Hammock vs Ground Camping - The Results are Surprising

[@danwalbolt3469]

Biggest advantage of hammock camping for me is one I rarely see mentioned--it's not having to get on hands and knees to get in and out of a tent!

[@malthus101]

does that bring back some childhood trauma memories? 😥

[@MrDosonhai]

But does it affect your back long term?

[@foggyyak]

@@MrDosonhai a hammock?? Yeah, for the better! You don't lay in the middle and sleep like a banana, you lay diagonally and lay flat.

[@andredeketeleastutecomplex]

At least the tent won't experience the brutal effect of newton's law 😁

[@lindamon5101]

Amen to that

[@bushputz]

One advantage you didn't cover is site selection. I went on a hiking trip with my nephew and his wife. We would hike for most of the day and then set up camp. One day, it started to get pretty late and we hadn't yet found a good site. They finally set up their tent on the most level patch of ground they could find. They spent a good amount of time trying to level and prep the ground underneath their tent, but they still said they felt like they were going to slide down the side of the mountain all night, and had buried rocks and roots poking into their backs. On the other hand, I just found a couple of trees about 15 feet apart, set up my tarp and hammock, and went to sleep. The ground underneath me was littered with rocks and sloped away so much that when I accidentally dropped a water bottle, it rolled about 10 feet downhill.

[@MrPatchPlays]

I appreciate the fact that you clarified "our products" several times, very transparent of you m8

[@judeabrams723]

Imagine not shopping on Amazon

[@AmericanInfluance]

I think it’s important to note that tent campers often bring a tarp to put under the tent to make a barrier from the dirt and mud. Although it still gets dirty.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Ground sheets are very important! Thanks for sharing!

[@pedroclaro7822]

Some even a tarp for extra rain cover

[@ivanalban5037]

Newbie here! I'm 60 and a photographer. I am excited about adopting backpacking into my photography adventures. Your videos are thorough and a wealth of information, especially for a novice like myself. I'm looking forward to exploring more of your store. Thank you!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed.

[@natem.9524]

When I hammock camp I don't use an underquilt, I just stick my thermarest in the hammock under my sleeping back and it works great

[@eamoncrawford]

Do you use the full Slacker system (Hammock, House, Pad and suspension)? Or are you using one of the other thermarest pads? Curious about the Slacker products.

[@paulvogel6303]

I have a Hennessy 3.5 pounds with a cover designed exactly for it with cords and straps suspension and everything a Kelty sleeping bag 1.1 pounds rated for 20 and an insulator which is tiny and very compact for it which can fit in my hand and is slike 1/10 of a pound which goes on the outside of my sleeping bag with raises the temp 25 degrees then I don't need a heavy blanket or underquilt which puts me and 4.7 pounds

[@NuclearFacility]

Very interesting. In the summers I’ve always just thrown my 0 degree bag in a $10 hammock I found on amazon. Weighs near nothing and out here in the West nights are usually pretty warm and the hammock keeps me from sleeping too warm. In the colder seasons I usually opt for a canvas bedroll with a good quality pad. Makes camping compact and easy to throw on a horse or motorcycle. The bedroll is heavy but sure makes sleeping warm when it’s cold out. For my personal circumstances those are my ideal lighter weight minimalistic camping preferences.

[@mikelatta484]

I've been camping in a hammock for over 30 years. There really isn't any saving in weight or real estate in your pack. I'm warmer in a hammock and I never sleep on a rock, root , or chigger infested weeds. It's not for everyone. But it is for me.

[@truman5838]

It is for everyone. They just don't know it. Warmer, dryer, and much more comfortable. Being off the ground is a huge advantage.

[@truman5838]

@Jan van Coppenhagen Theres a tarp over your hammock. You dress under the cover of the tarp. You get out the hammock and take a wiz without leaving the cover of the tarp. How is a hammock Any different than a tent or bivy when if comes to being in bear country? A bivy is a pig ib a blanket. Near have been known to collapse a tent. They just fall on top of it with all their weight. In a hammock your off the ground. It's even warmer. More comfortable. Theres ways to set up a tarp for side sleeping. But a hammock is ideal for a bad back. Also , Your hammock is dry when you pack it up. No condensation whatsoever. They have a tarp system with a lil cargo net for your bag right under your hammock. You can even reach underneath and access it while laying in your tarp.

[@dirtsurf1]

@Jan van Coppenhagen unfounded worries. Unless you've tried it I'd keep an open mind. Hammock sleeping is way better on my back than ground sleeping of any sort.

[@joshuaboyd7978]

He forgot to mention temperature issues. Hammocks are vastly more comfortable during warmer months. You can always get into a sleeping bag or add an under/top quilt if you are cold, but I can not begin to describe to you how much easier it is to sleep on a sticky summer night when you have the breeze blowing under you on a hammock . Tents, to me, just act like a big greenhouse and I always wake up covered in sweat on summer mornings as soon as the sun comes up. This doesn't apply to everyone, but the ridgeline on a hammock rain fly is the perfect place to place a tiny solar panel if you are the type of person that likes to keep your devices charged on the trail. Never know when you are gonna need to make a call, and having a device that is topped off gives you piece of mind should anything happen. Hammock camping is where it's at for me.

[@ike780]

Joshua Boyd George Washington Sears did describe tents as dank.

[@Terminal5384]

That is the dumbest reason to sleep in a hammock lol. Tent's have doors. And places to hang solar panels.

[@gokucrazy22]

Just a note, that may also be an issue with the particular tent itself. Usually that's an issue with tents that have poor circulation (like most single walled tents). But that being said, the ones that breathe better are also more expensive.

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

No matter how warm it is I always wake up cold in a tent because I sweat and then freeze, is this better better in a hammock?

[@Ghryst]

i guess you don't get out much , and only go to forested areas. how boring.

