Touring - Biking XC / Stealth camping equipment

I guess this is biking oriented: It is for me, anyhow... Biking and camping especially crosscountry often necessitates some "stealth camping." Popular, and very efficient are hammocks typically with bug netting, a fly, etc. There are a few popular types, my feedback is that they are pretty much equal when you factor in many pros and cons. The one factor so important to me, is country of manufacture; I'm sick of Chinese made goods. Maybe we can't avoid pieces/parts made there, but we sure can avoid finishing manufacture!! If you are concerned, factor all this into your decision making.

Many hammocks are made here, some aren't.

Rick

Hennessy make one of their hammocks for the US military. That one is made in the USA. You might pay a premium, but if it is worth it to you, cantact Anne Hennessy, I'm sure she can help.

I agree we buy too many Chinese made products. We always want a bargain, but the loss of our manufacturing sector is no bargain. After we no longer make our own goods and grow our own food, where will our economy be?

Biking and camping especially crosscountry often necessitates some "stealth camping." Popular, and very efficient are hammocks typically with bug netting, a fly, etc.
I guess that it depends on the route. On the TransAmerica we were almost always able to find free or cheap camping without resorting to stealth camping. We camped for free a good portion of the time, had cheap sites ($8-$12) a lot, were put up by individuals or churches a good bit, and only a few times pay $20+. It helped that we were three people with one tent so where the cost was per site or per tent we could split it three ways.

I had always wondered how it would be to use a hammock for camping and I therefore took notice as we traveled. There were quite a few places we stayed that It would have been a hassle to use a hammock unless it was pitched on the ground as an impromptu tent.

There was only once on the whole trip where we were tempted to stealth camp and it was quite illegal in that spot. We continued on to a campground arriving after dark instead.

I am sure that hammocks have their place, but on the three major US transcontinental routes I have my doubts as to whether they are the best answer. I am sure they can be made to work on these routes, but to me a tent or bivy and a sleeping pad make more sense.

Country of manufacture is a part of the reason I went with Lone Peak panniers. The other part would be that they produce the size and style of pannier that I prefered.

As far as hammocks go, I have carried a slim "backpacker" hammock for years. Rolls up to the size of a softball, weighs, perhaps a pound. With some line and a tarp strung over it, it becomes a very nice shelter, but I use it more for relaxing when hanging about in camp (which I am very prone to do, particularly when I have a nice site) than as a dedicated tent/shelter.

just ask people, hey can i set up my tent next to your dog house?
they always say yes!

As stated on another thread,

"If you are truly stealth camping no one knows you are there. You arrive late, leave early and never trespass or start a fire. Many people confuse stealth camping with 'gypsy' or 'wild' camping where you openly camp on public land or on private property with the owners permission. That is very similar to campgrounding. In all my travels on two continents, I've only done that twice. No matter where you are a well equipped stealther can find a good spot.

It wouldn't be stealth camping if anyone knows you are there and it is a solitary exercise."

Asking is good if you plan to camp on someone's property, but it isn't stealth camping.