I was born and raised in the swamps of South Louisiana. I can remember when I used to go camping with my grandfather as young as 4 years old. I remember waking up at night and I could see the fire from the camp fire and then I could see the gators shadow on the tent wall right beside me some over 12 foot. They never bothered us but I think about that alot nowadays. I think I would choose a hammock now. There is alot of things that crawl in the swamps. I just bought a 700 hammock set up gonna see how it works. Just thought about my childhood when you said alot of things crawl on the ground. You are right. Great video. 👍

In Western Washington, most of the cons you mentioned start to disappear: there is never a shortage of trees, it's doesn't ever really get extremely cold, and it rains a ton for most of the year (muddy ground, only the tarp gets wet as opposed to everything) so in my opinion the hammock is a great choice for my area!

Glad he’s backpacking in the beginning unlike the other youtubers on this subject

Good stuff! I just recently purchased a hammock with the bug net option. Just set it up and took a nap in it. I feel so damn good now. Makes me wonder why I haven't been sleeping in one in the past. Thank you!

The heavens opened up at Qunault Lake Washington state. It rained the entire three days. We wound up using all of our tarps and we were still soaked. We were digging irrigation ditches around our tents for drainage but the illusion that it worked was short lived. I'm not sure if the hammock would have kept me dry but I don't think I would laying in a mud puddle either. Thanks for this video, I'm going to try a hammock real soon.

I personally don’t feel as vulnerable in a hammock. I solo a lot, so if something walks up, I wanna be able to see it. In a tent you’re all closed in wondering... kitten or killer?

Great video! My very first hammock camping experience, happened to be two nights in the pouring rain. My sleep system,and all of my gear stayed bone dry under a cheap tarp. Thanks for sharing,and thank you for your service!

Great video. You've got a great mix of valuable information and humorous comments. Got a few good laughs!

I'm a big fan of hanging in a hammock for many of the reasons you mentioned. One obvious overlooked thing is what I always do when I choose a tent as my shelter. I always pack a hammock fly/tarp. You know they pack small & are light so they add virtually nothing to your tent weight & size. First thing I do, just like hanging a hammock even if my tent is extremely waterproof, I hang my tarp & pitch the tent nice & protected under it. That's just one thing you fudged a little & an oversight about the horrible issues of tent camping in the rain. I use the tent without the rain fly (loads of ventilation) often with a tarp above & have heaps of room to sit, cook, relax & stay dry in the rain. Again, I love my hammocks probably much more than my tents but some of your arguments are misguided & easily overcome. Not the ground crawling & sleeping though. But you do save on the under quilt bulk/weight. It's a wash in the end depending on the terrain, climate & intent for your time in the outdoors.

I camped in the same tent in the Army in the 80s. GP tiny is what us doggies called them. Also camped in Northern MN starting 50 years ago. Nice video, thanks.

Hah that short clip of you and your wife in the tent!! 😂😂😂 Made the video for me🤣 Great info in the video. Thanks 👍🏼

The Right gear for the right mission. Depending on the trip I take either a Tent or a Hammock. Great video Devil Dog.

Absolutely love your video!! So informational and with actual examples of everything you mentioned. Thank you!

You've done a great job with pros and cons. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Great input and you make many valid points regarding tent VS hammock . Thanks very much .

Thank you so much .In September I am going to bike packing from Buffalo to Albany NY. I bought a combo tent & hammock tent. I have a very bad back. I also bought the stand because I will have a trailer I will be towing. I get the tent in a few days. I was not sure how it would be on my back. Great video & thanks again. Happy trails

Incredibly informative - thank you!

Loving these videos. I have put wall anchors in my room and slept in an Eno for the past 3 years, I love it so much I got rid of my bed. As you mention pain free sleep, when I visit my folks or have to sleep in a bed for whatever reason I always wake up with lower back pain. I also am a young guy so I know its not age!!

Great videos! Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge on camping... just getting back into backpacking after a 30 year hiatus! 57 now and still going strong!

I just ordered a hammock today from amazon. Checking out your videos I'm happy I did. Thanks for the helpful videos.

