Backpacking Shelters: Hammocks vs. Tents

[@backpackingadventures4813]

I use both but I have to say I prefer a hammock. I have much more room overall in my hammock set up and greater comfort.like you said, getting in and out is way easier especially in my elder years. My tent, however, is lighter and easier to set up. Great video!

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks Dan!! What does your tent system weigh in at?

[@backpackingadventures4813]

@@BackpackingwithBuckleymy lightest is my Zpacks Altaplex at 15oz and my Duraton XMid Pro 2 (version 1) is 21oz. Sleeping pad is 15oz for warm weather.

[@tangenttrails]

Thanks for taking the time to make this. Best pros and cons video I’ve seen!✌️

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Much appreciated sir!

[@Doc_Watson]

Great comparison. I really like that you pointed out that both systems are really close in weight when you include all the items. A lot of people don't do that when comparing hammocks & tents. I agree the right trees are sometimes very hard to find. Too many, too few, too big, too small, right distance but too fat so the straps aren't long enough, etc. Out in the open areas, there are portable hammock stands that you can backpack with (Tensa Solo for one) but a tent would be easier. If you are with a group or a highly traffic camping area possible con for hammocks - less privacy for changing clothes. Moisture under the tent is a pet-peeve of mine. I dislike dealing with the dirt and vegetation that sticks to the bottom of a tent. It's more effort to clean when you get home.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Excellent points Doc!! The bottom of a tent is my pet-peeve too. I don't enjoy moist mornings in a tent at all.

[@DoseofDirt]

Excellent video!! Love these straightforward pros and cons. I really need to try a hammock setup.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

What's up Jeff!!?? I would love to see you try out a hammock man!

[@AngryMountainMan]

I started out in hammocks back in the 2000s. I just never got good sleep. I’m not a back sleeper at all but I suffered through it because they (at the time) were lighter and easier. Fast forward to now and I’m a tent guy. I can toss and flail all night long and sleep in any position. So yes not everyone is the same, and the great hammocks don’t work for everyone. Still miss the fiddle factor with hammocks though.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I still enjoy aspects of both.

[@rodoutdoors]

Nice video. I have a more personal attachment to hammocks. Everyone's setup is different which is super cool. I dig watching hangcon videos with all the custom printed tarps, hammocks, and quilts. I'm out West though so there's just no trees at times or not allowed at some designated sites. I'm cool with with either but hammocks are way more comfortable. These days I'm trying out tarp & bivy setups for less bulk/weight.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I'd love to try a tarp setup but the bugs around here would carry you away!

[@tonybabcock655]

Always been a tent guy. I need to try a few hammocks. Side sleeper, so maybe a bridge hammock.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I sleep comfortably on my side in my gathered end hammock, Tony. The key is to buy one long and wide enough.

[@EatCarbs]

I was thinking about doing a video along these lines. Good stuff brother. Thanks for the video

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks Mark. I'd like to hear your take on this in a video!

[@outdooriowan]

I am a big tent guy. I also like my hammocks. To me it all depends on the situation. Great video.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks Adam!

[@boopernator]

So glad I made the switch to the hammock system, and I learned it from watching you okay! 😄 But in all seriousness, my favorite thing about the hammock is the gentle swaying that helps me relax and fall asleep. I am still learning every time I get out and use my hammock, it is a fun process.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I like the rocking motion too. I should have mentioned that, Boop!

[@wisenber]

Hammocks when possible, tents if I must. I have yet to find a pad I can carry that compares to the comfort of my hammock. I gave up on the lighter whoopie slings and moved back to 20' straps. Straps can go shorter than whoopie slings, and 20' tends to deal with bigger trees. However, I tend to avoid bigger trees that have bigger branches than can fall. As far as overall weight goes, if someone handed me a 3 lb brick and told me I'd sleep better every night , I'd carry it. Rest and recovery is too important to me. That being said, my Yobogear stand lets me hang about anywhere.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I use long straps too. It gives you so many more options! Sleep is definitely a top priority.

