[mbtigger]

I recently bought an 8x10 silnylon tarp because the kinder and I are maxing out tent space. Then I thought, "The tarp is halfway to a hammock set up". After looking online and reading stuff I decided this would be a great DIY project - and by DIY I meant I would order materials and bribe my spouse and friends to sew and I put it all together. So that is what I did. Here is my DIY hammock made with 1.6 Oz Ripstop and with toulle bug sock. We will carry this with us next week when the whole family goes hiking along with my nephew - who is likely the one to be my guinea pig and test it out should he feel inclined. When I camp with the spouse we share a sleeping bag. She is not convinced hanging would work for her. Neither am I, but I figure I may as well test it out....

Diy Camping Hammock.

[Magellan]

Love you guys doing it yourself.

[Hiker Mama]

That does look pretty comfy!

[Critter]

Blurry pic but I like how it looks like the sides are pulled out. Not that I know much about high tech hammocks.

[Randito]

Whether sleeping in a hammock works for you is highly individual. People that sleep on their backs tend to do better than side sleepers. For side sleepers hanging the hammock loosely and positioning yourself diagonally can work. Two people in a hammock can be tricky, my wife and I have managed afternoon naps, but so far we haven't managed overnights as she prefers the enclosed space of a tent after nightfall. P.S. Our dog also much prefers when I sleep on the ground so she can shove her head into my armpit (treatment she is not permitted at home)

[DigitalJanitor]

[Hulksmash]

[Randito]

[renegadepilgrim]

I'm a side/belly sleeper and do just fine in my hammock. I usually sleep better in the hammock and my back doesn't bother me as much after a few nights in my hammock.

[HitTheTrail]

Hammocks do have a learning curve. And there is no right kind of hammock, top insulation or bottom insulation. It’s all a personal preference. I got converted to hammocking about three years ago (thanks Hulk). Since then I always take a hammock where I know there will be trees. On my last two trips this summer I took a Black Diamond firstlight tent. It worked fine, but I missed being in my hammock. BTW, I have highly modified several retail hammocks and made one from scratch out of 1.1 ripstop nylon with my own features based on stuff I read on the hammock forums. At this point I am convinced it is probably best to just buy something like a Warbonnet Black Bird with built-in bug net and be done with it.

[mbtigger]

This is kind of an experiment on the cheap. I can get pretty flat in this thing and adjust it to where it feels most comfortable. If I decide I like using a hammock I may keep an eye out for a warbonnet/hennesy that will likely last longer.

[DigitalJanitor]

[renegadepilgrim]

The only mod I made to my Hennessy Hyperlite was to change the suspension to loops with cinch buckles from Dutcheware, and got 15ft tree straps and some Dutch Clips...I got mine with the 20% off Anniversary sale REI discount, and used my dividend which means it cost me around $150. I don't use the tarp that came with it...I have a bigger one that weighs less and offers more coverage when it rains. I also have a custom hammock made with spinnaker cloth that weighs 4 oz, but it has no bugnet...still need to play with that one to see if I can get my total hammock weight including bugnet to under a pound. The best way to find out if you like a hammock brand is to go to a hang and try everyone's out...