[@BillDeWeese]

Great video. I think you covered a lot of bases and offered a fair comparison. I've been a long term tent camper who has been hammock camping whenever possible for the last year or so. I have seen a lot of youth and adults over the years talk up the cost and weight benefits of hammock camping only to see that they have a fairly difficult time enjoying the experience, especially in adverse conditions, as they have saved both money and weight by leaving critical components behind. I have found that once you add everything in (and camping here in FL or the Southeast also demands s bug net), you are close to equivalent in both weight and cost. So I think that is the more objective part and your video bears out what I have experienced as well. Onto the more subjective part and that is comfort. Over years of camping, I've spent on a great tent, excellent inflatable thermal ground pad, inflatable pillow and even a nice liner for the ground pad. Honestly, I can't imagine what I could spend more on. Despite that, I wind up waking up about every hour when sleeping in a tent. I'm a side sleeper and move around quite a bit and that leads to wake ups. Probably two hours is the longest sleep segment. Not a huge problem for a weekend, but after five days in Ten Thousand Islands a year ago, that poorer quality sleep adds up after the third night. Whether skinnied down for mild weather camping or full under/overquilted 40 degree camping back in January of this year, I routinely sleep for upwards of four hours without waking, especially after I got the Ridgeline dialed in. So, again it's subjective, but for me (with cost/weight being equal) that quality of sleep is significantly better. Also, I don't like to bear the weight of carrying a chair, but for long term backcountry backpack trips, the hammock does double as a rest for the back and legs on the trail throughout the hike. Unfortunately here in FL a lot great places (State Parks, etc) prohibit in hammocks tied to trees, and when camping in large groups you can run out of ideal tree setups pretty quickly, so the tent is certainly more foolproof.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Sounds like you've got what works best for you pretty dialed in!

[@missredumbrella]

Sleep in my hammock every night now...for the past year. Had a back operation a few years back and a flat bed kills me....so here I am just swinging 😊😊😊

[@oneskydog4401]

Na Noid I tried a hammock instead of a tent on a camping trip in 2015. Threw the stupid bed out, who invented them anyway?

[@dethslaker1990]

Is wind ever a problem?

[@keesverhagen9931]

@ Na Noid. With my eyes with open i have read your comment. You and i have the same problem and the same expierence when it comes to laying flat and pain. Four years ago i have broken my back at four places. I already had a hammock when it happened. The first few months i was in agony and did not sleep at all. I was extremely tired due to pain and not able to lay flat. I have no trees at my place but had some timber laying around. So a few hours later i made a stand for the hammock. Everybody told me not to sleep in a hammock because they thought it could damage my back and it was freezing cold. But i felt like i had do try something. Ok it was cold but i could fall asleep and with less pain. I used 120 till 200 oxycodone a day to battle the pain. The next day i ordered a quality underquild and really expensive low temp sleepingbag. I slept for almost 2 years after that in my hammock. I think it is because the outher side of the spleens are getting a bit more room then when sleeping on a matras. Also in a hammock i can sleep better when i'm on the side because of the better contact. Not gonne sleep due to extreme pain is more horrible then anyone can imagine. I still have to use oxy but way less because of the hammock.

[@jegr3398]

This guy has got a legitimate wizard beard

[@osiriswills6749]

😂😂

[@Raul-xe2yj]

That just means he is an expert

[@shanecarter250]

I definitely agree that there is a sense of “home” or “security” in a tent. I sometimes get the heebeejeebees in the Woods and a tent makes me feel more secure. I know it’s a false sense of security but it works for me. Also I like to have my crap spread out all around me in the tent and you just can’t do that in a hammock

[@seanmcfarland7058]

I feel the opposite. I would much rather sleep in a hammock as high off the ground as realistically possible that flat on the ground with all the critters

[@murtagh231]

I feel safer from critters while in a hammock. :)

[@glendas.mckinney926]

If you watch Amazon and REI Garage, the tarp and hammock can easily be half that price. But throw in a sleeve for even quicker setup or takedown!

[@DonaldBurdek]

I'd beg to differ on the cost... My hammock setup all in for EVERYTHING for my initial setup was around $80 total. Granted, some of what I started with was repurposed from other gear I already had and I can get down to about 30°.

[@dirtsurf1]

Agree with everything except your low end assessment of potential weight for a hammock setup. My summer setup is 4 pounds even and I could think of ways to cut a pound off. My 4 pound setup includes a diy hammock with bug netting, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, diy tarp, guy lines, stakes, whoopie slings, and tree straps.

[@aroundoz]

That was valuable especially the pros and cons. However, it's challenging to compare the prices of each system since there are way too many variables. You really need to include the tent body too unless you are fortunate enough to live in a bug free environment and that would really increase the tent overall cost. Also, in summer months, a hammock is much less expensive and lighter since you don't need insulation other than a bag.

[@jamesongiamo4932]

I think this is a great beginning resource for someone to understand the cost of getting into backpacking. I appreciate you taking the time to do this and your transparency saying you are products. I also appreciate you doing the research to figure out these weights and describe it in the amount of time that you did. I think they getting into backpacking has a lot of barriers for people and I appreciate people that try to remove these

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching and for your support!

[@mzmPACman]

Totally agree, I have both and use both. Very well-reasoned. I too prefer hammocks whenever possible, but for treeless areas and severe weather, tents/tarps are better.

[@paulvogel6303]

ya the only reason ni would use tent is no trees but

[@syarizansulaiman6554]

Luckily I'm live at Asian is tropical weather, so no need topquild & underquild just add mosquito net. Tent in my places is like sleeping in oven

[@racciacrack7579]

Mosquitos must be hell

[@matthewjacobs141]

Make sure you get a double bottom

[@Ghazanfierce]

You're right mate. But bug spray is also essential.

[@AquaTech225]

Sounds like Louisiana skip the top an under quilt and can fall asleep with little of anything on and still break a sweat in the night. But the bugnet is a must if you don’t want to be carried away. And the humidity is killer

[@AquaTech225]

@@matthewjacobs141 that just depends on the bugnet. If it incases the whole thing the double bottom won’t add anything but if it’s just over the top than it may be of some help. But here in Louisiana the bottom could be made of denim and them things will still stab through and remove the persons soul

[@coocookachoo2806]

Great series of videos on this subject, thanks for sharing. I'm gearing up to do a 8-10 day hike this summer and I just did a comparison like this myself creating 4 different scenarios on GearGrams, Bivy/tarp, tent, hammock/tarp and tarp with a net tent. I found the hammock was lightest and tent was the heaviest, but all 4 were within about a pound of each other, so now I have to think of what system is going to work out best for the location I will be hiking, as they all have pros and cons, and usually the environment is what it comes down to anyway.

