A hammock is a great option for camping but you need to know a few things about hammocking. First hang it with enough sag, don’t hang it too tight. Second, do not lay straight in the hammock, try to lay at a diagonal. That way you get a pretty flat lay. Third, you need some sort of insulation from the bottom. In warmer nights a simply pad is enough on colder ones use a underquilt.
Michael Djerdj you beat me to it. On the insulation front. My hammock has an opening for a roll mat. The insulation of your sleeping bag just flattens and you get a cold spot otherwise.
I currently use a closed cell foam mat of about 3-4mm thick in my hammock. A great tip is to put the mat inside your sleeping bag so you don't have to manage the position of both the mat and the sleeping bag. (A hammock with a dedicated extra layer for a mat works as well but adds a bit of weight you might want to spend somewhere else). Currently looking for underquilt options, which seem to be the far superior and most versatile option being able to keep you real toasty or on warmer days open up to vent a bit more. Combined with bikepacking though, it's good to always take some kind of sleeping mat with you in case you can't find a suitable hanging spot. Using your tarp and bike you can build a shelter like shown in the video but an underquilt won't do you much good on the ground. Closed cell foam mats don't roll up very small, but they are one of the cheapest and lightest options out there (around the same weight to length ratio as the Thermarest Neo-Air Xlite). The best way to carry them when bikepacking (without any racks) is probably strapped on top of your saddle pack. Or, if you got the space, you can also put them inside. Personally I'm looking to go with only bags that are in the line of my bike to minimise air resistance, so I'm looking into bikepacking with just a large framebag and saddle bag, and possibly a toptube, so my mat will have to go on top of my already filled saddle bag. (still working on that setup though).
Hey dude, great video with some very helpful tips. I can see that you actually go bikepacking and it's not just a Restrap ad, so thanks for bringing benefit to the community ;) Your bags would look good on my Van Nicholas, all the best
Bivy Bag plus a tarp weighs more than a good single wall tent. Tarptent Pro Trail model in Sil-nylon is 25 ounces, the Dyneema model is 18 ounces. Both models are wind, rain, and bug proof. Packed size of a 1L water bottle.
I’ve used a fantastic bivy by Outdoor Research in the past which solves for midges and is a less claustrophobic. It uses a couple of short tent hoops to allow fully closing the bivy and keeping it off your face. My favorite solution. A tarp is still useful.
I recently did my first bikepacking allnighter and I went with the tent option. One advantage for me was that the inside is 100% mosquito free if you are quick opening and closing it. I also set it up in a bit of an incline and I have to say it was a bit uncomfortable but not a big deal, you can still sleep if you are tired. I also put some clothes below the mat to offset the incline and worked fine.
Yikes! That tree almost came down on top of ya there! 😂 I am a hammock convert. I have the ENO jungle nest with built in bug net. It is the most comfortable sleep ever. Even if there are no trees...i can sleep in it atop a sleeping pad on the ground.
Check out DD hamocks lightweight system, the tarp can do tent/tarp as well, RAB ridge raider is the oprimum hooped bivvy bag, also get hold of a piece of Tyvek for a footprint.And earplugs.
We've used DD hammocks in one of our later videos, they're pretty great. They don't pack down all that small but the quality is far better than one of these hammocks
Oh man, that hammock angle needs some slack! Give it a go though, way better than tents. Check out Shug Emery's channel if you want to get the hammock details worked out. 👍
Not a bad first effort, but yeah... What he said. :) Spend some time looking into it as an option. I've gone hammock and I'd never go back to ground if I could avoid it.
I am a hammock camper for some years now. For hiking and paddeling I prefere my hammock over tents or bivys, but for bikepacking a lightweight tent is the better option for me. Why? As a hiker, you can climb up a steep hill to set up your hammock easily, but you will not get your packed bike up there. Possible, but extemely hard work. On the other hand, as a biker you use roads and have better access to campgrounds and flat areas.
Confession. Third time watching this. My biggest take away? I fkn LOVE your jacket shirt!!! So gawdy by colour it is an epic plaid timeless piece!! What is it?
Hey thanks for the great video! How did you secure the tarp with your bike wheels? I hammock camp and I’m heading out on an 11 day bike tour where I know I will not have trees for two days so I’ll be using my hammock w/bug net as a bug bivvy on my sleeping pad but I haven’t figured out rain protection yet. Thanks!!
