Hammock tents are exactly what the name implies: hammocks that double as tents. It is very easy to make your own hammock tent, by adding some kind of netting and/or protective cover over a hammock, but due to the increasing popularity of these devices, there are many commercial models available.
Various models have varying levels of cover; some are completely enclosed, as if you were inside a cocoon, while others are simply standard hammocks with some kind of tarp covering them; for example, you can use a Pack-N-Go hammock, or any other nylon hammock for camping and place a protective cover over it to sleep. Whether you’re considering a Blue Ridge hammock tent or a Hennessy Hammock, hammock tents are perfect for the camping enthusiast who wishes to travel with light and easily portable gear into and out of camp; hammock tents, indeed, have the advantage of not requiring poles or ground pads, which significantly reduces the weight of your protective sleeping gear. Another huge advantage of hammock tents is the fact that you can pretty much pitch your tent on any site you find: over rocks, thorn bushes, or uneven ground.
One of the disadvantages is that you really have no insulation beneath you with a hammock, so colder temperatures could cause a bit more discomfort in a hammock than in a tent; hammock fabric is thin and there is really no space between the sleeper and the bottom of the hammock. Check out hammock camping and hammock tent forums and websites for suggestions on how to deal with this problem. The flip side to this issue is that camping in warmer temperatures is more comfortable.
The question of how you sleep in a hammock and how comfortable it is is under debate. There are some campers that say you can’t sleep on your side, but are obligated to always sleep diagonally across the hammock, so as to create as flat a surface as possible when sleeping. These campers say that sleeping in line with the central axis bends your spine in an uncomfortable and unnatural way.
Other campers, on the other hand, claim that if the hammock is hung properly you can sleep on your side and some models allow you to sleep in line with the central axis of the hammock without worrying about any unnatural curves; even in these hammocks, you can sleep on your side. Actually, some experts say that the slight curve a properly hung hammock affords could be beneficial to your back, supporting it and relaxing your muscles. Yet another advantage of sleeping in a hammock is the fact that your feet are slightly elevated above your body; this will reduce any swelling that may occur as a result of strenuous activity during the day.
Besides being one of the most comfortable camping options on the market, hammocks also have the handy knack of allowing you to sleep more peacefully, thanks to their lulling rocking action. You also won’t be tossing and turning all night due to any strange objects lying beneath your tent.
For those campers who are especially environmentally conscious, hammock tents provide you with one of the lowest impact options on the market for outdoor activities. With standard tents, you must groom a spot flat or compact the ground; since hammocks don’t have any ground requirements, you don’t need to disturb the earth beneath you. As for your straps digging into the trees, many models are equipped with systems that avoid this; some come with protective flat straps, while others employ a rope system with multiple wraps that distributes load. The majority of hammock tent models are attached to trees using removable webbing straps that do not cause any damage.
Hammock tents also provide an incredible amount of flexibility, serving as a chair (essentially something like a floating noodle hammock chair), lounger, gear loft, tent, and, of course, a hammock. You also have a cover under which to sit and cook if it starts raining. Have fun with your hammock tent and turn it into an all-American hammock chair swing set or a series of connected children’s hammock chairs to entertain the little ones; this isn’t your classic cotton rope hammock chair sitting quietly on your porch! Just make sure children are always supervised.
There are a variety of accessories you can purchase to enhance your hammock camping experience as well; mosquito nets, tarps, pockets or hanging backs for gear, flashlights and snacks are among some accessories available. Check with the manufacturer of the hammock in which you’re interested regarding what accessories are included in the price of your hammock and which you have to buy separately. One warning, though: if you are claustrophobic, you should probably steer clear of hammock tents.
