You scroll through your phone, looking for potential adventure partners. It looks like this weekend will be a solo mission. You dig through your gear closet. Should you bring a tent? A bivy sack?
In this edition of Therm-a-Rest Gearshed, we will guide you through all the features of the Hammock House.
Photos by Dream Teamer Alicia Erskine
We’ve all been there before. Our appetites whet for adventure, but no partners that care to join. Perhaps, this is even your preferred method camping, drinking in the solitude that the backcountry offers to those willing to venture out alone. Maybe, you just want to spend some quality time with your four-legged, best friend.
However, the perfect sleep system for these solo adventures can be a bit tricky. Bivy sacks are lightweight, but don’t offer the breathability of a tent. Standard tents take up a significant amount of pack space for solo missions and the large footprint requirements usually demand that you make camp at an established site. Hammocks offer something completely different.
Accessibility and Set-Up
Hammocks provide a lightweight option for sleeping off the ground. Since you don’t need a large section of flat ground, you can make camp at sites not available for tent camping. This really expands your options for campsites, allowing you to choose a secluded corner of wilderness or set up camp next to some fellow explorers.
When choosing a campsite, all you need is two sturdy trees that sit about 12 to 16 feet apart. Always use wide, tree-friendly straps (like the Slacker Hammock Straps, included with the Hammock House).
Full Protection
When conditions take a turn for the worse, the Hammock House is equipped to keep you safe. The hammock has an integrated bug net that saves weight and keeps bugs from disturbing a good night’s sleep. The ultra-fine mesh also keeps this breathable throughout the night.
If the forecast calls for rain, toss the rain fly over the ridgeline for protection from wind and rain. The fly has pockets for the guy lines and also works with our Tranquility 6 Awning Poles to provide coverage for your gear.
When the temperatures drop, our Snugglers and Warmers perfectly mate with the Hammock House and keep you warm at camp.
Versatility
Have you ever tried to use your tent to sit around a fire? Used your bivy sack for a midday nap?
A huge advantage to hammock camping is that your shelter can be used for more than just a place to sleep. It’s easy to setup a Hammock House without the bug net or rain fly. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a hard day on the trail or to hang out and take a nap with a furry friend.
Backpacker Friendly
The Hammock House wouldn’t be an all-in-one, backpacking sleep system if we didn’t design it to pack easily into your pack. The entire system packs down into a single, lightweight stuff sack for easy carrying. The sack has a pass through link to make sure the aluminum carabiners are accessible for lightning-fast setup. Like all Therm-a-Rest products, the Hammock House is extremely durable and strong to withstand the rigors of life outside.
Hammock camping has become a growing trend for all these reasons. It’s a light and affordable way to get a comfortable night’s sleep in the backcountry or even in your backyard. Checkout our website to learn more about the Hammock House or watch the video below to learn how to setup the perfect solo, hammock-camping shelter.
See you out there!
