Would enjoy a series based only on visiting cottage companies and visiting their shops/garages and letting their story be told. Also, while reviewing some of their products/ gear. Keep up the great work!
One big thing about hammocks is you don't need to get down and crawl in. If you go to group hangs you have a lot of older campers in hammocks because crawling in and out of that small tent gets harder with age. So being at seat height where you can walk over to it and lay down is a big benefit. I also love the ability to always see out. I feel more disconnected with tent walls
I'm 61 and I've had my fill of crawling into and out of tents, and in the past I've often found them too constrained (the ones compact and light enough to carry up a mountainside on your back, anyway). I've grown to love the openness of a hammock and tarp setup... it's actually educated me on why "tarp campers" rave about it so much... a tent is very restricting. Much better views with a tarp than a tent - and air flow.
That is one of the reason I now prefer hammock camping. At 60 years old I just hurt after sleeping on the ground all night no matter what kind of pad I used. Really thick pads were ok if car camping but I like to backpack and you can't carry those on the trail. It took me several tries to find the right fit of hammock and what lay worked for me. When camping in a hammock I don't wake up with my hips and shoulders hurting like I do when sleeping on the ground and not having to bend over and crawl in is a plus as well. I hike and camp mostly in the southeastern US so there are always plenty of trees to hang from.
@@sandraspears6389 Agreed! My first hammock wasn't quite long enough for me but it was still more comfortable than sleeping on a pad on the ground. My new hammock is "in the lap of luxury" territory! Hammock + suspension + tarp + underquilt combined are smaller and lighter than tent + inflatable pad - and I get way more room than I do in the tent. It's really no contest, eh?
I have to agree about the style of video, really cool and beautiful cinematography. I know it was a short trip maybe that's why the shorter video. I was locked in and would have easily watched for twice as long. My only critic, it seemed a little like it was just a product placement for the company. Not a trip video, not a review video, I don't know if I got much out of it except that I wanted more. More of the trip, more about your hammock experience and thoughts and more of the beauty of the trip.
Same! Converted from tent to hammock in my 50's. Now I am 62 and I use my hammock if ever possible on hiking tours. Only for biketouring I prefer a free standing tent.
I just love it. I have a great spot on the Swedish side of the strait between Sweden and Denmark (Öresund). Hang the hammock, slowly swing back and forth, grab a flask of whisky and a piece of home made jerky and watch the ships silently pass in the night. Oh my ... how relaxing isn't that. Honestly I can see the stress graph on my Garmin watch drop like crazy.
I am so glad you ventured north into Minnesota and genuinely hope you felt welcome. I have lived here all my life and love to travel all over , but this is the place to live!! There is simply nothing more remote than the boundary water canoe area in the mainland USA, and where you were on the SHT is an excellent representation of Minnesota north woods. The “ocean waves” of Lake Superior could lull anyone to sleep! Welcome to MN and I hope you come back and can’t wait to see more hammock videos in the future!
I have a Superior Gear setup. I also have 5 other complete setups from other manufacturers, great and small. My Superior Gear setup is one of my favorites. Regardless of which setup I’m using I always get the best sleep.
As a big guy 6’3” 280lbs once I discovered hammock camping and never went back. It’s hard enough, humping your gear all day and being sore from that to waking up the next day, not refreshed and in more pain and not wanting to hitthat day’s target. Yes, sometimes it’s hard to find good trees and there’s more to set up but with somebody with back pain and shoulder pain from a lifetime of contact sports it was a total game changer. It makes me wanna be outside longer and not looking forward to just getting back to the car and getting home to my bed.
I’m a hammock guy and love it and here’s why but you didn’t mention these items but 2 nights is not enough and one night you slept in banana position and got the right position the 2nd. Here are two things that make me prefer it over a tent. In heavy rain getting off the ground when the water is below you is so much better than a tent right in the water on the ground. Also, positioning that tarp up high and using your trekking poles to create a porch and seeing everything around you feels incredible compared to be in a closed tent. It’s actually one of the reasons when I use a tent I only use basically a bug net that has a bathtub floor and a tarp so I can make my own shelter that can change with the weather conditions. Downside of hammocks is there is way more setting up and figuring out tree distances but uneven ground is not an issue in a hammock like it is in a tent . I’ll give you there is more work and moving pieces and knowledge and experience needed to get it right but good on you for giving it a go. I had to laugh when Danny was asked about Eno hammocks. Those are really like the entry level car and the hammock system you had was a top of the line luxury car.
I don't want to put words in his mouth but I'll say what I was thinking when I heard that Onthetrail's only hammock experience was with an ENO hammock... "Well, no wonder you don't like hammocks." ENOs are short hammocks and if you don't know how to use a hammock the frustrations and discomfort associated with that are amplified. I think ENO has probably done just as much to turn people off of hammocks as they have to pique interest in hammocks.
That’s too much work. Know what’s easier? Step 1: Pitch tent Step 2: Blow up air mattress Step 3: Prepare quilt Step 4: Sleep in any position I feel like Step 5: Sleep like a god Fewer components, lighter weight, and as cozy as could be.
A trick I learned from the Jacks R Better guys for finding a good distance between two trees is to stand with your trekking poles out at shoulder width; that is about 13' for most guys. Another tip is to hold your finger and thumb like a pistol to estimate a 30 degree angle. I can hang my tarp and hammock, with my quilts, faster than most can pitch a tent and blow up an air mattress.
@@SophisticatedDogCatummm, fewer components? Lighter weight? My hammock consists of two straps and the hammock. It weighs 20oz and packs to smaller than a 1 litre Nalgene.
@@jeffd6 How do you keep warm without an under-quilt and an over-quilt? You also need a tarp to keep you shielded from the rain. You have straps, the hammock, the two quilts, a tarp- I mean it’s objectively more complex than a tent system. There’s no arguing, here.
Great video. I'm a hammocker but I definitely want to get a good tent setup. What a world we live in where we can debate on the best way to sleep in the woods 😆
I recently switched from tents to a hammock. I looked at Superior Gear but went with the Dutchware hammock instead. Dutch thru hiked the AT in a hammock, has lots of video's for beginners like me, quickly replies to my questions. it took a couple times laying in it to figure out to sleep a little sideways to avoid bending like a banana but once I did I sleep much better than in a tent. Plus love that I can hang out with friends under my tarp, can put my tarp up first so nothing gets wet, lots of versatility.
Hey Darwin, try using no pillow or a very thin one in a hammock. I carry a travel pillow to use in a tent, but don’t use it when I’m in a hammock. Thanks for sharing
@DarwinOnthetrail Will you attempt a Superior Hiking Trail thru-hike someday? Most do the traditional to avoid the city and lack of campsites. My friend Frozen also did it the year before. It's awesome! 👍
You don't need to commit to tents vs hammocks. There's trade-offs to both. If I know there will be good flat ground or I am bringing trekking poles, I'll bring the tent. Sometimes it's better to hang and get above annoying ground, which could be thorny, snowy, or wet.
