chefisaac

I was gifted a nice gift of a Kammok ( Kammok | The Kammok Roo - The World?s Best Camping Hammock ) and I really like it. Is it for touring? Maybe. But I have not purchased the rain fly.

Here is a video on the rainfly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xT4rVlZnDU

What I see is that it leaves the front and back parts exposed and if there is a wind and rain, the potential of getting wet is likely. What are your thoughts?

For the hammock users out there, what are you using for a rainfly?

fietsbob

Why not get one that comes with one. Hennessy Hammock: The Coolest Tent in the World

how about a Moss (now MSR) parawing? MSR 19' ParaWing Reviews - Trailspace.com

TomPalmer

I have a Hennessy and added a larger (8x10) silnylon tarp for more coverage. It works very well for bike camping, I have room to lay my bike down if it rains too much and all of my gear stays dry.
I have 2 and lent one to a buddy on 2 trips this year. he is getting his own now.
There is a lot of hammock camping info on the web, try it, you'll like it.

Tom Palmer
Twin Lake, MI

RWBlue01

I have an ENO setup, BUT I am not a master Hammock guy.

Right now I tend to camp in the late summer until late fall. This lead to cooler (COLD) nights and sometimes cold rain. Without extra stuff, this is not hammock weather.

IHMO, Hammock is probably the best solution for summer camping. You know those nights when it is still 80+ degrees and high humidity. Those nights when you sweat the night away. I wish I had a hammock when I use to camp and boat in June, July, August.

To answer your question:
1. Get a bug net. ENO makes a pretty good one.
2. I have an after market rain fly that is not ENO. The ENO just covers the hammock. IF the wind and rain kick up, there is a potential to get wet. ENO should have made their fly to have 6-12 inches hang over on both ends to keep the person dry.

Hope this helps.

SRFS1

I've used hammocks for years. Tried a lot of different ones but I've fallen in love with the ones from Tree to Tree Trail Gear. Unless winds are pretty bad, the diamond tarp keeps me plenty dry. I also use the cat cut tarp for winter or bad weather camping.

Tourist in MSN

I do not use hammocks but I saw an ENO Profly Rainfly on a really good used price (and a small tear) and bought it for general tarp use while camping. (The tear is now fixed.) I would think that would work pretty well over a hammock. REI lists several different ENO rainflys.

Chef, I have not seen anything from you for a long time, good to see you are still around.

Rob_E

Rain flys are usually a compromise between coverage and weight. Some provide more coverage, but at the cost of more material, so more weight. That rainfly looks like a decent attempt catch most of the rain with a minimum of material, so if that's your goal, it is likely a good option. If you need the rainwater collecting aspect of the hammock fly, it might be useful. If not, it seems over priced.

The part about it being open at the ends, yes, that's an area to watch, but it's not necessarily a problem. If you expect rain to be blowing in from the ends, you can:

• move your hammock to different trees to keep the hammock perpendicular to the wind.
• Lower your tarp as close as possible to your hammock.
• Use some kind of "drip string" on your hammock line to divert any rainwater that comes down the lines towards your hammock.

The tarp I've been recommended and is on my "to buy" list is the Superfly. It might take up more room than the one you mentioned, but it's got a lot more coverage and is considerably cheaper.

Cold weather concerns are valid. There are solutions. I'm not a big one for cold weather camping in any structure, but I've had my Hennessy into the upper 30s, I think. I used every method of temperature protection to stay comfortable at those temps, but it was largely successful. I don't how it compares to tent camping at the same temperature. The biggest thing is to get insulation that hangs outside hammock and hugs the underside, an underquilt.

There is all kinds of information to be found at https://hammockforums.net/

oddtanlines

I have used an ENO hammock a few times. Bought the whole kit- rain fly, bug net. Like: camping in the rain (set up over a mud puddle? No problem), stayed dry, and it's extremely light. Don't like: compresses the sleeping bag so it only keeps one warm when it's above 55 degrees, (unless you buy the weighty cocoon), and it's too short for my 6'10" frame. I met someone who bought the material and made her own for much cheaper.

phughes

I use the Warbonnet Blackbird: Best Camping Hammock | Blackbird | Warbonnet Outdoors

I use this Mamajamba tarp for the rainfly. Mamajamba - WarBonnet

This combination has kept me comfortable and dry. I usually put a lightweight tarp on the ground under the hammock and put my bike and gear there. IN heavy rain all my gear and bike has remained dry.

bwgride

Long time hammock user here. That rainfly in the video is good only for good weather. A tarp with end doors is needed to block rain in blowing wind. Lots of options out there, but for the price and quality the Warbonnet Superfly is the tarp to get. Linked here:

Superfly Tarp

Also, the hammock linked, the Roo, looks like a good starter hammock, but it won't be a comfortable as a hammock with ridgeline. The ridgeline allows one to obtain a consistent sag so the comfort is the same each time whereas the Roo, without a ridgeline, maybe pulled tighter or looser each hang and change the comfort level each hang.

