Hammocks from Recon Company – outdoor sleeping systems amongst the trees

In the outdoor world, a hammock is not just a leisure gadget, but a fully-fledged sleeping system. When you spend the night in the woods, an outdoor hammock keeps you off wet ground, uneven terrain and crawling creatures. With over 30 years’ experience as a supplier to public authorities, we stock hammocks and the right accessories for bushcraft, camping and professional field operations.

Hammock with or without a mosquito net – which system is right for you?

The simplest outdoor hammock consists of a single piece of fabric with two suspension points. It’s ultra-light, packs down small and is ideal as a place to rest or for warm summer nights. As soon as insects come into the picture, you’ll need a hammock with a mosquito net. The integrated net spans the entire lying surface and is held in place at the top by a ridgeline. You climb in from the side and are protected all round, without the fabric resting on your face.

For use in tropical or subtropical regions, a jungle hammock with a permanently integrated net is standard. For bushcraft use in Central Europe, a simple hammock combined with a separate tarpaulin for rain protection is often sufficient. You hang the tarp in an A-shape over the ridgeline to create a dry place to sleep that’s set up in minutes and leaves no trace. Don’t underestimate the importance of wind protection: air movement beneath the hammock significantly intensifies the ‘cold back’ effect through convective cooling. A tarp tensioned low blocks precisely that.

Underquilt and top quilt – insulation against the ‘cold back’ effect

The biggest problem when sleeping in a hammock isn’t the cold from above, but from below. Your body weight compresses the insulating layer beneath you. A sleeping bag loses its effectiveness precisely where you need it most. This problem is known as ‘cold back’, and the solution is an underquilt.

An underquilt is attached beneath the hammock and lies against the fabric from the outside, without being compressed by your weight. The insulating layer remains intact and protects you from below. From above, you’re covered by a top quilt – a blanket without a back section, specially cut to fit the geometry of the hammock. This combination of underquilt and top quilt is superior to the classic sleeping bag in a hammock , because no material is needlessly compressed beneath your body.

If you’re out and about in mild temperatures, a lightweight top quilt or a fleece blanket will suffice. Once night-time temperatures drop into single figures, an underquilt is essential. A sleeping mat in a hammock works as a stopgap, but slips away with every movement.

Suspension and accessories – completing the system

Even the best hammock is useless with the wrong suspension system. Simple ropes cut into the tree bark and damage the tree. Wide tree straps with tree protection distribute the load and are mandatory in many woodland areas. Adjustable suspension systems with daisy-chain loops allow you to adjust the hanging height and sag in seconds, without having to tie knots. One detail that many people forget: drip lines on the suspension. Without them, rainwater runs down the rope straight into your hammock. A short piece of cord as a drip line between the strap and the carabiner diverts the water before it reaches the fabric.

The ideal hanging angle is around 30 degrees between the strap and the horizontal. If you hang it too tightly, you’ll lie like a banana and end up with backache. If you hang it too loosely, you’ll roll towards the centre and the sides will press against your shoulders. The pro’s trick for a flat lying position: lie diagonally to the lengthwise axis of the hammock. In this diagonal position, your spine stretches out almost straight – this is the strongest argument against the misconception that hammocks put strain on your back.

At Recon Company, you’ll find hammocks with and without mosquito nets, underquilts, top quilts, suspension systems and tree protection. Combine your hammock system with the right weather protection from our bivouac and camping range.

• 10% government discount for civil servants and their families on the entire range.
• Field post delivery worldwide – your kit will be delivered right to your operational area.
• Expert advice from experienced outdoor professionals at our Salzgitter store or online.
• ISO 9001-certified processes for purchasing, storage and dispatch.