Nowadays, camping hammocks have become increasingly popular, credits to companies like Besty Hammock. People have always been generally excited whenever the idea of camping pops into their minds, but the only thing that stops that thought right there are the skills that we lack to set up a camping hammock.
The best thing about camping hammocks is that they are lightweight as well as easily transportable, which makes it easier to put them in the trunk of your car. If these camping hammocks are set up properly, they can prove to be as comfortable as your bed.
A hammock is not just another piece of cloth or fabric that you can hang between two trees, and it is a great deal more than that. The three major components of the hammock are the suspension system (which keeps the hammock in place), the ridgeline that runs on the hammock and finally, the fabric of the hammock. The comfort and sturdiness of the hammock are dependent equally on all three parts.
Considerations For Selecting Hammock
Before you go ahead and choose a camping hammock for yourself, you need to go over certain considerations that you may need to look into before you go and make a purchase that does not solve your purpose or maybe just isn’t worth the price you paid for it. Here are some of the considerations that you may look for:
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Weight
There is no standard weight of a camping hammock, and that means, they all do not weigh the same. The hammock should also be lightweight and portable so as to fit it wherever you want to. Otherwise, it simply defeats the purpose of getting one in the first place.
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Length
If you are tall, there is no way that you can go ahead and buy a camping hammock without considering its length. The basic size hammock is 8.5 feet long and 4 feet wide, and it is essentially not fit for anyone except for people who are petite or for children. Most people find a 10 or 11 feet long and 5 feet wide Hammock extremely comfortable, but then again, the size varies depending upon the height. If you are taller than 6 feet, you may need a bigger camping hammock.
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Width
Camping Hammocks<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> again come in two sizes: single width and double width. The single width hammocks are usually used to sustain one person, whereas a double-width hammock can hold two people at a time. The double-width hammock doesn’t allow two people to sleep comfortably, but for one person, it proves to be highly convenient as this allows the person to sleep diagonally which has been a major drawback of the single width hammock.
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Maximum Weight Capacity
Usually, hammocks have a maximum capacity that they can sustain or hold. Consider all additional weight, including your pets’ as well as other belongings that you might carry with you on top of your weight when you are looking to choose according to weight range. Overloading the hammock may result in tearing of the fabric which can get you in a situation where you are on the ground in the middle of the night. We all know that is not a great situation to be in.
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Materials
Since Nylon is lightweight and stretchable, it is a popular choice while manufacturing camping hammocks. Sometimes, polyester is also used in making hammocks, but it is nowhere in comparison to how commonly Nylon is used.
Polyester is less stretchable and hence provides a firm surface that is more rigid and hence, sleeping on hammocks made out of polyester is more comfortable.
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Suspension
The suspension system of a camping hammock should be as basic as possible but at the same time, adjustable. As for moving parts and pieces, it is needless to say that the less you lose, the better. Straps having loops like the Eno Atlas prove to be extremely helpful but they are not loved the same by all. Some people prefer to have an option to adjust them bit by bit as in D-rings or whoopie slings.
The Basics Of Setting Up A Camping Hammock
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Size Up Some Good Trees
The first and foremost step for setting up a camping hammock is to find some trees near your camping spot. They cannot be just any trees. Instead, these trees need to be sturdy and should be at least 4 to 5 metres apart. Make sure your hammock has proper bark protection so that it doesn’t leave any marks on the trees.
Most camping hammocks<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> come with a rope, so make sure you pick up a bunch of tree straps from a shop specifically dealing in outdoor equipment. These straps are also known as ‘Tree huggers’. They are extremely convenient and easy to set up.
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Setting The Tree Straps
Once you’ve zeroed down on the trees you want to set up your hammock with, make sure you set up the tree straps at eye level on each of the trees. You must hang the hammock as high as you’re willing to plunge to the floor. A good hammock won’t really rip, but it’s better not to take any chances and hang the hammock at a safe height.
If you’re hanging the hammock above uneven ground, then make sure you’re careful while hanging the hammock evenly between the trees at the same level and height.
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Setting Up The Hammock
Once you’re finished with attaching and fixing the straps to the tree trunks, you need to tie the rope of the hammock to the straps. You can easily tie the rope of the hammock to the straps with the help of a carabiner.
For this, you may want to use loops, or you could even configure it in whichever way you like. However, while you try to achieve this, make sure you have set it to a right angle and have given the hammock enough sag which would help you rest in it comfortably. The advisable angle you should set your hammock to should be 30 degrees to the trunk of the tree.
Make sure your hammock is as high as a chair over the ground level. If at all you feel it’s about to rain and get messy, don’t worry, and instead, set up a tarp over your hammock. And to stay away from the pesky bugs, set up a bug net.