[@curtisjmurphy]

Good video, but I do have a few points of contention especially on the weight and cost of a hammock setup. An Ultralight Backpacker from Hennessy Hammocks costs $160USD and weighs under 2 lbs, that includes the asymmetrical hammock with an integrated bug net, the tarp and all guy-lines and a set of tree-huggers, (use sticks for the 2 stakes you need). A closed cell foam pad instead of an under-quilt might not save a whole lot of weight (~14oz) but certainly costs a whole lot less (~$20) and works just as well to keep you warm. Round it out with a good 20 degree sleeping bag, and you are all set at under 4.5 lbs and less than $400. Considering the Hennessy has a bug net it would only be fair to then compare it to the full tent setup not just the light and fast setup. The bonus to this set up is that the pad and sleeping bag will work just as well in a tent if you are going somewhere with no trees, however less comfortably then in a hammock. I have done all my solo camping, save for a couple of trips to the beach, in a hammock for the past 5 years, it is by far the most comfortable and versatile sleeping setup you can buy. I'm done setting up and already started on dinner long before my buddies have even finished clearing a spot for their tents. I have woken up in the morning bone dry with a river running under my hammock. I've slept like a baby and woken up to a field of broken tent poles, strewn rain fly's and unhappy campers after 100km/h winds at the base of a fjord. I simply love sleeping in my hammock and wouldn't give it up for anything. I didn't go for the lightest setup I could, I Live in Newfoundland and the weather rarely co-operates, so my setup of a Hennessy Expedition Classic with the much larger hex tarp, tree-huggers and a set of snakeskins weighs in at just over 4lbs including a stuff sack and 2 aluminium stakes. but the larger tarp allow me to either cinch it down in to keep sideways rain out or open it up for enough room for a few people to hang out and cook on a mildly moist day. About the only downside to a hammock is that it only holds one person ;-)

[@joemikeska2657]

Very good video between the two systems. I’m actually quite the opposite as you. After my first sub freezing trip in a hammock this past winter, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a tent in those temperatures. A good quilt system in a hammock is exponentially more comfortable and warmer than on the ground. Otherwise, very nice video.

[@beardedarchery3576]

it is really hard to find a flat place for a tent but lots of places for a hammock

[@Four30]

Personally I also find the hammock the most comfortable sleep in the great outdoors. If I could figure out how to hang one in alpine and coastal regions I’d only ever use a hammock. But it’s all a matter of personal preference in the end.

[@RJB]

Many times I am areas with plenty of trees but many times in the desert with no hanging options. All in all I'd just go with the tent option. More versatile. Although I do prefer to be up in the air.

[@fadingdimension]

Just one thought. Each person has to have their own hammocks tarps and suspension. A 2+ person tent can be split up and going from a 1 to 2 to 3 person tent adds very little weight to the tent.

[@MikeJones-yr3tq]

Fair point. Counterpoint: you split your tent with another and you're stuck sleeping with them. No matter how loud they snore, how late they stay up, how many times they crawl over you to get up in the night and service their enlarged prostate...or how much they smell. Or how much bear-eating-potato-chips-from-a-crinkly-bag noise their ultra-lightweight-uber-expensive-garishly-colored cool guy air mattress makes...also, you're both stuck in a vapor-tight bubble inhaling whatever that other person is exhausting. And people tend to exhaust from multiple orifices...tent sharing pretty much rules out any legume or cruciferous-based dishes as a meal option. ;-)

[@larrydonna369]

Very good discussion. I use my inflatable sleeping pad in lieu of a bottom quilt. This gives me the flexibility of sleeping in the hammock, on the ground under my tarp, or in a trail shelter if one is available. The cost was $80 for the tarp, and about $60 each for the bag, pad and hammock (I watch the sales, particularly black Friday). I even have even sewn netting on the tarp. The whole setup is a bit under 5 lbs.

[@davidhristu6742]

That's a great idea! It still maintains its versatility for different situations whereas if the bugler is sewn into the hammock, it's only useful for one area/use

[@larrydonna369]

It is an 8 x 10 tarp and the netting consists of rectangular strips along the 10-ft sides and triangular flaps for the doors which I fasten with small clips. It stops the mosquitoes, but I have had slugs crawl under the netting and once I had spiders all over me (I must have been on a next). It works great with the OV 9-ft hammock. I miss-stated the weight; the whole setup is just under 6 pounds.

[@Peteru69]

I think the discussion is funny. Personally, hammock camping gets me excited to get out and I have a good time outside. But I get just as excited making shelters or finding good ground-camping spots. When we've been out hiking, the others were pretty skeptical of my hammock but everyone converted over the summer. I know people who just can't make the hammock work for them, and that's completely fine. I think it's nice to have the option for both, it definitely feels like the camping communities have some odd elitists though. I can't relate to that at all. Good video too. My tent setup is significantly more expensive, but I also made a lot of my own hammock gear so that's natural.

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

Yea, I keep both. Can't always use the hammock around here. Some places without trees, or just rules against it. But my hammock setup was a good deal more expensive than my ground setup.

[@punchdrunkatheist]

I've had fun trying to build shelters that could contain my hammock, haha. Slighter larger/steeper lean-to is pretty awesome over my hammock.

[@pathrst]

I like weighing the options through these discussions because when you are ballin' on a budget it's nice to get a lay of the land before spending all that money. I hear that about elitists.

[@rockymountainscouter5800]

I agree.

[@bigmac3006]

I'll take my tent any day of the week though sitting up and rocking in a hammock really tempts me.

[@richardburdyn9369]

Some parks do not allow hammocks. They say straps kill the trees. And it is a pain crawling back in a waded up sleeping bag in the middle of the night. By bag always slides to the center of the hammock.