Yep, same, often on the same hike. I use a tarp instead of a tent, and sleep in the hammock with sleeping pad, so I’m already carrying most of the kit for a hammock anyway. My hammock including suspension and tarp flyz is only 300 grams extra to carry (Dutchware netless made with cloud 71)
@@edsiefker1301 I generally agree, but another reason might be weight considerations. If you're counting grams, for me, winter trips mean heavier insulation on top and bottom. There's a point where the under quilt seems to exceed what my pad can do, weight-wise at least. Of course, everyone's gear is different so, it depends. Cheers!
I bought two small cheap light hammocks to use when my son and I backpack…. to relax in, but we sleep in tents. They weigh very little and so much nicer than a chair. In your video you can see how much you liked sitting in your hammock. Try using both … it’s great
I'm so glad you tried it. I have this whole hammock setup. It's fantastic and I'll never sleep on the ground again unless I have to! I also just purchased the tensa trekking treez so even if there are no trees, I can still hang. They are trekking poles that covert to a hammock stand. Also light weight. Thanks for doing this Darwin. Hammocking is the only thing I've ever disagreed with you on! I've learned so much from you and appreciate your content!
We did 4 nights on that same section this fall. Slept 10-12 hrs a night in our hammocks. There is a learning curve to the lay, I find it punishing to use my tent , but some areas just aren’t hammock friendly. Another great video.
@@steveyezek9682 I try to learn something or I watch UA-cam on mildly related topics. Don't you wake up in middle of the night from being in bed for so long? I have that and I don't like it as it makes me less productive, I believe.
Good on you Darwin for trying the hammock again. As others have said here, there is a bigger learning curve with hammock camping (compared to pitching & sleeping in a tent) but those of us who enjoy the hammock life won't go back to a tent unless we have to, e.g. beach, mountaintop, etc. Loved the tour.of Superior Gear innovation shop! There are a number of cottage companies that make high quality hammocks, insulation, tarps & more.
You can put that yellow Thermarest mummy pad in the 45F hammock when it gets colder & for more versatility, like going to the ground or picnic table, or more sleep positions. In general, stretching the hammock a bit longer works better when paired with the inflatable mummy pad.
Given the opportunity, I love sleeping in my hammock system. I get the best nights of sleep in various winter conditions. It was a bit of trial and error, but I would say no more than issues I've had getting a good night's sleep tent camping. I'm a side sleeper and I sleep perfectly fine on my side in the hammock. Appreciate you giving it a fair shot. There are many that just immediately shut it down.
UL hammock camper here and avid backpacker. I couldn't sleep on the ground, tried a hammock and sleep better on the backcountry than at home. I am a side sleeper at home and back and side sleeper in a hammock. Sure you are awake to move but I enjoy that. 3.7 pounds all in for my sleep system with 20⁰ quilts.
Why a camping hammock? Well, in my teens it was cowboy camp. Then in our twenties (got married) we moved up to backpacking tents. Then in our fifties we went to hammocks, stuff hurts too much to crawl around on the ground anymore. After much experimenting with trial and error there’s no better way to sleep outdoors. YMMV
So glad you made it to my backyard ! The North Shore and the SNF are extremely underrated. Some of my best memories of my life are up in the arrow head in the BWCA and on the coast. Great vid as always.
Danny is a great guy, friend ah and fellow musician. If I ever get a chance to try out on it his hammocks I'd be totally stoked!!! This guy does killer work!!! Go Danny!!!
Superior Gear hammocks are a joy to use. It's a very smart system, very modular with their snaps along the side that act as a second underquilt. I'm a big fan.
I've had the same experience as so many, bad sleep in a tent, great sleep in a hammock. Even made a convert of my wife. Rocky east coast trails and plenty of trees make more opportunities to find a spot. May not be for a desert trip but in the woods, nothing better.
Beautiful video! A perfect mix of travelogue, information, and adventure! I have been looking at Superior hammocks for a good while for winter hammock camping. They are pretty expensive, so getting the behind-the-scenes look at someone who is passionately involved in creating better equipment really helps.
I was near the point of quitting backpacking becuase my back hurt so much every morning regardless of sleeping pad. I also feared setting a tent in the rain (i never had a fly-first pitch so everything would get soaked). A friend was preaching the gospel about hammocks, and I jumped at the opportunity to try one out. I picked up a used setup from gear trade, and I've never looked back. Its been a complete gamechanger for me. Ive never slept better outdoors.
I only "discovered" hammocks within the last couple of years, but they've completely changed my outdoor experiences. I've tried a lot of tents, pads, and cots, but at 59 years young I sleep so much better in a hammock. Just ordered a Superior hammock a few days ago and am really looking forward to using it.
Really liking this video. Not just because I have loved hammock camping for the past 6 years, but also because of you involving that small cottage company.
Great to see you in Minnesota on our premiere trail! I’ve hiked that whole trail and Danny picked a good section for us guys! I just this last summer picked up a hammock from Danny after all my years of tenting. All my friends here have a SG hammock and Danny kept telling me to get one so I pulled the trigger and couldn’t be happier! Great video showing our North Shore and what Danny has created!
TOO Funny Darwin I'm a Hammock camper or as known as a Tree Dweller This past week I slept in a 2 person tent as a ground dweller LOL It was an adventure I can see where it has its advantages like when I filmed out west like AZ. It was neat to see how the other side experiences the outdoors. You should come to HangCon 2025 in Fl January. Met Superior Gear there last year! Awesome guy and company.
I been a hammocker since I was a teenager. 10-20 years ago not only were they the most comfortable but they were also lighter than any tent on the market. And a big shout out to the OG hammock makers, Hennessy Hammocks. They changed my hiking life. Everyone should learn the basic rigging skills required to use them. It’s fun. And Superior said all the right things about good hammock design imo. But today, in the pursuit of lighter and lighter ideas I’ve finally got a Durston and a light weight and packable mattress and so far I’m impressed. I’ve cut well over a kilo out of my base weight and I can go above the tree line without worry of damaging trees and in pursuit of bigger miles. But I’ll return to the Hennessy often too as there’s more advantages than I can write in a comment or even listed in this vid. Nice vid Darwin.
I used my Hennessy in hot jungle type places with bad creatures on the ground. But never in normal use. Never understood the frozen butt hangs where you sleep in the cold air instead of on the warm frozen ground.
@@johnbarron4713I’m not sure the model name, maybe safari or expedition but my second one is xl and has a double zip opening the double bottom layer where you can slip in a reflective foam pad. Cold gone. Other brands, including the one shown here include the idea of a bottom quilt loosely attached to the outer side. I’ve never done that but I’m sure it’s fine. Probably a difficult decision if the aim is ultralight tho.
Glad you got to experience the SHT! Have to say, the campsites are great, but I really struggled to find spots that worked with my Durston X-Mid 2. Might have been less stressful with a hammock.
Oh! Hey, I love that you came to my neighborhood! And I have been a hammock person for the last 10 years or so! And the Superior Hiking Trail is one of my favorites!
bingo. I have slept in a bed fewer than ten nights in the last decade. I have a small collection of hammocks and when it is time for me to go into assisted living, I will be asking about whether or not I can bring my hammock.
