tents for rainforest and tropics

[mickb]

Guys, any suggestions or preferences for lightweight hiking shelter in thick rainforest ? I have been considering a few options, casting my mind back to the good old army hootchie firstly. While its doable since rainforest and tropics can't actually kill you at night by exposure, its not exactly a great night out with bugs, heavy rain or groundwater rising and only a 6x9 tarp and groundsheet to protect you.
As such have been on the hunt for a good system to use in the roughest the tropics can throw, and also serve as general 3 seasons elsewhere.
Some requirements would be

1. For freestanding tents a mesh inner, rather than high sided nylon, to keep things cool.
2. Bug protection a must
3. Excellent tub material a must.
4.Not overly large footprint in order to fit between scrub.
5. A decent tarp additional or as part of the system, in order to hang the days wet clothes/boots to dry during the night, and/or to bolster a tents rain protection.
6. Would also consider a Tarp and Mozzie dome/mesh inner system only, instead of an actual tent.
7.Needs to be green, brown or earth coloured. Not that I am hiding out to check dope crops or playing end of the world, but just to stay low profile since I may also take it to PNG/central asia.
8.Good quality without being top end price since nothing survives overly long in the tropics.

I had a look online at tough, affordable, mesh inner tents and the Wilderness equipment old style Dart Summer 1.5 caught my eye. However being 6.3" I was worried it may be cramped, a find a lot of these inners touch my feet or head when extended. Other moderately priced options overseas forums recommend are the REI half dome and Snugpaks various options but these often have similar size issues according to forums. Being fairly remote its tough to get hands on actual tents to try. Any suggestions of other 'big guy tropic worthy' tents or options meeting the above appreciated.

[simonm]

Hey mickb,

It sounds like a dedicated camping hammock may be worth considering in that situation.

[nq111]

+1 to a camping hammock.

They are perfect for the tropics - much cooler to sleep in then a tent (but you can insulation to make them warm as well). It is always easier to find a couple of trees to hang a hammock than a flat, dry site to pitch a tent. Plus with a hammock what you are sleeping over doesn't matter - you can literally sleep dry and comfortable in a swamp with 1 foot of water over the ground.

You can get an extra sized tarp to go over the top or even a separate little tarp if you want a larger prep area. I do prefer a larger than normal tarp as the smaller ones depend on a snug to the hammock, angled pitch which restricts air movement and is too hot in the tropics. Better to have an extra large tarp almost flat so there is plenty of air movement through the hammock - this would be not so good in a big wind but this is not an issue in the rainforect.

I hang shoes etc. from the hammock lines under the tarp but it would also be easy and light to add a dedicated clothes line going under the tarp.

Hammock forums is a good place to start for research - brands like hennessy and warbonet are proven mainstays but plenty of others (including Tier Gear now I see). I would certainly recommend a double bottom for the tropics - yes mozzies do bite through a single layer bottom (ask my poor kids!).

[mickb]

Thanks Gents, good suggestion. I will need to do my homework on them, might see if I can find one set up in a hiking shop or something to test how it feels to lie in one. How do side sleeping wrigglers go in them?

In the interim I am using a cheapo system which seems to work.
An Oztrail double mozzie dome, 8x10 cheapo green tarp. Also a roughly 4x8ft piece of tarp inside the dome to serve as an extra waterproof floor. Not great weight wise, the oztrails being cheapo poles weighs 1.8kg total and the tarps must be 1kg combined. I had to step up from the oztrail single dome despite being 220cm long the curvature means my head or feet always poked into the netting. So I am at 2.8kg unfortunately but it seems durable and liveable and disposable enough to serve some rainforest abuse. Will check out the hammocks next though.

[madmacca]

take a look at some of the offerings out of zpacks.com

They're made out of cuben, which is a film rather than a woven fabric - not sure how this affects tropical lifespand?

