Originally Posted by
Trambo
Hammocks is a difficult subject. Everyone thinks that they know hammocks, since they have laid in a woven net hammock once or twice. The technology of camping in hammocks has changed significantly. There are more things to look at than you can imagine. I'd suggest to go to hammockforums.net to start out. There's tons of information there. I'll give you my brief rundown.
Buying a hammock from the store is okay. That's like buying a cheap tent, and hoping that it's great. It'll be adequate, but not amazing. You can make your own hammock cheaply, or purchase it from a "cottage vendor". That's just a name for a smaller company that's often produced with much more quality and care than mass produced hammocks. It's not as simple as buying a hammock and putting it up. You need special straps so that you don't hurt the tree, and you're going to need specialized sleeping gear so that you don't get cold. You can adapt some of your tent sleeping gear for hammocks, but it gets pretty complicated. Again, talking about insulation and sleep systems have tons of choices.
Yes, it's more difficult ...... but you can get a good night's sleep if you learn correctly. Get the book "The Ultimate Hang" for a starting point, but be prepared to be constantly learning, as hammock gear is constantly evolving. Your back will appreciate the change.