I am taking a guess that you don't know each other but are aware of each other's channels at least. (I could be wrong on both guesses.) A collaboration video with Shug would be AWESOME! You each have very different styles, but I love watching you both. You both are open about having opinions, but seem nice and open-minded enough to probably get along. I'd love to see it, if you are able and willing to manage it. I'm hoping you will consider it.
I have tried the thickest of sleeping pads and just never was able to get a good night's sleep. Hammocks solved that problem for me. I have 2 superior gear hammocks, a warbonnet blackbird xlc, and also got the hammock gear wanderlust system. I'd recommend the superior gear system to anyone getting into hammock camping. I love hammock gear's tarps and top quilt, but the underquilt didnt work for me at all and I'm not a fan of their underquilt either. The warbonnet hammock is my go to because of the shelf, but it's not as beginner friendly as the superior gear hammocks.
The first night is almost always bad and then just gets better night after night. As you can see, Danny is a great guy. His hammocks are just one of many types of camping/hiking hammocks but very much well sought after. I want to extend an invitation to you to come to Florida in January on MLK weekend for HangCon 2025. It's the largest hammock group hang in the world. We will have dozens upon dozens of vendors on site and many of them work with tent hikers as well. Think of it as Trail Days for hammocks. Bring your tent and stay from Thursday to Monday if you wish and check out what we have to offer. If nothing else, you can get enough content for 5-6 videos in a weekend. Let me know if you want more info because I don't want to just throw it on here without your approval. Floridahanger.
I moved from tent to hammock about 13 years ago because of rocks and roots. My wife converted about a year later once she realized I wasn’t complaining about my back. Initially, it does take a few days to get settled in and find what works. But a rough night hanging was still better on my back. Also, certain hammocks are better for sleeping vs relaxing. Thanks for sharing your trip!
I have a partially deformed foot and trying to get down and into a tent and then back up was literally impossible. Hammocks saved me! I would have to have given up hiking if it weren’t for the hammocks!
I've heard many stories like this, where hammocks allowed people to still get out into the woods when they could no longer use a tent and sleep on the ground.
That was a fun video. I've canoed in Boundary Waters but never hiked that trail. Fascinating tour of Superior Hammocks. If there are trees , I will be carrying my hammock. Very good sleep (especially for a side sleeper with sore shoulders). The AT was great for hammocks, the southern PCT not so much.
Wish you had tracked your sleep quality at home with a smartwatch, then the quality of sleep you get on the trail with your normal set up, and compare those to the quality of sleep with the hammock. 🤔
Hammock camping has been a thorn for me for over 15 years. I’ve purchased at least 15 different hammocks from big, small and fully custom vendors only to look and feel like you did after day one. I find them comfortable and fun, but I just can’t sleep in them. I lay diagonally, tried laying and lowering my legs, switched up pillows and even tried a pillow under my knees, but just can’t figure it out. I’m 6’5” and 270 and also find most advice for the masses doesn’t align with someone my size. I’d love to fully embrace it, but just haven’t been successful despite spending outlandish money and time trying.
Me, too. I used to sleep in a bivy on an ensolite foam pad. By the time I hit 50 years of age, I found I woke up every 60-90 minutes and I slept poorly. I almost always get up in the wee hours of the night to pee, and it's so much easier to get in & out of a hammock than it is for me to crawl out of a tent. I love the feel of the slight breeze on my face, and when it's more windy I get rocked to sleep.
I'm a hammock camper, and I always have a rough night the first night on trail! My biggest fear with hammock camping is porcupines, and I think you can imagine why!
Really the best way to camp - limiting here in the Yorkshire Dales where suitable trees are scarce. The only time I would not recommend it is if you have diarrhoea - believe me , exiting a hammock urgently when evacuating yourself is a joy to all present apart from yourself.
I’m a side sleeper who has never been able to get a good nights sleep in the wilderness. About 7 years ago I purchased a hammock system and have never looked back. They’ve been a game changer for me.
Keep trying it on one trip every summer. As you get older the gentle back stretch and slightly elevated feet feel better and better. My rig lets me do ground or hang either way, the flexibility is wonderful. I consider my hammock as my one luxury item, it also makes a great camp chair when I sling it low.
Been hammocking for years, did the Wonderland trail over 10 days, slept great every night. Probably spent over 50 nights in a hammock and never going back to tents. ... Except when camping with my wife, we like to snuggle and that's the ONLY downside I've ever found. Another major benefit is you can set up your tarp first when it's raining and your sleep shelter and the rest of your stuff stays completely dry while you leisurely get everything set up instead of rushing to get it completed. I learned everything I know from fellow MN hammock guru, Shug. Grew up watching him perform at the MN State Fair and later found his UA-cam channel. Dude knows his stuff. Woooo buddy!
I really liked that you introduced us to a great cottage company and did a visit. More like this please! I’m unsure about hammock camping because of all the “moving parts” (I.e. hammock, under quilt, straps, bug net) that you have to keep up with…. How does it pack with all the other stuff you need for long hike?
The integrated underquilt in the Superior Gear Hammock addresses the one of the biggest problems with camping hammocks. I used a Hennessy Expedition Classic A-sym at a week long Scout camp. While it was definitely more comfortable than sleeping on the ground the big disadvantage is there was no good place to store my gear. In addition, changing clothes isn't easy. I ended up using a spare tent to store my gear and change.
I tried hammock camping this year and have really enjoyed it. I still need an under quilt so a foam sleeping pad is what I’ve been using. The inflatable pads do not stay put in my hammock. The big tarp is really nice in the rain, which I see lots of.
I partially got mine for winter camping in deep snow. Trying to set up a tent in powder snow is such a pain and takes a lot of set up time. A hammock requires none of that.
The secret to hammocking on the trail is practice. There's a learning curve. I sleep excellent in my hammock, but had to learn my style. I'm a head right - feet left sleeper. I sleep about halfway between my back and my side. I use a down pillow, because contrary to tent camping, too much pillow in a hammock tends to be a negative. I hang my foot end about 10 inches higher than my head (helps keep you in your preferred place in the hammock). It takes practice. I prefer Warbonnet Outdoor tarps, because they have "beaks" at each end that don't obstruct getting out and under the tarp, but give better coverage for weather. You also have to find what hammock works best for you. I tend to sleep better in gathered end hammocks, but do also have a couple bridge hammocks I will use sometimes. It's a rabbit hole. As always, I recommend starting with Shug's youtube channel. He's forgotten more about hammocking than most will ever know.
I love hammock camping. Around where I live, it is very hard to find a place that's flat enough for a tent. It's so hilly and bumpy. But with a hammock, I just need 2 trees and I'm set. But tents can be awesome too!
I shifted to hammock camping a whil ago and still prefer it with the right setup but I splurged and got myself an Opeongo a while back and I'm in love with it. It's a little heavy, no doubt, but with the right accommodations, it works nicely for everything but the longest thru-hikes. You should try it out sometime!
Ive hammocked the JMT twice, Roper's High Route, and countless other wacky journeys in the high Sierra. Its so superior, its no contest. Ill never go back to the tent. Although, Id suggest trying a bridge style rather than the gathered-end.... its like a glorious floating cot. Best gear EVER!
