After weighing my options, I'm deciding to go hammock instead of a tent. I have seen a military jungle hammock on the military surplus websites. They look like they would work great and they even have side flaps that you can lay down to cover the side netting during a rain storm. Anyone have one of these? None of these sites have customer reviews on the hammock. It was only 40 bucks. I really would like to stay under a hundred bucks.

Hopefully, I'm not familiar with this hammock. The only military hammocks I am familiar with were canvas and way heavy for packing.

hammock

I do not have one of these but I would like to help. If the side flaps fold down you will get hot inside. I would get a tarp over the top. Looks like it would work.

Check out the grand trunk Skeeter Beeter. Roughly the same price point and a lot lighter. Those side flaps look like they'd be hot even in stormy weather. You should have a tarp over you, even if its just a poly one from the hardware store. Chinook makes cheap PU coated tarps.

If you really want to commit to a hammock visit hammock forums. Lots of good advice and good people.

i posted a photo of a jungle hammock i found at a yard sale a few weeks ago.WW2 model that weights about 7 pounds.it has a double bottom so the bugs can't bite thru.mine is in like new shape.the rain cover would drop down to cover the netting but unlike the Nam era ones it's made of canvas so i can see that it could get wet and heavy and stay that way.
the guys who used it in the Pacific thought it was too short and curved when you got into it but i would think anything would be better than a pup tent on the islands.
if you have bear worries the WW2 hammock has loop under it to hold a rifle....
i have a copy of the newer hammock but never found it useful except for back yard napping.

Many items typically sold through "Military Surplus" stores are neither military nor surplus. This looks like one of those made in China gimmicky items (similar to the "survival tube tent"). I'd pass.

Do a bit of checking on this sites hammock boards. Might even find a real hammock for sale at a reasonable price.

I have one and would not suggest it to any serious outdoorsman. They are heavy and seem to work better as a bivy than a hammock.

Agreed, I broke down a bought a Hennesey expedition asym.

We don't use them for sleeping (well, at least not overnight) but our genuine Government Issue nylon hammocks do the job fantastically. Roll up nicely, weigh little. (This year, we even set up a cheap-o Coghlan's netted variety -- seen in the background. It hadn't seen the light of day for a decade but worked handsomely as well.)

Whatever you do, I really cannot stress enough the importance of using tree straps. Hammockers really need to do whatever they can to protect the trees they hang from. Even if you want to argue about how beneficial they are to the cambium, you should at least use them to make it obvious to even casual observers you care about the trees' welfare.

Hangers are much maligned in parks all over the country because hammock ropes can and DO hurt trees. Many states have banned them completely. I would hate to see parks in Minnesota or the National Forest Service to decide hammocks are out here, too. Be a good steward. Use the straps!

quote Lymphocytosis: "Whatever you do, I really cannot stress enough the importance of using tree straps. Hammockers really need to do whatever they can to protect the trees they hang from. Even if you want to argue about how beneficial they are to the cambium, you should at least use them to make it obvious to even casual observers you care about the trees' welfare.


Hangers are much maligned in parks all over the country because hammock ropes can and DO hurt trees. Many states have banned them completely. I would hate to see parks in Minnesota or the National Forest Service to decide hammocks are out here, too. Be a good steward. Use the straps!"

Good point. Unfourntally my local state park informed me that hammocks are a no go. I spent a good amount of time trying to convince the ranger that straps do little damage but we wasn't intrested. This begs the question, is it better to ask permission or for forgiveness?

Congrats on the hammock banana! Enjoy and post some pics