If you have ever tried sleeping overnight in a hammock you will know three things. First, it’s by far the most comfortable way to sleep while camping short of packing in a hundred pounds of padding and air mattresses. Second, finding a blanket that isn’t too hot and doesn’t fall off in the middle of the night is tricky. Third, no matter how great your blanket is, you need an underquilt or pad beneath you or your going to get cold. Choosing the right insulation and blankets isn’t as clear as we expected our first nights out in our hammocks, so we wanted to put together this short guide.
With some trial and error we were able to figure out how to sleep outside comfortably in our hammocks with a single blanket. At least on warm nights. As the nights got colder we still use an underquilt to keep our backsides warm. Check the weather forecasts to see the overnight low temperature. For us heavier blankets and/or underquilts become necessary at about 50°F/12°C but your tolerance may be different.
There are many different types of hammock camping blankets available on the market, so it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. In this article, we will discuss the different types of hammock camping blankets and help you choose the best one for your needs. We will also provide tips on how to use a hammock camping blanket and how to care for it properly. So, whether you are a seasoned hammock camper or you are just starting out, read on for all the information you need to know about hammock camping blankets.
Benefits of using a hammock camping blanket
- They are more comfortable than sleeping on a sleeping pad or groundsheet.
- They provide better insulation than a sleeping bag, keeping you warm even in cold weather.
- They are more versatile than a sleeping bag, as they can be used in a variety of positions, including sitting up, lying down, or even hanging upside down.
- They are lightweight and easy to pack, making them ideal for backpacking or other types of outdoor activities.
Hammock camping blankets are typically made from lightweight, breathable materials that wick away moisture, keeping you cool and dry at night. They sometimes have a built-in hood, which can help to keep your head warm in cold weather. Blankets suitable for a hammock are more versatile than sleeping bags. They can be used in a variety of conditions, from warm weather to cold weather, and they can be used in a variety of positions, including the traditional hammock position, as well as the diagonal lay. Finally, hammock camping blankets are typically less bulky and weigh less than sleeping bags. This makes them easier to pack and carry, and it also makes them more comfortable to sleep in.
Types of hammock camping blankets
There are a variety of different types of hammock camping blankets available on the market, each with its own unique set of features and benefits. Some of the most popular types of hammock blankets include:
- Insulated hammock camping blankets
- Waterproof hammock camping blankets
- Ultralight hammock camping blankets
- Cotton hammock camping blankets
- Synthetic hammock camping blankets
Each type of blanket has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the type that is best suited for your needs. For general use we prefer natural cotton blankets. If we were going back country camping we would choose something lighter weight and synthetic. We don’t really recommend waterproof blankets because they don’t breathe well and you are likely to wake up soaked in sweat. If you’re worried about rain a tarp hung over the hammock is a better solution.
OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt Weighs 35oz, Warm Hammock Topquilt 40 Degree, with Footbox, Perfect for Outback Camping, Hiking, Backpacking and Hammocks
Kijaro Kubie 10-in-1 Versatile Portable Hammock, Poncho, Blanket, Sleeping Bag, Hammock Underquilt & More - Multi Use Outdoor Gear for Camping, Travel & Sports Games
How to use a hammock camping blanket
Hammock camping blankets are a great way to stay warm and comfortable while sleeping in a hammock. Sadly, at least for us, the standard approach of putting the blanket over us never worked well. I’m sure you would figure this out on your own faster than we did but here is what works best for us.
- Choose the right size blanket. The blanket should be long enough to cover your entire body from head to toe, and it should be wide enough to fit comfortably in your hammock. A blanket about as wide as your arm span seems like a good rule of thumb but it also depends on your hammock. We suggest starting there and then adjusting.
- Center the blanket in the hammock so that it’s evenly distributed.
- Get in the hammock and lie down on top of the blanket, wrapping it around you on each side.
Note: The blanket ends should overlap but not be so long that they drag the ground when you get in and out of the hammock.
The advantages of using the hammock blanket in this manner is that it won’t fall off in the middle of the night, it protects your backside from wind and cold, and it makes it easy to get in and out without your blanket falling on the ground and picking up leaves and sticks. We live in New Mexico so it’s important that our blankets stay off the ground where they would immediately pick up dozens of stickers and goats heads.
Caring for your hammock camping blanket
Once you’ve chosen the perfect hammock camping blanket, it’s important to take care of it so that it will last for many years to come. Here are a few tips for caring for your hammock camping blanket that should help it last for years.
- Wash your blanket in cold water on a gentle cycle.
- Use a mild detergent and avoid using bleach or fabric softeners.
- Air dry your blanket flat or on a drying rack.
- Do not iron your blanket.
- Store your blanket in a cool, dry place when not in use.
GEERTOP Ultralight Hammock Underquilt for Camping Full Length Camp Hammock Underquilts Warm 3-4 Seasons Hammock underquilt is great for comfortable temperatures range from 41°F - 68°F(5°C-20°C), perfect to extend the camping hammock time, spring, summer, autumn, or even in warmer winter days keep you warm
Before You Go…
Hopefully you now know everything you need to pick the right hammock camping blankets. Before you go we wanted to recommend checking out our post on picking the right foods to take hiking. It’s a perfect compliment to this post. Thank you so much for taking the time read this post. If you found it useful we would love it if you would share it on your social media. It really helps us grow. We will see you on the trails!