I use a Draumr. I canoe camp in a lot of pit and mound forests. Their system needs a bad so I just take it in addition to my tent and I have options depending on the site and weather. I wouldn’t if I was hiking but not all of us here are hikers maybe someone will find this comment useful.
Slept in a hammock for the first time at a music festival. I had my tent and mattress ready to go and never used it. Best sleep of my life. Never felt better. Came home and seriously pondered how I could set one up in my bedroom.
I hammock backpacked for about ten years in the wyoming and colorado rockies. Used about ten different styles and came to the conclusion there were more cons than pros but still occasionally bring one !
yeah, why not giving the manufacturing to cambodia... let's call it support and yes, he shows off the production but, only prototyping, and of course they do all the quality control there... sure sure
I do both depending on terrain and conditions. Tents need flat, smooth surface or your sleep sucks. If these conditions are going to be hard to find, then I use a hammock. E.g on a busy weekend in the white mountains these conditions are tough unless you claim a tent spot early in the day.
I’ve nearly completed the Sheltowee Trace Trail through Kentucky and Tennessee and have only used a hammock. Can’t imagine sleeping in, or carrying, a tent. There’s nothing like the gentle sway of a hammock while sleeping. I’ve never slept in a tent and don’t plan to.
Darwin & Danny on the trail: Lookout. Here's another versatile setup Darwin: that yellow Thermarest pairs well with UL hammocks (like the ENO Sub 6), then rig up Yukon Outfitters Walkabout Rainfly with quick line tensioners (a simple diamond 4 point tarp). I like the looks of the WB Thunderfly & Minifly tarps, especially for ground & hammock versatility. Cool you got out to see Danny; I went there a few years back: traversing bus lines & urban territory out to his old shop in Osseo. I overnighted under a big spruce tree corner of a yard with my versatile setup in ground mode, then I got to see what I figured as the closest to the Holy Grail of Hammock Design, Danny's Superior. Danny was a friendly individual, and I greatly enjoyed his story and laying in one of his works. We shot back & fourth some ideas, and eventually, years later I managed to acquire a couple grey elite models (A ten-foot 0F & 11 foot 30F). I missed the limited camo run, plus alot of backpacking around this year, because I have a root canal to $ave for. When I visited Danny back in 2017 or so, I showed him my setup too, a grey eno with a camo Wilderness Logics (rip Marty) Quilt atop a mummy, grey Exped Winterlite...and the Walkabout Rainfly. One of our discussion topics was how to get the Superior to pack easier & the other to work in the camo colors, and Danny has done both since then. Another thing I like about my main setup listed above (out of 25 or 30 I own), is its ability to pack down quickly. I managed to get to a nice cam 10F Hammock Gear Incubator Bottom Quilt to add to my versatile kit for the cold...an XL, extra wide (you might not need the extra wide). I fold it into one of those Osprey rectangular dry bags & put my knees on it to force the air out, then lash iit external on the very back of my UL A Epic Pack behind the mesh pocket. If you ever get to using the hammocks much beyond 3 season ideal, let me know how you pack those puffy moose (hammocks). They work well for warmth though, despite the mass. I have tested both ground & hammock forest setups in rather cold weather, and the hammocks edge out the ground setups with not as many stakes to pound in the rock-hard, frozen ground, and not getting sleep gear all wet aside the tent, nor your clothes, crawling about the snow, ice, & slush. And in-general, a 4 season tent plus the extra foam pad for true, or real winter seem to equall the bulk of the puffy bottom quilt & top sleeping bag. Yes: sleeping bag. I like to zip into a nice sleeping bag, because, not limited too, but especially if you ever need to go to the ground, those top quilts can be drafty. Anyway Luitenant Dan: that's all I have to say about that for now. And if I ever find Jenny again, we will have to do some work on the hammock.🎉❤🎉❤
I wish you would have talked more about weight and bulk deference’s to your normal kit. I have heard mixed opinions on this. One advantage that I see is not having to worry about puncturing your sleeping pad. I appreciate your review, and I hope I don’t sound like I’m nitpicking your video. I think that you do an awesome job at what you do, and I appreciate you. 🙏🏻
As a tree dweller, I’m biased, but hiking in the mountains finding a nice flat camping spot is hard, but finding two threes the right distance apart is so much easier! I have slept over rocks, sloops, and even water! Lighter and more comfortable is really hard to beat!
My problem with hammocks is that I always sleep so well I get a late start hiking.
I enjoy my hammock nights, but I did wake up to an armadillo digging a hole right under me once. That sure gave me a jump!
@@matt6740 Reminds me of the time I had a wild boar use me as a backscratcher one night! I was terrified I thought it was a bear at first!
Yes...
The hardest thing about sleeping in a hammock is that you don’t want to get out.
I think I did something wrong I got terrible knee pain!
Would enjoy a series based only on visiting cottage companies and visiting their shops/garages and letting their story be told. Also, while reviewing some of their products/ gear. Keep up the great work!
That’s what I’ve been working on lately. Stay Tuned for more! 😉
@@DarwinOnthetrailthat's fantastic. Just the content we need.
Next time you’re in MN make sure to check out at LEAST;
-Duluth Pack
-Cooke Custom Sewing
-Wintergreen Northern Wear
One big thing about hammocks is you don't need to get down and crawl in. If you go to group hangs you have a lot of older campers in hammocks because crawling in and out of that small tent gets harder with age. So being at seat height where you can walk over to it and lay down is a big benefit.
I also love the ability to always see out. I feel more disconnected with tent walls
I'm 61 and I've had my fill of crawling into and out of tents, and in the past I've often found them too constrained (the ones compact and light enough to carry up a mountainside on your back, anyway). I've grown to love the openness of a hammock and tarp setup... it's actually educated me on why "tarp campers" rave about it so much... a tent is very restricting. Much better views with a tarp than a tent - and air flow.
That is one of the reason I now prefer hammock camping. At 60 years old I just hurt after sleeping on the ground all night no matter what kind of pad I used. Really thick pads were ok if car camping but I like to backpack and you can't carry those on the trail. It took me several tries to find the right fit of hammock and what lay worked for me. When camping in a hammock I don't wake up with my hips and shoulders hurting like I do when sleeping on the ground and not having to bend over and crawl in is a plus as well. I hike and camp mostly in the southeastern US so there are always plenty of trees to hang from.
@@sandraspears6389 Agreed! My first hammock wasn't quite long enough for me but it was still more comfortable than sleeping on a pad on the ground. My new hammock is "in the lap of luxury" territory!
Hammock + suspension + tarp + underquilt combined are smaller and lighter than tent + inflatable pad - and I get way more room than I do in the tent. It's really no contest, eh?
I love this video style! I would love to see more videos discovering small businesses and cool gear!
Thanks! Planning on many more of these style of videos 😉🤙
I have to agree about the style of video, really cool and beautiful cinematography. I know it was a short trip maybe that's why the shorter video. I was locked in and would have easily watched for twice as long. My only critic, it seemed a little like it was just a product placement for the company. Not a trip video, not a review video, I don't know if I got much out of it except that I wanted more. More of the trip, more about your hammock experience and thoughts and more of the beauty of the trip.