The instagram post we shared in this video was from Sam Jones at cycling UK - the full article is "How to use your bike to make a shelter", which talks through the full process. I hope this helps!
Just a cursory glance, but that bike bag gear is way to expensive. I found a silid set, that gave me saddle bags, a top bar bag, a handlebar bag, and a bonus bag. All ligfht weight, waterproof, and under $100. OI spent my extra money on a higher quality hammock system, for a better nights sleep.
Be careful with wild camping in Austria. They have mostly very strict laws and expensive fines! There are only a few federal states that tolerate it in certain cases. But officially it is not allowed. In Denmark there are designated areas where it is allowed to camp in the wild and they have quite a few shelters for trekkers and bikepackers too. But outside of these areas it is forbidden to camp!
I’ve used a fantastic bivy by Outdoor Research in the past which solves for midges and is a less claustrophobic. It uses a couple of short tent hoops to allow fully closing the bivy and keeping it off your face. My favorite solution. A tarp is still useful.
A hammock is a great option for camping but you need to know a few things about hammocking. First hang it with enough sag, don’t hang it too tight. Second, do not lay straight in the hammock, try to lay at a diagonal. That way you get a pretty flat lay. Third, you need some sort of insulation from the bottom. In warmer nights a simply pad is enough on colder ones use a underquilt.
Michael Djerdj you beat me to it. On the insulation front. My hammock has an opening for a roll mat. The insulation of your sleeping bag just flattens and you get a cold spot otherwise.
I currently use a closed cell foam mat of about 3-4mm thick in my hammock. A great tip is to put the mat inside your sleeping bag so you don't have to manage the position of both the mat and the sleeping bag. (A hammock with a dedicated extra layer for a mat works as well but adds a bit of weight you might want to spend somewhere else).
Currently looking for underquilt options, which seem to be the far superior and most versatile option being able to keep you real toasty or on warmer days open up to vent a bit more.
Combined with bikepacking though, it's good to always take some kind of sleeping mat with you in case you can't find a suitable hanging spot. Using your tarp and bike you can build a shelter like shown in the video but an underquilt won't do you much good on the ground.
Closed cell foam mats don't roll up very small, but they are one of the cheapest and lightest options out there (around the same weight to length ratio as the Thermarest Neo-Air Xlite). The best way to carry them when bikepacking (without any racks) is probably strapped on top of your saddle pack. Or, if you got the space, you can also put them inside.
Personally I'm looking to go with only bags that are in the line of my bike to minimise air resistance, so I'm looking into bikepacking with just a large framebag and saddle bag, and possibly a toptube, so my mat will have to go on top of my already filled saddle bag. (still working on that setup though).
Hey dude, great video with some very helpful tips. I can see that you actually go bikepacking and it's not just a Restrap ad, so thanks for bringing benefit to the community ;) Your bags would look good on my Van Nicholas, all the best
Props for showing out takes and being real. It teaches people more than trying to make it seem like you are always perfect. :D love it
Great video, possibly the catalyst for my first bike packing trip. Thanks for this!
Great video. I was wondering what would happen if the trees were too small for the hammock 😂 Glad your ok. Keep Biking...💯
Sleeping with the Ticks. What a great adventure :)
Bivy Bag plus a tarp weighs more than a good single wall tent. Tarptent Pro Trail model in Sil-nylon is 25 ounces, the Dyneema model is 18 ounces. Both models are wind, rain, and bug proof. Packed size of a 1L water bottle.
I’ve used a fantastic bivy by Outdoor Research in the past which solves for midges and is a less claustrophobic. It uses a couple of short tent hoops to allow fully closing the bivy and keeping it off your face. My favorite solution. A tarp is still useful.
That Enigma Escape tho... 😍
I recently did my first bikepacking allnighter and I went with the tent option. One advantage for me was that the inside is 100% mosquito free if you are quick opening and closing it.
I also set it up in a bit of an incline and I have to say it was a bit uncomfortable but not a big deal, you can still sleep if you are tired. I also put some clothes below the mat to offset the incline and worked fine.
