Hammocks have long offered their users a relaxing retreat wherever one could be hung. Quick and easy to set up, they’ve been used for catnaps and can also be transformed into fully enclosed shelters for a long night’s sleep.
And though there’s nothing like swaying in the breeze, one thing hammocks generally lack is support. They might be comfortable for an afternoon of staring up into the sky, but some folks find their lack of back support damning after a night’s rest; if they can get any rest at all.
While it’s true most of us toss and tumble without the comfort of our own bed anyway – it goes without saying that because hammocks lack these comfort features, some people just can’t spend all night in them at all.
To remedy this problem, hammock fanatics have taken to putting inflatable sleeping pads into their hammocks, only to struggle to keep it underneath them throughout the night. In heartier efforts, some hammock companies have tried to eliminate this situation by adding in a sleeve for a sleeping pad or even building in padding to the hammock itself. Though this can certainly help the situation, it doesn’t help the folks who already own a hammock, and it can add extra bulk and complexity where it might not be needed.
Fret not, however, as it turns out what’s needed is a removable pad shaped and designed to work in the hammock with you. Leave it to a company that doesn’t make hammocks to figure that all out.
Klymit isn’t a company that was formed to design standard products, but products that either solve a problem or improve on an inconvenient situation in the outdoors. In terms of what they’re bringing to the table to solve this hammock support / comfort situation, they have designed the Hammock V sleeping pad. Unlike common sleeping pads, the Hammock V is designed to contour around your body while you’re in your hammock. Made from 20D polyester that is covered in non-slip zones on both the top and bottom, the Hammock V is designed to stay in place under you while keeping you in place on top of it – even if you’re in your slippery, nylon sleeping bag. It’s not crazy-grippy like fly paper, but I can attest that it does do the job quite nicely.
The Hammock V is designed to work in all standard single or double camping hammocks which eliminates the need to buy any one specific hammock. Furthermore, it comes in at 27 ounces and packs into its included stuff sack to be around the size of a stuffed hammock (or about the size of a cantaloupe). At that size you can take it along with you and use it if you need it; if not, no big deal. And if you don’t feel like setting up your hammock, or end up in a place where you can’t – the Hammock V functions like any other sleeping pad, and will take you up off the ground.
All images courtesy of Klymit
I have yet to get a full night’s sleep in my hammock while using the Hammock V, but I can attest that it does add a significant layer of comfort and support by providing structure. However, I’ve yet to see if it has any positive thermal properties that help trap in heat on a cold night. I can tell you right now the benefits of utilizing the Hammock V come at a pretty steep price: $139.95 to be exact. At that price, you could buy a hammock with built-in padding, or a sleeping pad sleeve. However, for someone like me who already owns a complete hammock sleeping system with rain fly, mosquito netting, etc. – and camps through all four seasons with it – something like the Hammock V may prove to be a welcome expenditure.