There is a learning curve to hammocking. But, once you learn it, it is superior sleeping. I enjoy it more than my bed.
Same.
Same same. Makes me look forward to camping, I sleep like a baby 😴
Same! Converted from tent to hammock in my 50's. Now I am 62 and I use my hammock if ever possible on hiking tours.
Only for biketouring I prefer a free standing tent.
"I wasn't a hammock guy until I got sponsored by a hammock company"
Literally.
Bahahahahaha 😂😂😂
Where's Shug?! Awesome video!
Woooooooooooooo buddy!
The Lord of Lallygag! He just put another great video!
Yes! Darwin meets Shug! Must be funny.
I just love it. I have a great spot on the Swedish side of the strait between Sweden and Denmark (Öresund). Hang the hammock, slowly swing back and forth, grab a flask of whisky and a piece of home made jerky and watch the ships silently pass in the night. Oh my ... how relaxing isn't that. Honestly I can see the stress graph on my Garmin watch drop like crazy.
That makes you a gongozzler.
Belgian Hammock Hiker here. I'd love to discover the South of Sweden one day. But hangin' in the Ardennes is also pretty nice.
I am so glad you ventured north into Minnesota and genuinely hope you felt welcome. I have lived here all my life and love to travel all over , but this is the place to live!! There is simply nothing more remote than the boundary water canoe area in the mainland USA, and where you were on the SHT is an excellent representation of Minnesota north woods.
The “ocean waves” of Lake Superior could lull anyone to sleep!
Welcome to MN and I hope you come back and can’t wait to see more hammock videos in the future!
How do you put up with them Skeeters ?
I have a Superior Gear setup. I also have 5 other complete setups from other manufacturers, great and small. My Superior Gear setup is one of my favorites. Regardless of which setup I’m using I always get the best sleep.
His systems are really nice! Smart design for sure!
As a big guy 6’3” 280lbs once I discovered hammock camping and never went back. It’s hard enough, humping your gear all day and being sore from that to waking up the next day, not refreshed and in more pain and not wanting to hitthat day’s target. Yes, sometimes it’s hard to find good trees and there’s more to set up but with somebody with back pain and shoulder pain from a lifetime of contact sports it was a total game changer. It makes me wanna be outside longer and not looking forward to just getting back to the car and getting home to my bed.
I’m a hammock guy and love it and here’s why but you didn’t mention these items but 2 nights is not enough and one night you slept in banana position and got the right position the 2nd. Here are two things that make me prefer it over a tent. In heavy rain getting off the ground when the water is below you is so much better than a tent right in the water on the ground. Also, positioning that tarp up high and using your trekking poles to create a porch and seeing everything around you feels incredible compared to be in a closed tent. It’s actually one of the reasons when I use a tent I only use basically a bug net that has a bathtub floor and a tarp so I can make my own shelter that can change with the weather conditions. Downside of hammocks is there is way more setting up and figuring out tree distances but uneven ground is not an issue in a hammock like it is in a tent . I’ll give you there is more work and moving pieces and knowledge and experience needed to get it right but good on you for giving it a go. I had to laugh when Danny was asked about Eno hammocks. Those are really like the entry level car and the hammock system you had was a top of the line luxury car.
I don't want to put words in his mouth but I'll say what I was thinking when I heard that Onthetrail's only hammock experience was with an ENO hammock... "Well, no wonder you don't like hammocks." ENOs are short hammocks and if you don't know how to use a hammock the frustrations and discomfort associated with that are amplified. I think ENO has probably done just as much to turn people off of hammocks as they have to pique interest in hammocks.
That’s too much work. Know what’s easier?
Step 1: Pitch tent
Step 2: Blow up air mattress
Step 3: Prepare quilt
Step 4: Sleep in any position I feel like
Step 5: Sleep like a god
Fewer components, lighter weight, and as cozy as could be.
A trick I learned from the Jacks R Better guys for finding a good distance between two trees is to stand with your trekking poles out at shoulder width; that is about 13' for most guys.
Another tip is to hold your finger and thumb like a pistol to estimate a 30 degree angle.
I can hang my tarp and hammock, with my quilts, faster than most can pitch a tent and blow up an air mattress.
@@SophisticatedDogCatummm, fewer components? Lighter weight? My hammock consists of two straps and the hammock. It weighs 20oz and packs to smaller than a 1 litre Nalgene.
@@jeffd6 How do you keep warm without an under-quilt and an over-quilt? You also need a tarp to keep you shielded from the rain. You have straps, the hammock, the two quilts, a tarp- I mean it’s objectively more complex than a tent system. There’s no arguing, here.
I love that you came up and checked SG. In the hammock world, Danny’s stuff is tops. Good stuff Darwin. Cheers.
Great video. I'm a hammocker but I definitely want to get a good tent setup. What a world we live in where we can debate on the best way to sleep in the woods 😆
I recently switched from tents to a hammock. I looked at Superior Gear but went with the Dutchware hammock instead. Dutch thru hiked the AT in a hammock, has lots of video's for beginners like me, quickly replies to my questions. it took a couple times laying in it to figure out to sleep a little sideways to avoid bending like a banana but once I did I sleep much better than in a tent. Plus love that I can hang out with friends under my tarp, can put my tarp up first so nothing gets wet, lots of versatility.
Hey Darwin, try using no pillow or a very thin one in a hammock. I carry a travel pillow to use in a tent, but don’t use it when I’m in a hammock. Thanks for sharing
Yes, surprised Danny either encouraged or at least didn't discourage a head pillow. I like just a tiny neck pillow or no pillow at all in my hammocks.
When I hiked the Superior Hiking Trail in 2019 I slept comfortably every night in my hammock. 😀
That's awesome! 🤙
@DarwinOnthetrail Will you attempt a Superior Hiking Trail thru-hike someday? Most do the traditional to avoid the city and lack of campsites. My friend Frozen also did it the year before. It's awesome! 👍
You don't need to commit to tents vs hammocks. There's trade-offs to both. If I know there will be good flat ground or I am bringing trekking poles, I'll bring the tent. Sometimes it's better to hang and get above annoying ground, which could be thorny, snowy, or wet.
Yep, same, often on the same hike. I use a tarp instead of a tent, and sleep in the hammock with sleeping pad, so I’m already carrying most of the kit for a hammock anyway. My hammock including suspension and tarp flyz is only 300 grams extra to carry (Dutchware netless made with cloud 71)
If there's good flat ground, a hammock is still more comfortable.
Only reason not to hammock is a lack of trees.
@@edsiefker1301 I generally agree, but another reason might be weight considerations. If you're counting grams, for me, winter trips mean heavier insulation on top and bottom. There's a point where the under quilt seems to exceed what my pad can do, weight-wise at least. Of course, everyone's gear is different so, it depends. Cheers!
I bought two small cheap light hammocks to use when my son and I backpack…. to relax in, but we sleep in tents. They weigh very little and so much nicer than a chair. In your video you can see how much you liked sitting in your hammock. Try using both … it’s great
I felt nostalgic: this is the basement where my lovely Starlight hammock was made. Glad you got to enjoy some hang time!