[@nononsensenorseman]

*One of the few, FAIR comparisons I've heard so far.* *Good insight & information*

[@intermaria]

In my experience, you don't need an underquilt. Just get a regular foam pad

[@janewilliams1157]

One advantage to hammock camping that I enjoy is quicker, better vision when things go bump in the night. I do both but feel safer, oddly enough, in a hammock (not closed in). YMMV.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Its definitely easier to be aware of your surroundings!

[@Raven.flight]

I'm probably coming at this from a convert point of view (I use a hammock) but I'd say that one of the big disadvantages of a hammock (needing trees) is also a disadvantage for your more basic tent and using a tarp. For the most part people going that hard core aren't going to carry poles, so the tarp options (to me) quickly becomes a non-option, because I'd prefer the advantages of a hammock.

[@jadebailey3826]

Sounds to me like a hammock is the way to go.

[@jerrymiller276]

Best unbiased comparison of hammock vs tent camping that I've seen. I have both and use both depending on the variables that you mentioned in this video. Good job!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@Oldsparkey]

Great video , it should help a person decide which would be best for them. A lot depends on where you are camping and the weather. Here in the Semi-Tropics of Florida my Whole Set up from the trap over the Hammock to the ground steaks weighs 65 oz or 4.06 pounds. My Hammock , straps , bug net , stuff sack and whoopee slings. 24 oz. Mini Tarp , line , snake skins , stuff sack 17.4 oz. Miscellaneous , Steaks , Lines , Gear Loft stuff sack 7.6 oz. Mattress , self inflating 3/4 mummy 10 oz I inflate it about 3/4 full. , Cocoon Travel sheet ( silk ) 5.6 oz. Benefits of a Hammock. COMFORT , No roots in your back , Easy and quick set up , Don't need flat ground or even dry ground , Sleeping above all the critters ( one trip I had a Racoon walk right under me ), Lightweight , 360 degree ventilation , Getting in or out is the same as getting in or out of your bed , no crawling to get in or out. A double bottom hammock with the top netting is 100% mosquito proof. Most of all it is the perfect Leave No Trace style of camping. Did I mention , Comfort and 360 degree ventilation ? I also tent camp but only during our short winter because most of the year I refer to my tent as a sweat lodge. Yes , it does have good ventilation around the sides and front. .

[@jgt56]

Great video, very concise. I agree with just about everything. I've been backpacking for close to 40 years. Now I mostly hammock camp, it's been a couple of years since I ground camped. I have quality ground and hammock kits. For me, my ground kit is just a little bit lighter (I use the same top quilt for ground and hanging), and I found that, in good weather, setup and takedown is just a bit quicker with the tent. But nothing in the woods can compare to the comfort of my hammock!

[@ClintGibbs]

Really good video and very helpful for me. The one component that you didn't mention is a bug screen, which is very important in the areas that I camp. That pushes the cost of a hammock system over tents for me. Regarding set up time, I did a kayak trip this past weekend. My buddy set up a hammock, the rain fly and the bug screen. I had my tent set up quite a bit faster than he was able to set up his hammock with all of those components. So I guess it differs depending on what all your setting up.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Good point! Our bugnet sells for about $40 and weighs right around 8 oz.

[@ClintGibbs]

Outdoor Vitals good to know. I'll check out. Thx for the quick reply.

[@spatialinterpretations449]

I got full hammock system with built in net, and a tarp and cocoon set up for under USD $100, yeah all Chinese knock offs - but good quality material- very minor increase in poundage.

[@yeeeeyee]

There are companies that make hammocks with bug nets incorporated and also include a tarp. I use a Hennessy hammock, and have also heard of small custom companies like Warbonnet. It is much less hassle than a separate bug net.

[@zacharybaloga1795]

Clark sells a more enclosed hammock system, the mark 2 I believe, it can also be set up on the ground in the more traditional tenting style

[@rwatson2609]

Very well done video. I've done both types of camping, with the hammock being a Hennessy hammock weighing in @ 3 pounds and a half ounce which included a bug screen and a rain fly all the strapping and a stuff sack. The down side of the hammock setup was that I really could not sleep below 15c in temperature but it probably would have helped if I brought a sleeping bag along....but that's more weight. My personal setup time was about 4 minutes which included anchoring the rain fly to the ground. Sleeping in a hammock does actually take a little getting used to though, but keep the main line as tight as possible to keep the sleeping space flat

[@tsavage4185]

One of the best reviews I have ever watched. It honestly compared the two systems clearly without prejudging either in any real way. Great job, keep up the good work.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks!

[@scottbutler1561]

I am surprisingly shocked! This has to be the most objective review on this subject I've seen. I was waiting for a bias in your presentation, but it never showed up.

[@bwholladay]

Great info as always! However, I submit your numbers are for colder weather. Hammock camping in warmer weather is crazy cheap! Spring through Fall in NC I simply use an $8 reflective windshield sunshade under an inexpensive 40° bag (or even a bag liner if warm enough). Can't beat hammock for comfort. With that said, if backpacking with my daughters or others who want some privacy when changing clothes - tent is nice.

[@BDragonmasTer]

Love how high the production value is on these videos, they're just getting better and better. Awesome video!

[@brockmacd]

Great video, thanks! Tents work every time - that you can find an open, smooth space... - a tent camper

[@schmen226]

One thing to consider is that for the hammock is that you have light weight options for the underquilt for warmer weather. Great vid!

[@dabj9546]

My hammock setup is actually about 100€. 30€ hammock with mosquito net, 20€ for the pad, 30€ for the sleeping bag, 10€ for the tarp and now I even have 10€ spare for food... I admit the gear is very cheap and not usable in the winter (a 0 degree celsius night is the lowest I've done), but I've now had this setup for two years and many nights outside and as long as you have a needle and thread with your it totally works.

[@jacobclaassen4709]

Mine cost less than $200 and it was suitable in 0 degree farenheit(-16C?) weather

[@meerkatzThe23]

Da BJ do u have also such a "ticket to the moon"? i've seen that the equipment is partially more expensive than the hammock itself,like the mosquito net,the tarp,and i guess they make also such an underqulit! have u all products from the same manufacturer?

