Tent vs Hammock? Amry vs Hiking Backpack?

[blumerang]

Hey Everyone, was wondering if any of you had strong recommendations either way regarding both tents vs hammocks and army vs hiking backpacks?

I'll be hitching/ridesharing and camping mostly. Will be hiking ALOT and plan on months of travel as I want to experience the Rockies.

I've already got my bases covered with some cheap equipment as I'm hitting the road sometime this week. I plan on eventually upgrading tho. If any of y'all have experience in this type of adventure and want to help young greenhorn with some pro tips regarding equipment and/or where to buy it, I would much appreciate you.

 

[ibbyhippy]

I like tents because i'm not a big fan of sharing sleep with bugs and rain. As for the backpack doesn't really matter, i use a 55L hiking backpack

 

[Notmyname]

Bet tip I can give is to use the search function. This topic has been covered many times and the older threads about it will most likely have all the info you need.

 

[briancray]

For backpacks I'd go with something from the army navy surplus store or a 5.11 tactical bag. REI/hiking backpacks suck imo because they aren't made for constant usage. This is just my personal experience. The material might be a little heavier but its more durable and lasts longer.

As for tent/hammock, I am a bivy guy. But I also use a tarp setup if I'm in a spot for a while. I'm going to go with a USMC bivy once I get my first paycheck. Bivy is low profile and lighter weight, plus you can throw em down and sleep practically wherever.

 

[DrewSTNY]

The best pack is one that fits you comfortably and carries what you need. A topic that has been discussed here quite a bit.

Sleeping arrangements are a personal preference.

That said, I have used just about everything from a basic tarp to a hammock.

Hammocks:
The biggest pro to a hammock is that you aren't on the ground sleeping with the rocks. The biggest draw back to a hammock is that you have to have a separate tarp which can get heavy. If you don't have a hammock with an attached bug net then you will want to get something to keep you from getting bit all night. You also can't really get all your gear in the hammock with you so it will be out in the weather.

Tents:
Having a tent can be a heavy way to go and you have to take the time to set it up. The benefit is that you have plenty of space for all of your stuff inside with you and it's out of the weather. On rainy days, you can hangout comfortably in the tent.

Bivy:
A good bivy is probably the best of both worlds even though you won't be able to get your great inside of it. I have rolled most of my stuff up in a bivy before and just had a small pack for odd ball stuff or things I wanted to get to quickly. You can take a small tarp to hang out under on days that are less than dry. I have made the DIY bivy with a tarp, but I would recommend using Tyvek if you can get it, or splurge on the MSS bivy which is damn near bomb proof.

 

[Aleus]

Gonna cosign on what was mentioned above. It's really a personal preference but I choose hammock over tent. A tent is great to keep your gear in but I find it to be overkill unless you are staying in one place for a few days or longer. My hammock is ultralight weight and combined with a tarp, a bit of rope and a couple stakes you have a tent like set up that will keep you dry and off the ground. I highly suggest using a blanket or cardboard in the hammock to prevent bug bites from underneath. I also use a loop of rope and a S clip to attach my pack to the tree where my hammock attaches, keeps it off the ground and if someone were to mess with it I would feel the tug on my hammock immediately.

For bags I suggest a military or tactical pack. A 3-day pack seems to fit everything I need without being bulky. I've used a 80-100L REI pack for a long time but it's pretty big even when empty which makes it inconvenient for hitch hiking, train riding etc. I strap my tarp and bivy on the outside for easy access if it rains.
The MSS bivy is THE SHIT. By far the most essential item I carry and it can be used with out without a sleeping bag inside. I've even put a few things in it, rolled it up and strapped it onto a day pack for small trips.
Search craigslist for used gear or buy online if possible. Surplus stores are generally overpriced and don't always have used or actual surplus gear. I checked a shop yesterday for a new 3day pack, $100-130, same pack is $50-90 online with more options. Surplus stores are great to go in and try on packs for size and weight reference before buying online.

 

[blumerang]

For backpacks I'd go with something from the army navy surplus store or a 5.11 tactical bag. REI/hiking backpacks suck imo because they aren't made for constant usage. This is just my personal experience. The material might be a little heavier but its more durable and lasts longer.

