Hi everyone — I’m new to dialing in a real hammock camping system and would really appreciate some guidance from people with more experience.

I’m a solo traveler slowly rebuilding my health after a long illness, and I’m starting to spend more time outdoors again. My plan is gentle backcountry travel in Texas (including Big Bend), usually 1–2 days hike from my camper van while I rebuild strength and confidence in the field.

🌿 What I’ve learned about my needs so far

I’ve tried a basic gathered-end hammock setup, but it didn’t go well — I had issues with:

• shoulder compression and numbness
• overall feeling “cramped”
• poor sleep as a side sleeper

So at 6 feet tall I’m realizing I likely need a longer, more structured cottage-style hammock system (around 11 ft).

I’m also a cold sleeper, so insulation matters a lot.

🌙 What I think I’m looking for

From research, I’m currently considering systems like:

• Dream Hammock Sparrow
• Dutchware Chameleon
• possibly Warbonnet Blackbird XLC

And pairing that with:

• at least a 20°F down underquilt
• a 20°F top quilt
• a lightweight tarp (possibly with doors due to Texas wind)

But I’m still trying to understand what actually matters most in practice vs what is just gear marketing.

🌵 Where I’d love advice

For people who have dialed in hammock systems:

• Is 11 ft really the “make or break” difference for shoulder comfort for taller side sleepers?
• How important is “wide” vs standard width in real-world comfort?
• Do people regret going with asymmetrical hammocks (like Sparrow/XLC style) vs symmetrical systems like Chameleon?
• For REALLY cold sleepers — is a 20°F underquilt enough for Texas conditions most of the year?
• Are tarp doors actually necessary in windy regions like Big Bend, or just nice to have?

🌙 What matters most to me

I’m not trying to build an extreme ultralight system — I’m trying to build something that is:

• comfortable enough that I actually sleep well outdoors
• light enough that I can carry it solo
• simple enough to set up independently in the field
• reliable in wind and variable desert conditions

Comfort is probably my top priority, but I don’t want to ignore weight either. Also, if it's something with a great resell than the risk feels lower to try something and then trade or buy/sell if it's not perfect. For example, is it easier to buy and sell a 20°F underquilt than a zero?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hello!
After a few successful nights wild camping in a hammock (and getting the best nights sleep while wild camping that I have ever had), I am looking to upgrade from from a basic £20 decathlon hammock, with a sleeping pad inside and a bugnet on my head, to something more comfortable and lighter weight.

Most of what I do is canoe/paddleboard or bike based, or from the car, so it does not have to be the most ultralight. With trips planned around areas that we can hammock.

I was looking at either the TTTM Pro, with the TTTM Underquilt. OR going for a double hammock like either the ENO Double, TTTM Kingsize or Grandtrunk Trunktech Double, with a bugnet that goes over and then an underquilt. The benefit of the latter being a lightly wider more modular system?

If you have any thoughts or experience please let me know!

I'm looking for a spacious, well made bug net for my Double Hammock (11'6" long) to use mostly in my backyard on a hammock stand (no Ridgeline). Weight doesn't matter. I want it to be strong, have good airflow, and easy to get in/out of. Appreciate any recs!

I'm a short fat woman, and I would like to get a freestanding hammock for my not very large balcony.

My main criteria are that it will hold my weight, and won't wrap me like a taco. What do I need to look for to find one that will stay relatively flat, even with my 5' tall fat self relaxing on it? (on it, not in it!)

I have an L5/S1 fusion and still experience nerve pain, especially in my foot. I was bike packing a few years ago and found sleeping in a hammock to relieve my pain tremendously. I think it was something about being in a semi-V position, which I can do in bed now by putting a pillow or 2 under my stomach, but I wake up with swollen eyes when I do that. Anyhow, I'm considering switching to sleeping in a hammock full-time and looking for hammock recommendations/feedback.

As the title says, that is generally my question. I already know my preference. But I'm curious to hear if you have a preference.

For reference, I have 4 hammocks. Two commercial (ENO) hammocks with underquilts, ridge lines, and bug nets. I also have two hammocks that I have custom sewn myself. The main differences are the two custom hammocks were sewn out of MUCH heavier polyester material (4 yds) and I whipped the ends, instead of sewing in a dedicated channel. This was a very intentional decision because by whipping the ends, it eliminates stress on the stitching of a channel. It makes sewing a hammock REALLY easy. Hem all the way around, whip the ends, and your pretty much done. I have noticed that most commercial hammocks tend to have sewn channels, and most hammock sewing tutorials recommend sewing channels in the ends. Is my preference really that strange? Yeah, by doubling over the ends for whipping, I do lose a few inches off each end. But I'm not going to miss a few inches off of a 12ft hammock.

Does anybody treat their hammocks with permethrin?

I've been using DEET but the mosquitos seem to have built up a tolerance to it. I don't have any experience with permatherine and I was just wondering if the group uses it and if so how well does it work. Any pros or cons?

We are going in our first hiking/ backcountry camping trip the first weekend in June. We will be hiking 4 miles into the campsite. We plan on using hammocks it will be myself my husband, son, daughter in law and our 11 y/o grandson. I need help with what to bring. We will only be staying 1 night. This is a trial run for a possible longer trip. We will have sleeping bags, hammocks, bug spray. I want to have a small fire but what should we bring to eat? We are going to be in NW Georgia.

Hi everyone! I would like to attach a hammock to my wooden terrace and was wondering if such 12mm bolt would suffice? Consider that I would run it through a thick wooden beam with bolts from other side. Would it handle 2 people in the hammock?

On the other hammock size I have straps connected around a beam so I don't need this.

An alternative could be a ceiling double hook mount. I am not an expert in metals, but feel like while it seems stronger at first glance, there I would be relying on a welding job itself, while with this hook from a singular piece of steel it's less likely to go wrong.

#1:

https://preview.redd.it/u7ifh65oqrzg1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=32bc657756473fa3b0f140dca9cf16cfce54ed84

#2:

https://preview.redd.it/gisz6uepqrzg1.png?width=861&format=png&auto=webp&s=4ce387ef0058b2e009b82ce91b85ea3d88a9ea56

Is HammockForums down? I can't seem to get it to work.