Discovered hammock camping few years back.best way , most comfy,dry way to go. If mud under hammock an arm full of leaves fixes that...everything you say bout hammock is dead on! Glad to see you show how to position yourself in hammock. Thanks for great video. I'm subscribing. And if it ain't raining we ain't training...

Thanks for all your great videos! I've backpacked and camped for 45 years using tents. Because of your videos, I'm going to give Hammock camping a try. I have an ENO Hammock and it really sucks. I learned from you that it's too small. Thanks again for your informative videos!!!

I am new to your channel and to hammock hiking and I LOVE it. I like the simple ways you explain stuff and always dead on accurate (according to my limited experience). Thank you so much. Great information!

Excellent presentation, real knowledge. Clear, highly informative video. Thanks!

Hi. You have vast knowledge on hammocks. Would you consider making a playlist on your page with videos on how to get started with hammock camping? How to pick a good hammock, how to set one up, tools needed, rain tarps and how to set them up, hammock peripherals or attachments, storage or transportation of these hammocks, and how to organize a back pack for hiking. I grew up with hammocks in Mexico and love them but now that I'm in the US I've never actually used one while camping. We always used tents with our boy scout troop.

I'm at the beginnings of my transition from tent camping to hammock camping - there's still a lot to learn and more things to get, more tweaks to make to my setup so that it's how I want it. My first night in my hammock went fairly well. My inflatable down-filled mat didn't work well with the hammock but I did manage to get a reasonable night's sleep without it. It rained in the night and I was quite dry and comfortable. Water had pooled under the hammock by morning, so it would've sucked to be in a tent. So nice to be able to walk under the tarp rather than crawling around in the mud to get under cover, able to sit down in the hammock while cooking my dinner and making my coffee, having the headroom to put on a warm top without having to be a contortionist. Packing up and taking the hammock down under the tarp in the rain was the best "striking camp in the rain" I've ever experienced in 40-odd years of camping!

Thank you very much for this video. I work in a camping shop in Australia and will use this new knowledge

It's always wonderful to see a husband and wife loving each other. Good parallels of hammocking being like eating a pizza, and also like being back in the womb. Again, great informative and personal video!

I understand perfectly about aches and pains camping. It get worse as we are. I love camping. Love the outdoors more then indoors. I'm 63 do yoga and still on great shape, but I still ache more then when I was 20 yrs younger. Great video. Love hammock camping.

"It's like eatin' a pizza. I have a huge pizza. It's a lotta work to eat that pizza. But, man, I enjoy it!" You, my friend, got a Like & Subscribe for that comment alone. LOL I had L4-L5 disk surgery a few years back and still have permanent sciatic nerve damage from the herniation. For me, it's no contest. Hammock for life!

You are opening up a whole new world of possibilities for me. I’ve been practicing ultra light backpacking for many years but as I get older it is not so comfortable anymore. I just bought a monolight hammock to try out on the trail. I’m trying to keep my base weight down. I have a great under quilt I can borrow from my Hennessy system which I think will work just fine with the lighter hammock. We’ll see! Thank you for these helpful videos. I am really enjoying them.

Real good insight from you on this video, obviously gleaned from lots of experience, thank you for sharing your helpful thoughts 👍

Spent most of my life a ground dweller, but then I found youtube hammock videos....3rd winter in a hammock coming up, i'm totally converted and I have to agree with pretty much everything you commented on, I still use a tent on the high ground when hunting (with no trees) but will opt for my hammock every time I can, Nice Vid and points well made.... + 1 sub, regards Matt

Another very informative video &excellent, I'am just about ready to migrate from tent to hammock and tarp &your vidoes have be a very reassureing boost.I also suffer from bad back and joint pains, Iused tents for years but the crawling around made camping a distant memory so now I'am looking forward to getting out there again and enjoying the wonders & freedom again, keep up the vidoes please as they are very informative and needed many thanks:)

I just found your videos - master class

I been looking alot into hammok camping, and I'm pretty excited ! Being a bigger guy, I worried about the crouching and crawling around. Fortunately I found hammocks that have a good load rating. 500lbs+ so it more than handles my weight ! Watching your videos, especially the tutorial, has convinced me to give it a go this summer ! Thank you for the time and effort you put in to making the videos and helping out the new guys !!