[@dabj9546]

Markus Wagner Actually none of my equipment is from the same brand. Most of it is from no-name brands, it does the job fine usually. I have heard only good things from Tickettothemoon but my hammock with an attached net probably does a better job for a third of the price.

[@seranes_silence]

10$ Tarp? Where?? What do you do about the cold wind, what pad do you use to be sufficient? Don't you need an Underquilt?

[@dabj9546]

YuukoDream Serenade The tarp is from the hardware store. it keeps m dry but I upgraded to a 40€ tarp from Amazon that is lighter, bigger and has better attachment points. And as I said I don't use that setup in winter so the pad is sufficient.

[@swiftlyvexing6669]

I use a zero degree bag ( works fine in the summer too) with my hammock and a dollar store tarp. About 6lbs and $150 it works for me in all 4 seasons in upstate NY.

[@chrisheggie952]

Excellent discussion thanks. For me it's horses for courses and each have very distinct advantages and disadvantages. When motorcycle camping I can easily find myself in a totally different landscape from one day to the next and if I'm out in a meadow or the outback with no trees, well it just has to be a tent. If I find myself in dense bush or rocky ground, I just have to ride on till I find an appropriate site. Plus if I camp in one spot for a couple of days it's handy to be able to zip up the tent with my gear inside and go for a hike with reasonable peace of mind for it being there when I get back...

[@EricFB]

A+ comparison. For me however I cannot sleep in a hammock. It was very comfortable while setting it up, but once I actually tried to sleep in it, it was a no-go. I'm a back sleeper and I still hated it. Woke up with neck cramping, soar back and hips. When I wasn't in pain I would wake up from the hammock moving around slightly in the wind which rather than rocking me to sleep made me feel dizzy. I will happily lay on un-even ground on my next trip. Cheers.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Great feedback! Thanks for the generous A+!

[@1averageamerican]

I'm just the opposite. My Ridgerunner is so comfortable to me I sometimes sleep in it at home. Use whatever works for you...just get out there.

[@tbeckle45]

A little late but it really irked me watching this. I’ve weighed out my setup time and time again and while yes it’s a 40 degree I’ve been down to 28 with it. Hammock, suspension, bugnet, top quilt, 3/4 under quilt, (because when you’ve got a foot box you don’t really need the extra insulation down by your feet when it’s over 30 degrees), and finally tarp with guylines, stakes, and ridge line all comes in at almost 3.5 lbs even. My winter quilts put my around the 5lb range and I use 0 degree with 2oz overstuffed and a full length underquilt with the same specs Edit Watching more into the video I will state that this setup is not nearly as budget friendly as what they selected. And that I have nothing against tents and would gladly use them as well

[@rockymountainscouter5800]

Great video. I would, however, like to correct one thing. Hammock camping has become so popular that there is a lot more competition and the prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Now you can find a hammock for $30 and a tarp for $30. This video does a pretty good comparison of the rest. I love to hammock camp but I also see a need to be ready for camping with a tent. So I have both. Pros and cons are pretty well presented here for both.

[@Epikkphoto]

You could even save more weight by going dyneema (cuben fiber) tarp and suspension

[@GunNut37086]

That's about the most objective spin on a subjective subject I've seen in a while. Great job.

[@CraigVolpe]

I think an important variable is temperature. Hammock insulation can be a lot lighter (don't even need underquilt) in warmer temperatures whereas tent and ground insulation not that much lighter even if warm. If you're trying to keep things light, I think hammocks are nice in cool to warm weather, but tents make more sense in lower temps.

[@johnellis4129]

Also, when it's hot and raining the hammock rules in ventilation unless you have a very well vented tent under a tarp. A tarp and rain fly on a muggy afternoon in between storms makes you suffer.

[@nicholasallan9248]

I hammock camp a lot and I don't even own an under quilt, I just put my sleeping pad I've off my mummy bag and I'm good to go

[@grindstone4910]

Winter is short in my area, and the other 3 seasons get hot fast, so hammock without much insulation other than maybe a bag or even a decent blanket does me fine. On the really humid days, I toss the blanket/bag off and just let the air flow cool me down. Much less weight need. Even winter doesn't get below freezing much. I've slept down to mid 40s with only a wool blanket in the hammock.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Sounds like you live in a great area!

[@claygross5341]

I love the hammock hands down.

[@Kolby9241]

Lee Harvey Oswald when i hike with 40lbs of gear and move 10 miles a day every ounce counts

[@MrT1-b5f]

Most people don't know how to setup a hammock correctly thus leading to being uncomfortable. My first time setting it up, i didn't give it enough space between trees to fully stretch so my body was sleeping in a U shape. now that i know i'll never sleep on the ground again.

[@1averageamerican]

@Lee Harvey Oswald wins the award for most misinformed pointless comment of the discussion.

[@loduke3905]

And shitty name.

[@swartzautoman2]

Thanks for the great info. I learned a few things I didn't know. I carry a bivy as well as a hammock with tarp. I use the tarp close to the ground over the bivy if no trees available.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for watching!

[@travisdip]

You made my decision even harder! Thank you for the amazing video!

[@seaotter52]

I've been hammocking since before it was cool and tented even longer. Have both and use both as the conditions warrant. Hammock is easier to DIY and is more comfortable for me (YMMV) but is a bit more finicky. Tents are relatively simple to pitch and straight forward. I have to have both systems due to terrain but I'm using my tarp to go to ground sometimes. Doesn't really matter which one you use as long as you are getting outside

[@PrestonGladd]

it looks like your beard grew a head! lol, great video, keep up the good work and respect the beard!

[@jy4985]

In not into the under quilt/top quilt. I use the same 15 degree bag and sleeping pad I used for tent camping. I like using the pad and bag combo. It spreads the hammock out and a little more condusive for rolling around. Plus no need for the extra gear/using the same gear in two contexts.

