Hiking With Hammocks, A New Go-To
Updated: Feb 17, 2021
What's better than a day of hiking? In my book, not much! I love that I've found a hobby that doubles as a replacement for cardio. Getting outdoors is therapeutic for me so being able to squeeze a mini workout in while I'm at it, there's really nothing better.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a stop-and-smell-the-roses kinda girl, too. I'm a sucker for any kind of view- a stream, waterfall, mountain peak, valley or canyon is pretty much a perfect and guaranteed picnic break in my book. I have to stop for all of my picture-taking too!
Hiking this spring, I've put more of an emphasis on listening to the birds chirp and wind dance through the trees. It's added the element of reflection to my mind whenever I get outdoors. It's caused me to want to slow down more often and really take in the beauty of nature all around me, even in it's simplest of forms.
That is kind of how I fell into hiking with a hammock. It might sound weird at first, it definitely did to me! I associate hammocks with campsites and minimal movement. I love seeing photography of them on Instagram, though. The images of them set up near the shore of an alpine lake really make me want to pack a bag and hit the road. The thought of being stretched out while taking in a view sounds appealing, but I didn't really think having one while hiking was something I'd ever do.
When I got a hammock from Unigear, that all changed. I had no idea how lightweight, compact, and easy to use they could be! Having a hammock on hand is my new go-to and has really changed my outdoor experience as a whole. I'm so excited to share why this product is a great one to have!
Unigear Double Camping Hammock, Portable Parachute Nylon Hammock with Tree Straps
Double Hammock Design
If I'm being honest, having a husband that is just as adventurous as me is one huge reason why I think our relationship works. I feel uneasy when I've been in one place for too long, so I appreciate that Colton makes it a point to explore new places as most of our "dates."
Colton is 6 foot 4 and a half inches tall, so I when I thought about getting a hammock, I worried even a single-person hammock wouldn't be comfortable for him. I love that Unigear's Hammock can fit us both! At 3 meters in length (nearly 10 feet), he fits more than easily and loves relaxing in the hammock at campgrounds or on trails!
Materials
This might not be the most exciting reason I think this hammock should be a part of every outdoorsy person's gear collection, but it arguably could be the most important. Trusting outdoor gear to do it's job shouldn't never cross your mind- especially if it's responsible for holding up your entire body!
Unigear's Double Hammock is made of triple interlocking stitching parachute nylon. A simple Google search quickly taught me that this is one of the strongest materials used to build hammocks. It is known for it's elasticity and resistance to mildew.
I can attest to the material being moisture resistant too- we've taken the hammock camping with us twice now and left it out overnight. I remember rolling my eyes in the morning, walking over to it thinking it would have been the perfect place to stretch out before officially starting the day. To my surprise, the hammock was just as dry as it had been the day before. I was worried about it being covered in dew, but I was able to hop right in and enjoy some tea as Colton started breakfast!
The Unigear Straps are constructed of 1000D high density polyester webbing and offer 32 combined adjustment points!
Lightweight and Compact
If you've read even just a few of the blog posts, I'm quite confident you've heard me rant about how much I pack in my trail backpacks. Even for short trails, I never go unprepared. While I adore the outdoors, it is usually also, the unknown. As someone with anxiety and an avid My Favorite Murder podcast listener, I am forever imagining danger and threats awaiting me on the trail. Thus, I pack for the potential, just in case.
A lot space is taken up in my backpack by the time I'm done packing my "survival essentials." This has led me to keeping more leisure gear, like hammocks, out of my outdoor experiences. I was thrilled, however, when my Unigear Hammock arrived because I knew immediately that was a thing of the past!
Not only is this hammock around 2 pounds (920 grams) when packed up, it is small enough to fit easily into my hiking backpack or be clipped to the outside without my back even noticing any extra weight!
Easy Set Up and Take Down
Ask anyone that knows me, directions are not my strong suite. While I'm not the best at navigation directions either, for now, I'm referring to directions for setting up things. I hate almost everything about it- the small text, the confusing wording, and the never ending steps. Something about it really aggravates me, so much so that I usually rely on Colton to test out our outdoor products for the first time.
These Unigear Double Hammocks could not be simpler. Everything you need for step up can be fit easily into the portable pouch it comes in- the hammock, both straps, and 2 carabiners.
Set Up
All you have to do is wrap each strap around a tree and feed it through the loop, then connect the straps to the hammock with a carabiner.
I love that the portable pouch remains attached to the hammock so it can't be lost! It can immediately become a perfect spot for your phone while you're busy relaxing and taking in nature!
Take Down
The ease continues whenever you decide to continue on the trail. All that is required is unhooking the carabiners, rolling each strap, and folding the hammock a few times before rolling it up, too.
Unigear
Overall, I could not be more impressed with this hammock! In one single use, I immediately understood why hammocks are perfect for any outdoor-lover. I feel more connected with nature and at peace when I physically take the time to set up the hammock and pause my movement. It really has had a positive effect on my mental health too, especially during this pandemic!
I'm impressed with Unigear as a company. Unigear does not simply specialize in hammocks. The company actually creates gear for a multiple of different outdoor activities- from snorkeling to mountain climbing to camping and hiking, this company really is a one-stop shop!
Unigear's mission is centered around being a reliable addition to your outdoor experience. They want any adventurer's experience to be comfortable and believe this starts with fully trusting their gear to uphold its duties!
Browse more of Unigear's Products by clicking: here
Pricing
Unigear offers this portable hammock for 28.99. It is currently on sale for 25.99 and comes in a variety of different colors to choose from! Unigear has a 60 day 100% satisfaction guarantee!
Use my code, "shareunigear" for 20% off! (Code valid only for US customers with a minimum purchase of $20)
Pictured here, we were hiking in Whipp's Ledges. A 1.3 mile loop in Hinckley Reservation with a lot of cool rocks and ledges to explore. Check out my blog post, "Ohio Finds: Whipp's Ledges" for more information on this cool spot!
As always, thanks for reading! :)