Help this hammock newbie out

[blairwitch20]

I’m thinking about getting into hammocks for hanging out at the park and maybe some camping. But I’m not sure where to start. I like something big enough for me (I’m about 6ft) and maybe a friend too? What basic gear do I need? hammock, straps, bug net? And are there any beginner-friendly brands you all like?

 

[cougarmeat]

blairwitch20, beware of big box stores and Amazon specials. They are usually short hammocks, and at about 6ft, you'll be much more comfortable in the standard 11 ft hammock most cottage industry folks sell. A place to start is to get Derek Hanson's book, "The Ultimate Hang". You can buy it on Amazon or order it through your local book seller. It's now on its 3rd edition.

Be sure to read other posts in this forum about two-in-a-hammock. If you want to be close, it might be better if you each have your own hammock and share two trees - one hammock coming off the left side of the tree, the other hammock coming off the right side of the tree. Two in a hammock is not like a bed, where you could have some space between you. Again, these aspects have been covered in other posts here.

That said, for just hanging out in the park - that's a whole different ball game. Stores like Home Depot, and outlets like Amazon sell hammocks identified as Brazilian Hammocks that are usually woven material (cotton or nylon), wide, with spreader bars (not to be confused with Bridge Hammocks that are an alternate to Gathered End Hammocks for a single person. Those woven hammocks would probably work for two and a day in the park. That said, we are now in the Winter months around here, and Home Depot probably doesn't consider a hammock to be a winter item to keep in stock.

If you are really, really keen on sleeping next to someone using one hammock, DutchWare sells a Vortex model that is essentially two hammocks with one side sewn together. So you each have your own hammock "bed" with one side in common.

 

[schmidt05]

blairwitch20, beware of big box stores and Amazon specials. They are usually short hammocks, and at about 6ft, you'll be much more comfortable in the standard 11 ft hammock most cottage industry folks sell. A place to start is to get Derek Hanson's book, "The Ultimate Hang". You can buy it on Amazon or order it through your local book seller. It's now on its 3rd edition.

Be sure to read other posts in this forum about two-in-a-hammock. If you want to be close, it might be better if you each have your own hammock and share two trees - one hammock coming off the left side of the tree, the other hammock coming off the right side of the tree. Two in a hammock is not like a bed, where you could have some space between you. Again, these aspects have been covered in other posts here.

That said, for just hanging out in the park - that's a whole different ball game. Stores like Home Depot, and outlets like Amazon sell hammocks identified as Brazilian Hammocks that are usually woven material (cotton or nylon), wide, with spreader bars (not to be confused with Bridge Hammocks that are an alternate to Gathered End Hammocks for a single person. Those woven hammocks would probably work for two and a day in the park. That said, we are now in the Winter months around here, and Home Depot probably doesn't consider a hammock to be a winter item to keep in stock.

If you are really, really keen on sleeping next to someone using one hammock, DutchWare sells a Vortex model that is essentially two hammocks with one side sewn together. So you each have your own hammock "bed" with one side in common.

I learned the hard way about short hammocks. I picked up a cheap one years ago and couldn’t get a flat lay at all. Upgrading to an 11‑footer made a huge difference in comfort. I’m curious though have you found Brazilian hammocks with spreader bars to be more durable for park lounging, or do they sag over time?

 

[cougarmeat]

I've never used a Brazilian hammock; I just know about them. That said, for a while, we did have a "Home Depot" hammock that came with a metal stand. The hammock was attached to the stand at four corners - a suspended rectangle. It had some synthetic fill in the hammock body. Note that even on a warm day, you'll probably need some insulation for the hammock bottom (but I've mostly lived in the Pacific Northwest, not warmer climes).

As for sag, I can imagine that stretching could be an issue with a woven design. What I had was made of a sheet of nylon.

That hammock was okay for a bit of time outside, but ... without a structure for a tarp, the sun could get a bit intense. The hammock body lasted for only two summers because of UV degradation.

If you can sew, RipStopByTheRoll has a bridge hammock kit for about $50 (when I bought one). If you are thinking along that DIY line, be sure to search out YouTube "How To" videos for the bridge kit so you'll know what you are in for. It's not complicated - as an article of clothing would be - it's just that I had no sewing experience, nor equipment. I paid a local shop to sew it for me. They charged me double their estimated price, and for that amount of money, I could have bought a used RidgeRunner - lesson learned. If you go the kit route, the spreader poles are extra.

The imagination does a great job of "best-case scenario". I can see myself, casually lying in a hammock on a summer's day. But then, doing what? There really isn't much you can do flat on your back. Maybe with a pillow you can tilt your head enough to read. And if it's summer, with the sun high in the sky, without a tarp, it will be beating right down on you.

For me, hammocks are great for sleeping at night, or for short rests during the day - like after swimming/kayaking at a lake or lunch stop along a trail (used as a seat/chair).

If you pursue "two in a hammock" be sure to check the load-bearing rating of all the components. And note that those figures are usually for a static load - no bouncing.

Here's an interesting experiment sometimes used to show forces. Let's say in grade school, a teacher holds a rope and asks a small student to move them by pulling the rope. Imagine the teacher is too big (compared to the child) to be moved. Then the teacher ties one end of the rope to a fixed object and pulls it tight. This time, the student pushes on the center of the taut rope and can now move the teacher. If you weigh 200 lbs and string a hammock up almost flat - no sag - your 200 lbs, at a 10 degree hang angle, can impart about 575 lbs. on the suspension components (hardware, hammock fabric, stitching).

It works like this ... imagine a right triangle. The base is the horizontal pull from the support (tree) to the hammock end. The vertical part represents the weight in the hammock. The hypotenuse is the force on the suspension and hammock. As your hang angle gets narrower, that hypotenuse gets longer relative to the vertical rise (your weight). So that's why, when your hammock is strung without sag, almost horizontal, you can impart a force amost double your body weight on the suspension.

 

[LowTech]

I can tell you about Brazilian hammocks and the Vertex. First off the Vertex has short hammock bodies, being 6' you would not like it. We tried it and then sold it again.
A Brazilian hammock should not have a spreader bar. They are woven cotton and I like to use one in the hot weather as I can sleep in them w/o "sleep clothing". They are sometimes hard to find in the width I like (60"+) but I currently have a link to one on Amazon that looks good. Also pay attention to the "clews", the ropes coming up from the hammock body, more is better in that department.
Will they stretch, yes, for about a week or so if used continuesly. After that they are pretty much locked in.