How to Sleep in a Hammock

If you've found yourself reading this blog, you're likely in a similar situation as I found myself in not long ago. I was like most other people -- I knew what a hammock was and had climbed inside one on a handful of occasions but I would have never considered myself an "avid" hammock camper. Of course, that all changed when I stumbled upon a small company nestled below the beautiful Rocky Mountains who had an aim to make sleep the highlight of camping. I quickly learned that there was more to the word "hammocking" than just hanging out with a book between two trees. If you choose to keep reading, I'll share some of the most basic tips and tricks that I have learned over the past few years that will help you have the best possible experience with your hammock.

#1 - Choose a Good Hammock

Traditional Gathered-End

You'd be wildly surprised to learn that hammocks come in shapes and sizes other than your traditional gathered end hammocks that you'd find at Walmart. If you don't have back pain and find being curled up like a banana at all comfortable, these hammocks will likely work fine. They're the cheapest option, are fairly lightweight, and work well for a lot of people in short doses. 

Porch Hammocks

I use the word "porch" pretty generally here. When I say this, I am referring to most hammocks that you see on the back porch of just about any house in the USA. These are mostly the rope hammocks that are made from woven strands of rope and are attached to a free-standing hammock stand. There are also fabric and woven hammocks that are constructed in similar ways. If you are hanging out with your family and friends and need some place to lay down or sit in and rock or take a nap in, these are a good option. In my opinion, these hammocks tend to be used a handful of times in practical uses, and sit as a bulky decoration the rest of the year. You can probably sense my intense love for these types based on how I talk about them...(not).

Camping Hammocks

This is where we get into the real good stuff. If you are planning on sleeping in a hammock, this is the hammock you want. There are a lot of options out there that you can look into depending on your budget and needs. My personal recommendation? Get yourself a Haven Tent. Now, call me biased because I am closely affiliated with the company, but realize that I don't advocate for things unless I truly believe in them. Just ask my coworkers at Papa Murphy's. I once told a customer that they'd get a better deal and pizza than what we would make them by going down the street to Little Caesars. So believe me when I say that the Haven Tent is a game changer. I won't get into all the specifics here, but you can check out this blog post to learn more about its features and what makes it unique. Just know that this will bring the comfort of your bed at home anywhere you go by utilizing its patented lay flat design.

If the Haven Tent isn't your gig though, just know you have options. Most camping hammocks will have a rainfly to keep you safe from the elements, bug nets, and inside pockets to stash your candy that everyone knows you smuggled into camp. Different hammocks will have different features that you'll want to take into account when making your decision, so make sure you do your research.

#2 - Check your "Hangle" (Hang-Angle)

No matter what hammock you choose, you'll have at least one thing in common: you will find yourself suspended between two trees (or some other anchor point). Depending on your situation and preferences, you'll likely need to adjust your hang angle. If you don't know what this means, its really simple. It is the angle in which your hammock body hangs in relationship to your tree straps. As a rule of thumb, you'll want to hang somewhere between 30 and 45 degrees. For exact measurements though, I recommend checking out this hang angle calculator. 

#3 - Plan to reduce CBS (Cold Butt Syndrome)

This is a real thing. If I could sum up all the questions I get about hammocking, one of the most frequently asked is how to stay warm. Depending on the hammock you get, you may hop in and forget that you are even in a hammock and instead think you are in your bed at home. Guys. I don't care who you are or how great your hammock system is. It's still a hammock and there is still cold air underneath you. Now, there are ways that you can reduce the effect this has by getting a good pad cover or under or over quilt and making sure you are dressed for the occasion. And if you are planning on going into the mountains overnight, remember that temperature fluctuations are going to be more dramatic with higher elevations.

#4 - Organize your Camping Gear

I know, I know. This should be one of the most intuitive and obvious things you've ever heard of. The only reason I am mentioning it here is because the last thing you want to do is grab your pile of "stuff", load it into the car and arrive at the campsite only to find out you forgot your hammock, matches, or sleeping bag. So how do you organize camping gear? Make sure your hammock is packed away neatly and with all of it's components. I like to pack all of my gear that I will use with my hammock in one bag so that I know I don't forget anything. 

#5 - Use It

For crying out loud! I know of too many people who purchase a big-ticket hammock or spend hundreds of dollars on something they think they will use all the time, but end up only using it once...or worse...not at all. What a waste! No matter what hammock you end up getting - cheap or expensive, fancy or basic, compact or bulky - I don't care. Just use it. Whether it be sleeping in a hammock while camping, or napping in a hammock on your back porch, hammocks have the potential to be a total game changer in your life, but you have to actually use it. It's not a collectible increasing in value sitting in your attic. Get it out and lay in it.