I'm so glad you tried it. I have this whole hammock setup. It's fantastic and I'll never sleep on the ground again unless I have to! I also just purchased the tensa trekking treez so even if there are no trees, I can still hang. They are trekking poles that covert to a hammock stand. Also light weight. Thanks for doing this Darwin. Hammocking is the only thing I've ever disagreed with you on! I've learned so much from you and appreciate your content!
We did 4 nights on that same section this fall. Slept 10-12 hrs a night in our hammocks. There is a learning curve to the lay, I find it punishing to use my tent , but some areas just aren’t hammock friendly. Another great video.
12 hours? Why ? that's a lot
@ dark at 6:30 what else do you do.
@@steveyezek9682 I try to learn something or I watch UA-cam on mildly related topics. Don't you wake up in middle of the night from being in bed for so long?
I have that and I don't like it as it makes me less productive, I believe.
@@steveyezek9682 At that time I also cook and organise myself for next day
Danny is a stand up guy and his hammocks have changed my life!
Good on you Darwin for trying the hammock again. As others have said here, there is a bigger learning curve with hammock camping (compared to pitching & sleeping in a tent) but those of us who enjoy the hammock life won't go back to a tent unless we have to, e.g. beach, mountaintop, etc. Loved the tour.of Superior Gear innovation shop! There are a number of cottage companies that make high quality hammocks, insulation, tarps & more.
You can put that yellow Thermarest mummy pad in the 45F hammock when it gets colder & for more versatility, like going to the ground or picnic table, or more sleep positions. In general, stretching the hammock a bit longer works better when paired with the inflatable mummy pad.
Given the opportunity, I love sleeping in my hammock system. I get the best nights of sleep in various winter conditions. It was a bit of trial and error, but I would say no more than issues I've had getting a good night's sleep tent camping. I'm a side sleeper and I sleep perfectly fine on my side in the hammock. Appreciate you giving it a fair shot. There are many that just immediately shut it down.
UL hammock camper here and avid backpacker. I couldn't sleep on the ground, tried a hammock and sleep better on the backcountry than at home. I am a side sleeper at home and back and side sleeper in a hammock. Sure you are awake to move but I enjoy that. 3.7 pounds all in for my sleep system with 20⁰ quilts.
Why a camping hammock? Well, in my teens it was cowboy camp. Then in our twenties (got married) we moved up to backpacking tents. Then in our fifties we went to hammocks, stuff hurts too much to crawl around on the ground anymore. After much experimenting with trial and error there’s no better way to sleep outdoors. YMMV
So glad you made it to my backyard ! The North Shore and the SNF are extremely underrated. Some of my best memories of my life are up in the arrow head in the BWCA and on the coast. Great vid as always.
Danny is a great guy, friend ah and fellow musician. If I ever get a chance to try out on it his hammocks I'd be totally stoked!!! This guy does killer work!!! Go Danny!!!
Yeah... he's ok 😉
Superior Gear hammocks are a joy to use. It's a very smart system, very modular with their snaps along the side that act as a second underquilt. I'm a big fan.
I love that “man is open minded to something he’s previously rejected” is such a content goldmine just in general
I've had the same experience as so many, bad sleep in a tent, great sleep in a hammock. Even made a convert of my wife. Rocky east coast trails and plenty of trees make more opportunities to find a spot. May not be for a desert trip but in the woods, nothing better.
Beautiful video! A perfect mix of travelogue, information, and adventure! I have been looking at Superior hammocks for a good while for winter hammock camping. They are pretty expensive, so getting the behind-the-scenes look at someone who is passionately involved in creating better equipment really helps.
I was near the point of quitting backpacking becuase my back hurt so much every morning regardless of sleeping pad. I also feared setting a tent in the rain (i never had a fly-first pitch so everything would get soaked). A friend was preaching the gospel about hammocks, and I jumped at the opportunity to try one out. I picked up a used setup from gear trade, and I've never looked back. Its been a complete gamechanger for me. Ive never slept better outdoors.
Same here. 👍
I only "discovered" hammocks within the last couple of years, but they've completely changed my outdoor experiences. I've tried a lot of tents, pads, and cots, but at 59 years young I sleep so much better in a hammock. Just ordered a Superior hammock a few days ago and am really looking forward to using it.
Hammock camping is the way. A great sadness overcomes me when I have to take to the ground.
😂😂😂
Is that rainbolt behind you on the plane? 1:33
He knows every place. Not because he memorized every place, but because he is everywhere. 😮
Really liking this video. Not just because I have loved hammock camping for the past 6 years, but also because of you involving that small cottage company.
Great to see you in Minnesota on our premiere trail! I’ve hiked that whole trail and Danny picked a good section for us guys! I just this last summer picked up a hammock from Danny after all my years of tenting. All my friends here have a SG hammock and Danny kept telling me to get one so I pulled the trigger and couldn’t be happier! Great video showing our North Shore and what Danny has created!
Darwin just starts advertising on his channel and is already paying folks to rock him in his hammock like he's Dan Becker
I absolutely love your videos and the production quality is amazing.
Thanks!!!
Thank you very much! 🤙
Loved reading the comments on here ❤ thanks for the stories & contributions.
You know you like sitting up in the morning without having to climb out of a tent. Makes morning coffee so much better.
I have coffee in my tent 😉
100%
Making coffee and breakfast at my feet while I planned my day was one of the best aspects of hiking the AT for me.
TOO Funny Darwin I'm a Hammock camper or as known as a Tree Dweller This past week I slept in a 2 person tent as a ground dweller LOL It was an adventure I can see where it has its advantages like when I filmed out west like AZ. It was neat to see how the other side experiences the outdoors. You should come to HangCon 2025 in Fl January. Met Superior Gear there last year! Awesome guy and company.
I been a hammocker since I was a teenager. 10-20 years ago not only were they the most comfortable but they were also lighter than any tent on the market. And a big shout out to the OG hammock makers, Hennessy Hammocks. They changed my hiking life. Everyone should learn the basic rigging skills required to use them. It’s fun. And Superior said all the right things about good hammock design imo. But today, in the pursuit of lighter and lighter ideas I’ve finally got a Durston and a light weight and packable mattress and so far I’m impressed. I’ve cut well over a kilo out of my base weight and I can go above the tree line without worry of damaging trees and in pursuit of bigger miles. But I’ll return to the Hennessy often too as there’s more advantages than I can write in a comment or even listed in this vid. Nice vid Darwin.
I used my Hennessy in hot jungle type places with bad creatures on the ground. But never in normal use. Never understood the frozen butt hangs where you sleep in the cold air instead of on the warm frozen ground.
@@johnbarron4713I’m not sure the model name, maybe safari or expedition but my second one is xl and has a double zip opening the double bottom layer where you can slip in a reflective foam pad. Cold gone. Other brands, including the one shown here include the idea of a bottom quilt loosely attached to the outer side. I’ve never done that but I’m sure it’s fine. Probably a difficult decision if the aim is ultralight tho.
