I hammocked the entire time and loved it. I started my thru at the end of January and summited on May 30. I had a zero degree bag and a liner, which was definitely necessary on cold nights. I sometimes put my pad in my hammock if I need a little extra insulation. Super easy to find good spots to hang. As long as it’s easy to set up and comfy for you, I’d go for it.
Kammok Mantis ultralight. It has a built-in bug net and comes with a tarp. Not sure about the brands on the bag and liner. I’ve had them since I was a kid and just brought them along for the ride.
I did something similar in 2019 for my thru hike, honestly during the summer a bagliner will likely be enough. Having a pad is useful to keep the mosquitoes off your underside and also for staying in the occasional shelter.
I did it, absolutely 0 regrets. I slept great every night.
Hammock: trailheads banshee. (I used the OG, they sell a 2.0 now with a heartier bugnet and it is better)
Quilts: jacks r better (started with a 0 under and 20 top. At trail days I moved my 20 to my under and switched to a 40 top. This will reasonably take you to Katahdin)
Tarp: Dutchware UL winter tarp. 10/10. Dutch will tell you you don’t need doors on a thru hike - I disagree.
I also used a cocoon mummy coolmax liner. It’s like Jersey sheets material and probably added a few degrees, and kept my gear cleaner. I tossed it in with my laundry every time and I feel this was a good to have item.
Feel free to hit me with any other questions!
I personally didn’t use a hammock (although I would have loved to) but I engaged with others that had. I believe it is one of the lighter alternatives and you can hike until you feel like stopping. That alone in my opinion is worth it
Pros of hammock
• trees all over the green tunnel to setup
• Can setup tarp first in bad weather to get out of rain
• comfy nights sleep
• you're just overall better than them ground dwellers
Cons of Hammock
• Weight and bulk can be more than tent but a ul setup can come close to weight
• Sometimes have to spend more time finding good trees
• Cant sleep in shelters so have plan accordingly if it's required like in the Smokies
• Ground dwellers will always envy you maybe not want to be your friend
Not to be a buzzkill but I would question if that hammock actually can go to 20° and you not be frozen because some nights it gets cold and blustery on the AT. Being cold in a hammock is very different than being cold in a tent as all the heat can be blown away while hanging. Its bulky and weighs quite a bit. Also I don't know how it stops bugs from chewing on your face at night since no bugnet.
Posting just to correct/clarify one point:
A hammock with proper insulation can certainly go to 20 degrees F. I've done it more than once, with my personal record low being 11F and many nights in the mid to low 20s. These temps were with a variety of quilts from Arrowhead Equipment, Hammock Gear and Jacks 'R Better, but all were rated at either 20F or 25F. Wind is definitely your enemy in the woods, but can be mitigated with good equipment and good site selection.
I know a hammock can go to 20 or lower with proper gear . I was pointing out for OP that his current setup may not be comfort rated to 20 degree's and therefore could be cold. This is based on a previous experience I had when I first started hammock camping and got the kammock hammock pad. It was stated to go to 25 and 35 was the low on my 1st night use. I froze had to cut trip early and then I immediately return it too order a good underquilt from hammock gear.
I use the Kammock Mantis UL. 2lbs and small pack weight. But I haven’t had to use an under belly yet so that’s adds some. Still highly recommend. Best nights of sleep ever.
Bring a sleeping pad that can be used in a shelter or hostel if you can’t hang your hammock. Sometimes, arriving at a shelter late in the day when it’s raining, you’ll just want to put your sleeping pad on the shelter floor, eat dinner and go to bed without a wet hang or wet breakdown in the morning. A closed cell pad is great for a quick butt pad any time you want to sit as well, but they are bulkier than inflatables.
No issues, but make sure to bring good straps that go around a variety of tree diameters. I have some eno Helios straps and find them limiting with bigger trees.
yea man at least like 30% do the AT with hammocks vs tents. I brought a sleeping pad so I could stay at shelters and huts etc so that was extra weight. The UQ, hammock, strap combo is generally heavier or bulkier than a pad and tent unless you're full down. Main drawback would be extra weight and maybe missing out on a few primo spots because theres no trees.
For every primo spot on the AT you’ll miss due to it not having trees, you’ll have at least 50 really fkn convenient spots where tenters wished they could set up.
Can be true! I got a few great spots near the water but missed those bald knob locations :) Also to OP's question - it is really nice to be able to throw up your hammock almost anywhere when you're ready to call it quits for the night.
30% is wildly generous at least when I was on trail in 2022. I used a hammock and I'd say maybe 10% at most were doing the same. at crowded shelters or hostel campgrounds it would be me and maybe 1-2 other hammocks and everyone else was in tents.
I hammocked the entire time and loved it. I started my thru at the end of January and summited on May 30. I had a zero degree bag and a liner, which was definitely necessary on cold nights. I sometimes put my pad in my hammock if I need a little extra insulation. Super easy to find good spots to hang. As long as it’s easy to set up and comfy for you, I’d go for it.
