All-weather camping hammocks are essential for all you hardcore campers. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro hammock camper or looking to venture into the leisure of above ground camping for the first time because either way you want to stay warm and dry in all conditions. The hammock itself will never be enough, especially in the winter months, but there are many lightweight accessory options to keep you warm and dry in the harsh winter months.
An all weather hammock by itself will be made of lightweight all-weather nylon that can take abuse from the element, but for comfort and backpacking comfort, there are a few things to keep in mind:
• Lightweight
It’s essential to find a hammock that is easy to pack up and carry with you because the less you have to lug around on your back the better. Luckily, all-weather hammocks by themselves are relatively lightweight. The issue comes with the winter months. When it gets colder you will need more things to keep yourself sheltered from the elements.
There are ways to stay warm that will not weight you down too much. Top and bottom insulation pads along with a warm quilt or sleeping bag will certainly keep you warm on cold winter nights. These accessories are lightweight and easy to roll up and store in a hiking pack.
• Reliability
No matter what the weather is, having s sturdy, reliable setup is key to staying lofted and away from harm. Investing in durable tree ties will give you piece of mind and a safe night sleep every time. High-quality tree ties also allow for easier set-up and variety in hang length. Tree ties also give you more options for the distance between trees.
The all-weather material you choose for your hammock needs to be durable as well. You want to make sure it is appropriate for your height and weight so you don’t face any issues along the way.
• Accessories
Hammock accessories are a great way to add some convenience to your hammock. Mesh bags can be attached to keep items handy throughout the night. A bag to tie your hammock in is another item that will help you keep your tree ties and other items all together. The quicker and neater you can clean up camp the better. Additionally, pads are a useful way to add comfort and warmth to your hammock. Finally – and most importantly – you’ll want to get a hold of a bug net to keep the mosquitos and other creepy-crawlers out of your hammock.
• Prepare for the Weather
You can never be too prepared for the weather, especially if you’re a rugged all year round camper. Packing for the weather and making sure you and your hammock are equipped for the potential weather conditions is essential to a comfortable, fun camping experience. Make sure to pack for the elements and bring warm blankets and insulation for your hammock – if weather permits. During the summer and spring months you will be able to pack a lot lighter and your all weather hammock will still be geared up and ready for the job.
All-weather hammocks are a great way to save space and conserve energy on long hiking and camping trips. With the added space you can pack more equipment for hunting, fishing. You will be able to go longer distances with less weight – plus, sleeping in a hammock is extremely comfortable. Get out there and grab yourself and all-weather hammock to see what it’s like for yourself. I can guarantee it will change your camping experience for the better. Happy camping!
In good times and hard times rest and relaxation are essential to human survival! We're your online resource for quality hammocks. Let us help you relax... visit us at www.seasidehammocks.com
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
4 Simple Ways to Maintain a Hammock
Hammocks need some tender love and care to keep them in top working condition. It doesn’t take much to keep your hammock working flawlessly, but it also only takes a small amount of negligence to end up with a worn out, ripped up, hammock. Below are some tips to maintain the quality of your hammock so you can keep on swinging for years to come.
• Cleaning
No matter how well you take care of your hammock, a good cleaning is never a bad idea. For outside, cotton hammocks, it's recommended that you give them a good wash once or twice a season. A thorough cleaning will keep dirt build-up under control and your hammocks will smell fresh. Nylon hammocks don't require such frequent washings, but it certainly will not hurt either. The better care you take of your hammock, the longer it will last.
There are two ways to clean both nylon and cotton hammocks. The first is a good old-fashioned hand washing – some elbow grease will be needed here.
1. First, soak the hammock in warm water with a little bit of shampoo or a mild detergent and a handful of salt thrown in.
2. Then, start scrubbing. Make sure to give special attention to areas with tree sap, food stains, or any type of dirt buildup.
3. Finally, hang the hammock up to dry in a place where it won’t accrue more dirt while it’s drying.
The second method of washing requires no elbow grease and little effort on your part.
1. Loosely tie up the ends of your hammock.
2. Throw it into a pillowcase and tie up the open end.
3. Toss it in the washer on a cold delicate cycle with a gentle detergent 4. Hang up and air-dry your hammock all the way before use again.
