Technorati: camping-hammocks, camping-hammock-info, hennessy hammock No, you don't need one. But it's a lot of fun to bring one. Sure it's one more thing to add to your camping packing list, but if camping's about living it easy, kicking up your legs, daydreaming, or just enjoying a nap in the breeze, try tossing in a hammock.
Some backpackers and hikers even toss out the tent for the hammock for these reasons:
Camping hammocks are ultra-light compared to the traditional pop tent. And they take up less room when packed. Most hammocks for camping will pack the hammock, the tarp, mosquito netting, the ropes into one draw-string bag.
Typically, if you're camping with a tent, your site choices are very limited. No one wants to sleep on a slope, on top of rocks, or in a pit. Using a camping hammock opens up more campsites. As long as there are two trees available, you have a site!
A hammock is surprisingly comfortable. After a long day on the hiking trail, a good hammock will cradle your body gently but firmly, allowing you to rest quite well. When a hammock is properly hung, you'll have the choice of sleeping on your back or on your side.
Hammock camping is not just for warm weather camping. When the weather gets cooler, include a warm sleeping bag and a few hand warmers to warm your toes during the night.
Quick to setup and dismantle. It only takes 5 minutes or so to set up a camping hammock, including the tarp and support ropes. Setting up a tent takes at least 15 to 20 minutes especially if you need to spend time finding the perfect ground area on which to place it first.
Most of us would not give up the comforts of our camping tent for a hammock. It's still fun to bring one for recreation - taking naps, watching a kid figure a hammock out, extra seating at mealtime, extra 'bed' for an extra camper, or just for remembering the good old childhood days when you can just day dream looking at clouds move and change shapes.
Features to Look For When Buying a Hammock (demonstrated in video below)
Is it light? Does it pack well? Choose a camping hammock that is not just lightweight but can be packed into a very small pouch.
Is it quick to set up? Choose a style that can be set up and taken down easily and quickly.
Is it secure? What is the weight rating? Are the seams Double-stitched? Do the ropes and hooks look strong? A good hammock, even an ultralightweight one like the Texsport will support 300 lbs.
Does it protect you? If you'll be sleeping overnight in the hammock, make sure the canopy provides ample protection from the elements (including bugs, poisonous insects and small reptiles.
Will it damage the trees? The better hammock manufacturers include a tree-hugger that will be gentler on the trees than a thin rope. If it doesn't, you can purchase a tree-hugger strap separately.
Right from the beginning we warned you this camping blog is not for extremist rugged, survival-trained Eagle Scouts. Our slogan, "21st Century Family Camping Today, (ipods allowed)" says it all.
Well, what do you know, Eureka now has a camping tent with built-in power outlets for you to charge your ipods, iphones, and i-whathaveyous. Eureka tents have always been a leader in camping tents, but I hope they have not insulted their loyal camping customer base with this tent that's really your 21st century living room. Just watch the video below, and you will gasp in disbelief. When you get your jaw back together, you'll want one. Hold your horses, they are not cheap.
The one featured in the video costs $289 plus the power pack. It is 13 foot by 10 foot, very generous size, and lots of features you want in a camping tent, but might you achieve the same power capability by sticking with your tent, and purchasing a portable power pack, like the Duracell PowerPak ($99) separately instead?
If you are smitten with the Eureka N!ergy Tent in the video, don't get it on the Eureka website ($289), Amazonhas it on sale for $230 and free shipping. Add another $60 for the Eureka N!ergy power pack.
What do you think? Drop us a comment and tell us if being able to use a hairdryer (what's next, a vacuum cleaner) in a camping tent is really camping?
Many people love wearing their sandals into the outdoors, but are you aware that not all sandals can handle the abuse camping entails? This is one camping gear that doesn't get enough attention, but you'll find that selecting the right footwear can go a long way towards making sure that your camping experience is a pleasant one. Take some time to think about what you need to get out of your sandals and you'll be well-prepared the next time you are thinking of wandering out into the woods. Good outdoor sandals or sports sandals all have a few basic properties that you should lookout for. Read more
Is your first ever camping adventure on the horizon? If so, you undoubtedly have questions about what to bring, and you are not alone. Although a camping trip is a great way to get away and relax, the planning phase can be stressful. Keep on reading. We have some great ideas to help ease the pain of planning your first camping quest.