Well done. Very comprehensive.

Great content here. While I'm here, I'd also like to thank you for your service. I've got a severe scoliosis and I can tell you I have never been more comfortable lying down than when in a hammock. So much so that I've even thought about setting on up in my room. This would also make for another advantage. It would be easier to vacuum under the hammock that it is to vacuum under the bed. Making the bed would no longer be an issue either, which is a major issue with my back as of right now.

Reviving this to update the title typo - keep it up dude, love the content over the years

I have a terrible back like you and I switched to a hammock because of that. My back never feels as good than when I am backpacking. Thanks for the video. Great stuff!

I have changed to hammock camping from a tent and agree with all of your pros and cons. One item that you may consider adding to your tent comments is that you can pitch a tarp first and then set up the tent underneath to keep it dry.

Thanks for the video! at 45 I feel more like 60 with my lower back pain issues, so have been researching and am really hoping to find a hammock that works for me. I think one of your best arguments was about how much better it is to use a hammock in the rain. Looking forward to watching more!

Good work fella. I camp out most months of the year now. I always have a hammock and a bivvy to hand in the truck when I’m farm fencing. I met a German guy who had a set up that was a hammock tent. Think it worked in practically any situation. My reason for using a hammock is similar to yours. Neck, back and knees are shot. A night floating off the ground puts everything right. 👍🍀

Subscribed. Just starting out with the switch to hammockin' and it looks like I can learn alot here!

Hi there i just wanted to thank you for such an informative video about Hammock camping in comparison to a tent. my mate uses a tent and i have just purchased my first Hammock, and I see the valuable points you have made. I will stick to my hammock because I wish to be closer to nature, and thank you so much for your advice

Great video mate! I am sold to hammocks now!

That's awesome! I just got a hammock from my dad for my 22nd birthday! I have actually wanted a hammock for a fairly long time. But I've never actually purchased a hammock yet. It's a kind of camping that I've always wanted to try but I've never been able to do! Im looking forward to the joy of it in northern Minnesota! Thanks for the video! I really want to enjoy my new hammock with my family without taking space in the cabin. It's nice just having a space to yourself in the semi wild :)

Ótimo Vídeo Parabéns muito bom

Funny - love the cutaways! I'm looking forward to getting a Hennessey and hitting the trail this summer.

Good review. I like all the cut scenes. I’ve never camped in a hammock and keep hearing good things about it. I still can’t believe it’s better on the back though.

Good video, lots of good sense, based on experience. Lovely intro music. Thank you.

Good job! Keep up the good work.

Excellent points! 👍🏼

Very good your explanation !! I am your new follower but I am an old lucky hound. Greetings from the middle of Germany.

I used just a tarp once to practice setting it up with trekking poles and it was really nice. Fresh air, place for pack, place to cook, and the campground ranger said oh it's not going to rain. But it started to rain really hard. I had a beautiful view of the rain. I packed in the morning, still raining, and was dry, put on shoes, and poncho, and last I removed trekking poles, and folded tarp, and strapped to outside my pack. It was really easy to pack up and head on. Also I had a ground plastic sheet and normal z-lite pad. I am 55 and don't mind sleeping on ground. Basically, you get used to it. I usually use a light weight exped tent, and it is good too. There are some tents where you set up outer shell first and then hang the inner tent. Hammocks do look comfortable. But I can see also nobody is spider 🕷 free. They can crawl on the lines that connect to the hammock or drop down from trees . Backpacking is definitely about planning ahead.

Excellent video. I have used hammocks over 9 years but still prefer a tarp tent in cold weather, heavy winds and rain.

Great video! About two years ago, I switched from a tent to a hammock. I got the Warbonnet with the superfly tarp and the goosedown underquilt. Last weekend, I was out elk hunting in Southwest Washington. Temps at night were between 35 and 40 degrees F. I was in my hammock with the tarp set up "porch" style. I have a good sleeping system from Wiggy's and was sweating in the middle of the night in my hammock. It is easily the most comfortable was to sleep. Beats air mattresses in a tent hands down. Plus, the hammock, superfly tarp and underquilt weigh a little over 2 lbs. together. I made two tripods and put a pole horizontal between them to hang my hammock just like you showed in another video so I could set up in a clearing - even though I was surrounded by trees - because I was with two other people who were in a tent and needed the clearing to set up. I really like your videos. Keep up the good work. You are doing a great job.

