But what about sleeping? It's important to get a good night's sleep, and that means a comfortable one. A bad night's sleep usually means the next day starts off on the wrong foot, and this can ruin an entire day, especially if you are really tired.
I have started sleeping in hammocks and have found them to be extremely comfortable (not to mention easy to use and compact). You can easily tie them between two trees and be comfortably off the hard ground and away from critters at the same time. It can also be nice to breathe fresh air instead of sleeping in the back of your car.
Camping hammocks are inexpensive and lightweight - perfect for backpacking when compared to tents. You can get a well-designed, sturdy and comfortable hammock for under $100 and even get some with bug nets to keep the mosquitos and other gnats from bothering you at night. It can also provide a safe-haven from bugs in the afternoon while napping or reading.
Some people think that it may be difficult to find two trees that are the right distance apart without being too close or too far. However, you can use tree straps to extend and securely hold your hanging bed easily and securely.
So how do you know which hammock to get? There are so many. There is a good website which explains the proper hammocks for sleeping, as well as ones for camping and keeping out bugs. It's a good place to start, and at least find out if hammock sleeping will work for you.