Glad you got to experience the SHT! Have to say, the campsites are great, but I really struggled to find spots that worked with my Durston X-Mid 2. Might have been less stressful with a hammock.
Oh! Hey, I love that you came to my neighborhood! And I have been a hammock person for the last 10 years or so! And the Superior Hiking Trail is one of my favorites!
Always enjoy your content, keep em coming
Thank You!
Awesome video. Really like this style.... Good that you are trying hammock camping despite your aversion to it.
Greets from holland
I only backpack with a hammock. The one I have hanging in my bedroom is pretty comfortable too 😁🌲🦉
How much do I like hammock camping? I put eyebolts in the walls and no longer use a bed at home. I just wish hotel rooms had hammock hooks.
bingo. I have slept in a bed fewer than ten nights in the last decade. I have a small collection of hammocks and when it is time for me to go into assisted living, I will be asking about whether or not I can bring my hammock.
Would love to see you and Shug hang out on the trail!
I am taking a guess that you don't know each other but are aware of each other's channels at least. (I could be wrong on both guesses.) A collaboration video with Shug would be AWESOME! You each have very different styles, but I love watching you both. You both are open about having opinions, but seem nice and open-minded enough to probably get along. I'd love to see it, if you are able and willing to manage it. I'm hoping you will consider it.
I have tried the thickest of sleeping pads and just never was able to get a good night's sleep. Hammocks solved that problem for me.
I have 2 superior gear hammocks, a warbonnet blackbird xlc, and also got the hammock gear wanderlust system. I'd recommend the superior gear system to anyone getting into hammock camping. I love hammock gear's tarps and top quilt, but the underquilt didnt work for me at all and I'm not a fan of their underquilt either. The warbonnet hammock is my go to because of the shelf, but it's not as beginner friendly as the superior gear hammocks.
The first night is almost always bad and then just gets better night after night.
As you can see, Danny is a great guy. His hammocks are just one of many types of camping/hiking hammocks but very much well sought after.
I want to extend an invitation to you to come to Florida in January on MLK weekend for HangCon 2025. It's the largest hammock group hang in the world. We will have dozens upon dozens of vendors on site and many of them work with tent hikers as well. Think of it as Trail Days for hammocks.
Bring your tent and stay from Thursday to Monday if you wish and check out what we have to offer. If nothing else, you can get enough content for 5-6 videos in a weekend.
Let me know if you want more info because I don't want to just throw it on here without your approval. Floridahanger.
Danny is a class act! Great video Darwin.
I love the sewing setup!!!
I moved from tent to hammock about 13 years ago because of rocks and roots. My wife converted about a year later once she realized I wasn’t complaining about my back. Initially, it does take a few days to get settled in and find what works. But a rough night hanging was still better on my back. Also, certain hammocks are better for sleeping vs relaxing. Thanks for sharing your trip!
I have a partially deformed foot and trying to get down and into a tent and then back up was literally impossible. Hammocks saved me! I would have to have given up hiking if it weren’t for the hammocks!
I've heard many stories like this, where hammocks allowed people to still get out into the woods when they could no longer use a tent and sleep on the ground.
That was a fun video. I've canoed in Boundary Waters but never hiked that trail. Fascinating tour of Superior Hammocks. If there are trees , I will be carrying my hammock. Very good sleep (especially for a side sleeper with sore shoulders). The AT was great for hammocks, the southern PCT not so much.
Wish you had tracked your sleep quality at home with a smartwatch, then the quality of sleep you get on the trail with your normal set up, and compare those to the quality of sleep with the hammock. 🤔
Hammock camping has been a thorn for me for over 15 years. I’ve purchased at least 15 different hammocks from big, small and fully custom vendors only to look and feel like you did after day one. I find them comfortable and fun, but I just can’t sleep in them. I lay diagonally, tried laying and lowering my legs, switched up pillows and even tried a pillow under my knees, but just can’t figure it out. I’m 6’5” and 270 and also find most advice for the masses doesn’t align with someone my size. I’d love to fully embrace it, but just haven’t been successful despite spending outlandish money and time trying.
I was already looking to upgrade to this hammock. I’m definitely gonna do it. Great video.
Superior Gear are on my wish list for sure. Thank you for the share :)
The day I turned 40 I started hating lying on the ground. I'm so grateful for the hammock.
When i turned 30 i started sleeping on a cot. I’m 37 now and i already want to sleep in a hammock.
Me, too. I used to sleep in a bivy on an ensolite foam pad. By the time I hit 50 years of age, I found I woke up every 60-90 minutes and I slept poorly. I almost always get up in the wee hours of the night to pee, and it's so much easier to get in & out of a hammock than it is for me to crawl out of a tent. I love the feel of the slight breeze on my face, and when it's more windy I get rocked to sleep.
When I turned two-years-old I began hammock camping. And then I became an adult and converted to tent camping.
@@SophisticatedDogCat 😂
I LOVE hammock sleeping. Everything about it feels right.
Too bad I also prefer the desert, most of the time I backpack.
I'm a hammock camper, and I always have a rough night the first night on trail! My biggest fear with hammock camping is porcupines, and I think you can imagine why!
Or Beavers 🤣
Hammock for me too!
amazing and fantastic work both the video and the gear. heck yeah guys!
I prefer hammock 100%. Hammocked the JMT, only spent 1 night on the ground (guitar lake). I use a foam pad jic I need to go to ground.
Really the best way to camp - limiting here in the Yorkshire Dales where suitable trees are scarce. The only time I would not recommend it is if you have diarrhoea - believe me , exiting a hammock urgently when evacuating yourself is a joy to all present apart from yourself.
I’m a side sleeper who has never been able to get a good nights sleep in the wilderness. About 7 years ago I purchased a hammock system and have never looked back. They’ve been a game changer for me.
Keep trying it on one trip every summer. As you get older the gentle back stretch and slightly elevated feet feel better and better. My rig lets me do ground or hang either way, the flexibility is wonderful. I consider my hammock as my one luxury item, it also makes a great camp chair when I sling it low.
Been hammocking for years, did the Wonderland trail over 10 days, slept great every night. Probably spent over 50 nights in a hammock and never going back to tents.
... Except when camping with my wife, we like to snuggle and that's the ONLY downside I've ever found.
Another major benefit is you can set up your tarp first when it's raining and your sleep shelter and the rest of your stuff stays completely dry while you leisurely get everything set up instead of rushing to get it completed.
I learned everything I know from fellow MN hammock guru, Shug. Grew up watching him perform at the MN State Fair and later found his UA-cam channel. Dude knows his stuff. Woooo buddy!
Try a bridge hammock Darwin! You can sleep on your belly in one of those, super comfy👍🏻
No.
I really liked that you introduced us to a great cottage company and did a visit. More like this please!
I’m unsure about hammock camping because of all the “moving parts” (I.e. hammock, under quilt, straps, bug net) that you have to keep up with…. How does it pack with all the other stuff you need for long hike?
The integrated underquilt in the Superior Gear Hammock addresses the one of the biggest problems with camping hammocks.
