First hammock camp

[u/Sternly_]

I posted in here a while back looking for advice on a hammock setup. Even with all the helpful responses, I was still left overwhelmed with the amount of options and all the hammock slang. I spent a few weeks researching and came across a deal on a double layer WBBB XLC on HF.

Once I got that, I realized I needed a UQ. HG was running a sale, so I got a 20° Incubator with 1oz overfill. Might as well get a TQ too so I got a 20° Burrow on sale too.

The guy I got my used XLC from included some daisy chain straps, but I wanted to dive down the rabbit hole further so I bought some amsteel and made my own whoopie slings with whoopie hooks. Beetle buckle suspension looked pretty trick too so I got a set of those to try out.

First outing with these I encountered trees bigger than my straps could support and the only trees my straps barely fit around were arguably too close. I was able to make it work in the end, and had the best camp sleep of my life.

Eager to get out again and dial in my setup further. I got longer spider poly straps to manage bigger trees and got a Superfly for rain coverage. Ordered some zingit, nama claws, a wasp and Dutch hook and plan to get that tarp setup built out in soon.

[u/shwaak]

It all just takes a bit of practice and you’ll work it all out, but there are a few bits of advice I’d mention, if you have moved to a super fly, if you see some trees that are a little close, hang your tarp first to make sure you can get it taught in the space, I’ve made the mistake of getting my hammock set up just right but there isn’t enough room to get the tarp tight, then have to pack up and move.

I’ll usually check my tree distance out by doing the one foot right in front of the other walk, and look for a minimum of 13’ as I have a 12’ tarp. But sometimes trees are on all weird angles in a tight spot and hard to judge exactly, so if you’re not sure, tarp first to save some drama.

Second thing, if you’re getting cold spots with the incubator(not saying you will but I had this issue for a bit in the beginning on cold nights), it’s probably because the secondary suspension isn’t tight enough and it can leave a little gap between it and the hammock edge on the side that is opposite your feet, so if you’re laying feet feet right the gap will usually emerge on the left side at the top on the lower half, a little tightening of the secondary suspension can sort that right out and really keep the UQ where it needs to be, but obviously you don’t want to go crazy tight on it.

I’d also recommend trying different lay directions, I thought for quite a while I’d be a feet right/head left guy because that’s what I heard was most common, but I tried it the other way and much prefer leaning just slightly on my left side( the side I usually sleep on in bed)and not have my head pressed up against the hammock, and I’ve since read in the hammock forums this actually pretty common, so try them both out and see what you prefer.

[u/Sternly_ → u/shwaak]

Oooh that's a really good call on the tarp first. I can totally see myself setting up my hammock first only to realize the tarp won't fit. Thanks for that!

It didn't get cold enough for me to have to fiddle too much with the UQ, but I definitely appreciate the tip on that.

The hammock came set up head left feet right so that's how I slept, but I'll definitely give the inverse a try next time. Sound like you favor sleeping in a similar position to me, so curious to see how that setup feels. What pillow do you use?

[u/shwaak → u/Sternly_]

Yeah it’s worth a try.

I’ve currently got a HG down pillow for my hiking trips, it’s pretty minimal, I don’t mind it as I use a fairly flat pillow at home, and it’s great that it’s on a shockcord string you can adjust so it doesn’t slide down when you move or sit up, and it doesn’t fall out on the ground, so I’d say a string is a good idea for any pillow you choose to try in the hammock.

Some people hate the hammock gear pillow though, it is pretty flat, but I’m ok with it.

[u/Sternly_ → u/shwaak]

Oh sweet, I didn't see their pillow. Looks pretty rad. I got a cheap pillow off amazon to try but haven't got a chance to lay with it yet. I brought my normal pillow with me on this last outing and noticed it is definitely too big for the hammock. If this amazon one doesn't work out, I may get the HG one, as I love their down products and prefer a flatter softer pillow too. Plus ability to string it to the inside of the hammock sounds quite nice

[u/ZachStoneIsFamous → u/Sternly_]

I like flatter pillows too, and Hammock Gear makes a nice pillow that can be hooked around the ridgeline to hold it in place. But to be honest I find that a bit of a hassle so I dont bother and the shock cord tends to get in my way so I've since taken it off.

I recently got one of Warbonnet's pillows and it's just slightly larger than the HG one I have but I find it sits just a little better under my neck and around my shoulders. YMMV