[@wisenber]

@@BackpackingwithBuckley Options and reduces the time needed to find trees that work. Six more ounces of straps can save time every night.

[@danielkutcher5704]

I try to find smaller trees because of the "widowmaker" factor, and lightning, too. 👍

[@petescharber8567]

Fort-factor..... I like that. Nice video friend.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks Pete!

[@JP-hy6ud]

Now with tensa trekking treez the possible spots for hammock camping open up even more. I have all budget hammock camping gear currently. Even with cheap gear I prefer it over tent camping. I'm looking to upgrade to a superior gear hammock soon thanks to your recommendation. Good video

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I've looked into some of those portable stands. I'm a bit too old to carry the extra weight very far but would be nece for shorter trips. I HIGHLY recommend the Superior Gear Hammocks.

[@TressaZimmerman]

Preference and location of while you're out, play a role. You made some great points for both. Thanks.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I agree Tressa! Lots of factors.

[@Oldsparkey]

Great information to aid in the decision making. Basically it's six of one and a half of a dozen on the other. Each has a place and occasion for their use. For myself it's a hammock 95% of the time and only a tent when the need calls for one. I like the ease in a hammocks set up and take down , the comfort is superb ( better then a tent any day ) and ventilation is to dream for. Here in Florida's heat and humidity I call a tent a sweat lodge. I also use a wood burning backpacking stove. By using a hammock my cooking fuel is all around me. My personal choice has been a hammock for over 60 years.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

In Florida....no brainer man! I agree that it's FAR better in a hammock in hot weather. You must be one of the original hammock people if you've been doing it that long. Awesome!

[@Xtariz]

I have both... the important thing is knowing where you're going also how high you're going... Even if there are trees in your area... if you go above the tree line you do need a tent... The best thing about some hammocks are they do not take a lot of space... so you can bring both on most trips... Tent,Tarp, hammock is not much to bring... A hammock also makes a good chair if you need to relax somewhere and catch up on your energy

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

@Xtariz agreed on all points! Thanks for sharing!

[@o.bsoutdoors3871]

Great comparison video Tim😊👌. Entertaining watch as always. Our vote will always be for a tent, guess we are just suckers for the fort factor 😂 ⛺️🎪🏕. But you are spot on, the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same 😊 Cheers Shell and Pete

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks friends! I can absolutely appreciate the coziness of a tent!

[@ThenaturalmedicAdventures]

Good video there are def pros n cons for both.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

No doubt!

[@danielkutcher5704]

My Hammock Gear DCF Winter Palace Tarp, paired with my Hummingbird Hammock and straps and my 1.5 lb. down bag (over-and-under quilt system that I have used for over 12 years weighs about 4 lbs. That's the weight for my total shelter, including insulation above and beneath, and never a muddy floor. Rocky, muddy, uneven ground, no problem. Adding an 8 oz. bug net brings the total up to 4.5 lbs. My tarp packs up last, rolled with the dry underside inside, after packing up everything in the dry shelter under it. I use a hammock hot tent in the winter, 8 pounds with large Seek Outside titanium wood stove. Hammock and sleeping bag add 3-6 pounds, depending on how cold it gets. Thanks, Tim!

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

That's a pretty sweet combo and weight dude!

[@terwils7492]

Funny, I'm coming from Durston tents to hammocks. Still, for tent camping, Durston xmid are the best. But, I only get about 6 hours of mixed sleep on a pad on the ground. Also rare to get a flat lay in a tent when backpacking. I've gotten that comfort level down to minimal with my Big Agnes Rapide. But now I'm leaning more towards hammock now for that sweet spot and long deep sleep that guys like Shug talk about. And, I do like the ease of set up with a hammock. Plus the openness feeling camping in a hammock.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I am exactly like you. I sleep much longer and better in a hammock.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Really good stuff my friend. Hammocks for the win!!

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks brother!

[@MoosebearAdventures]

Very nice and useful video 😊

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks!

[@hikewithmike4673]

Hammocks are great, but I prefer tents, but I have always been an old school type of guy!

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

They both have their place in my heart!