I used a Hennessy Expedition Classic A-sym at a week long Scout camp. While it was definitely more comfortable than sleeping on the ground the big disadvantage is there was no good place to store my gear. In addition, changing clothes isn't easy. I ended up using a spare tent to store my gear and change.
I tried hammock camping this year and have really enjoyed it. I still need an under quilt so a foam sleeping pad is what I’ve been using. The inflatable pads do not stay put in my hammock. The big tarp is really nice in the rain, which I see lots of.
I partially got mine for winter camping in deep snow. Trying to set up a tent in powder snow is such a pain and takes a lot of set up time. A hammock requires none of that.
Oh yea, another place a hammock is a far better option is the white mountains in new hampshire. There is very little flat ground there.
I love that the quilting is a part of the hammock. Less cold spots and movement. I never understand why more hammocks are not made this way.
The secret to hammocking on the trail is practice. There's a learning curve. I sleep excellent in my hammock, but had to learn my style. I'm a head right - feet left sleeper. I sleep about halfway between my back and my side. I use a down pillow, because contrary to tent camping, too much pillow in a hammock tends to be a negative. I hang my foot end about 10 inches higher than my head (helps keep you in your preferred place in the hammock). It takes practice.
I prefer Warbonnet Outdoor tarps, because they have "beaks" at each end that don't obstruct getting out and under the tarp, but give better coverage for weather.
You also have to find what hammock works best for you. I tend to sleep better in gathered end hammocks, but do also have a couple bridge hammocks I will use sometimes. It's a rabbit hole.
As always, I recommend starting with Shug's youtube channel. He's forgotten more about hammocking than most will ever know.
I love hammock camping. Around where I live, it is very hard to find a place that's flat enough for a tent. It's so hilly and bumpy. But with a hammock, I just need 2 trees and I'm set.
But tents can be awesome too!
I used a hammock while in the army. I loved it.
I shifted to hammock camping a whil ago and still prefer it with the right setup but I splurged and got myself an Opeongo a while back and I'm in love with it. It's a little heavy, no doubt, but with the right accommodations, it works nicely for everything but the longest thru-hikes. You should try it out sometime!
Ive hammocked the JMT twice, Roper's High Route, and countless other wacky journeys in the high Sierra. Its so superior, its no contest. Ill never go back to the tent. Although, Id suggest trying a bridge style rather than the gathered-end.... its like a glorious floating cot. Best gear EVER!
I use a Draumr. I canoe camp in a lot of pit and mound forests. Their system needs a bad so I just take it in addition to my tent and I have options depending on the site and weather. I wouldn’t if I was hiking but not all of us here are hikers maybe someone will find this comment useful.
Slept in a hammock for the first time at a music festival. I had my tent and mattress ready to go and never used it. Best sleep of my life. Never felt better. Came home and seriously pondered how I could set one up in my bedroom.
I have one of his and I love it going to get another one soon had mine for like 2 years now
Looks like a great trip regardless of if you are converted!
I hammock backpacked for about ten years in the wyoming and colorado rockies. Used about ten different styles and came to the conclusion there were more cons than pros but still occasionally bring one !
This was a great video! Thanks Darwin!
That snap foot pedal is hecka smart❤🤌
Man! I could really use that backpack!
Loved this! More hammock content please!!
Love my hammock...Florida Trail was great in one...never got flooded and could hang even with an inch of water in the campsite.
yeah, why not giving the manufacturing to cambodia... let's call it support
and yes, he shows off the production but, only prototyping, and of course they do all the quality control there... sure sure
I do both depending on terrain and conditions. Tents need flat, smooth surface or your sleep sucks. If these conditions are going to be hard to find, then I use a hammock. E.g on a busy weekend in the white mountains these conditions are tough unless you claim a tent spot early in the day.
I’ve nearly completed the Sheltowee Trace Trail through Kentucky and Tennessee and have only used a hammock. Can’t imagine sleeping in, or carrying, a tent. There’s nothing like the gentle sway of a hammock while sleeping. I’ve never slept in a tent and don’t plan to.
Darwin & Danny on the trail: Lookout. Here's another versatile setup Darwin: that yellow Thermarest pairs well with UL hammocks (like the ENO Sub 6), then rig up Yukon Outfitters Walkabout Rainfly with quick line tensioners (a simple diamond 4 point tarp). I like the looks of the WB Thunderfly & Minifly tarps, especially for ground & hammock versatility.
Cool you got out to see Danny; I went there a few years back: traversing bus lines & urban territory out to his old shop in Osseo. I overnighted under a big spruce tree corner of a yard with my versatile setup in ground mode, then I got to see what I figured as the closest to the Holy Grail of Hammock Design, Danny's Superior. Danny was a friendly individual, and I greatly enjoyed his story and laying in one of his works.
We shot back & fourth some ideas, and eventually, years later I managed to acquire a couple grey elite models (A ten-foot 0F & 11 foot 30F). I missed the limited camo run, plus alot of backpacking around this year, because I have a root canal to $ave for.
When I visited Danny back in 2017 or so, I showed him my setup too, a grey eno with a camo Wilderness Logics (rip Marty) Quilt atop a mummy, grey Exped Winterlite...and the Walkabout Rainfly. One of our discussion topics was how to get the Superior to pack easier & the other to work in the camo colors, and Danny has done both since then.
Another thing I like about my main setup listed above (out of 25 or 30 I own), is its ability to pack down quickly. I managed to get to a nice cam 10F Hammock Gear Incubator Bottom Quilt to add to my versatile kit for the cold...an XL, extra wide (you might not need the extra wide). I fold it into one of those Osprey rectangular dry bags & put my knees on it to force the air out, then lash iit external on the very back of my UL A Epic Pack behind the mesh pocket.
If you ever get to using the hammocks much beyond 3 season ideal, let me know how you pack those puffy moose (hammocks). They work well for warmth though, despite the mass.
I have tested both ground & hammock forest setups in rather cold weather, and the hammocks edge out the ground setups with not as many stakes to pound in the rock-hard, frozen ground, and not getting sleep gear all wet aside the tent, nor your clothes, crawling about the snow, ice, & slush. And in-general, a 4 season tent plus the extra foam pad for true, or real winter seem to equall the bulk of the puffy bottom quilt & top sleeping bag.
Yes: sleeping bag. I like to zip into a nice sleeping bag, because, not limited too, but especially if you ever need to go to the ground, those top quilts can be drafty.
Anyway Luitenant Dan: that's all I have to say about that for now. And if I ever find Jenny again, we will have to do some work on the hammock.🎉❤🎉❤
I wish you would have talked more about weight and bulk deference’s to your normal kit. I have heard mixed opinions on this. One advantage that I see is not having to worry about puncturing your sleeping pad. I appreciate your review, and I hope I don’t sound like I’m nitpicking your video. I think that you do an awesome job at what you do, and I appreciate you. 🙏🏻
As a tree dweller, I’m biased, but hiking in the mountains finding a nice flat camping spot is hard, but finding two threes the right distance apart is so much easier! I have slept over rocks, sloops, and even water! Lighter and more comfortable is really hard to beat!
The drive up the North Shore is pretty awesome. Next time you get up here, you should head out to Isle Royale for a couple nights!