CAMPING IN A HAMMOCK - WHAT DO YOU NEED TO REMEMBER?
Sleeping in a hammock is a great adventure and an excellent solution wherever the ground is too damp, overgrown, or rocky to set up a tent. And one more thing: a hammock is perfect for lightweight expeditions! If you decide to sleep in a hammock during your trek, you need to keep a few important things in mind.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN FROM THIS POST?
- What is important when camping in a hammock?
- Can you get a good night's sleep in a hammock?
- Is it cold in a hammock?
- What sleeping bag should you choose for a hammock?
IN BRIEF
Proper suspension, a tarp for inclement weather, and a suitably chosen sleeping bag are essential factors you should not forget if you plan to spend a night in a hammock. When choosing a sleeping bag, remember that for situations where thermal comfort and low weight matter (which is undoubtedly important during hammock expeditions), a down sleeping bag is the best choice! Before making a purchase, be sure to check the temperature range and adjust it to the prevailing weather conditions.
HOW TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP IN A HAMMOCK?
A comfortable night's sleep in a hammock depends on several factors. The most important of these is the proper setup of your gear. It's not just about avoiding falling straight into the river from the hammock in the morning or preventing a dry branch from falling on your head.
An essential aspect is the hammock suspension. The optimal distance between suspension points is between 4 and 5.5 meters. Remember that the further apart the trees or other attachment points you choose, the higher you should position the straps after loading the hammock, the straps should be in a diagonal position, at an angle of approximately 25–30 degrees downward. This ensures comfort and safety.
When choosing a location, make sure the attachment points are solid and secure. The best choices for this purpose are living, not too young and flexible trees, and in rocky terrain, immovable boulders. The method of attaching the hammock depends on the manufacturer—it can be self-tensioning straps, traditional ropes, or popular options from Polish hammock manufacturers like Lesovik, Woopie Sling, or carabiner attachments.
WHAT SLEEPING BAG FOR A HAMMOCK?
A sleeping bag is another matter you simply cannot ignore when planning to spend the night in a hammock. It may be cooler in a hammock than sleeping in a tent. Why is that? Because there is no place for warm air to gather around you, and the only insulator becomes the sleeping bag, which is additionally compressed by the hammock material, so it behaves somewhat differently than in typical conditions.
Therefore, it is worth investing in a sleeping bag that will not let you down, even when the temperature drops significantly at night and after a long day of exhausting hiking (remember that fatigue reduces thermal comfort). Another parameter you must pay attention to is the weight of the sleeping bag. It's clear that when you want to travel light - and that's exactly what traveling with a hammock is all about - a heavy sleeping bag becomes a disadvantage. Fortunately, both of these criteria are met by down sleeping bags.
SUMMER SLEEPING BAG FOR A HAMMOCK
As mentioned before, a hammock does not retain warm air, and the sleeping bag is slightly compressed, limiting its thermal insulation properties. (This also has its advantages - for example, nothing will condense on the walls and drip on your nose). In a hammock, you also have limited movement during sleep. All of this, plus the choice of often humid or windy locations - by the river or on rocks - adds up to the fact that you should always take a sleeping bag for a hammock that would probably be too warm for a tent. Towards the end of summer or in autumn, when nights are really cold, a good choice would be the RADICAL 1Z with a lower comfort limit of around 0°C. For hot nights in June, the versatile CORE line is sufficient - even the CORE 250 with a limit temperature of 12°C. Both models are lightweight and compact, weighing less than 450 grams!
WINTER SLEEPING BAG FOR A HAMMOCK
In lowland conditions, you won't need an expedition sleeping bag designed for extreme winter temperatures in the Himalayas. Nevertheless, make sure that the sleeping bag you choose can withstand negative temperatures. The comfort limit temperature should be at least -5°C for safe resting. Leading Pajak models such as Radical 4Z, Core 400, and 550 will provide you with such conditions. Of course, consider whether you tend to feel cold - it's better to have a warmer sleeping bag and remove a layer of clothing at night than to end your hammock adventure with hypothermia... Also, don't forget about the structural details: during open-air sleeping, especially in winter, a hood (referring, of course, to a mummy-style sleeping bag) with a collar adjustment is necessary, and solutions that improve insulation, such as a zipper draft tube, are recommended.
INSTEAD OF A TENT...
In a hammock, you can sleep like a king, provided that... it doesn't rain! Of course, there is a solution for that, and it doesn't necessarily involve finding a safe shelter under a tourist shelter. A tarp should be included in your hammock package, which is a waterproof sheet that you can hang above your hammock.
During the summer season, it's also worth having a mosquito net with you because insects can be really bothersome when sleeping under the open sky. The most convenient solution is an integrated mosquito net with the hammock - you enter inside, close the net, and sleep peacefully. You can also hang a mosquito net under the tarp, although it is certainly less effective.
You will also need to purchase a special underquilt for the hammock, such as the Quest Quilt, which is installed from below to increase protection against cold. An elastic mat or inflatable sleeping pad will also come in handy. Another interesting solution is an inflatable pad that fits inside the sleeping bag, such as the ultralight Inertia x frame by Klymit.
As outdoor enthusiasts, we are happy to support your outdoor pursuits. If you are looking for a sleeping bag that will allow you to safely and comfortably experience hammock adventures, visit pajaksport.pl!
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