[@riskybidnes]

My boy scouts got me into hammock camping. The first night was the worst night I'd ever had camping. Felt claustrophobic, the trees were too close together, it was awful. The next night found the perfect trees, got the hammock pulled tighter and I swear I've never slept better in my life. There is no one is better than the other, it's always about where you're going. We camped at the river last weekend and had to carry the tent because there were no trees where we stayed. As a scoutmaster, my only advise would be prepared for each and every scenario. If you fail to plan you'll definitely have a rough go if it.

[@aquamarine9568]

Tent: dog can sleep inside with me and no mosquitos.

[@adamkennedy5845]

Mosquito net

[@viciousKev]

Permethrin

[@laur-unstagenameactuallyca1587]

yeah I need to be with my cockapoo and I'm scared I will push him out the hammock by accident lol

[@bonnevillebagger9147]

Lookup up the Dutch ware pup tent.

[@brandonkelbe]

I’ve pulled my 65lb+ Aussie into my hammock plenty of times. Sleeps right on top of me. When it’s not cold he’ll lay under it on my wool or jacket.

[@jasonarthur9316]

By far the best level of information and food for thought on these two systems. Well done Tayson, well done indeed.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Jason Arthur Thanks!

[@dabj9546]

You can defineteley go way cheaper on the hammock. Especially if you use a pad instead of a top- and underquilt. You could probably get a good setup without using any cheap gear for

[@maisetas]

Da BJ yes, and probably lighter as well

[@senormofeta6726]

Da BJ spot on! I use, first, a car window reflective shade (silver with bubbles), a wool horse blanket, and finally a 40 degree bag. I been warm to 25 degrees with long jonhs and sweats. It can be a PITA because the shade tends to slip out a bit if you toss and turn a lot.

[@toddsonbrownlow]

Senor Mofeta I use the reflective shade too!

[@ZeeroDubs]

I use a $30 hammock, a $20 tarp (I splurged lol), a military surplus sleep sustem I got for $100. I have slept in well below freezing and was just fine.

[@michami135]

I use the same sleeping bag in my hammock that I use in my tent. You don't need a bottom / top quilt. That cuts price and weight.

[@kitsychan]

It really comes down to personal preference and needs. There are more options with tent camping, and again you can spend more money if you want on tent camping. But something you can't do with Hammock camping is extended camping or basecamping. The weights go right up, but sometimes carrying a tent you can stand up in, put a portable wood stove in, dry your clothing, dry your gear, set up a cot, is far more convenient then a Hammock. And thats the big option you have with a tent. you can mix and match add or remove gear as needed based on season, and expectations.

[@fritzyberger]

The beauty of the hammock is, even if you can't find trees, you can still take it too the ground and using the quilts and hammock as blankets. It's not as comfortable but sleeping on the ground with a hammock is easier that hanging your tent up to stay out of mud or rougher terrain

[@m.hennrick1517]

For hammock camping use the housefly. The doors on the end make it completely dry. And can be setup to the ground. Happy Hanging ✌🏻

[@BjornAndreasBull-Hansen]

Subscribed! Regards from felllow beardsman in Norway

[@SpaklesDr]

Amazingly useful video man. Thanks. Looking into hammock camping but cannot get it lighter that my ground setup...plus money.

[@MartinGFoster]

Hammocks just aren’t an option for me. I hike in the mountains, usually above the tree line, if there any significant trees. Often there are not. I really don’t like forests aka green tunnels. I don’t really see the point of a tent either. I have generally preferred bivvy bags, a sleeping bag and pad in the last 30 year which are lighter than the other options in the video. That being said, I backpack in dry seasons, often in winter. At the minimum, a pad and sleeping bag are sufficient or in warm conditions, a pad alone.

[@1averageamerican]

I go hammock for the extreme comfort upgrade over being on the ground. But if I'm going above the tree line, which I rarely do, a bivy is great. Gets the job done and is light weight. Or you can setup a hammock on the ground with a couple trekking poles, stakes and a little know how.

[@alexmccarthy75]

I haven't been able to comfortably sleep in a hammock as of yet. And the bugs are a nightmare as well. I'm going to purchase a 'double' sized hammock, with zip-on/off bug net. I'm hoping I can find the magic sleep zone I keep hearing about. So far I only get 45 minutes to 2 hours of sleep in a hammock, before I give up. But a tent with a down sleep bag and a nice pad? Psh... See you around noon. Lolol.

[@dondiego124]

get a separate hammock bug net they're awesome. easier to get in and out of more head and you can stand up and put your boots on with no bugs

[@tom_olofsson]

this is a terrific video thank you so much for breaking down all of the options in a way that is balanced too many people have such strong opinions about one way or another of camping that they can't be objective and present the facts they just state dogma. thank you thank you thank you

[@defenderofsweden]

if you go ultralight in a 2 man tent its shelter for 2 under the weights of 2 hammocks and you can cook in it, i go like the military hammocks when in cars and trucks and tents when you are on foot. I live in sweden and try to go for a hike in the mountains here where there are no trees and use a hammock, hilleberg tent all the way.

[@davidhristu6742]

Really it depends on your climate and then season, for example in the summer it is great for a hammock but in the winter the amount of gear needed to stay warm is less for a ground setup(the winter I'm referring to is where snow can stay on the ground and not melt)

[@wisenber]

That hasn't been my experience. Winter ground you have to add a second pad, bigger sleeping bag, stronger tent.... Winter hammock means a bigger tarp, thicker insulation and a hammock sock. Deep snow is a bonus for hammocks. You can gig a trough for the hammock to go in completely out of the wind and insulated by the snow.

[@azb2010]

I was thinking the same thing. In the summer, there is no need for an underquilt when the temps are high. Or at most you need a piece of reflectix under you. A good bit of weight savings/cost savings there. In winter, I prefer going to ground as I have the dog(s) sleep with me and they add a great deal to the warmth. Bigger dogs don't do well in hammocks.

[@wisenber]

It would have to be pretty warm not to need something underneath (low above 65). I have a fractional underquilt that I use when it's above 40. It weigh about 12 ounces. As far as dogs, my little one sleeps in the hammock while my big one sleeps under the hammock on a cut down piece of blue foam under her and she has my underquilt draping over her.