Two other things. Staying warm is key in a hammock. Most experienced hammock users turn to underquilts to keep the backside warm. Wide closed cell foam pads also work, but work better in a doubled layered hammock like the Blackbird linked above (or the less expensive Traveler). The double layered hammock also provides protection against mosquito bites underneath. A bug net is needed to cover the opening against bugs. An integrated bug net is nice, but I favor nets that can be removed and added as needed.

Consider making your own hammock and bug nets. Very easy. Lots of instructions on Hammockforums.net.

Hugh Morris

I really love hammock camping; a wealth of info to be had over at hammockforums.

I currently use a pretty huge gathered end hammock, a butt-in-a-sling camper XL, 12' long, 6' wide, with a full length hammock gear underquilt and a poncho liner as a top quilt. Made a bottom entry bugnet and a 12x10' silpoly (fabric from ripstopbytheroll) tarp that can be folded inward for 'doors'.

Haven't tried it below 40F but it's super comfy down to those temps. Best sleep I get.

I use whoopie slings for my suspension and just pack the whole hammock/underquilt/topquit/bugnet scenario all in one into a pannier, with my tarp and tree huggers/whoopies in a separate mesh stuff sack that goes in that pannier if dry, outside if wet.

robow

+1, good stuff Maynard

rawly old

I've got a cheap Chinese early bird special very light but seldom used
as a hammock & then close to the ground. Actually the quality is quite
good, $18, free shpg. It's a dbl.: makes a fair tent. the hammock,
top step left. right, my tarp/ poncho. below my bivvy in a waterproof
laundry bag.

KC8QVO

I have been backpacking for years and switched to a hammock before I got in to biking. It was one of the best gear change decisions I ever made. The main reason is it gets you off the ground - you never have to find a clear/smooth place to set up. The downside is you have to have trees at appropriate distances to hang from. For most people/places this will be a non-issue as trees are pretty much everywhere.

My set up is a warbonnet Blackbird, double layer hammock with a Mamajamba tarp that has detachable doors. If I had the gear change to do over again today what I would change is the tarp. I would get the Superfly as the doors are attached. You will appreciate that when the weather goes to pot.

Speaking of the weather going to pot - I have been in everything from tropical storm rains (tropical storm Lee, I was in the Smokey Mountains that weekend) to temps down to around 0-10deg f with a few inches of snow. What I can share with you is that the tarp will let some (not much) moisture through. Both nights we were in the mountains it rained - a lot - and there was mist coming through the tarp. It wasn't enough to get anything "wet", but it was noticeable. For a straight down rain hanging the tarp a bit higher works fine. I prefer this set up because it allows easier access in and out. If there is much wind you want to drop the tarp down. In the snow I set the hammock up normally, maybe a bit lower, then dig out the snow underneath and pile it against the bottom edges of the tarp. Then I put some snow on the outside along the edges of the tarp. This helps to seal out wind. It still vents through the flaps in the doors. I slept very comfortably this way. I had a thermometer inside and it was around 40deg at my hammock ridge line, with temps under 10 outside.

For any weather, even summer time, you need bottom insulation. I started out with a sleeping pad - therm a rest trail lite, and if it was cooler I put a blue closed cell foam pad under the therm a rest. This was a conversion over from my ground dwelling days. It worked, somewhat, but trying to stay on pads curled up in a hammock is not ideal. The better route is to hang a quilt underneath. I invested in a Hammock Gear down quilt - 20deg model with the highest down over-stuffing they offer. It was the most expensive piece of gear I have bought, but it is convenient and it just flat out WORKS. With winter camping in my adventures having the right piece of gear made a huge difference in comfort and I'm glad I made the purchase. For warmer weather you can get by with less, but you need something. Hanging the insulation underneath the hammock helps because it keeps the insulation lofted, not compressed underneath you. When lofted it retains higher insulation properties. In warm weather a layer of fleece may work, or a blanket hung underneath, but you can dig in to the options. This is a whole science in and of itself.

Sleeping bags can work inside hammocks. However, there is no insulation from them below - you are compressing the bottom. If you turn a lot at night you may find you tie yourself in a knot. So, you may look to use just a blanket or quilt on top. With good insulation below you won't need much on top - and you can use the top to regulate your temp. I use a sleeping bag most of the time and make it work pretty well.

As others have posted - check out hammockforums. Its a great place.

chefisaac

I really like that rainfly! The video is pretty neat too.

