Lightweight Hammocks

he last couple of years I have really come to understand why Hammock Camping is now becoming one of the best options for lightweight trekking. Some of the advantages of camping with hammocks are
Loss of heat through Conduction
Conduction is defined as the transfer of heat from a warmer object to a cooler object when the two objects are in direct contact with each other. In other words sleeping on the ground you transfer your body heat from you to the ground which can result in a cold and miserable night’s sleep and also a quick way to get yourself sick if you are not insulated from the ground. The advantage of sleeping in a hammock means you are up off the ground so you avoid this problem. Mobility
Sleeping in a hammock has some real advantages over sleeping in a tent once you get used to it. Chief among them is mobility: you can pitch camp just about anywhere below tree line. This is handy if you want to beat the crowds and camp in solitude or if you are between shelters and you need to stop for the evening. A hammock has very low impact when you pick a stealth camping site, since you won't compress the forest duff in the same way that pitching a tent or tarp will. Weight / Volume
Weight and what to take in your backpack on a trek is always one of the big conundrums when it comes to picking what kit to carry. The advantage of camping with hammocks is the weight of your sleeping arrangement is greatly reduced. For one there are no poles, no mattress, and the starting weight for our hammocks is 500 grams and folds up as small as a bag of sugar. Inclement Weather
Camping and trekking through the tropics you tend to encounter heavy rainfall on a daily basis. One of the great advantages of camping with hammocks is you are totally of the ground. So when using our hammocks and the rain stop tarp you are totally protected for puddles that quickly form when these torrential rains happen. I have been trekking in the Northern Australian Tropics with a friend who preferred a single man tent, we were camping on flat ground and that night it must have rained nonstop for at least 5 hours, I slept like a baby dry and warm up off the ground in my hammock but in the morning there was at least an inch of water all over the ground and my mate and all his gear was completely soaked, all I could say was “I told you so “. Insects and Animals
Being off the Ground is also an advantage from creepy crawly biting things. When using our hammock with the tarp and mosquito nets combined you are 100% protected from the numerous insects that populate the ground at night, also from deadly snakes and spiders that could put an end to you adventures real quick. Comfort
When setting up a camp site it is always an advantage to be as comfortable as possible. One thing I love is your hammock is not only your sleeping solution but also doubles up as your lounge chair. Nothing better than setting up your lightweight campsite cooking a hot meal then lounging around in the hammock reading a book by the fire under a star filled sky. And if set up correctly your hammock can be one of the most comfortable sleeps you may ever have. I know of travellers that have sleep in hammocks for a whole 12 months and still tell me it was the most comfortable sleeps they have ever had. It changed the way you approach bedtime. Lying in a hammock has a natural rhythm to it. This rhythm promotes relaxation in a way that even science struggles to keep up with. The result of being wrapped up in a tight blanket is reminiscent of the womb, or so they say. And Freud would agree that is something we all desire. Either way, I can attest that sleeping in a hammock caused me to develop this talent of falling asleep the moment I lay down. ! Studies have shown that the rocking may help synchronize brain activity and encourage N2 sleep. Zero-Pressure Points

So when you sleep on the ground, every contact point shoots discomfort signals to your brain where they light up your neuromatrix and remind you that this jazz isn’t comfortable. So you toss and turn. And you’re never comfortable. Sure, a tempur-pedic mattress will alleviate this a bit, but guess what sleeping environment provides a zero-pressure point environment. Did you guess yet? Hammock sleeping means no tossing and turning. Good for Your Health

If you’re sleeping well, you’re living well. I’m fascinated by sleep experiments, so I’m almost always willing to take a plunge on something. In this case, the hammock life has shown me health benefits, and who can hate on that? Hospital beds are designed to lay the patient down on their back, with the head slightly elevated. This gives the brain optimal blood circulation rather than congestion and encourages less obstructed breathing. Interestingly enough, this is the same position that hammocks provide. If you have bad joints, a bad back, or really anybody pains at all, hammocks come widely recommended. This is just a few of the advantages of using a hammock for you lightweight sleeping solution on your trekking hiking backpacking and camping adventures.