[@TheTyrial86]

Oh man. When that wind picks up. It will suck the heat right of you. I wouldn't use a hammock for camping. Ever, not where I live.

[@wisenber]

If you're using a hammock sock and a tarp, you won't be hit by any more wind than in a four season tent. Not to mention, hammocks like trees and trees provide windbreaks.

[@mssixty3426]

Thank you for the great pros and cons comparisons. I want to try a hammock - I like the advantages. Question: since I live in the desert, are there hammocks with their own portable supports, and can the hammock discussed be hung on the metal supports of a picnic table shelter, or do the supports need the grip of tree bark to work on properly? Thank you!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

The tree straps in this and most hammock setups wouldn't work very well on the metal supports of a picnic shelter. My guess is you would need more grip. There are hammock stands you can buy that are metal frames used to hang a hammock on. Lots of people use these to chill out in their backyard, etc.

[@mssixty3426]

Outdoor Vitals thank you for your reply!

[@1averageamerican]

I have used my hammock with a strap around a metal light pole. If you wrap it right it will cinch on itself and not slip.

[@Taematoe]

I have 4 hammocks but I always use my tent. Never have to hunt for trees, I'm way warmer and my stuff stays dry. 2 cents.

[@1averageamerican]

If you're cold and wet in a hammock you don't know what you're doing. Personally I backpack in the mountains, there are trees everywhere.

[@troylynch9749]

I hike and camp in Kentucky so trees are not in short supply and flat ground isnt as easy to come by however when it comes to the tent one thing I have found out is a tent /tarp setup. I use the mesh body and ground sheet but leave the rain fly off and string a med. size tarp over the tent and it lets it breathe plus you can setup in rainy weather and keep everything dryer having alot more room to do other things that trying to do inside a vestibule can be more difficult

[@garrettsmith8286]

The biggest disadvantage of sleeping in a hammock where I live is there are many Bigfoot sightings. Personally I don't feel like being a ready to go burrito!

[@derekbell5333]

It also makes you just about head high for a bear.

[@brandonkelbe]

Bring dog. Bring gun. Bring gps sos.

[@famillecadieuxpoirier4956]

In a tent, you're more like a hamburger, equally ready to go!

[@garrettsmith8286]

@@brandonkelbe They will kill dogs, bend rifles like twigs & GPS only helps if you're alive.

[@garrettsmith8286]

@@famillecadieuxpoirier4956 Correction I'm all 100% white meat. Sorry, hamburger here.

[@unbdld42]

FYI- I own a hammock and have slept in extreme windy, rainy, snowy weather….nice and cozy. ZERO issues with shelter coverage. Cozy cozy cozy like a bug in a rug. I woke up with snow on the ground and a few nights before with blizzard type wind/rain….not a problem. BUT…I paid a lot of money for my setup.

[@samuelhartsock1177]

What is your setup?

[@ShazBookOwl]

I have both setups and enjoy using both. Because I live in Australia - a bug net is not optional (we have to have it - otherwise who knows what creepy crawly you might wake up face-to-face with or be bitten by... lol). I also use a mat in my hammock (inside my sleeping bag, so it doesn't move around from under me). So for me the hammock setup is actually heavier, but totally worth the extra weight for the comfort. So far I haven't used my hammock in Winter on an overnight hike - so haven't needed the underquilt option. Of course I have the OV Aerie 20F, so could use it as an underquilt (which I have, but car camping). I do have an ultra-light 1P hiking tent, so I'm keen to see what OV comes up with there. But another disadvantage you didn't mention (for hammock camping) is getting dressed/undressed. And...Also, again because of creepy crawlies that we have here, my shoes are either inside my tent or inside my hammock. They don't bother me inside the hammock - an advantage of only being 5'5", I guess. And before you ask, if it's raining - they're in a plastic bag... having a little dirt in the hammock doesn't bother me, I just shake it out... My last two overnight hikes have been with a hammock... I just love it... Going on a 2 night/3 day hike soon... still deciding whether to hammock or tent... oh the dilemmas of loving the outdoors... Cheers

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Have fun on your hike!

[@sophia2907]

Thank you for the very informative comparison! As a passionate camper with a quite different background, I'd just like to add some thoughts. I've used both a tent and a hammock system for various trips (long distance hiking and biking as well as ones by car) through Europe and have now figured out my go-to shelter depending on the sort of the trip: Solo, legs-powered, stealth camping, mostly in low altitudes - hammock and tarp. Social, motorized vehicle, 'legal' camping - tent (big tent). As wild camping is quite illegal in much of central Europe, the forest is a pretty good place to stay undiscovered and unfined. (It also allows you to maybe get away with it even it caught as the laws haven't adapted their phrasing to this relatively new form of rebellion... ;) ) Also finding a place to set up a tent can be quite tricky as in many regions every flat piece of land is either a private garden or farmland. Which you can actually use to your advantage - sleeping in strangers' gardens, orchards, fields has many advantages, a bathroom and potentially lifelong friendships are just two of them. Usually it's easier to find a garden with a neglected lawn than two perfect trees (a hammock can be hung between a ton of different things apart from trees, btw), but I've always been able to find something suitable. What's handy about sleeping in a hammock is being off the ground. Not having to worry about scorpions in Italy, wild boars in Germany and finding a non-boggy spot in Norway while also being able to stargaze spares you a lot of worrying. Also, creativity! A hammock and a tarp will create you a pretty comfortable shelter wherever (I repeat: wherever) you are. Set up your tarp over a park bench, your bike, your trekking pole(s) when there's nothing to hang off around. Or sleep over a lake, in between boulders, in your favourite tree's canopy, on your couchsurfing host's balcony. Take a rest during the day, adjust the angle, height and tension as you like - aaah, infinite possibilities! Lastly, my hammock system weights way less than any one person UL tent I could afford: Adventuridge Travel Hammock (with adjustments) 350g (12oz), Tarp (a no longer used tent's ground sheet with added attachment points etc) at 400g (14oz) and all straps and lines and stakes at 250g (9oz). I don't use an under quilt, a simple foam pad (300g, 10.5oz) does the job as well, even in the deepest winter in the Alps. The whole setup has costed me 12€ (14 US$) for improvised tree straps and some rope for a whoopie sling. The tarp is upcycled, the ridge line and lines for staking out the tarp used to be part of the hammock and you can get the hammock for under 15$ online. If you ask your friends I bet you someone wants to get rid of a foam pad or otherwise buy it used for 2$. To me, a hammock is an inexpensive, lightweight, fun, flexible shelter that opens up a whole world of new possibilities for adventures in most any terrain.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for a fantastic perspective!

