Successfully setting up your hammock

Successfully setting up your hammock

Discover all our tips for setting up your hammock in the best possible way and having a comfortable rest.

Do you dream of outdoor siestas lulled by a summer breeze? Or do you plan to sleep in your hammock after a day's hike? Before you can let yourself fall into the arms of Morpheus, you will have to set it up correctly. It would definitely be a shame, if you were suddenly awakened because your hammock collapsed!

Where do you set up your hammock?

In your garden, on your terrace or in the forest, the ideal place to set up your hammock must correspond to your needs and the use you want to make of it. To set it up on a terrace, you can use the specifically dedicated supports. If you want to fall asleep in the forest, you will have to use 2 trees to set up your hammock.

Find out about the regulations concerning bivouac areas before settling up: natural parks, protected areas etc...

Spaced about 2 to 5 metres apart, depending on the maximum distance necessary to set up the hammock.This information is indicated in the product's instructions. Avoid small shrubs that may bend and break under your weight, take the time to inspect the ground under your hammock (remove stones or dangerous elements if you slip from the hammock) and also make sure that the treetops above you are in good condition: sleeping in a hammock in the shade is always pleasant, but having a dead branch on your face while taking a nap is not particularly pleasant.

Successfully setting up your hammock.

Which rope do i choose to attach a hammock?

The ropes are supplied with your hammock, but in case these are worn out or if you want to change them, we advise you to use climbing ropes. Hammock rope kits can be purchased at some stores, but if you want to choose the length of your set-up, Decathlon stores sell ropes by the meter. You can therefore easily buy just the length of rope you need.
You will usually need about 3 metres, but of course every hammock is different.Take a rope with at least a 6 mm diameter. Mountain or mountaineering ropes are very strong and meet specific standards. You should therefore be safe, provided you pay close attention to the knots you will use to tie your hammock!

Successfully setting up your hammock.

How to attach a hammock to a tree:what attachment, at what height, what knot, what tension?

Most hammocks come with carabiners, and the ropes needed to set it up are included in the kit. Pay attention to the total length of the installation to determine whether you can easily install it in the forest or in your garden.
Setting up your hammock is very simple: you will need to install the ropes or straps around the trees you have chosen and then hang the hammock. If you are afraid of damaging the trees, you can use the protections designed for attaching slacklines. To tie the canvas and ropes, you will need to tie a half figure eight knot, leaving about 10 cm (or a hand's width) of slack at the end of the knot, then pull it tight. It is essential to tighten the knot properly before settling up the hammock otherwise your buttocks may very quickly come into contact with the ground under the canvas!
Fixing the strap to the tree must be at least 1.5m from the ground.
Give the hammock maximum slack: to be comfortable, the hammock must "smile at you" when you look at it. The best angle between the trunk and the hammock is 30°. A banana shape is therefore ideal and your hammock should reach about 50 cm from the ground when in it. If the hammock is higher, the canvas is too tight, and it is difficult to get into and you will not be comfortable in it!

How do you get into a hammock?

Have you tightened the knots of your hammock properly? You will be able to climb inside. If you have installed it well, it is a little low compared to a chair for example. So to get in easily, grab the part opposite to the one in which you want to put your buttocks in. This way you stretch the canvas and it is not as low. Then you will install yourself diagonally in the heart of the canvas and install your centre of gravity in the centre of the hammock. As a reminder, the centre of gravity for an adult is at the level of the navel, not the buttocks!
If you plan to spend the night in your hammock, take the time to test it in order to adjust the attachment and the tension of the fabric if necessary. Whether you are settling down for a nap or for a restful night, the position is the same: you have to sit diagonally into the hammock. You will then naturally put yourself in the position that suits you best for a good sleep. A small pillow will give you extra comfort and help you recover as much as possible while you rest.
Warning: sleeping in a properly installed hammock allows you to find a natural sleeping position. That said, if you are prone to back problems (sciatica or other) confirm with your doctor that the hammock is appropriate for you, and start with a short nap before planning to spend an entire night in it.

Getting into your hammock.

Why do you use and how do you set up a hammock equipped with a mosquito net?

Sleeping in a hammock is a solution that is generally comfortable, sometimes more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, and not bulky. This is why outdoor enthusiasts are often hammock fans! But to allow all trekkers to sleep well everywhere, we have created one equipped with a mosquito net. Whether you sleep outside near your home or in the rainforest, you will be protected from insects! Enough to convince everyone to sleep under the stars.
This hammock is installed like a classic hammock with 2 attachment points, ideally on healthy trees!If you use this hammock in the rainforest, consider treating the ropes with ant and insect repellent before hanging them on trees. These will need to be 3 to 5 meters apart from each other (depending on the hammock's measurements) It should be like a classic hammock, flexible enough for you to fit in easily and be comfortably installed. The mosquito net is held by an easy-to-assemble structure that stretches above the hammock using poles, and it goes around it to guarantee you comfort and optimal protection. Close it tightly before letting yourself be lulled by the rocking motion of the hammock.
A little extra tip:If you fear a little rain during the night, especially if you are in the jungle, you can install a tarp over the hammock!   So you won't get wet by an unexpected downpour.
Good to know: the integrated mosquito net of the tropic900 hammock wraps around the hammock to prevent insect intrusion.

Successfully setting up your Tropic900 hammock

Carabiners or knots for setting up your hammock?

Your hammock can be equipped with carabiners or cords. If it is equipped with carabiners, you don't have to do anything to attach it except to adapt the length of the rope once it is attached to the attachment straps. But if you have cords, you'll need to tie a knot on each side of your hammock to attach it. A half eight knot is enough to ensure good grip.
It happens that experienced trekkers who wish to reduce the weight of their package choose to replace the carabiners with cords. This optimizes the weight of the hammock while gaining flexibility over its total length.
And of course, if you are a hammock fan, you can use it even when the temperatures are lower, provided you have a good sleeping bag and possibly a mattress to insulate you from the cold. And of course, if you are a hammock fan, you can use it even when the temperatures are lower, provided you have a good sleeping bag and possibly a mattress to insulate you from the cold!

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