If you enjoy lounging in the great outdoors with friends, family and a good book, then you should own a hammock. If you like to take a nap on sunny afternoons and appreciate the shade of a tree on the hot summer's day, you should definitely own a hammock. If you are an outdoor enthusiast who likes to travel and seek out adventure, then you should own a hammock. There are endless reasons why owning and using a hammock is advantageous! Here's just a few.
1. Hammocks > Tents
Who needs a tent when you can hammock! Hammock camping provides fantastic sleeping arrangements for campers on trail. There is no better way to spend the night outdoors than under the stars tucked in to your hammock. The breezes sway you and your hammock to sleep while the surrounding wildlife, snoring campers and rustling trees act as your personal noise machine. Hammocking is a great way to catch some zzz's after a long hike.
2. It's doable in almost every season.
When most people think of hammocking, they think of it as a summer and spring activity, but with the right equipment, hammocking can be a year long feat. Most hammocks are made of a thin nylon material that doesn't do the best job of blocking wind or acting as an insulator, but a simple fix would be lounging on a sleeping pad to add extra insulation and hanging a rain fly to break the wind. These two quick fixes make for a warmer sleeping environment and an enjoyable night under the stars. Colder weather calls for a warmer degree sleeping bag and mittens, but nothing tops watching snow fall from the tree canopy while you're nestled in your hammock for the night.
3. Super portable and compact.
Hammocks are great for backpacking trips and even clipping to the outside of your school backpack for after class lounging on campus. The hammock and straps take up very little room in a backpack and can be compressed even smaller with straps making for the perfect hangout spot on the go.
4. Waterproof and bug-proof.
Tents may seem like a good option to fend against the elements, but so are hammocks. With a rain fly you'll stay nice and dry and out of the wind. The rain fly is completely waterproof, protecting you from heavy rains and in my experience, even snow. Some hammocks come with built in bug nets to protect against mosquitoes on hot summer nights or sneaky ticks in wooded areas. Hammock bug nets allow for an open sky view without having to share the hammock with unwanted guests. Yikes.
5. A perfect way to enjoy the view.
All you need is two trees and views are up close and sometimes steep drop-offs even closer. Enjoy the view just off the trail, travelling on durable surfaces of course. Taking time to observe our surroundings and truly appreciate the entire experience is essential, and a hammock only improves the experience.
6. Brings friends together.
What better way to enjoy the day than with a friend and a hammock? Hammocking is a very communal activity, because they can be stacked or hung side by side creating a cozy environment suspended between the trees. A walk to the park between classes with a hammock and a friend is never a bad idea.
7. There are pockets.
Everyone loves pockets. Worried about your phone or headlamp falling to the forest floor as you toss in your sleep? No fear, some hammock brands have the stuff sack connected to the hammock making a built in pocket for belongings when the hammock is hung up. Oh the convenience.
8. Great date idea.
Nothing says romantic like a quiet hammock spot by the river. Hammocks come in different sizes. Double wide hammocks allow two people to lounge comfortably between the trees or in this case, under an old bridge. Your date will appreciate the company, the views and the out of the box date idea.
Whether it's used for camping, hanging out with friends on the weekends, or a study spot at the local park, hammocks are a great way to get outside and stay outside. Owning a hammock is a smart investment and a fantastic way to lounge in the great outdoors.