[@randyross725]

My hammock was $45 including a tarp. Under quilt was $30. Inflatable pillow was $5. So far so good!

[@rannxerox3970]

If you are in a warmer season, you can just do a pad in a hammock. Something like a Hennessy has a pocket and tie ins for a thin foam pad. I use a equipment sling with my setup, its like a small hammock under your hammock that I put all my equipment in. My custom made 4 season tarp is like a tent with the doors closed. I have pitched the hammock and tarp very low so the tarp is almost touching the ground.

[@brandonkelbe]

For me hammock is easier in every way. Most importantly takes up less space, and lighter for less. You can find an ultra light hammock a lot easier than an ultra light tent.

[@TheFleetcaptain210]

Thanks for the comparison. I hammock camped and thought I would stay with it as the primary shelter, I agree there are a lot of good points to using a hammock, and understanding what terrain you are going in to is important. Another advantage to hammocks is you are less bothered by critters. Small rodents and chipmunks are not an issue. Also as Dan Walbolt noted...no crawling out of the hammock to get out. However, I have found a couple of issues you could add to the down side to hammocks. I notice that your hammock set up does not include a bug net. That is critical in the late spring and summer. The hammock I have has a built in bug mesh which is great but adds weight. I find I have to get out of my hammock to change, which means I am more exposed to the weather. It may be me, but I find setting up a trekking pole tent or tarp system faster than the hammock. For the last two years I have been tarp camping and bring a bug mesh in the buggy seasons. That has its own challenges. For winter camping I use a hot tent...a totally different kind of camping. Thanks again for the info.

[@dannyeugenewaits9486]

Great idealistic way to compare, totally agree!

[@DadBodDrumming]

I went to Utah this past summer. I wanted to use my hammock since it would be really warm out and the stars would be really visible. But, its mostly desert so there were no trees. And when I did find trees in national parks, they didn't allow you to hang hammocks from them. So I had to use a tent.

[@nightsquats]

Pros cons etc, the standard is to get outside and have fun! Outdoor Vitals is on my radar and my subscription list, here's to us All getting the most we can from our outdoor adventures!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You said it!

[@bihlygoat]

Great video! It’s hard to do a comparison that everyone will like because of all the options. But I think you were fair. The many comments about “what if you use this gear” or “my setup weighs...” are annoying - do they expect you to compare every single option on both sides? A few more cons I have found for hammock camping - some have already been mentioned: • I am a stomach sleeper (gasp!). Does not work with a hammock. • You need a big net with a hammock in the summer, but not with a tent. That adds more weight and cost to the hammock system. • Changing clothes in a hammock is very tricky, especially if in a campsite without privacy. Changing in a tent is much easier.

[@bihlygoat]

*Bug net...

[@fergl1673]

Been hammock camping in Canada for 6 years now and wouldn't consider going back to the ground. Winter camping has been very successful (with the right tarp). Once your cocooned in your down it's all good. Good video 👍

[@RobGlazier]

Great comparison. You hit all the points. For me hammock camping comes down to comfort and versatility. It's not cheaper or lighter than a tent but it is way, way, more comfortable. But, you're right you need trees. though with two good trees I can set up over uneven terrain, tall grass, brush, whatever. One dig, if I may...get out there and hang in the winter. You can manage the temps with proper quilts and there is nothing like lifting one side of the tarp , in porch mode, and gently swinging while watching the snow fall. Hammock camping takes a little more commitment than sleeping on the ground but as long as I can know I'll have a couple of trees I'm packing the hammock.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Winter hammocking is awesome! Great suggestion!

[@mel6284]

I couldn't stop thinking of myself as a bear's pinata...but it was comfortable

[@deannahext]

Melonie Abbott Same here.

[@clevelandexplorer2221]

Very accurate and stuff but tarps are as good cover as they're pitched: pitch lower. I don't think that's an issue at all unless one is tall and even then I imagine it's like being in a tent. I have a 3x3 meter, I can use it as a tent or tarp shelter with fantastic coverage, but I love the option of folding the corners in as doors :) I do want a top quilt though, that's versatile I believe for tents and hammocks

[@blackbird2056]

Forget the comparison. You my friend have a Epic beard. Beard on !

[@scarumanga]

I prefer a bivy over a tent when solo, much more compact and light, no poles or setup. Just unroll the bivy, put your thermarest and sleeping bag in and your set to camp pretty much anywhere. Hammock seems like a great alternative, I have not tried hammock camping yet though, though I do have a Chillax hammock from Costco that I plan to attempt this with. A 4-lb marmot trestles bag with a -3C comfort rating is what I use here in the Rockies. Best part about camping with a bivy though is you are always on top of your thermarest, I find in a tent I always end up off of it. The thermarest pillows are awesome too, super packable and really comfy once you let them expand for a half hour.

[@73N5H1]

Used to be true, nowadays tents are as light, if not lighter than bivys.

[@rusttey6526]

I bought my hammock and tarp for about £40

[@darkfoxjj]

With the hammock/tarp setup you can also sleep on the ground like a tent... You might even be able to use the bugnet if you hang it up correctly.

[@lifeisgood070]

The benefit of the tent is I add like 5oz for an UL 2 person tent and take a gf. With a hammock it would be an extra 5lbs.

[@JamesArthurKayak]

Take a girlfriend.. lol. Not take" my" girlfriend

[@sterlingmaloryarcher420]

@@JamesArthurKayak bruh.... He's talkin bout ne ones gf wtf