23
votes
Accepted
Using roof rails to set up hammock
The load limit for directly mounted roof bars is around 60kg - 70kg for ordinary (European) cars. Usually the load limit for rail mounted bars is lower, but that's for vertical and dynamic load. This ...
- 8,004
13
votes
How to stow backpack and boots whilst in a hammock?
It depends largely on the hammock size and personal preference. My friend's hammock has mesh gear pockets on the underside for storage, but he doesn't mind sleeping with the boots on or inside the ...
- 573
12
votes
Tent or hammock safer from lightning?
Camp Selection
The location of your camp will likely be a much bigger factor than what style of bedding you use. Find a low point away from any large trees and away from anywhere that may accumulate ...
- 1,327
11
votes
Accepted
How to stow backpack and boots whilst in a hammock?
Having been in the same situation and tried various scenarios, I've found the best way for hanging my boots is to keep a carabiner with me. I hook it on the loops on the back of my boots and hang that ...
- 264
11
votes
Using roof rails to set up hammock
I would attach rope to both rails and perhaps even the door pillar on the opposite side. This would help spread the load if you’re worried about weakening the rail.
Update: In fact why not just tie ...
- 231
10
votes
Accepted
What ropes could I use to suspend a hammock?
The strength is dependent mainly on the angle between the two ropes form, on which the hammock is hung, and the weight you want the hammock to support.
For a traditional hammock the angles of the ...
- 1,747
8
votes
Accepted
Tent or hammock safer from lightning?
I would say the tent if the hammock is tied to a tall tree. If you can tie the hammock to some shorter trees surrounded by taller then the hammock might be better. But any lying position is not ...
- 7,156
8
votes
Sleeping in twos in one hammock
My husband and I backpacked around Europe for 3 months, sleeping in a hammock almost the entire time. At first we slept side by side with our heads on the same end. It was horrible. So we switched to ...
- 81
7
votes
Sleeping in twos in one hammock
Tried this for two separate trips with my boyfriend. We each have a double nest of our own. They are great because with so much extra fabric you can wrap it around yourself or even sit with your ...
- 71
7
votes
What is a hammock ridgeline and how do I use it?
A ridgeline defines the amount of sag a gathered-end hammock has. If there is no ridgeline, the fabric carries all the tension from the anchor points and is more taut. With a ridgeline, the fabric is ...
- 101
7
votes
How to join two pieces of rope in an adjustable tight loop?
I'm not sure how your setup is, but I'd try a Purcell prussik or something similar.
Animated example
You must test its holding Power on paracord yourself, but on climbing cord it's solid enough.
- 1,952
7
votes
Accepted
Which kind of rope should I buy to make an ultralight hammock suspension system?
You need two things:
Webbing or Tree Straps - These are critical so that your rope doesn't damage the trees that you are hanging from. You probably don't want to use webbing between your hammock ...
- 1,288
7
votes
Using roof rails to set up hammock
I have done this on my 3 series wagon. I had the strap tied around the middle vertical support of one of the side rails. I also have cross bars installed, so I don't know if that helps in anyway to ...
- 71
6
votes
How to stow backpack and boots whilst in a hammock?
I know it's fashionable to store as much stuff as you can in your hammock and hang it underneath, but there are plenty of good reasons not to, most of which depend on your environment and sleeping ...
- 980
6
votes
How to stow backpack and boots whilst in a hammock?
How about if you hang the hammock so that there is 3' of space below it, then run a "clothesline" below it? then hang the boots and pack of the line.
As long as they are below the hammock they ...
- 1,434
6
votes
What is the most effective way to keep warm in a Hammock in below freezing weather?
There a few possible remedies to your cold sleeping woes. You already have most of the appropriate equipment so these are some of my suggestions:
For general coolness, first I'd recommend some type ...
- 5,575
6
votes
What is the most effective way to keep warm in a Hammock in below freezing weather?
You may want to try an under quilt. There are multiple cottage industries that produce under quilts. The great thing is the loft doesn't get compressed because it hangs under the hammock.
EDIT:
Try ...
- 281
6
votes
Accepted
What is the most effective way to keep warm in a Hammock in below freezing weather?
You might try stretching out your hammock tighter between trees and sleeping slightly diagonally to keep the hammock from compressing the sides of your sleeping bag as much. If you're able to sleep ...
- 520
6
votes
How to tie nylon straps to trees of unknown diameter
The straps I have multiple places to hook the carabiner on one end,
You take the other end loop around the tree and then use the end with all of the places to hook to connect to the hammock.
- 69.2k
5
votes
What ropes could I use to suspend a hammock?
I've recently got into hammock camping and roping it to a tree is a bit more complicated than it first sounds so please bear with me
You need something to wrap around the tree to protect it from ...
- 1,778
5
votes
How to join two pieces of rope in an adjustable tight loop?
There are multiple ways to do what you're looking for. One way I solve this problem is with a metal ring. You attach a fixed knot on the ring, pass one end of the rope through one loop of the hammock, ...
- 731
5
votes
Accepted
Homemade top quilt with variable stuffing
Before I answer your question about variable stuffing, I think you could do better for your basic sources on MYOG quilt design and construction.
Some good info on quilt design
The benefits of Karo ...
- 11.7k
5
votes
Accepted
How much colder is hammock vs. sleeping in a tent?
With a tent you would have protection from wind chill and unless you can cut the air flow to your skin some other way, the added effect of wind chill depends on the wind speed.
The forumla is:
wind ...
- 360
4
votes
How do I attach a hammock to trees?
I use two short lengths of rope, each with loops tied at both end. Put a rope around the tree and pass one end through the loop (so you have a slip knot on the tree, one end of the rope with a loop ...
- 41
4
votes
What are the downsides to sleeping in a hammock on a multi-day hike?
One downside I've recently found out is that some hammock use can violate Leave No Trace policies. If you aren't careful about the rig you use to hang the hammock, you could injure the trees. The ...
- 2,343
4
votes
Accepted
Can a cooler (warm weather) sleeping bag be used when combined with a warmer (cold weather) under quilt for hammock camping?
It all depends on your tolerance for being miserable if it turns out to be too cold. I have personally gone without a sleeping bag at all at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4°C), and survived, but it ...
- 69.2k
4
votes
How much colder is hammock vs. sleeping in a tent?
It depends. Maybe colder, maybe not. (Yeah, right.)
Anyway, two major rules for hammock happiness:
(1) Sleeping pads don't work.
(2) You must arrange your rain fly to block air flow.
Sleeping pads:...
- 111
4
votes
Accepted
Hammock vs tent
I personally prefer sleeping in a hammock and try to do so whenever the terrain can accommodate it. A couple things to consider:
Regarding bugs, I use a bug net that surrounds the entire hammock. I ...
- 4,043
3
votes
How to join two pieces of rope in an adjustable tight loop?
The type of knot you are looking for a called a friction hitch, or a slide and grip knot which is a kind of knot used to attach one rope to another in a way that is easily adjusted.
There are many ...
- 53.5k
3
votes
Tent or hammock safer from lightning?
As always with such general questions, "It depends".
In a lightning storm, you should always get well clear of any trees. The reason for this isn't that trees are necessarily the most likely place ...
- 4,662
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