Been lurking on here for a little while, and watched pretty much all of Shugs videos! (HA!). Looking into getting into hammock camping not only for the SHT, but our family is even thinking of converting out of tents/ground to the trees! Our kiddo is even all on board!

What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging?

quote MNLindsey80: "Been lurking on here for a little while, and watched pretty much all of Shugs videos! (HA!). Looking into getting into hammock camping not only for the SHT, but our family is even thinking of converting out of tents/ground to the trees! Our kiddo is even all on board!

What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging? "

I've been doing it for 2 years now and I'm still find myself on the fence sometimes on if it's for me. I like sleeping on my side ( sewing a new design that may facilitate that better) and I find that I toss and turn a lot. That said it takes some time so I wouldn't go "all-in, but start slow and invest as/if you take a liking to it.

I would be on the opposite end, I don't hardly move sleeping in my hammock, but can't stay still on the ground. My two biggest things I wish I had known are: Menards tarps are not for camping, Thought I could save some money, but they are very loud in the wind, and when wet, very heavy. Insulation is very important, I tried sleeping with a pad in my hammock the first few nights, and I got very cold. Under quilts are a great option, I have now modified a -10 sleeping bag into a cocoon system. $70 bag, and an hour of my time with the sewing machine. I have been out in the upper teens, and stayed toasty warm.

quote MNLindsey80: "Been lurking on here for a little while, and watched pretty much all of Shugs videos! (HA!). Looking into getting into hammock camping not only for the SHT, but our family is even thinking of converting out of tents/ground to the trees! Our kiddo is even all on board!
What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging? "

If you've been watching Shug's videos, then you've probably heard most everything you need to consider. Before I started hammock camping, I did a lot of research and can say that so far all of my choices have worked out pretty well, and now I far prefer a hammock to a tent for comfort, ease of enter/exit, setup/teardown and packing.
I haven't changed anything significant from my first set-up other than getting a 4 season tarp (winter dream from UGQ) that is larger for better coverage and has "doors" that can be closed and snapped shut at each end - phenomenal tarp.
One sticking point for me was weight - guys like Shug are very gram-conscious, looking to save weight and space above almost all else. Ultimately, since 90% of what I do is wilderness canoeing, I decided not to worry about a few ounces here or there. So, for example I skipped things like lightweight titanium suspension components or a Cuben Fiber tarp. Since you mention SHT, though, weight might be more important to you particularly if you're planning on logging a lot of miles.
One other thought is that it's very helpful to first practice setting-up in your backyard or wherever possible - get the "hang" of proper suspension angle for best comfort, tarp rigging, etc.

Thanks Hoaf,

Yes - we definitely plan to do lots of hanging around state parks/car camping, even in the backyard before we head out to the BWCA. ;-)

Good tips so far. Thanks!

I struggled getting the proper lie until I gave in and did a structural ridgeline. I got away without doing one until my second trip and that was a lesson learned. You'd think in the middle of the woods with all those trees, you'd never have a problem finding 2 that were the correct distance apart...

What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging? "

1 - That a cup of coffee from an alcohol stove, while swinging in a hammock looking at the mist on a lake in the morning really is THAT spectacular.

2 - It's a rabbit hole of spending if you're not careful and the truly 'nice' stuff adds up quick.

3 - I didn't HAVE to get a hammock with an integrated bug net. I'm confident there are more comfortable hammocks. = I have come to a personal conclusion that longer hammocks will always be more comfortable (might not be correct for everyone. Knowing this would have increased my options - a fronkey style bugnet can almost always be added.

4 - That an underquilt really truly is WAY better than a pad. = No fussing, way warmer and just all around more comfortable. It really does take it to the next level.

4 - That I would have more trouble finding trees far enough apart than I would dealing with trees that are too close. = Super long tree straps aren't needed with whoopie slings in the BWCA.

quote Simmy32: "
What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging? "

"
2 - It's a rabbit hole of spending if you're not careful and the truly 'nice' stuff adds up quick."

Oh so very true. It will not only cost more, but if the three of you are going to be hanging it's going to be more volume and pounds and setup time than using a tent.

Hey Lindsey

Been hanging for 7 years now. The only thing I would have invested in years ago would have been a good underquilt. I use a dble layer system with a pad. Works great, I can sleep to about 37 outside. A good underquilt & I would be winter camping. But age is catching up to me & it wouldn't be a good investment.

If you are thinking about using your hammock system at a state park, remember their rules & think about investing in hammock stands. Not all state parks allow you hammock camping & if they do they require certain types of straps or a hammock stand.

Have fun with your new system

Finding a place to hang is a bit like finding a place to set a tent, just different criteria. Not all campsites have decent places to hang but could be just right for a tent and the reverse. And like tents, the more there are the more difficult it is to find a suitable hang situation. I think that is more the case for hanging as each site only accommodates one.
Sites with mature pines seem to offer some of the better hang spots in the BWCA per my experience, but come with sap issues so have a separate bag for the tree straps. Cedar does not have the sap, but finding suitable cedar is more difficult as they often have low branches and other undergrowth.
One very important thing I am still learning is how to tie the various knots that improve hanging. I learned early to assure a tight knot that will undo easily and hold all night.
I think you will enjoy hanging so best wishes and remember to keep your butt warm.

Buy an expensive hammock right off the bat, not a cheap one because you will have to upgrade anyway.

Cotton shoelaces work great for a rain dripline.

Amsteel Whoopie slings are the way to go.

A quality underquilt is needed, goose down or synthetic.

Buy a tarp big enough to cover you and your gear. 12x10 is the size I use. You can also get side doors sewn on to keep you warm from wind, cold or rain or snow.

