Which is better when camping to minimize back pain – a cot or portable hammock?
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 at
11:39 am
I often go tent camping with my family and am looking for something different to sleep upon. We used to use air mattresses, but they are so big and bulky and never last as long as they should because of air leakage. I was thinking about getting either a cot or portable hammock. Which would be better to minimize lower back pain, which I often suffer from? I think a cot would be fine so long as it didn’t have a metal bar in the center. If anyone knows of where I can buy one like that, please let me know.
Thanks!
Tagged with: air leakage • air mattresses • hammock • lower back pain • sleep • tent camping
Filed under: Camping Hammock
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I understand your pain. I had lower back surgery several years ago and had to modify my sleeping arrangements at camp.
Leave the cot alone. If you sleep on your back, you will wake up sore. They don’t have enough support to sleep on your stomach. If you are like most lower back pain sufferers, you sleep on your side. The rails of the cot will dig in to your knees.
Forget the portable hammock inside the tent. The portable hammocks I have experimented with are worse than the cots. I sleep in a hammock on backpacking trips but the hammock is equipped with a fly and a bug net and it is set up between two trees. It is still lighter than carrying a tent and sleeping pads and is much more comfortable. I can sleep on my back or my side in the hammock. Get a good hammock and learn how to properly set it up and sleep in it. You will enjoy.
If you are going to car camp with a tent get a ThermaRest mattress at least 2 inches thick. Thicker is even better. I use two of these mattresses. Lay this on top of a RidgeRest mattress and thank me in the morning.
None of these solutions are inexpensive, but, if you are like me, whatever you have to spend to sleep and get up without back pain is the right amount.
Sports
http://poohh.info
I agree a cot would be better. WalMart and Gander Mountain both sale cots that don’t have a bar in the middle.
A few years ago I purchased a portable hammock from Cabelas and it worked great.
Keep in mind that you may still want to use a sleeping bag in combination with the hammock. Especially in cooler weather.
In addition, I replaced the connectors with better and stronger rope.
You will not regret this purchase.
I think a hammock would do better. If you are serious about camping in a hammock these are the best:
http://hennessyhammock.com/
A hammock will not provide much support for your back while you sleep. A cot would be better.
You may want to consider getting thick foam pad to sleep on (if you are not backpacking).
There is a nice combo of foam pad and air mattress called "Big Agnes" that is supposed to be pretty good.
A hammock needs to outside unless you get one that free stands by itself then you would need a big tent so the hammock will fit inside.I would use a cot with a air matress on it you can buy good air mattresses if you want to spend a little xtra for it
I would not recommend a hammock. The whole point of the hammock is that it’s soft and doesn’t support anything. You’re supposed to be a lump of potatoes in it. You willl wake up sore.
But, You’re not limited to just an airmattress or cot either. Why not try a good open cell mat? Something that self inflates and provides good comfort and support?
Obviously the people who say dont get a hammock blah blah blah have never slept in a quality hammock before. I own a Hennessy Hammock, I will never sleep in a tent or on a cot again. First off with a cot you need to carry a tent along with it, so thats added weight. A hammock is your shelter, its lighter than a solo tent. There is no need to worry about rocks, roots, sticks, or finding even/dry ground.
I have a compressed disc in my lower back and the hammock helped so much. No more waking up stiff or sore. You can lay flat in the Hennessy Hammock even on your stomach because of the center overhead guyline and the asymmetrical design. The only thing is that it can get a little cold since a breeze can get under you. I just lay my extra fleece or rain shell in the hammock first and then sleep in my sleeping bag, problem solved. It also has a no-seeum netting and a sil-nylon rainfly. Niether has ever failed me.
http://hennessyhammock.com/