Enjoy hiking and overnight camping trips but hate having to lug a heavy conventional tent? Overnight hiking trips will be a breeze with this ultralight tent.
Hammock Tents Hanging at Anderson Pond Near Niceville, Fl.
Hammock tents are fast becoming a camping mainstay. This favorite of ultralight backpackers not only shaves off the weight of lugging tent poles, tent stakes, camping pads, and ground cloths on long hikes, but it takes up very little space in a backpack, allowing more room for other important items.
Hammock tents have been available for years, but have been garnering more attention in recent years for several reasons. Most tents are constructed out of high quality, lightweight, waterproof material and have added features like insect netting, gear pockets, rain flys, and nylon webbing for protecting trees. Some newer models even come with easy access entry points or have been created to adjust the center of balance to provide a more stable environment.
Hammock Tent Pros and Cons
Hammock tents allow the camper to get a good night’s sleep in the roughest of places. Rocks, cactus, tree roots, or wet ground won’t be a problem with one of these, plus those annoying insects and other pests will find it nearly impossible to gain entrance. On a clear night, campers can leave off the rain fly and lay back to enjoy a field of stars while catching a gentle breeze.
Hammock tents are quick and easy to set up and take down, often taking less than two minutes to complete either task. They’re so easy in fact that hikers can use them as a camp chair for rest breaks and lunches. They also provide a comfortable dry place during storms, often keeping occupants much drier than convention ground tents.
One possible downside to hammock tent camping is its dependency upon trees for support, but particularly clever campers may find ways around this such as anchoring into a rock face or tying off to a fence post. Cold weather can also pose a bit of a problem due to the lack of insulation, but this can be remedied with a foam pad or inflatable mattress in combination with a toasty warm sleeping bag.
Many models of hammock tents may have campers finding the need to sleep on a diagonal in order to prevent backaches and provide additional stability, although by adding the aforementioned foam pad or inflatable mattress, one can offset this. Some of the newer models are designed so that the hammock has an adjusted center of balance that alleviates this problem.
Hammock tents are best suited to one person occupancy, although there are some dual models available. Weight limitations vary among the different models available, but it’s possible to find something to accommodate almost any camper.
Hammock Tents are Restful and Relaxing
Hammock tents are perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. Camping in a hammock tent is a deeply relaxing experience providing a restful sleep for most campers. The sheer freedom of swaying gently among the trees is enough for many to make the switch from a ground tent to hammock. Try one on the next camping trip and see first hand what makes these tents so special.
This article is copyrighted by Beverly Hill
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