The Hammock Experience
4 min read
Slept out in my hammock last night, learning temperature limits & how well a newly purchased rain tarp sheds rain. Yes, it rained throughout the night & early this morning. Even with the downpour, everything under the tarp, (including me) stayed dry.
I had a very comfortable nights sleep, despite using an underquilt rated to only 40 degrees. By wearing a sweatshirt, socks & sweatpants, plus a toboggan cap, I was exceptionally comfortable all night long. Only where the Mummy bag, used as a top quilt, wasn’t fully around my sides did I notice cold. I pulled the Mummy bag’s hood over my face & head too.
But it was right when the temperature bottomed out early in the morning (36.5 F), did I wake up feeling cold on my backside & shoulders (a.k.a.CBS… cold butt syndrome) I had reached the limit of comfort the underquilt could offer. I got to admit though, I’m totally impressed.
Getting in & out of a hammock may seem tricky, but once settled in I found this to be the most comfortable sleep I’ve ever had camping outside in the elements.
BTW, I’m not getting any paid endorsement from the manufacturers of these products. I do however get a very small commission from Amazon as an affiliate if you wind up buying something from them. I do stand behind the products I pick because I’ve purchased them myself or are familiar with them.
Fox Outfitters Neolite Double Camping Hammock – A Lightweight Nylon Parachute Hammock for Backpacking, Travel, Beach, Yard. with Hammock Straps & Steel Carabiners
Next… The Rain Tarp
Gold Armour 12’ XL TARP Hammock Waterproof RAIN Fly Tent TARP 185″ Centerline – Lightweight Ripstop Fabric – Stakes Included
The most versatile piece of gear to get, and on a cold rainy night, the most needed. A good tarp has to do only one thing… keep you & your gear dry. This one by Golden Armor is plenty big enough & plenty rugged enough to get the job done. What I liked most about it is the price. It offers the most bang for your buck!
Then a Bug Net…
Guardian Bug Net, Hammock Bug Netting
Not always needed but ALWAYS necessary when it is, understand? Unless you like getting chewed on in the night you NEED a bugnet. There are cheaper ones out there, but this ENO has kept me bug free here in a South Carolina SWAMP!
For creature comforts! Top & Bottom Quilts or Sleeping Bags…
HONEST OUTFITTERS Sleeping Bag with Compression Sack, Portable and Lightweight for 3-4 Season
NOTE: The Mummy Bag I’m using isn’t available on Amazon. It’s an Adventureridge brand purchased from a Aldi’s Supermarket of all places. It was a good deal. So I picked this particular sleeping bag from Honest Outfitters because it approximates the same temperature rating as mine, and is similar in price. Personally, if I had to pick between the two, I’d pick this one since it’s a normal style Sleeping Bag. The Mummy style I have is a bit clunky to use in a hammock. It does fine used as a quilt, but this style would be better.
Here’s my choice of Underquilt…