Camping is an activity that requires planning and bringing lots of stuff. This "stuff" is often divided into two categories: camping gear and camping supplies. Generally, camping gear refers to the actual equipment you need for camping. Camping supplies usually means your food, clothes, personal care items and other miscellaneous things.
Deciding what camping supplies to bring with you is a matter of personal preference. Many people already know what clothes and food items they have to bring along. The thing many first-time campers struggle with, however, is what camping equipment is really necessary for their trip. There are many different pieces of camping gear, and you will find an outline of some of them below.
First let's talk about one of the most common pieces of camping equipment, the tent. Depending on the size of your camping group, Read more
I've been trained to bear-proof my campsite, but I've never read anything about bear-proofing the hammock. Then again, this bear just wants a little frolick. Play the video below, have you ever seen anything like that?
What would you do if you were confronted with this scene? How calm and collected this New Jersey camper must have been to quietly aim her video camcorder on this amazing sight.
What's the perfect camping footwear? Look in your shoe cabinet, you'll see shoes for walking, another pair for hiking, shoes for boating, and shoes just for relaxing and being comfortable in. Combine all those shoes and you'll get your perfect camping footwear because at camp, you'll be doing all of the above.
The Keen Newport H2 is such a camping shoe-sandal. Is it a shoe? Is it a sandal? You can argue all you like, but no one will argue how comfortable the Newport H2 is.
For me, the feature that makes me choose the H2 as my official camping footwear is the thick sole in front. How many times have I stubbed my toes against a rock, or a picnic table, or hit the boat side when I slip (yes, as much as I love the outdoors, I am a certified klutz).
Technorati tags: camp cooking, easy camping recipes, camping dinners This is a message for camp kitchen Mamas who need a break from camp cooking. Sure, you’ve mastered 2-step camp recipes, and different twists to roast smores, but once in a while do you just wanna take a hike and leave the cooking to someone else? Well, you know what your therapist will say, ‘He wants to help, he just doesn’t know how.’
Reason #1 The recipe names are manly. Instead of 'weak' names like ‘Sunshine Eggs', he’ll be making ‘Eggs on Hell’ (pg 24-25). Same basic recipe that’s been Read more
Technorati tags: two person dome tent, marmot tents, 1 person tent Only us campers come up with brilliant ideas like this, but a two person dome tent makes a most romantic wedding gift. Just look at the floor plan of a typical two-person tent. Is that romantic or what?
Along with the camping tent you also gift to the couple a lifetime of relishing the outdoors. Surely you've heard that couples that camp together stay together? Ok, let's be specific, he will love the tent for the outdoor fun it represents, she will love it for the intimacy of sleeping in a private two-person dome under a starlit sky.
When buying a tent for two, the criteria is similar to the criteria for buying a large tent. However, pay more attention to things that affect the sense of roominess. You want a cozy tent, not a Read more
Technorati tags: kids camping gear, camping equipment, family camping I take my kids camping so they'll know the Big Dipper really exists. I take them camping so they can hear real birds sing, not just cuckoos. But once I get out there, I realize I am no professional entertainer, I need these camping "toys" to help me. All of them fit into a kid's backpack.
10 Kids Camping Gear
1. Camping Lantern
Kids just love toting lanterns. For walking to the bathroom, finding the perfect marshmallow stick Read more
In my post on How to Choose a Sleeping Pad, it was not too subtle that I prefer the plush, velvety aerobed air mattress for camping. The video below, however, makes a good case for the minimalist foam pad. Read more
separately instead? 
in the video, don't get it on the Eureka website ($289), 
Keen Newport H2
This is a message for camp kitchen Mamas who need a break from camp cooking. Sure, you’ve mastered 
Only us campers come up with brilliant ideas like this, but a two person dome tent makes a most romantic wedding gift. Just look at the floor plan of a typical two-person tent. Is that romantic or what?
