Hammock or tent?

**awa355** · 16th May 2015, 03:12

An interesting blog on the correct way to hang and lie in a hammock. This is part 3 of an article on hammocks.

http://www.treklightgear.com/treklife/hammock-angle/

**bart** · 16th May 2015, 07:36

Originally Posted by awa355

An interesting blog on the correct way to hang and lie in a hammock. This is part 3 of an article on hammocks.

http://www.treklightgear.com/treklife/hammock-angle/

Good read. I was concerned about the curve with my crooked back. It seems you can lay flat. Could be a good summer option, but I’m happy with the tent for autumn/winter/spring/rain/wind/hail/snow...so don’t think I’d get one.

**Trials Rider** · 16th May 2015, 09:35

Originally Posted by 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

Yip I totally agree about the bugs, I have spent some shit nights tossing and turning from being bitten and then finally after what seems to be a 45 hour long night wake up and find you face looks like you have been in a bad pub scrap and lost.

I love my Hilleberg Nallo 2 tent, it is a two person tent so plenty of room for me on one side and gear on the other side http://www.motomox.co.nz/shop/show_s...t.php?prod=227 and at 2.4kg packed weight it is non event packing it on the bike, I can fit the tent, sleeping mat, air pump, pillow, jacket in a 20 Litre roll top bag http://www.motomox.co.nz/shop/show_s...t.php?prod=232 it is convenient having the tent bag separate from the main bag, it is first off the bike to set up your home and chuck everything in for the night.

**Moi** · 16th May 2015, 11:14

Originally Posted by Big Dog

... 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.

**Smifffy** · 16th May 2015, 15:56

Originally Posted by Big Dog

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.

I'd be inclined to think "hey if I get changed here often enough they might stop monitoring me on the cameras..."

**awa355** · 16th May 2015, 16:30

Originally Posted by Trials Rider

I love my Hilleberg Nallo 2 tent, it is a two person tent so plenty of room for me on one side and gear on the other side .

At $1200 for a 2 man tent, I cant see me buying one. It might be good quality, but so are many other brands at a lesser price. My old First Light 2 man is about 15 years old and still does the job. I had been keen on a hammock setup but may just stick to a tent.

**neels** · 16th May 2015, 22:59

A mate of mine swears by a bivvy bag and a tent fly when travelling light, as long as you go to bed after the bugs do.

These days I prefer the credit card in the pocket theory, I'm not too fussy though, anything 4 star and above is fine.

**Trials Rider** · 17th May 2015, 08:27

Originally Posted by awa355

At $1200 for a 2 man tent, I cant see me buying one. It might be good quality, but so are many other brands at a lesser price. My old First Light 2 man is about 15 years old and still does the job. I had been keen on a hammock setup but may just stick to a tent.

Yes they are expensive but they are the best, when it comes to camping if you want a shit day, haver a shit night before. I simply can't be stuffed having a crappy tent ruin my weekend in bad weather.

**MarkH** · 17th May 2015, 12:04

Originally Posted by Trials Rider

Yes they are expensive but they are the best, when it comes to camping if you want a shit day, haver a shit night before. I simply can't be stuffed having a crappy tent ruin my weekend in bad weather.

Ah yes, but is it really fair to describe tents that cost less than $1200 as crappy?
My Redverz Series II Expedition tent is one I would consider expensive, but it is only US$450 which seems like a budget tent compared to a $1200 tent.
I've camped plenty of times in a tent that cost $60 and I don't really think it is all that bad even though I can't stand up in it like in the Redverz.

**Trials Rider** · 17th May 2015, 16:40

Originally Posted by MarkH

Ah yes, but is it really fair to describe tents that cost less than $1200 as crappy?
My Redverz Series II Expedition tent is one I would consider expensive, but it is only US$450 which seems like a budget tent compared to a $1200 tent.
I've camped plenty of times in a tent that cost $60 and I don't really think it is all that bad even though I can't stand up in it like in the Redverz.

No I call a crappy tent one with the skinny fibreglass poles that break in a mild wind and the out fly that progressively gets wet and saggy, if all you want to do is camp in summer at the local domain a $10 tarp will be fine, but if you want a good tent is costs good money regards of the brand.

My main point is don't buy shit, it will let you down at the worst possible time.

**_Shrek_** · 20th May 2015, 18:58

I still use my hammock, unless I'm with mrs Shrek then use the tent which you can stand up in, the hammock is warmer than the tent in the snow & frost, can be a bit of a pain when it's wet for keeping your gear dry but have never got wet while sleeping

**MarkH** · 20th May 2015, 19:30

Originally Posted by _Shrek_

the hammock is warmer than the tent in the snow & frost, can be a bit of a pain when it's wet for keeping your gear dry but have never got wet while sleeping

I've read plenty of accounts from hammock users where they claim to be plenty warm enough in a hammock with -20 degree temperatures overnight. I think that there are tricks to keeping gear dry (gear hanging under the tarp or whatever).

I have my hammock set up in the workshop and will try sleeping overnight in it once I get some sort of underquilt set up.
If I find it comfortable then I'll look into what I need to make it good for full winter sleeping.

**_Shrek_** · 21st May 2015, 20:17

Originally Posted by MarkH

I've read plenty of accounts from hammock users where they claim to be plenty warm enough in a hammock with -20 degree temperatures overnight. I think that there are tricks to keeping gear dry (gear hanging under the tarp or whatever).

I have my hammock set up in the workshop and will try sleeping overnight in it once I get some sort of underquilt set up.
If I find it comfortable then I'll look into what I need to make it good for full winter sleeping.

my bag is a four seasons -29c & I use a Katmandu liner