Yikes! That tree almost came down on top of ya there! 😂 I am a hammock convert. I have the ENO jungle nest with built in bug net. It is the most comfortable sleep ever. Even if there are no trees...i can sleep in it atop a sleeping pad on the ground.
Just found your channel and I'm digging it. Looking forward to more videos
Very cool dont forget to get under quit for hammock
Check out DD hamocks lightweight system, the tarp can do tent/tarp as well, RAB ridge raider is the oprimum hooped bivvy bag, also get hold of a piece of Tyvek for a footprint.And earplugs.
We've used DD hammocks in one of our later videos, they're pretty great. They don't pack down all that small but the quality is far better than one of these hammocks
Oh man, that hammock angle needs some slack! Give it a go though, way better than tents. Check out Shug Emery's channel if you want to get the hammock details worked out. 👍
Thanks Justin, this is all new to us! 😂
Not a bad first effort, but yeah... What he said. :) Spend some time looking into it as an option. I've gone hammock and I'd never go back to ground if I could avoid it.
really great vid thx so much
have a great day!!
I am a hammock camper for some years now. For hiking and paddeling I prefere my hammock over tents or bivys, but for bikepacking a lightweight tent is the better option for me. Why?
As a hiker, you can climb up a steep hill to set up your hammock easily, but you will not get your packed bike up there. Possible, but extemely hard work. On the other hand, as a biker you use roads and have better access to campgrounds and flat areas.
Hi there.. interested in the sleeping bag.. could you let me know what product it is.cheers
Confession. Third time watching this. My biggest take away? I fkn LOVE your jacket shirt!!! So gawdy by colour it is an epic plaid timeless piece!! What is it?
Love your videos
I really like this blue flannel shirt you are wearing! What is it?
Could you add links to the products showcased in this video.. thanks.👍🏻
about that bivy... with the Hunka XL the mat and bag fit inside so not really a groundsheet is needed :)
Nice guide
Hey thanks for the great video! How did you secure the tarp with your bike wheels? I hammock camp and I’m heading out on an 11 day bike tour where I know I will not have trees for two days so I’ll be using my hammock w/bug net as a bug bivvy on my sleeping pad but I haven’t figured out rain protection yet. Thanks!!
The instagram post we shared in this video was from Sam Jones at cycling UK - the full article is "How to use your bike to make a shelter", which talks through the full process. I hope this helps!
@@Restrapltd Thanks!!!
As I am not a spring chicken, THE MOST important thing is my sleeping pad. My hips thank me every morning.
What model of tent is that?
Where can I buy that tent? This summer I'm doing a sponsored cycle with my dad for diabetes. 🥺☺️
This tent is an MSR Reflex, but you can often find cheaper alternatives on the market too.
I do this but I have a fat tire ebike makes life so much easier
Great series, would love to collaborate sometime!
Your arse will freeze in that hammock. Like sleeping on the ground you still need insulation underneath you.
yes, that's why you put your sleeping mat between you and hammock. comfy sleep sorted :D
pine boughs make a good ground cover and insulator.
Do you carry a lock for bike?
We'll usually carry a small cafe lock, like a hiplock zip lock, or something similar. These are small and can easily fit inside the frame bag
What sort of bike are you riding?
The bike in this video is an Enigma Escape :)
Just a cursory glance, but that bike bag gear is way to expensive.
I found a silid set, that gave me saddle bags, a top bar bag, a handlebar bag, and a bonus bag. All ligfht weight, waterproof, and under $100.
OI spent my extra money on a higher quality hammock system, for a better nights sleep.
I've always thought that sleeping in a hammock is going to be like sleeping in an armchair, comfy at first but ultimately, breaking backy.
You need to figure out how to properly setup and hang in order to find the sweet spot for your optimal lay.
Sent from my hammock.
One has to know how to hammock.
Be careful with wild camping in Austria. They have mostly very strict laws and expensive fines! There are only a few federal states that tolerate it in certain cases. But officially it is not allowed.
In Denmark there are designated areas where it is allowed to camp in the wild and they have quite a few shelters for trekkers and bikepackers too. But outside of these areas it is forbidden to camp!
I’ve used a fantastic bivy by Outdoor Research in the past which solves for midges and is a less claustrophobic. It uses a couple of short tent hoops to allow fully closing the bivy and keeping it off your face. My favorite solution. A tarp is still useful.