Hammoc instead of a tent??
 

Hi guys , I am getting ready for a trip accross Central America and I am contempleting to take a Hammoc with net instead of a tent , I use hammoc while travelling in Asia and also some part of South America ,much lighter than a tent . safety wise its like a tent and the good one are water proof the only big default is you cannot put anything inside while sleeping ( gear ,luggage , girl friend).
does anyone use these for South and Central trip ( love to travel light)

Hendi

Hendi
You might already have seen these hammocks but there are a lot of reviews and testimonials (provided by the manufacturer) here:
http://www.hennessyhammock.com/

Hammoc
 

Thanks for the link , those are expensive but they look really good and you can't get lighter than that.

Hendi

Hello Hendi

I'm afraid I'm not adding much to this thread except to say that I have a Hennessy hammock and am intending to take it, rather than a tent, for a European roadtrip this year.

I haven't even tested it yet.. bad Mike.. get off yr backside and get cracking Mike.. but in *theory* it's the perfect solution: lightweight, small, flexible, comfortable, protective. If you can wait three or four months I should be able to post a more constructive report!

--Mike

Hammoc instead of a tent
 

Never have figured out yet how to sleep in a hammoc after buying one in Mexico years ago. Is it diagonally or in line with the hanging points ?
Many of the old local hotels in Mexico and Central America contain hooks in the wall to suspend hammocs, I suppose for folks who crowd more into a room than the available beds. Handy, but then , as a tourist why would I hang up a hammoc if there are beds ?

For Mike
 

Hi Mike, I am French and travelled pretty much everywher in Europe , to be honest the Hammock will be pretty useless, take a tent or go to Youth Hotel.
If you need some more info let me know.
Hendi

Hello Hendi

I'm interested to know why you think the hammock will be useless in Europe.. not enough trees to hang it off?!

--Mike

Hammock
 

Hi , I travelled for a long time in Europe and it is very difficult to now do camping ouside of campground , the hammock will work but not your adventage as the site are not done for it and the weather even in the summer is not the safest , the last reason will be for the safety of your gear , I know most of these countries and I can tell you that you need to keep a eye on your staff.
Nothing impossible and I was there this year again , I confirm there are still a lot of threes but the choice is yours.

All good points, Hendi, but I don't think they're enough to offset the pleasure of the hammock:
- good for my bad back
- set-up requires trees/ buildings etc but copes with rough ground
- extremely light and small

Yes, I know. But some campgrounds do have trees. I'll also be staying with friends who have trees in their gardens (or -- hopefully -- spare rooms...)

That's all part of it, though, isn't it? I can stand a little rain - the Hennessy is as waterproof as a tent. (Although I could probably cope with some of the weather you get in Ft Lauderdale too)

No more or less than anywhere else. No more or less than in a tent. And i'll have Metal Mule panniers for anything I don't want stolen.

good for CA
 

Hi Hendi
A Hammock for Central America is good - apart from tucking your gear out of site - like you can a bit better in a tent - the only real way to secure your gear is to have it with you or lock it up/away.
Putting it in a tent does not make anything secure - in Costa Rica thieves have a habit of cutting your tent open at night with a razor blade and grabbing things out - while you are sleeping !
I spent a year working in CA as a Tour Guide - id say 75% of the time I was sleeping in a in a Hammock - 25% in a tent -when there were no trees to use.

( I used a woven Guatamalan Hammock and a British military Basha with Nomad Mossie net - which ties into the Basha - good combo and cheap)

A Hennessey would be good here as there are some HEAVY rainfalls in season - it is MUCH MUCH cooler than a tent too - you get some gentle breeze through or you can swing it if its hot - and make your own !!!

For travelling now I have both - Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 + a Hennessey Ultra light Backpacker - together they are less than 2 kilos - best of both worlds.
Cheers
Grif

Sleeping in a hammock
 

Sjoerd,

They best way to sleep in a hammock is diagonally. Recommended is a 30 to 35 degree angle. This way your back is kept straight and the hammock more easily conforms to your body. The this is also true with spreader-bar hammocks, although they are more tippy when you do not lay loop-to-loop. A couple of great sites to buy high quality yet inexpensive Brazilian hammocks: http://www.hammockbarn.com or http://www.hammockzone.net

Currently in northern Norway with a Hennessey Hammock. No trees up here (surprisingly for Scandinavia) which means no sleeping in the hammock, but otherwise it's been terrific. Highly recommended.

The problem for me with using a hammock as a sole shelter in Europe, is the lack of privacy. Since most times I camp in campsites (in Northern Europe anyway) and like to have some private space in which I can unpack and relax. Comfort is another consideration, and being pestered by mosquitoes and other bugs while I'm relaxing is uncomfortable for me. That's why I will always use tents.

PS. Hammock are great by the way and that's why I carry a mexican hammock as well for those sunny, lazy afternoons.

Yes Mudlark! the voice of reason! Forget the seasoned traveller look of a hammock - youre right- what about the mossies eating your face all night. A tent is the thing.....

hensessy hammocks are great
 

i have been using mine for the last 3 years of travel and i love it ,i also have a small whitewater raft www.alpackaraft.com that i use for sleeping on it is great and i can go paddling when i want to as well greatest thing since sliced goars balls