Choosing to either sleep in a hammock or a tent is an important factor to consider when prepping for camping. This range of choices has generated heated debates among outdoor enthusiasts. Traditional campers prefer to stick with tents, and the others usually opt for hammocks.
Sleeping in a hammock is definitely a different experience than sleeping in a tent. This is mainly because while a tent is sited on the ground, a hammock is suspended in air between two trees. Moreover, there are pros and cons of sleeping either in a hammock or a tent.
This leads to us to an important subject that’s fast becoming popular among campers – hammock camping.
What is hammock camping?
There are different ways of camping. Hammock camping is a type of camping wherein a camper sleeps in a hammock rather than in a regular tent.
Sleeping in a hammock or a tent comes with respective advantages and disadvantages. No doubt, the biggest advantage of sleeping in a hammock is comfortable and better sleep it provides. However, sleeping in hammock still presents some drawbacks such as exposure to the elements.
Sleeping in a tent is more common among campers, and the reason for this isn’t far-fetched. The advantages that a tent offers, such as more space and protection, make it a great choice among campers.
Top reasons why you should include a tent in your hammock backpack:
The following are some of the reasons why you should always include a tent in your hammock backpack.
- For protection: This is one of the many upsides of sleeping in a tent. Unlike sleeping in a hammock where you are exposed, sleeping in a tent gets you covered and protected from the weather. So, if you plan on hammock camping, ensure that you include a tent in anticipation for the worst.
- For better sleep experience: While sleeping in a hammock seems more comfortable than in a tent, you might find it difficult to turn or sleep on your side when using a hammock. As a result, most campers choose to go the traditional way of using a tent, even during hammock camping.
- No need for trees: While it may be unlikely to not find trees in camping sites, you need to be prepared for such an inopportune situation. Including a tent in your hammock backpack is a proactive way of preparing for the unlikely.
- Options: Including a tent in your backpack offers you options to alternate between sleeping in a hammock and a tent. During the day, you might prefer resting in the hammock, while at night (when it is usually cold), you can benefit from the shelter of a tent.
- Little or no need for paraphernalia: If you must use a hammock in the cold, then you need to also include extra materials such as a bug net. However, with a tent, there is little or no need for such provisions, besides your sleeping bag.
Conclusion:
Although hammock camping is becoming increasingly popular among campers, tent camping is still very predominant. The limitations of sleeping in hammocks are the reasons why tents will continue to remain popular.
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