[@alanstrange2421]

I can use either depending on the situation, but over all unless I'm going someplace with no trees I'm going with the hammock.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

That makes 2 of us friend!

[@Mikehikes61]

I prefer to pitch a tent, wouldn't mind trying a hammock though. Nice video.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

They both have their strengths but a hammock usually wins for me!

[@jeffhartman5166]

I’m looking at investing in a hammock. I love my Durston X-mid2 and Kakwa 55 pack. It hits the sweet spot of quality, function, and price for me. What’s the hammock equivalent of Durston Gear?

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I truly love my Superior Gear hammock. The main reason is the integrated insulation. It's consistency of warmth is amazing and it is so easy to set up. I haven't tried many other hammocks but Superior Gear's design is the reason I haven't.

[@marshmutt8975]

1:45 looks like a lot of trees behind you!

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

There are trees out there but hanging from cedars and juniper is not that easy and many of the trees grow in dangerous draws. I have made it work though!

[@Embe360]

Nice video dad!

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Thanks kid!

[@SouthernHike]

The age old topic lol. I'm still a grown dweller at heart but I do love my Hammack. I think my biggest hurdle mentally is worrying I wont set it up correctly. Sounds crazy I know.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

You are crazy, bud. Lol. Trail and error is all you need to be a hammock expert!

[@jadeddragon4254]

Hammocks are cool, until something touches you at 3 am

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Haha. True story!

[@BackpackingWithJason]

I had an animal jump on my feet in the middle of the night in a hammock. I just kicked it off of me.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

@@BackpackingWithJason that's awesome! 🤣

[@helpfulcommenter]

thanks dood

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

You betcha my friend!

[@GratefulTrekker]

I'm camp tent myself mostly because I don't like ay swaying makes me a bit sea sick

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

That's a fair reason to avoid hammocks! Haha.

[@MetroOnTheMove]

Sounds like you had a couple rock stars during the making of this video. Personally, I carry my banana hammock on every trip.

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

Haha. The world's smallest hammock. 😀

[@yesidtac7863]

Debe hacer mucho frio

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Depends imo, if you're speedrunning then UL hammock and embrace any suck that happens. If it's a gentle wander taking in views and chilling, tent. That said personally I prefer my hammock and tarp mansions 😂

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I'm right there with you on the mansion idea. I'm not a speed guy at all though so that's not a factor for me. Lol

[@OldNavajoTricks]

@@BackpackingwithBuckley My abandon society kit is a longback bergen, belt order and 11 rocket pouches, pushbike adapted to carry most of those though and I've just cut a small helium cylinder in half to fashion a stove/forge and cookpot (valve will be used on a water store project), So I'm with you lol, i ain't going anywhere fast 😂

[@Glipsnarp]

I was hammock tenting in thick mosquito county. Imagine trying to sleep while mosquitoes buzz your ear from the outside of the hamock. You canr swat them. It was torture. Couldnt sleep and had unstoppable mosquitoes in my ear.....

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I've had a couple nights like that so I know what you mean!

[@danielkutcher5704]

They aren't any quieter in a small tent with ample mesh for ventilation.

[@Glipsnarp]

@@danielkutcher5704 i am at least more than 12" from any mosquitos while im in my tent. The hammock wrapped around my ears. They were basically in my ear ..

[@stonedapeadventures]

you touched on it slightly, but.....100% of deaths by bear to backpackers in the lower 48 all have been to those hammock people.

[@helpfulcommenter]

Where can I research that myself? Where are you getting this information? Because Leah Lokan was killed literally after being dragged from inside her tent in Montana 2021. So that throws off your statistic right there lol

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

I seem to recall a horrible bear story in Colorado involving a tent so maybe it's down to 99 percent? 🤣

[@helpfulcommenter]

Weird my comment got deleted. I was referencing that thing that happened to the woman in her tent in Montana in 2021.... dragged from her tent at night by a griz that had been poking around the camp earlier in the day, and they chased it off.... big story

[@BackpackingwithBuckley]

@@helpfulcommenter that's the story I was referring to! Scary stuff...