Very helpful. I was hammock camping for the first time this summer in a NH state park and had a tarp above. At 2 AM I heard a loud chuff (I was awake, could not sleep) and looked through the mosquito netting and saw some big black paws under the tarp. Lol the noises I made scared the bear off and by the time I got out of the hammock he or she was long gone. I want to try it again but I am going to do so on an island campsite in a state park up north. I know I was likely not in danger, but it was 3 feet from where I was sleeping. Appreciate the tips on the comfort.

Thanks a lot!

Very entertaining and helpful video :)

You listed a lot of good reasons for a hammock but my favorite is the ventilation it offers. Camping in a Semi-tropical area ( Florida ) that ventilation is needed for comfort. When I am forced to camp in one of my tents I like to refer to it as a " Sweat Lodge ". My tents offer a lot of ventilation but no where near what the hammocks do. I can hang a hammock anywhere and do not need a space or ground like a tent requires. Have had it over a forest of Cypress Knees and even half over water and half over mud. Camping with others , I let them find places for their tents and then I hang my hammock and usually have it up before the tents are completed. Shelter half , Have not heard that since the middle 60's. Medic with the Marines , middle 60's.

Great vid

Had my turn in those damn shelter halves years ago. Glad I'm done with them!! Using a hammock for your back problem got my interest. Being 63 now I know tents but know nothing about hammocks and their use. Comments from the older clan with aging bones and muscles would be in order. Those young bucks, as strong as they are, have yet to be blessed by the curse of age. Many thanks from Texas

Very fair assessment. One other advantage for older folk - you’ll get there :) - is, especially if it’s raining, if you have to get up in the middle of the night because your bladder is full, you can get up and, assuming your tarp is set up for privacy, take care of that issue near the tarp corner. No having to make your hike somewhere in the woods, at night, in the dark, alone (?) ... My campground epiphany was, "I didn’t need two trees!”, I just need one tree near the parking pad for the site. Just connect to the tree and the roof rack on your car. Yes, it assumes your car has a roof rack and there’s a tree near where you back in. But I’ve found that to be the case more often than finding a camp site that has two trees sort of inside the site's perimeter. Maybe it’s a test of civility or cruel joke by campsite designers - after they clear most the good hammock trees to make a flat spot for tents, they leave trees just on the border between two camp sites. That can set up a “Which site “owns” the trees?” dynamic. And if you used two trees there, you would be “camping”, right on that social sensitive border. And you tarp would extend even further on each side.

Well done! Thanks!

“Prefer” not “Perfer”. Fantastic video! Thanks. I just bought my first hammock to camp with. I bought several in Brazil to use for sleeping because that’s what they often use every day but I bought a lightweight hammock with tarp and insect netting for camping. Thanks!

You can still make use of your hammock setup when backpacking in non-forested areas. As long as you have your tarp and a hiking pole, you can still make a shelter. Even without any trees.

Great video!

great video man. thank you@!!

You’re awesome man!

One major benefit is when wild camping in wooded hills - when there isn't a flat place to be found gravity helps you. :) Also I think that you missed a hybrid option. That's tarp camping, which you'd obviously do like now with a hammock when you can, but when there are no tree's you can use you hiking poles (or sticks if you can find them) to put up a tarp config and then sleep under that on ground pad (in a bivy if required). Since its not an actual tent a lot of the benefits are the same like ventilation and lightness. There are many many configuration options to pick depending on the situ, but the main point is it's a backup for when you can't hang your hammock :) Check out Papa Hiker's channel he shows loads of options for tarp camping.

Been backpacking for 30+ years and always used tents. Wife loves to backpack, but hates the horrible nights sleep in the tent. Limbs going to sleep, tossing and turning and the aches/pains in the morning. I think this is the solution and the wife might just get a great nights sleep again! Only reason she stopped backpacking was the freaking tent issues! Great video! Thanks!

