than my fair share of sleeping on the ground. Timberrr wanted to get out and see 'real Florida' but in my mind that meant day trips. His insistence on camping is what drove me to find an alternative solution to being in a tent. I will say this...my worst night in a hammock was as good as or better than my best night in a tent.

That was maybe seven or eight hammocks ago..I used to cringe at the thought of spending another night in the woods, now I'm the one telling Timberrr we need to get out more.

I realize it's short notice and quite a drive, but it might be worth it to come visit HangCon in Ocala, FL next weekend. You can try lots of hammocks and see if you think this might be for you and maybe eliminate the a little bit of the trial and error many of us have experienced over the years.

**nedT38** · 01-13-2017, 13:52

Originally Posted by Dutch

When you talk to people on here, many of us have been into it for years and we make it more complex than it has to be. I thru'd the AT in a Hennessy with a z-rest and a regular sleeping bag. It can be as simple as you want it to be. Very few people get into it and purchase doodad out there. But you will see that for many it has become an obsession and a hobby we love so that leads to lots of toys. Make it fun for you.

True, true! I'm obsessive about such things. I tend to always set myself up with the COMPLETE outfit regardless of the pursuit. I'll just take it slow and make some mistakes in this thing. I learn best from mistakes anyway.

Like I said... I'm in! THanks for all the perspective.

**OCDave** · 01-13-2017, 14:15

Originally Posted by nedT38

.... I also have a tent. It's 17 years old, but still servicable. It's a Kelty Riverbend 2, very lightly used....

You have a 7 pound tent that you are not using much. Would updated equipment encourage you to get out more? Would shedding some weight allow you to hike more? Or; will you invest nearly $1000 to "lightly use" your hammock equipment over the next 17 years?

Camping/hiking is a hobby. You decide how much time and money you will devote to the hobby.

For me, my 6+ pound tent was a Quest Preying Mantis. Replacing that tent with hammock and tarp, renewed my backpacking enjoyment. I have shed a lot of weight from my backpacking set-up since discovering hammocks. More importantly, sleeping in my hammock is more comfortable than sleeping in my bed so, there is not a comfort penalty for sleeping in a remote parcel of nature.

For me it is definitely worth it. For you? Only you can say.

**TrailSlug** · 01-13-2017, 16:13

Originally Posted by nedT38

I'm in! THanks for all the perspective.

Welcome to the fold

Now be careful as this is a very addictive hobby.

**PharmGeek** · 01-13-2017, 16:47

Following - I have struggled with answering this question to newcomers at times - I'll have more to say later

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Campdavid** · 01-13-2017, 17:02

Some of these posts got close to what I think is one of the main reasons for this hobby but no one comes right out and says it......It IS the FIDDLE FACTOR!

Sure hammocks are comfy and don't need level ground and keep you away from creepy crawlies but those are all smoke screens hiding our true obsession. When you get a tent, meh, that's it. Done.

Not when you get a hammock. Yes, you can go basic and it works. But the fun is in customizing....colors (even thread color), fabrics, double or single layer, widths, lengths, suspension, top/bottom insulation, ridgelines, tarps, cordage, and on and on.

You don't NEED to go crazy with all of it but the point is, with a tent, you can't. I believe we are a group of people that likes to fiddle with gadgets and gear....we have a NEED to fiddle. I spend hours sometimes deciding how I want to rig up my tarp on my next trip. Why? Because for me that IS a big part of the fun.

Ever hear of a group camp for people to check out each other's tents? Nope.

Read some of our awesome forum and I think you'll realize....we need to fiddle with gear.

Sorry all....our secret is out.

Say it proudly, "I AM A GEAR FIDDLER!"

**Charliev** · 01-13-2017, 18:55

What I really like about hammocks besides the comfort is being more in the open. I love being able to see around me and you also hear more critters. Also if fair weather without tarp, nothing like laying there watching all the stuff in the sky.