Hammock or tent?

[MarkH]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/camp...-883801632.htm

WTF?
Is that just a tarp they are trying to charge $130 for?
It looks like the tarp I paid US$20 for on a special from woot.com, I wouldn't think of paying $130!

I'm looking into hammock camping, not for saving weight or space but for what I'm told is much better comfort.
I sleep very restlessly in a tent on an inflatable mattress, I'm told that hammocks eliminate pressure points and result in a VERY comfortable sleep.
I do understand that you MUST have insulation under you though and am looking into various options.
I've bought a Hammock for US$20 and a fly for another US$20 and am looking at setting up a PLUQ to start with as a cheap way to cut down the cold air under me.

I'd say that hammocks could be worth trying but if you do it wrong you wont like it.
Tents are easier.
You can get very fancy tarps that make the hammock more like a tent and give you somewhere to get dressed.
I'm talking about tarps like this:


My plan is to try this hammock stuff out and if I do find it much more comfortable to then spend some decent money to get a really sweet setup with good hammock, tarp, UQ, TQ, etc.
I'll even look into a system for setting up a hammock without any trees needed (yes, these exist).
If I don't like sleeping in a hammock then I guess I'll have to stick to tenting.

[clint640]

Another thing to consider is bugs. Lots of the scenic places in NZ where you might want to camp will have the odd sandfly & mozzie in residence. Make sure your chosen shelter has a good way of keeping the little buggers out.

I like my Macpac Minaret tent. Super quick to erect. Stays up in any weather. At 2.2 kg not much heavier than some hammock setups. Not cheap but mine is over 10yrs old now & is still going strong. Probably overkill for one person if you are trying to be minimalist but for two of us it's a good compromise between size, weight & utility. We chuck our riding gear in a bag outside.

Cheers
Clint

[awa355]

Nice to read comments based on experiences on both hammocks and tents. I think I am leaning towards the tent at the moment. The idea of not having to worry about the dampness of the ground and unseen rocks/lumps etc that pop up after setting the tent had appealed to me. Plus I figured that I would not have to lug an extra bulky item along (mattress). A few you tube vids and comments here emphasize the need for a mattress regardless. Ideally, it would be nice to be off the ground slightly but I haven't seen any stretchers with a frame that would fit on a bike.

NF's credit card is certainly one way to go, but being on the beach or along side a river with no other buggar around is what it is all about.

I did the bivvy bag under the tarp thingy one July at Coromandel. It was cold and not being able to sit up was a pain.

[Dadpole]

I too was sold on the hammock idea. Light, no hard/wet ground etc. If I could get a good nights sleep in one, I would still use one. Trees (or lack of) are not an issue where I go.
See if you can borrow one. The idea is sound - just not for me. I hate bivvy bags though.

[Erelyes]

Something like the 'Kamp-Rite Midget Bushtrekka' would be cool. Tow it behind your bike. Trouble is, it's built for pushbike speeds.

[Gremlin]

What about a tent ON your motorcycle?




No... I haven't bought one...

[JATZ]

get a SWAG

heres a linke (http://www.wildearth.com.au/buy/true...nvas-sw/TM32BK)

I looked at those when in Aus... About the size of a small car and weigh about as much as a baby elephant. (not really but they're not a weight or space saving option) IMHO

I got a 1 man tent from kathmandu for around $100 on special. Very well made, packs down to nothing, light weight. No way you can sit up in it, and kind or reminds me of sleeping in a coffin. Luckily I’m not worried about that sort of thing, and I’m only 5 foot FA, so works for me.

Down sleeping bag packs down to nothing also, but they’re a bit shit if they get wet. Used it for years and always managed to keep it dry. (No jokes about pissing the bed. I haven’t done that for weeks)

I also tried a one man Kathmandu tent thingy, it reminded me of a coffin too I lasted about 1/2 a night and had to get out. Gave me the shits it did, and a headache
+1 on down sleeping bags, they pack down small and are warm, which for me is the main thing.If I'm warm I'll sleep anywhere


You should get one of those Gremlin. we can take bets on how long it is before your bike topples over

[Moi]

... You should get one of those Gremlin. we can take bets on how long it is before your bike topples over

Topple... by itself or with some help?

[Gremlin]

You should get one of those Gremlin. we can take bets on how long it is before your bike topples over

But it topples over regularly enough without a tent contraption on the top?

[pete376403]

cot tent? If it packed small enough, or at least smaller than a separate tent and stretcher bed it could be ok.

[puddytat]

Another thing to consider is bugs. Lots of the scenic places in NZ where you might want to camp will have the odd sandfly & mozzie in residence. Make sure your chosen shelter has a good way of keeping the little buggers out.

I like my Macpac Minaret tent. Super quick to erect. Stays up in any weather. At 2.2 kg not much heavier than some hammock setups. Not cheap but mine is over 10yrs old now & is still going strong. Probably overkill for one person if you are trying to be minimalist but for two of us it's a good compromise between size, weight & utility. We chuck our riding gear in a bag outside.

Cheers
Clint

Wot he said.

the Minaret we've got is well over 20 years old & would've been set up hundreds of times all over the world.
Packs small, Kiwi quality...keeping us dry & warm since ages ago.
A tent is good for 3-4deg above ambient air temp too....

[Smifffy]

You should get one of those Gremlin. we can take bets on how long it is before your bike topples over

If Gremlin got one, he would also need to add a sat dish, a flat screen tv, a couch and a kitchen sink...

[R650R]

Tents are easier.
You can get very fancy tarps that make the hammock more like a tent and give you somewhere to get dressed.

Somewhere to get dressed... your a biker you don't need privacy, let it all hang out... or maybe you don't want to get told off like I did at classic rally lol

[R650R]

What about a tent ON your motorcycle?

No... I haven't bought one...

I saw some tool had one of these style things on top of his SUV at a Rotovegas mountainbike event, looked so fkn stupid... off the bloody scale on the hey look at me cringeworthy factor.
Plus your at such an easy tempting poke me pull me slash me level for lazy vandals and hooligans lol...

[Big Dog]

Somewhere to get dressed... your a biker you don't need privacy, let it all hang out... or maybe you don't want to get told off like I did at classic rally lol

I try to dress with modesty. After 23 1/2 years this has nothing to do with any sense of modesty. It has every thing to do with not wanting to inflict the glorious sight of my nakedness on those of weaker dispositions.

A number of times I have had to remind myself that an open plan office with security cameras is not the best place to get changed.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.