What are you using for an underquilt?

chefisaac

Thank you !

chefisaac

Do you think if I get the same down quilt that it will fit with the Roo Kammock? I am not sure if quilts and hammocks are interchangeable or not. Does a quilt hang from the trees under the hammock or does it attach to the hammock?

Rob_E

I use a Hennessy Hammock, and Hennessy has a special, cold weather kit made especially to fit their hammocks. I don't know if it can be made to fit other hammocks, but it's probably not worth the effort as a more generic under-quilt would be more versatile. The Hennessy kit has a piece of fabric that hugs the bottom of the hammock. The fabric itself has almost no insulating properties, but it acts as a wind break. It also helps stop mosquitoes from biting through the bottom of the hammock. I just leave that cover on in all but the warmest of weather. Then there's a foam pad that goes between the hammock and the cover. The pad compresses for packing, but not as well as a down quilt (but it's a lot cheaper, I think), and it goes between the hammock and the under-cover. I've found this sufficient down into the 50s. If it gets colder than that, I've found a space blanket on top of the pad can keep things considerably warmer. I've also heard of people throwing other items in between the under-cover and the hammock for additional insulation: leaves, clothing. The one time I was really chilly, I borrowed a regular (non-hammock) quilt to put in the under-cover and was quite toasty. There's another part of the Hennessy cold-weather gear which goes on top. The over-cover goes on top of the hammock, over the bug net, and is really just a wind-break. There's a port hole for air circulation (and it's not really air or water tight anyway) and seeing out, but other than that it completely covers the bug net potion of the hammock. It has to get below the 50s before I think that's worthwhile.

Hugh Morris

Quilts for gathered end hammocks are essentially interchangeable. Hennessys are different with their asym lay, and any other hammock that has tie-outs to increase roominess will have those tie-outs get in the way of a regular underquilt.

The UQ suspension attaches to the hammock end of your suspension- most come with s-biners or an easy way to clip into the continuous loops at the gathered ends, but it can be acheived with knots if you have no hardware.

So, while your tarp will have its own suspension, the underquilt shares the hammock's suspension.

Speaking of the tarp suspension; are you going with two ridgeline tie outs on either end or a continuous ridgleline? If a CRL, above or below the tarp? I've been using two individual 12' tie outs with Dutch wasps on either end, but am considering switching to a 30' CRL so i can use snake skins to stargaze until the sneaky storm starts sprinkling.

The Superfly is a great tarp. I really have been liking the silpoly tarp I have currently, but it might be a DIY-only option as I don't know if any manufacturers are making silpoly tarps.

Definitely check out hammockforums, where they've hashed out the nitty gritty details many a time.

The fiddle factor is high with hammocks. Almost as high as the comfort factor.

chefisaac

Okay, I am trying to visualize this. A hammock, from the bottom up, has:

Underquilt, the bug net (goes on bottom and top), the hammock, the pad, and then a top quilt or sleeping bag. Right?

Rob_E

If you're trying to visualize my set up, then no. If you're trying to visualize you're own set-up, then maybe?

I guess I can't answer questions about your set up. My set-up is specific to my brand, and won't necessarily translate for you, but there are many photos on their web site, if you're curious.

Hugh Morris

Sorta depends on your gear... As mentioned above, some set-ups like Hennessy's aren't universal. For most gathered end hammocks with full bug nets you are correct: bug net encases the underquilt which cradles the hammock which has you and the topquilt inside. All of that is hung from the same suspension, while the tarp hangs from its own suspension (which will end up lower on the trees than the hammock's suspension).

Most every night, even no chance of rain, I pitch my tarp and smile when I can hear aerial debris ping off it.

Also, a pad is redundant (and less comfortable) if you have a warm enough UQ. The pad is a good low cost entry into colder hammock camping, but the beauty of the bigger buy (UQ) is that you are laying in just the hammock fabric- no pad wrestling or waking up cold cause you rolled off the pad. Preserves the comfort that converted me to hammocks in the first place.

Again, hammockforums is an invaluable resource. Lot of questions, experienced and varied answers, DIY plans and troubleshooting, trip reports, all that jazz. If you're more a visual learner, search around youtube for great instructional hammock videos by a character named Shug. They are informative and entertaining; I bet just typing "Shug underquilt" would dig up a good video or three.

Leebo

Eno double nest user here. I love my hammock for summer use( when I tour) . Bug net hangs over the ridge line. Covered with a coated nylon tarp on the diagonal, work well. Closed cell foam underneath my sleeping bag. Lightweight and compact, so much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. Sideways get you chair as well. I use lightweight poly straps and 2 descending rings on a carabiner to attach to the trees. Some areas do not allow anything to be tied to trees. And you need trees or such.

Darth Lefty 

I sense a recurring theme...

fietsbob

Self Promotion Happens .