Figure9 cord tighteners work slick for fast easy cord tighteners.

Hi Lindsey. Glad to hear of your interest in family hammock camping.
We have been doing this in warm weather for three years now in SNF and BWCA. I started by piecing together cheap gear to see if I even liked sleeping in a hammock. None of it worked that great, so I would recommend buying one quality camping hammock from one of the cottage vendors. It MUST include some type of bugnet. Have your family practice setting up and adjusting this one hammock on an early trip. Make sure everyone can actually sleep in it as well. Setting up three or four hammocks and tarps can be very time consuming so best if everyone learns together. Most hangs aren't ideal and you'll have enjoy the challenge of setting up creatively. Welcome! last year's challenge at Jack Lake site

quote Magrockt:

That's a very creative hang, well done.

Heck yeah it is. I think I wouldn't have stayed there. I remember being on Finger Lake in the BW and the nice 5 star was taken so I went around the lake and the first three sites didn't have a place to hang. Only one site left, it was on the north side of the island. Turned out to be perfect for a solo with a great spot to hang.

quote Savage Voyageur: "

quote Magrockt:

That's a very creative hang, well done. "

Thanks! To clarify, the previous guests had cut the live sprucetree. I just got some use out of it.

quote Savage Voyageur: "Cotton shoelaces work great for a rain dripline.
"

Precisely. Tie two - about 6 inches apart - on each end of your suspension under the overhang of your tarp.
You'll stay dry in a deluge.

I wish that I would have known how comfy a hammock can be. I would have entered the world of hanging years earlier. If you've already watched all of Shug's stuff then I probably can't help you. But I recommend spending a night in your hammock in your back yard or local park before you head up north. Also, a small gear organizer hanging from your ridgeline above your head is extremely useful for storing small items like sunglasses, flashlight, lighter, etc.

Hey everyone, still me (Lindsey, switched the name due to some rebranding on my blog).

Anyways...

We ended up buying:
- 3 Kammok Hammocks (really high reviews. Basecamp Kid has slept in her kammok for 3 weeks straight now, and refuses to sleep in her regular bed. Basecamp Dad and I both have slept in the house on the hammocks and plan to camp a few times at nearby state parks before our next BWCA trip. So far - we're impressed.)

- 1 Set Python Straps
- 1 Set Atlas Straps (Both are super easy due to the daisy chain loops to tie. Obviously there are lighter options, but as we're easing into the scene, easy is good for us.)

1 - Eno Tarp - who has opinions? Haha.

We still need to buy more tree straps, bug nets, and tarps. I think for this year we're going to use our mats for "under quilts", and use our sleeping bags 1/2 zipped for a top quilt. We'll probably buy at least 1 underuilt this year, and buy one each year thereafter.

Really good to know about a shoe lace for a rain drip.

We see different styles for bug nets. Verticle zip entry and horizontal zip entry. Anyone have a specific preference?

quote brux: "

quote MNLindsey80: "Been lurking on here for a little while, and watched pretty much all of Shugs videos! (HA!). Looking into getting into hammock camping not only for the SHT, but our family is even thinking of converting out of tents/ground to the trees! Our kiddo is even all on board!


What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging? "

I've been doing it for 2 years now and I'm still find myself on the fence sometimes on if it's for me. I like sleeping on my side ( sewing a new design that may facilitate that better) and I find that I toss and turn a lot. That said it takes some time so I wouldn't go "all-in, but start slow and invest as/if you take a liking to it."

the dutch wide hammock i got last fall allows me to side sleep, extra material makes it more roomy. i have a reg. width as well, and i can with that as well, but the double is better. they are 11 ft. hammocks, fyi.

quote Simmy32: "
What are the top things you wish you would have known when you started hanging?

2 - It's a rabbit hole of spending if you're not careful and the truly 'nice' stuff adds up quick.

4 - That an underquilt really truly is WAY better than a pad. = No fussing, way warmer and just all around more comfortable. It really does take it to the next level.
"

"

Oh #2 for sure! We just dropped several hundred dollars on this new adventure.. but it is fun and exciting. Here's our lineup. (I just posted this in the Gear forum too).

- Kammok Roo Hammock
Basecamp Dad actually anchored out tie outs in Basecamp Kids room to hang her roo. We've all slept in it very comfortably, and Basecamp Kid doesn't even sleep in her real bed she loves her hammock so much! HA.

- Python Straps for supension
- Dragonfly Bug Net

#4 - I knew I wanted an underquilt. So excited to NOT have to give my Exped CPR in the field. (although that thing was a boss and very comfortable).
- Outdoor Vitals Underquilt Super excited to try this out. I needed something generally "light" and compact at the right price point since I'm going to be out on the SHT a lot this year.

- Plan to use my sleeping bag as a top quilt for now.

Testing out a few different tarp set ups - but I think we officially spent our tax money on this new hammock adventure! (So comfy tho)

Rolling Fox Tarp
ENO ProFly

It looks like you have made some good economical and mindful decisions to get into the swing of things... ;) (I couldn't resist).

I'm genuinely curious about that Outdoor Vitals Underquilt. Looks like an excellent price point. Let us know what you think of it. If you are set up for indoor hanging you will have time to fiddle with it and make sure you are dialed in prior to outdoor tripping.

Dutchware is your friend if you have trouble with adjustments.

Have fun!

The one tip I have...
When you move to an UQ, make sure you anchor it to your hammock. I can't tell you how many times the UQ slipped under my outside shoulder and I lost all insulation down to my butt. Come up with a system that keeps the UQ in place. Mine are home-made, so I had to sew on a few loops.