Going to a Festival? Don’t Leave Without Your Hammock
There’s nothing better than letting go and enjoying the beat to the sounds of a music festival in the heat of the summer sun where new friends are made and a good time is had by all.
Take this experience to a whole other level using a compact, lightweight hammock where you and your friends can hang out and see above the crowd and towards the stage.
Festival camping is evolving from tents scattered everywhere as people enjoy the sounds or music and other creatives while resting in their hammock. As it becomes a more popular choice, it’s essential to consider all your options, etiquette and best hammock choices before making the trek for a weekend of music and fun.
No Trees? No Worries!
Is the festival that you’re attending in a big field with little or no trees? Is a hammock your preferred choice? There are no worries if there are no trees because there are ample lightweight stands available that are lightweight and ideally suited as a portable solution.
There are two options that we find are perfect for using at festivals because of their portability and small footprint:
It has been well constructed to survive the elements and has excellent features for versatile use:
- Holds a weight capacity of 200kgs
- Very portable
- Made out of high-quality steel
- No longer than the width of two perfect trees
- Assembled without any tools in minutes
This sturdy hammock stand has a small footprint, so it works in places with limited space, like at a festival. This easy to transport piece:
- Coated in steel for outdoor use
- Holds up to 200Kgs
- It can be altered for different sized lengthened hammocks
- Easily portable
- Assembled without tools
- Adjustable hook levels
Why Use a Hammock at a Festival?
There are many great reasons why using a hammock at a festival are the ideal choice when enjoying the sights and sounds at a music festival. Some of these are because it’s a kind option for our environment, other reasons are more practical.
- Leave a small footprint– Often referred to as minimum impact shelter, hammocks have less impact on wildlife and existing plant life.
- Compact– Hammocks, particularly those designed to take out camping, are smaller than most tents. They are much lighter to lug about than a tent and all that you need for it.
- Easy to install bug nets– Surrounded by bugs? Bug nets can be installed easily on most hammocks designed for camping while you still get the feel and comfort of sleeping in nature.
- Super comfortable– Sleeping off the ground in a hammock is much more comfortable than sleep on the ground in a tent. It is one of the most comfortable ways to sleep and relax and allows you to be a part of the festivities without being amongst it all.
- Set up is simple– There is nothing easier than setting up your hammock. All you need is a couple of trees or a stand, attach the straps to them and clip on the carabiners.
- Rain tarp for rain or sunshine– Rain tarp adds little addition to the weight in your luggage but adds a lot of impact if it rains or you find the sun is too intense.
Hammock Etiquette
If you see the value of using a hammock at a festival, it is important to consider everyone around you, most of all the environment. A few things to be mindful of are the following:
- If there are hammock zones, be mindful of using these only and not elsewhere at the festival as they have been chosen for a specific purpose.
- Don’t break off any branches or disturb other plants to make room for your hammock.
- Use hammock straps rather than any other attachments as these prevent cutting through the tree bark.
- Don’t set up too close to other people you don’t know; make sure you give them some room.
- Steer clear of dead trees to protect not only yourself but others around you.
- Before you leave the site, ensure everything is as it was when you got there. Take away all your trash with you.
Sleeping in a Hammock After Consuming Alcohol
It’s not uncommon for the alcohol to flow when you’re at a musical festival, but is it safe to sleep in a hammock if you’re drunk? The primary consideration for using a hammock when drinking is that your balance is likely to be off. What does this mean? You may fall out of your hammock and hurt yourself.
If you know that you will be consuming alcohol and sleeping in a hammock, don’t hang it too high off the ground, so if you do fall, you won’t go far and will do minor or no damage to your body.
Are Hammocks as Versatile as Tents?
In some ways, a hammock is more versatile than your tent because it not only acts as a tent but is a great place to relax either indoors or out, great for prayer and meditation and for sharing with friends. You can hang one just about anywhere, whether between trees or a stand, and it’s super comfortable compared to sleeping in a tent. Essentially a hammock has all the features that tents do without taking up a lot of room or footprint.
Can I Share My Hammock, or Does My Partner Need to Sleep Elsewhere?
Sharing a hammock with your partner is quite common, especially if you enjoy sleeping close to one another. Double or even family sized hammocks are ideal for two people to share this space together, and there are many pros and cons of sharing, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference.
Pros
- Warm if camping in the elements
- Less gear to carry
- Ideal for relaxing together
- You’ll be pressed together
Cons
- Getting in and out when it’s dark can be challenging
- Difficult to manage a temperature that both people are happy with
- You are pressed close together
When sharing a tent with a loved one, we recommend:
Made out of parachute material that’s easy to clean, this hammock has room for two. It holds weight up to 181kg and is perfect for taking when bushwalking because it’s lightweight and easy to carry. With a 12 month warranty and a couple of colours to choose this is an excellent choice for you and your loved one to take on your next musical festival trip.
This ENO hammock has everything to make your trip to a music festival as comfortable as possible. This shelter system is still lightweight and compact but has everything you need to protect you from the elements:
- Hammock in olive or navy
- Suspension straps
- A bug net
- Rain tarp
- Carabiners and
- Stakes
Made out of nylon, it’s easy to clean after your trip, and the stuff sack means everything is kept in one spot.
For the couple that wants to hang together but doesn’t want to share a hammock, Nakie has the perfect solution. This brand uses 100% recycled materials for a couple combo pack that comprises two double hammocks with straps and carabiners so you can sleep close to each other. If you felt like you wanted to sleep side by side, each has a weight capacity of 225kg, so you have options available to you.
Let’s Get On The Road
Are you ready to get on the road and to your first music festival of the season? You can find all that you need to make your trip the most comfortable ever when choosing a hammock as your choice for sleeping.
The reality is that most of your days and nights will be filled with dancing, singing and meeting new people and not a whole lot about sleeping. However, you can party knowing there is comfort ahead when you do find time to rest.
Questions
- Are hammocks used at music festivals easy to clean?
If you’re using a nylon hammock, it is as easy as hosing it down when you get home or popping it through the washing machine.
- Are hammocks eco-friendly?
Some hammocks are eco-friendly, and the environmental impact varies between brands and material types.
- If I use a hammock stand, is it safe?
Hammock stands have been specifically made to take a lot of weight. While each frame will vary, we recommend checking the item weight capabilities before you buy. They are entirely safe if you follow instructions in putting them together and use them responsibly.
- Can I use a cotton hammock at a festival?
While cotton hammocks are comfortable, especially for sleeping, they do not stand up to the elements as nicely as nylon. If it were to get wet, it wouldn’t dry out quickly, which means your sleep wouldn’t be comfortable.