People have been flocking to hammocks from the traditional tents for camping for a long time as hammocks offer long list advantages over the conventional tents. And the best part is one can carry hammocks in their backpack since modern hammocks get packed into a hand-sized towel.
But for most campers, the biggest concern is how to use hammocks when it rains in the forest. Well, you don’t need to worry as you have a long list of straps and riggings to choose from that will keep you dry and safe on your hammock even when it rains heavily.
So, let’s see how to set up a hammock in the rain.
Using hammock straps
The best way to keep yourself dry and safe in the hammock when it rains is to start using hammock straps; there is a wide variety of straps in the market for hanging hammocks. These straps range from a simple roof over your head to an utterly weatherproof fortress.
The price of these straps varies a lot, just like hammock suspension straps, and therefore, you have to decide on the budget before you begin finding the best hammock strap in the market. You have to tie the end of the straps you buy with guy lines for aligning them properly with your hammock.
Keeping the strap in the right position is necessary for getting maximum coverage. This also aids in preventing rainwater from accumulating at a single location. But one crucial thing to notice is that choosing the right strap depends on your personal preference and the weather condition.
The different aspects of straps to consider
If you buy straps for the first time, you must consider their different aspects, just like you do while buying hammock suspension straps. Here are some essential points to consider
Strap size
You will always wish to have adequate coverage for your hammock, and therefore, choosing the right size of hammock is crucial. This means you have to choose a strap that extends about 9-13 inches past the size of your hammock. It is essential to keep the end of the hammock dries; otherwise, your hammock will not last long.
According to the thumb rule, a 12 ft strap will be enough to provide coverage for every kind of hammock out there in the market. But at the same time, you have to keep in mind that a large trap will have extra weight, and it also has limited ventilation.
Strap style
The three most basic strap styles you find in the market are hexagonal, diamond-shaped, and rectangular. Every shape will offer different coverage, and they even have other anchor points as well. The location and number of anchor points affect the ease of setup, and therefore, it’s necessary to take a look at the anchor points while experimenting with size.
Strap material
The most common blue strap for hammocks is a versatile shelter for campers. They are not only cheap, but they are highly durable as well. But these straps are a bit heavy and occupy a lot of space in your backpack.
Silnylon straps are an excellent option for those campers who want to keep their backpack light while camping; and these straps might be a bit expensive, but they are incredibly rugged in comparison to how light they are.
You might need to spend some time and effort choosing the right strap, just like you do in the case of hammock suspension straps, but it will be worth the benefits you get while camping.