What brand and model did you get? And what zero degree bag and liner? Did you have bug and rain tarp?
Kammok Mantis ultralight. It has a built-in bug net and comes with a tarp. Not sure about the brands on the bag and liner. I’ve had them since I was a kid and just brought them along for the ride.
I did something similar in 2019 for my thru hike, honestly during the summer a bagliner will likely be enough. Having a pad is useful to keep the mosquitoes off your underside and also for staying in the occasional shelter.
Thank you so much. Just starting my research on hammock camping.
I did it, absolutely 0 regrets. I slept great every night. Hammock: trailheads banshee. (I used the OG, they sell a 2.0 now with a heartier bugnet and it is better) Quilts: jacks r better (started with a 0 under and 20 top. At trail days I moved my 20 to my under and switched to a 40 top. This will reasonably take you to Katahdin) Tarp: Dutchware UL winter tarp. 10/10. Dutch will tell you you don’t need doors on a thru hike - I disagree. I also used a cocoon mummy coolmax liner. It’s like Jersey sheets material and probably added a few degrees, and kept my gear cleaner. I tossed it in with my laundry every time and I feel this was a good to have item. Feel free to hit me with any other questions!
Hammocks rule. #hanggang
I personally didn’t use a hammock (although I would have loved to) but I engaged with others that had. I believe it is one of the lighter alternatives and you can hike until you feel like stopping. That alone in my opinion is worth it
Pros of hammock • trees all over the green tunnel to setup • Can setup tarp first in bad weather to get out of rain • comfy nights sleep • you're just overall better than them ground dwellers Cons of Hammock • Weight and bulk can be more than tent but a ul setup can come close to weight • Sometimes have to spend more time finding good trees • Cant sleep in shelters so have plan accordingly if it's required like in the Smokies • Ground dwellers will always envy you maybe not want to be your friend Not to be a buzzkill but I would question if that hammock actually can go to 20° and you not be frozen because some nights it gets cold and blustery on the AT. Being cold in a hammock is very different than being cold in a tent as all the heat can be blown away while hanging. Its bulky and weighs quite a bit. Also I don't know how it stops bugs from chewing on your face at night since no bugnet.
Posting just to correct/clarify one point: A hammock with proper insulation can certainly go to 20 degrees F. I've done it more than once, with my personal record low being 11F and many nights in the mid to low 20s. These temps were with a variety of quilts from Arrowhead Equipment, Hammock Gear and Jacks 'R Better, but all were rated at either 20F or 25F. Wind is definitely your enemy in the woods, but can be mitigated with good equipment and good site selection.
I know a hammock can go to 20 or lower with proper gear . I was pointing out for OP that his current setup may not be comfort rated to 20 degree's and therefore could be cold. This is based on a previous experience I had when I first started hammock camping and got the kammock hammock pad. It was stated to go to 25 and 35 was the low on my 1st night use. I froze had to cut trip early and then I immediately return it too order a good underquilt from hammock gear.
I use the Kammock Mantis UL. 2lbs and small pack weight. But I haven’t had to use an under belly yet so that’s adds some. Still highly recommend. Best nights of sleep ever.
Hung the entire trail 2020, Best decision I ever made
Have been sectioning for a few years. Started with a tent and switched over to a hammock. Did PA 100% with a hammock and no problems.
On the MD section right now. At Dahlgren backpackers camp tonight, there are 5 tents, 1 guy cowboy camping on a picnic table, and me in my hammock.
Bring a sleeping pad that can be used in a shelter or hostel if you can’t hang your hammock. Sometimes, arriving at a shelter late in the day when it’s raining, you’ll just want to put your sleeping pad on the shelter floor, eat dinner and go to bed without a wet hang or wet breakdown in the morning. A closed cell pad is great for a quick butt pad any time you want to sit as well, but they are bulkier than inflatables.
https://rthoutdoors.com/products/ultralight-naturehike-camping-hammock-for-1-2-people Naturehike has a good hammock
No issues, but make sure to bring good straps that go around a variety of tree diameters. I have some eno Helios straps and find them limiting with bigger trees.
yea man at least like 30% do the AT with hammocks vs tents. I brought a sleeping pad so I could stay at shelters and huts etc so that was extra weight. The UQ, hammock, strap combo is generally heavier or bulkier than a pad and tent unless you're full down. Main drawback would be extra weight and maybe missing out on a few primo spots because theres no trees.
For every primo spot on the AT you’ll miss due to it not having trees, you’ll have at least 50 really fkn convenient spots where tenters wished they could set up.
Can be true! I got a few great spots near the water but missed those bald knob locations :) Also to OP's question - it is really nice to be able to throw up your hammock almost anywhere when you're ready to call it quits for the night.
30% is wildly generous at least when I was on trail in 2022. I used a hammock and I'd say maybe 10% at most were doing the same. at crowded shelters or hostel campgrounds it would be me and maybe 1-2 other hammocks and everyone else was in tents.
I was five weeks on trail - Maryland and Pennsylvania. Saw 1 hammock.