[perfectlydark]

Im a sidesleeper and sleep well in a hammock. Yes if you can find one to test thats a good idea. Be careful, you may not want to return to the ground!

[nq111]

My hammock tarp is cuben - no problems with it in the tropics and I really like it. I would guess it is more durable than silnylon. I once had the misting sensation under silnylon in heavy rain - whether this is condensation or not cuben doesn't seem to be prone to this.

No problems side sleeping in the hammock - indeed that is the only way I end up sleeping. Stomach is no good in my hammock, on my back is super comfortable but I never sleep like that even in bed at home.

[mickb]

I took a look and hard think at the hammocks and agree they have advantages unmatched in tropical jungle. However have decided I still need tent like needs to stay in budget with one system and use in other areas I might cross through such as beaches, cow paddocks, old airstrips or dedicated camp sites. if I run afoul of a lot of terrain where only a hammock works I will be induced to get one. Swamp during wet season prime example though I would be inclined to bypass or move through these areas as quickly as possible. So far I think I can 'Aus army style' it for most of what I am encountering. Will see.

[mickb]

Hi guys I have decided to bite the bullet and try a hammock My system is currently working but I have been thinking about reducing some weight lately. With an exped SI mat sized large for big blokes, mozzie dome, tarp and heavy duty ground sheet for rainforest floors I am at 4-5kg+ not including the sleeping bag. I was hoping to cut some weight( possibly with a hammock) and enjoy the other benefits of being off the ground. Thanks for the suggestions last year, I was wondering if the experts like Nq111 etc above might be able to help with some further questions.

-Any good suggestions of a moderate priced hammock, double lined , that might suit a 6'3" 110kg footy player build sleep wriggler?
I usually go for army type equivalents, that is not necessarily the lightest or best quality but generally decent performer for the price point.

-I have a 10ft x 10ft shelter tarp by snugpak and wondered if this would compliment the hammock or should I go smaller or larger for all round use or do hammocks need something specifically hammock compatible?

-I'd like to press the hammock into service in more open southern areas , mountain/wooded country and wondered if it can handle slightly sub zero temperatures. I assume for cooler weather people use mats etc in the hammock anyway to insulate the bottom?

I'd assume its not the best choice in storms but with a decent tarp can it be configured to handle some slanting rain and wind?

You can see I am angling for rainforest with some general 3 season all roundiness...is this a realistic goal?

I'm going to do my research on them properly, but thanks for any general advice to start with

[McGinnis]

Hi guys I have decided to bite the bullet and try a hammock My system is currently working but I have been thinking about reducing some weight lately. With an exped SI mat sized large for big blokes, mozzie dome, tarp and heavy duty ground sheet for rainforest floors I am at 4-5kg+ not including the sleeping bag. I was hoping to cut some weight( possibly with a hammock) and enjoy the other benefits of being off the ground. Thanks for the suggestions last year, I was wondering if the experts like Nq111 etc above might be able to help with some further questions.

-Any good suggestions of a moderate priced hammock, double lined , that might suit a 6'3" 110kg footy player build sleep wriggler?
I usually go for army type equivalents, that is not necessarily the lightest or best quality but generally decent performer for the price point.

-I have a 10ft x 10ft shelter tarp by snugpak and wondered if this would compliment the hammock or should I go smaller or larger for all round use or do hammocks need something specifically hammock compatible?

-I'd like to press the hammock into service in more open southern areas , mountain/wooded country and wondered if it can handle slightly sub zero temperatures. I assume for cooler weather people use mats etc in the hammock anyway to insulate the bottom?

I'd assume its not the best choice in storms but with a decent tarp can it be configured to handle some slanting rain and wind?

You can see I am angling for rainforest with some general 3 season all roundiness...is this a realistic goal?

I'm going to do my research on them properly, but thanks for any general advice to start with

Nice, I think you'll find Hammocks suit your requirements very well.

