I’m Dar, and I’ve been into hammocking for about three years! I decided to write this blog post because I want to share the joy of hammocking with everyone, so please be sure to read until the end.
My Encounter with Hammocks
My interest in hammocking started with mountain climbing.
Back when I was heading to the mountains almost every weekend, I started feeling like just climbing up, having a meal, and hiking back down was a bit lackluster, so I began thinking about other ways to enjoy the mountains beyond just the climb itself.
Around that time, I met some friends who climbed in a similar style. When I went hiking with them, several of them brought along hammocks, which they would set up between trees during breaks to sit or lie down in.
That was my first experience with a hammock, and the comfort of being wrapped in a gently swaying hammock surrounded by nature was exceptional—it was a relaxation space like nothing I had ever felt before.
Plus, I was surprised that such a luxurious space could be created simply by hanging it from trees.
I thought, "I absolutely have to get one of these!" and I feel like I had already purchased one by the following week. Haha.
Bicycles × Hammocks
Recently, rather than using a hammock for hiking, I find myself using it more often when I go somewhere by bike, such as taking it to a large park.
The hammock I own is compact and easy to carry, so it has truly become a part of my daily life, whether I'm using it to take a break in a park with coffee from a nice cafe on my day off.
Also, by combining it with my bike, I feel like I can enjoy hammocking even more casually.
At the end of April, I went on a camping ride to Nagano with my WILDE Supertramp.
Just like always, I packed my hammock on my bike and set off. Since I can set it up for a short break during the ride, it’s an essential item for long trips.
The Supertramp I bought last year is an all-terrain bike that is perfect for bikepacking.
With its frame design and mounting points, it has the potential to handle serious touring with ease. It's a reliable bike with a depth that allows you to engage with it in any style, from light travel to long-term touring.
In other words, for someone like me who loves hammocks and camping, it's the ideal partner!
For my packing setup during this trip to Nagano, I used a Jack The Bike Rack along with the JINDAIJI MOUNTAIN WORKS "RTB" Roll The Top Bag—which I ordered when they came for a pop-up last year—to carry my hammock, first aid kit, windbreaker, and so on.
I also attached an MKS Sylvan Works Sylvan Cargo Cage to the fork just in case I needed more space! I love the Dark Olive color; it's a perfect match for the Supertramp.
(Since I came by car, I traveled with light gear on the bike and left the tent and sleeping bag behind.)
The Supertramp’s reliability lies in its ability to handle both heavy, well-prepared setups and light, minimalist setups with ease.
By the way, I’d like to introduce my current hammock collection.
My Hammock Collection
No.1 "eno Sub6™ Ultralight Hammock"
Even though I say "collection," I only have two. One of them is the "eno Sub6™ Ultralight Hammock."
The size of the hammock itself is about 270cm × 120cm.
This is the first hammock I ever bought.
The hammock weighs only about 164g, which is ultra-light, yet it can handle a weight capacity of about 136kg!
A nice feature is that the storage bag is attached directly to the hammock.
At first, you might worry if it’s okay because the fabric is so thin, but I haven't had any holes or issues so far.
Just be careful with sharp objects (like keys), as they would likely tear it.
Also, the straps are sold separately, so you should choose ones that fit your style. (By the way, I bought 4-meter straps. A length like this is useful even in places where the distance between trees is wide.)
My Hammock Collection
No.2 "JINDAIJI MOUNTAIN WORKS PB UL Hammock"
Next is the "PB UL Hammock (20d) 280 x 130" from JINDAIJI MOUNTAIN WORKS, which I love.
Actually, I had planned on buying a JINDAIJI hammock from the start, but since it was hard to get at the time, I bought the eno one, and then managed to snag this one about a year later!
Unlike the eno UL line, there is a wealth of color variations available for the fabric.
There were so many options that I struggled to choose, but I like blue, so I went with "morocco blue." The fabric used is a 20d parachute cloth for hammocks, which is light and durable.
The hammock comes with a double gate sack for storage.
Because it has a double gate, you can take it out from either side, and you can leave the sack on the hammock while setting it up, which eliminates the "Where did the bag go!?" problem.
Since the fabric accounts for almost the entire weight of the hammock itself, I honestly don’t feel a huge difference in weight or comfort between the eno and the JINDAIJI ones.
Things I Want to Do with My Hammock
Since I started enjoying hammocks, there is one thing I’ve always wanted to try.
That is, sleeping in a hammock.
Hammock sleeping is a style of camping where you spend the night outdoors using a hammock. To do this, you need things beyond just the hammock, such as a tarp, a bug net, and an underquilt.
So, I am currently in the process of collecting those items little by little...
(I already have a JINDAIJI tarp!)
I hope to be able to share my experience in a blog post when I manage to do it!
As you can see, hammocks are wonderful items that expand the dreams of outdoor activities.
If you’re worried about whether you can set up a hammock correctly, there are plenty of videos online showing how to set them up, so if you use those as a reference, basically anyone can do it easily. Also, please be aware that hammocks are prohibited in some parks, so do keep that in mind.
Just adding a hammock to your usual activities is guaranteed to make them even more fun, so if you’re curious, definitely give it a try~
