The Hammock Experience

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.

You may never have the need to stay overnight outside, or even have a care too. But consider owning a hammock, a rain tarp, a good sleeping bag, and an underquilt. You never know when they may come in VERY handy. One thing is certain, once you experience the comfort a hammock provides you'll think twice about sleeping on the ground.

Here's the Amazon Grocery list of Hammock Gear I've come up with that has got me off the ground (pardon the pun), & into Hammock Camping.

First Up, my Hammock... 

Fox Outfitters Neolite Double Camping Hammock - A Lightweight Nylon Parachute Hammock for Backpacking, Travel, Beach, Yard. with Hammock Straps & Steel Carabiners 

This is what got me started, there was a promotion for them and I took the plunge. I was surprised how well made it is. 10'5 x 6'5 400lb capacity double parachute that comes with padded tree straps. All at a price half of what's out there that compares.

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...

ENO - Eagles Nest Outfitters 

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

It goes without saying, how a sleeping bag is necessary. I wish I could afford Goosedown, but synthetic fills offer as much insulation at far less cost. Here's a good sleeping that fills the bill for all but extreme cold.

Here's my choice of Underquilt...

Outdoor Vitals OV-Roost 40°F UnderQuilt/Sleeping Bag, Use As Ultralight UnderQuilt, Sleeping Bag, or Double Bag

It's important to understand what "CBS" (Cold Butt Syndrome) is, & how this relates to Hammocks, and most importantly, how this Underquilt came to be my choice. 

Since you're butt is literally "Hanging" in a hammock, air is passing around it, & cooling it in the night. To keep from freezing your butt off, it's necessary to insulate it from below, hence the need for a "Under Quilt", which hangs under a hammock, keeping you warm. This one... the "Roost" by Outdoor Vitals is a fantastically affordable one that meets the need for me. For you too!

There are other bits & pieces you can add to this list that make hammock camping enjoyable, but for the basics, these all fill the bill nicely & affordably. There is a wide variety of styles of every one of these items, but these are what's getting the job done for me. Every one making me able to "Hang Out" in a moments notice.