👍 Very informative video, but I must be totally honest. The best part was when I heard the loud whistle from your stove. I’m guessing a Optima SVEA 123R.

You provided factual and complete Pro's and Con's for the tent and hammock. I've been seeing a LOT of people swearing by the hammock (albeit a good and proper one). I'm a partially disabled veteran who loves the outdoors, but with SEVERAL herniated/degenerative discs in my back and neck, and am a side sleeper. Are there any affordable hammocks that would accommodate me ? I have an excellent "A" frame tent that fits two adults with an abundance of extra room. I also am very adept at making proper "tents" with my 12x10 tarp. But I am interested in exploring the hammock. Thanks for your advice ! Semper Paratus

Some of my favourite pictures from camping are from my first trip hammock camping. The difference is indescribable, especially in the rain

Nice, honest, and we'll balanced perspective. Hammocks, which I like as well, are not as conducive to side sleeping (like I do), but it does have plenty of pros.

Hey Marine Good video and I couldn't agree more with your choice of hammock over tent. I too spent decades crawling around on my hands and knees tenting....but no more. I've seen the light! One thing you might care to address is the fact that a hammock set up is highly variable and each user can refine their set up to best meet their needs...for instance...summertime lightweight backpacking setup vs. A winter or car camping setup....the range of items available can easily be selected to the need....keep movin and thanks for your service! Ps. Liked how you added pertanent clips in the video and included some with Runner.

Good tips,, hilarious too.

Love the acoustic guitar intro. Goes really well with being in the woods.

I became a fan of hammocks while attending the jungle expert school in Panama. One night we made camp on the slope of a brook. Those without hammocks had to sleep in a root ball hole from a fallen tree. The creepy crawlers in Panama are large. One other time my hammock paid off was in Eglan Air Force base in northern Florida where everything that can make your life miserable lives. The pocket hammock that I used then has now been replaced with a Vietnam era jungle hammock. What I like about it is without trees I can set it up on the ground like a tent.

Great video Marine. One of my biggest issues is weight. You talked about weight but scanned over it quickly. Yes, a Hammock (solo) weighs less than a tent. But when you add in all the necessary items like the straps, tarp, rope for the tarp, underquilt, and possibly bug net I feel those weight about the same amount as a tent (if not more). I have a Mountain Hardware ghost sky 3 (4 lb 8.5 oz) its a 3 person tent. When your camping with friends you can also spread the load of the tent, ie... Someone takes the rain fly and tarp, someone takes the tent and someone takes the polls and stakes. This now makes the tent less per-person. I would like to know your thoughts on this. I personally sleep better in a hammock but when I go camping with friends I use a tent because I found it more practical for myself and the group.

Is it me, or was “smelly partner” mentioned 10-15 times as a risk of tent camping?

Thanks for sharing! One thing I think that could have been mentioned is you can set up a hammock in your yard to relax at home. I wouldn't consider setting up a tent in my yard just to relax when you can lay on the couch or recline in a chair. The one part of hammock camping that I love is when you hang with others who have hammocks you can explore other folks setups and really admire someone else's design. From there you can explore ideas that others have come up with and maybe create some of your own. This also adds conversation that to a hammock fella that never gets old.

I have the ENO double and I bought the straps also, I think it is easier to set up and it allows me to hang my backpack ect also.

An epiphany I had last year was I don't need TWO trees when in a campground with my car. I just need ONE tree and I can attach the other end of the suspension to the jeep luggage rack. I'm guessing most vehicles people take camping have a luggage rack. The tarp will be close to the hammock suspension at the car end, but it can be angled up on the tree end for good drainage. Your review was posted in 2017 and in 2019 there are appearing more "no tree" solutions. For a while I owned a HandyHammock stand. That company is out of business now but another is using the same technology. Two light collapsable poles are staked at an angle at each end and by various structural tricks, they can hold the hammock. It works for many people but not for me because it depends upon a solid anchor (18 inches to two feet in the ground), and I have lava rock and hard pack soil. Another new non-tree solution that appearing on the scene is a Tensa4 stand. It's like two upside down V's with the wide end legs connected. Again, through structural magic (stay in school kids) the "pull" forces are distributed so these collapsable poles will hold a hammock.

