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What’s a Parachute Hammock??

Hammocks can come in a surprising number of different styles, but parachute hammocks have become one of the most popular. So what is a parachute hammock? Imagine a very basic parachute fully opened and flipped upside down. That’s essentially what a parachute hammock is, with the happy hammocker lying inside the upside down parachute. While a parachute hammock won’t break your fall when you jump out a plane, it’s simple design keeps you comfortably suspended.

Hammocking Everywhere.

No matter how you like to enjoy the outdoors, a hammock is a great companion. Bring it into the backcountry when you’re looking to reduce pack weight and get a more comfortable night’s sleep. Take it to park when you want to hang out with your friends and enjoy a sunny afternoon. The tree hugger straps make it so easy to get your hammock ready – you don’t even need trees. Wrap your straps around anything sturdy enough to bear weight and your hammock is good to go.

The modular design means that your Serac hammock can become a complete shelter when thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail when paired with a rain fly and mosquito net. Or you can use it by itself as a relaxing camp lounger on the family road trip.

There are so many ways to use a hammock! You can turn your hammock into a daypack for exploring, or get even more creative.

How to Pick Your Perfect Hammock?

Dimensions

There are typically 2 types of hammock “sizes” to choose from when shopping for parachute hammocks. You’ll have a choice between a single hammock and a double hammock. The biggest difference between these 2 sizes is the width. For smaller campers, or if you just want to lounge and relax, the narrower single hammock may be more suitable. For taller campers, the extra width of a double hammock will be more comfortable. The roomier interior gives you more space to stretch out and adjust your sleeping position to get that perfect, flat angle.

Our Serac Classic Single hammock is 9ft (long) x 4ft 5in (wide). This model is ideal for adult campers as well as children looking for a narrower and slightly more compact hammock. The 4ft 5in width is suitable for myself (I’m 5ft 8in). But if I’m looking to hang with a friend in the hammock, I like to opt for the Sequoia Double Hammock.

The Serac Sequoia XL Double hammock adds over a foot of extra width at 5ft 7in, with a length of 9ft 10in. This model is perfect for anyone looking to relax, stretch out and get really comfortable in your hammock. This model is a favorite in the backcountry, where campers spend multiple nights sleeping in their hammocks.

Weight

Weight is an important consideration for most campers and one of the big benefits of using a hammock. A full hammock set up can be lighter than a traditional tent shelter with a whole slew of other benefits. The Classic weighs as little as 14oz, much lighter than most ultralight tents. The Sequoia weighs just 19oz just 5 ounces more than the classic but with much more room!

Fabric

Most parachute style camping hammocks are constructed with a nylon blend. The Classic model is made of a breathable and soft 210T “Parachute Nylon”. Tough enough to hold up to 400lbs!

Suspension System

When hanging out in your hammock, it’s important to make sure you’re hanging responsibly. Other hammock companies will include some rope with your hammock. Please never use ropes directly on the tree trunk as they can tear into tree bark. You’ll want a way to set up your hammock easily while protecting your environment.

Our Tree Hugger straps are perfect for this occasion. Every hammock we sell comes with a set of 6 foot tree straps with 10 anchor points each. Set up is quick and simple – toss the straps around the trees, clip the carabiners into the straps and you’re ready to hang!

Accessories

What do you need for a full hammocking experience?

Carabiners

A good, strong set of carabiners is important for the setup of your hammock. Look for carabiners that are strong and lightweight. Try to avoid plastic carabiners since those have been known to warp over time and lose it’s durability. You want to make sure you don’t have any unfortunate spills in the middle of your snooze.

Stuff Sack

Your hammock needs to be just as easy to set up as it is to pack up and carry. The attached stuff sack on your hammock lets you easily store your hammock and straps on the go. You can even use the stuff sack as somewhere to store your phone, headlamp or any gear you need when you’re spending time in your hammock.

The Sequoia’s stuff sack is upgraded to include compression straps. You’ll easily be able to fit your hammock and straps in the stuff sack AND pack down the hammock even more with the compression straps. As a little bonus, we’ve included a whistle buckle on the straps – just in case of emergencies!

Modular Accessories

For a complete camping shelter in more challenging conditions you’ll also want to consider insulation, rain and insect protection.

A simple sleeping pad and sleeping bag can keep you warm even in below freezing temperatures. If you want to be really comfortable, a topquilt – underquilt combination is ideal. Learn more about how to stay warm without an underquilt or how to DIY your top quilt for $20.

If you’ll be camping in rainy or snowy conditions, you’ll definitely need some cover. A rain tarp will work great in these situations. Here’s how you can choose the perfect one for your needs.

Sorry, but you’ve been using your hammock all wrong.

Sleeping in your hammock is incredibly comfortable once you learn the right way to lie down. Instinctively you might be trying to curve your body to the shape of the hammock (like a banana). But don’t do this! Instead, adjust your body so that you’re lying at a slight diagonal. This simple adjustment flattens out your body and you’ll be sleeping ergonomically and with a straight back.

Ideally, you want to hang the hammock so that the straps form a 30 degree angle with the horizon. You don’t want your hammock to be too taut or have too much slack. After hammocking a couple times, you’ll naturally get a feel for what’s most comfortable for you and the best way to achieve it.

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