I'd recommend looking at the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC DL 1.1 (XLC = 30cm longer than standard; DL = double layer). They're a fantastic hammock, though I'm only 5' 10" so I can't comment on how well it would fit you. They're supposedly suitable for sleepers up to 7', but you know how manufacturer recommendations go. The DL 1.1 should keep mosquitoes from biting you through the fabric, and will allow you to slide a mattress between the layers for some warmth/protection if need be. The DL 1.1 is rated to ~125 kg I think.

Any tarp should be fine for a hammock, though you could potentially save some weight by going for a hammock-specific tarp designed to have a high ridgeline and to cover a hammock end-to-end (the WB BB XLC will be >10' long). Most have a caternary cut for tighter pitching and optimal weight to coverage ratios. The Warbonnet Superfly would be my pick for the tropics; when it rains it pours, and you need space to move/cook/chill when you're shelter-bound. When it's clear, I wouldn't even pitch it.

Sub-zero temps are no problem as long as you're prepared. A mat below you will help, but realistically you need an underquilt (which hangs below the hammock) as well as a regular quilt/sleeping bag (a quilt is preferable). I've always gotten away with just a mat + sleeping bag in my hammock (Hennessy Ultralite Backpacker) but I've never used it in super cold conditions.

Heavy rain is no problem as long as your tarp is suitable. In fact, in torrential rain I've been perfectly dry using a tiny diamond tarp - just pitch it acutely over the hammock. You don't need to worry about pooling rain or anything like you do in tents. Make sure you have driplines set up to prevent water running down the ridgeline into the hammock.

Your goals are very realistic, but don't expect to save a huge amount of weight with a hammock setup over a similarly capable tent (e.g. Tarptent Notch). They can be more versatile in some circumstances, and less in others.

Check out http://hammockforums.net, user "Shugemery" on youtube, and http://theultimatehang.com for more info than I could ever provide.

Good luck!

[simonm]

I make camping hammocks here in Tasmania, so another option for you.

Here is a review to give you a taste.



...and a review of the Goshawk 2 double layer

[jakeyarwood]

+1 on Simons work at Tier Gear. I own a lightweight version of the above hammock and it's incredible!

[nocens]

+1 to hammocks
It seems like I'm too late to add too much to this post! But i want to add a few things anyway haha.

A double layer is a great hammock to transition with because you can use your current pad between the double layers when the temperatures drop, although i would recommend an underquilt if your getting too low. Also if you are carrying a pad with you it makes it a lot more comfortable in situations you are forced to the ground.

There is a lot of info out there for people who want to MYO/DIY with hammocks and its relatively straight forward as long as you (or someone you can bribe) are good with a sewing machine. There are lots of vendors out there for fabric, hardware, cordage etc, including Simon's DIY stuff.

[nq111]

Good to hear you are on the road to Damascus mickb

Not much to add to what the others have all ready replied. I have a Hennessy Deep Jungle XL (also 6'4") but the range is better these days - i would have a good look at the Tier Gear, the Warbonnet and maybe others. Your current tarp should be fine.

You want the double bottom for the mosquitos - they do bite through single layers (unless you treat with Permethrin) but not through a double. Ask my kids . When it is hot you will be sleeping with next to know clothes and no underinsulation so an important consideration.

Also - you will need underinsulation expect for the very hottest nights (e.g. peak summer). Any night with a minimum below about 20c you will get cold in a hammock. This is why the rule in the tropics. As a guide, I needed underinsulation still in late September on the tip of Cape York. But generally ok down here in Dec, Jan, Feb without (Except in the highlands).

[slparker]

I have no experience with hammocks but have spent quite a few nights in the tropics in australia and PNG under a tarp (hootchie) and in a tent (macpac minaret both with and without the fly).

neither are experiences that I would want to repeat except in the dry season inland where it can get cold.

If i was ever doing shoulder season or wet season camping again in the tropics I would invest in a hammock, that's for sure.

[oyster_07]

Hammocks are great in the tropics. Some have breathable fabric too.