The Hammock Guide – Understanding the Essentials

Curious about hammock camping but unfamiliar with the terminology? Here you'll find explanations of common equipment and outdoor camping terms.

You don't need to know any of this before joining us – we'll guide you through everything during your experience.

Glossary

Open a category to read more about each term.

Hammock: A hammock made for sleeping outdoors. It hangs between two trees and gives you a comfortable place to sleep above the ground.
Gathered-end hammock: The most common type. The fabric is gathered at both ends, giving the classic banana shape. You lie slightly diagonally to get a flat surface.
Bridge hammock: A hammock with spreader bars or a tensioned structure at the ends, so the sleeping surface is flatter – more like a bed. Heavier but stable.
Hammock ridgeline: A line running between the two ends of the hammock. It sets how much the hammock sags, so it gets the same shape every time. Not the same as the tarp ridgeline.
Diagonal sleeping position: In a gathered-end hammock you lie slightly off-centre, head and feet to either side of the middle. This keeps your back straight and the surface almost flat.
Hang angle: The angle between the suspension and the ground. Around 30 degrees usually gives good comfort and a sensible load on trees and gear.

Underquilt: An insulating quilt that hangs on the outside, underneath the hammock. Your body doesn't compress the insulation, so it keeps your underside warm.
Topquilt: An insulating quilt laid over your body, often with a foot box but no zip or underside. Used together with an underquilt.
Sleeping bag: A fully enclosed insulated bag to sleep in. The insulation you lie on gets compressed, so in a hammock it's combined with an underquilt. With us, you bring your own sleeping bag suited to the season.
Loft: How thick and airy the insulation is. It's the still air trapped in the insulation that keeps you warm – more loft usually means warmer.
Fill power: A measure of down quality: how much space a given amount of down fills. A higher number means the same warmth comes from less, lighter down.
Temperature rating: The manufacturer's indication of the temperatures a sleeping bag or quilt is intended for. Treat it as a guideline – everyone feels the cold differently.

Tarp: A lightweight rain shelter pitched above the hammock. Protects against rain, wind and sun.
Tarp ridgeline: A line between the trees that the tarp hangs from. It holds the tarp up – unlike the hammock ridgeline, which shapes the hammock itself.
Bug net: A fine mesh net that protects against mosquitoes and other insects. Can be built into the hammock or added separately.
Drip line: A short piece of cord on the suspension that makes rainwater drip off, instead of running along the strap into the hammock.

Tree hugger: A wide strap wrapped around the tree. It distributes the load and protects the bark.
Suspension system: The straps, lines and connectors used to hang the hammock between two trees.
Whoopie sling: An adjustable line often used in the suspension. It makes it easy to change the length and find the right height and hang angle.
Guyline: A line running from the tarp's attachment points out to the ground, where it's anchored. It stretches the tarp and gives it shape and stability.
Ground stake: A stake pushed into the ground to anchor the guyline.

You don't need to know everything about the equipment before joining us. We'll help you get comfortable and show you how everything works.