As for tent/hammock, I am a bivy guy. But I also use a tarp setup if I'm in a spot for a while. I'm going to go with a USMC bivy once I get my first paycheck. Bivy is low profile and lighter weight, plus you can throw em down and sleep practically wherever.

Thanks man!

 

[briancray]

Thanks man!

No problem. I have a 43 Liter and it seems to be more than enough space. Each person is different though and it also depends on what time of year you travel. I pack a little heavier since I travel fall, winter and spring, and work in the summer. Good luck.

 

[blumerang]

No problem. I have a 43 Liter and it seems to be more than enough space. Each person is different though and it also depends on what time of year you travel. I pack a little heavier since I travel fall, winter and spring, and work in the summer. Good luck.

I plan on hitting up army surplus in Denver now. That sounds like about what I would want. Cheers!

 

[Hobo Mud]

This all boils down to prefernce. I personally do not like the use of tents while traveling. From my exsperince there bulky, a pain in the ass to put up and take down, a nightmare to find replacement parts while traveling.

I also dislike them because of condensation issues. I also can not bring my hobo stove inside a tent due to the smoke and possiablly catching the tent on fire.

I do not dislike tents as far as camping for a weekend adventure with friends however pertaining to travling on foot is a different matter.

I prefer tarps over tents. I carry a tarp with me while traveling. I can set up my tarp in multiple different shelter styles, I can and have also used mine for a hammock before, I have the ability to bring my fire or heat source within my sleeping area if needed.

Very cheap and easy to replace, very light to pack and carry. Helps keep the wind off me while hopping trains durning colder nights. There are all sorts of different uses for tarps that I didn't mention. There are pro's and con's to tents and tarps but once again my preference is a tarp.

You can never go wrong with militray back packs but once again it is all about preference and what and how you travel. My prefer method of travling is train hopping and because of this I need something strong and durable and something that can survive the stresses associated with train hopping.

I have purchased back packs in the past that were several hundred bucks and were rated to be tough enough to survive mount Everest and yet after a few months or less they were broke and demolished.

I have also bought back packs the were $50.00 or less and lasted much longer than top rated name brand back packs. It all depends on the material, the type of traveling one might do and all sorts of conditions and circumstances.

In the end it all depends on your style, preference and what type of travling you will do. You just have to find the right back pack for you and your needs, this comes with lots of trial and exsperince.......

Good post. Keep on keeping on and safe travels.

 

[Pervert Pirate]

I used to have this little 2 seat Hatchback Honda I traveled around in. I used a minimalist approach back then staying in State Parks where there were bath houses and laundry machines etc. I carried one of these Jungle Hammocks. It saved me motel cost and the car got closed to 40 mpg so I could cover some ground. The campground spots I got were dirt cheap too.

If you aren't familiar with them, they have a waterproof tent top and it is connected to the hammock with mosquito net that has a zipper for access like a tent. I used a sleeping bag in it and rested well.

The other thing I carried was some dark green plastic tarps that I tied up around it as a privacy screen and wind break. It was fine in the warmer still weather but when the wind blew it could be uncomfortable. So, I got with an upholstery shop and they showed me some light weight tent canvas and we designed these side curtains they sewed to the roof that could be rolled up or let down and Velcro attached to the hammock. Thus the hammock could be enclosed on a cool breezy night. I had about $60 total in it

Again I was traveling in a car and not back packing. But this and the little Honda saved me a bunch of money. I carried a small ice chest, some Boy Scout mess equipment for cooking, and a few 2 liter bottles of water for cooking.

What I've learned about using these? Pitch them "sharp" (or tight) and they will shed water properly if it rains. Then you'll rest well and not wake up with a back ache. If it's cold weather you may want to cut a piece of foam rubber a couple inches thick as an insulator for your body as the cold air under the hammock could have you waking up in burning pain. These hammocks can be pitched on the ground too so you are actually sleeping on the ground and the hammock is a makeshift tent. (again, if it rains you will want to be where the water doesn't flood where you are sleeping)