• Storage
Proper hammock storage is another essential way to prolonging the life of your hammock. There are some things to keep in mind before storing your hammock for the harsher months to ensure it’s in top shape for many more months of hanging. You will want to follow the instructions above to clean your hammock and dry it completely. This will prevent mold, mildew, or any type of rot from happening to your hammock when it is out of site. Locate a dry area where you can take both ends of the hammock and hang them up together on the same hook. Hammocks don’t take up much room and they are fairly easy to store as long as they remain dry. Now all you have to do is leave it there until you’re ready to use it again!
• Repair
Some woven hammocks can get pulls in them because they snag on something. It is important to repair theses pulls before they do some serious damage to your hammock. Pulls are pretty easy to fix, but take a little bit of patience. What you want to do is essentially follow the string that has the pull in it and pull it in the opposite directions getting farther and farther away from the pull. This will even out the material and the pull will settle. If there is a break in the material you will want to tie the two ends together and follow the steps above until it settles.
• Exposure
Are you conscious of how much your hammock is exposed to the elements? If not, this is something you may want to start taking in consideration – especially for cotton hammocks. Sun exposure can fade colors and leave your hammock looking ratty. Also, if a hammock is left out in the rain and not properly cleaned and dried, it can start to grow mildew and lose the appeal it once had. As long as you keep your hammock out of the sun for extended periods of time and you make sure to keep it safe from the elements, your hammock with look beautiful for years.
You want to get the best out of your hammock and all it takes is a little thought and effort to ensure it stays looking brand new. Regular cleanings, proper storage, timely repairs, and shelter from extended time in the elements will yield great results. Your hammock will hold up for many seasons to come.
• Cleaning
No matter how well you take care of your hammock, a good cleaning is never a bad idea. For outside, cotton hammocks, it's recommended that you give them a good wash once or twice a season. A thorough cleaning will keep dirt build-up under control and your hammocks will smell fresh. Nylon hammocks don't require such frequent washings, but it certainly will not hurt either. The better care you take of your hammock, the longer it will last.
There are two ways to clean both nylon and cotton hammocks. The first is a good old-fashioned hand washing – some elbow grease will be needed here.
1. First, soak the hammock in warm water with a little bit of shampoo or a mild detergent and a handful of salt thrown in.
2. Then, start scrubbing. Make sure to give special attention to areas with tree sap, food stains, or any type of dirt buildup.
3. Finally, hang the hammock up to dry in a place where it won’t accrue more dirt while it’s drying.
The second method of washing requires no elbow grease and little effort on your part.
1. Loosely tie up the ends of your hammock.
2. Throw it into a pillowcase and tie up the open end.
3. Toss it in the washer on a cold delicate cycle with a gentle detergent 4. Hang up and air-dry your hammock all the way before use again.
• Storage
Proper hammock storage is another essential way to prolonging the life of your hammock. There are some things to keep in mind before storing your hammock for the harsher months to ensure it’s in top shape for many more months of hanging. You will want to follow the instructions above to clean your hammock and dry it completely. This will prevent mold, mildew, or any type of rot from happening to your hammock when it is out of site. Locate a dry area where you can take both ends of the hammock and hang them up together on the same hook. Hammocks don’t take up much room and they are fairly easy to store as long as they remain dry. Now all you have to do is leave it there until you’re ready to use it again!
• Repair
Some woven hammocks can get pulls in them because they snag on something. It is important to repair theses pulls before they do some serious damage to your hammock. Pulls are pretty easy to fix, but take a little bit of patience. What you want to do is essentially follow the string that has the pull in it and pull it in the opposite directions getting farther and farther away from the pull. This will even out the material and the pull will settle. If there is a break in the material you will want to tie the two ends together and follow the steps above until it settles.
• Exposure
Are you conscious of how much your hammock is exposed to the elements? If not, this is something you may want to start taking in consideration – especially for cotton hammocks. Sun exposure can fade colors and leave your hammock looking ratty. Also, if a hammock is left out in the rain and not properly cleaned and dried, it can start to grow mildew and lose the appeal it once had. As long as you keep your hammock out of the sun for extended periods of time and you make sure to keep it safe from the elements, your hammock with look beautiful for years.
You want to get the best out of your hammock and all it takes is a little thought and effort to ensure it stays looking brand new. Regular cleanings, proper storage, timely repairs, and shelter from extended time in the elements will yield great results. Your hammock will hold up for many seasons to come.
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