In the Uk we tend to use tents that pitch first (although more often than not - fly and inner are pitched same time), so the issue of the inner getting wet is not an issue at all if you buy the right tent. I use a lightweight camping cot (1.2kg) that is just high enough to allow me to camp on most surfaces, so pitching in roots/rocks, not an issue. Condensation - again not an issue if you don't live in a very humid country and don't pitch right next to water - all of my tents have very little condensation ever. Crawling around on knees - never had to do that either. The hammock setup is lighter, but only ultra light in warm climates as you have to carry huge under quilts along with sleeping bags and mats (essential in the UK colder months). I also like the fact tents have privacy for getting changed etc...as well as a vestibule to cook when the weather is rough outside. Tents are also better for stomach/side sleepers, whereas hammocks are only really comfortable laying on your back and you can still get pain in the knees if you don't lay right or have a hammock that is the wrong size. I can pitch all of my tents in under 5 minutes. Hammocks take far longer to set up, which is not good when you live in cold conditions. Both had positives and negatives but I'm not sold on the idea that hammocks rule over tents as they have so many limitations tarting with pitch location. I think I'd only consider getting something like the Crua Hybrid as it can be used as a bivvy, OR a hammock which is far more useful if out hiking and unable to find woodland. I like being able to sleep in some of the most scenic spots (overlooking lakes, beaches etc...) Hammocks more often do not allow you to do that as you need trees. That's why I prefer tents.

Good video. I've had two low back fusions, with the right doctor, you'll get relief. When needed, try using Salonpas heat patches, works for hours.

My friend I have a recommendation for you! I noticed when hammocking that even in weather that wasn't very cold (like 50 degrees with a breeze) in a hammock WITH a sleeping bag I felt cold enough to the point where it was considerably hard to sleep. I started using a foam sleeping pad in colder weather and it really helped with insulation.

I also have degenerative disc, I will be bike camping and am researching everything. I camped growing up and when my son was in scouts. Always tent, I will have to invest in a hammock, sleep in the backyard to see if I like it. It won't go to waste, I can always relax in the yard! Thanks for the tips. Subscribed!

thanks you make some very valid points. i sleep on my front and my side and being in the uk most sites do not have trees so a hammock will not cut it for me i like space and also i like my stuff being secure some tents have a removable tarp so i think the perfect setup would be a large tarp and and tent with removable tarp that way if there are trees i will set a tarp over the tent and remove the tent tarp and get the best of both. what tarp do you use?

Great video...like all your stuff. Can you provide a list of your gear...that tarp is pretty slick with the quick deploy sock on it.

Okay, second vid I watched of yours, and I subscribed. Why... couldn't say. Other than I've been there and done that and yes you are right on correct. Like you replied in the other vid, what ever works. Or as a marine would say improvise and overcome.

just found this channel but i love these guys lol

"......eehh could be good in some cases ...." , you got it with a smile .

I love hammock camping so much, especially since I managed to wake up to a viper in my tent once. I got out really fast, haha. I just love how comfy a good hammock is and the gentle rocking helps me sleep. Sadly I've moved quite far north so there aren't really any trees suitable for supporting a hammock here. In my eyes that's the only drawback of a hammock. It is literally impossible to do where I live. But I have one I pack whenever I go south!

And, if you really have to, you can set up that hammock as a bivy in the event you don't have trees to hang. Personally, I just keep hiking until I find a campsite with trees. Hammocks are mui comfortable! That's why I switched. Some trips make it hard to come home to a bed.

I tent camped for years. Then I tried using a cot while camping in a stationary base camp. I am now looking for a hammock test. Looking for the better nights sleep.

Good video, gave you your 800th like

Thanks for that….trying to decide to go for one or not and that was helpful particularly as an aging walker. What’s your ideal tarp size for the hammock?

Hey man, Thanks for the Video. Really informative. I have been back and forth about getting a hammock, but I think this helps me to make a decision to go that direction. At least try it, what Have I got to lose?