I have compiled a list of terms in relation to hammocks, hanging hammocks, buying hammocks, and hammock features to look for. This Hammock Glossary is purely a collection of terms through my research that are used by hammockers to reference their set ups, hammock equipment and increasing comfort.
Finding the best hammock for your need seems on the surface like it should be a simple task. Over the years I have learned their are many nuances to buying a hammock and properly hanging one up. Getting through the research is much easier with a hammock glossary to reference.
- Asym: This refers to a hammock whose form is not symmetrical, such that if it were folded in half along the long axis, the two halves would not correspond. This is a technique used to allow for a more comfortable ‘diagonal’ lay in the hammock by creating more room for the head and feet.
- Banana: This is when the hammock occupant lays straight down the middle of an end-gathered hammock, causing their feet and head to be much higher than their butt. Most hammock occupants find this to be uncomfortable.
- Bear Burrito: A derogatory term used by some bear pancakes ground-dwellers refers to a hammock and its occupant.
- Bishop Bag: A typical stuff sack with a small hole on the end opposite the normal drawstring opening (often a buttonhole). The hole allows a hammock or quilt suspension cord to exit the bag such that the bag can be left in place when the contents are deployed. It is functionally different than a double-closure stuff sack in that there is never any doubt which end of the sack is which, and it allows easier stuffing of the sack since there is no second drawstring to fasten. The concept is named after one of the early members of HF.
- Bivy: Also known as Travelpod or Hammock Sock. A shell that encompasses the hammock to provide wind or water resistance.
- Bug Net: Netting that keeps bugs out of the hammock. Usually found on gathered end, camping hammocks but can be purchased separately.
- Catenary-Cut: This is a method of cutting a straight edge of a tarp into a curved line in order to; allow a more taut pitch to the fabric surface and to reduce flapping in the wind.
- Cinch Buckle: Metal D loops attached to webbing allow safe, tight, suspension system to hang a hammock.
- Cold Butt Syndrome: This is what happens to the hammock occupant when the insulation under their buttocks compresses, therefore; losing the insulating value resulting in a cold butt.
- Constrictor ropes: Refer to both Whoopie Slings and UCRs, which are both suspension methods made by creating adjustable constricting splices in cording.
- Cold Sleeper: A person who needs more insulation then their gear is actually rated for.
- Darts: Z-shaped overlap way to shorten the edge of a piece of material. Several darts used on each edge can create a pouch-like effect for the enclosed perimeter of the cloth.
- Diagonal Lay: Is a method in which the hammock occupant lies with their head on one side and their feet on the opposite side of the hammock. With proper sag in the hammock fabric, this method allows for a flatter lay.
- Diamond fly: Is a diamond or square-shaped top whose ridgeline is pitched diagonally over the hammock and has only two stakes to hold it down to the ground.
- Draft Collar: Tightens the short edges of the underquilt to prevent air flow between the UQ and the hammock.
- Drip Line: Small loops of paracord attached between the straps and the gathered end of the hammock. this little downward drip line allows the water a direction to go, other then into your hammock.
- Dry Bag: Water tight bag used to carry items that need to stay dry like clothing, TQ & UQ.
- Durable Water Repellent (DWR): A fabric treatment that improves wind and water resistance but allows the fabric to remain breathable. Can be a chemical wash-in or spray-on treatment to an existing fabric or can be incorporated into the material’s manufacture.
- Foot Box: When laying in a at the proper diagonal, using your feet to push out a bit will create a foot box and improve hammock sleeping comfort. Some hammocks are now being designed with this position optimized. A proper or build in footbox will reduce tension on the ankles.
- Ground Dweller: A good humored name for someone who prefers to sleep on the ground in a tent then a hammock while camping.
- Gathered End: Basic description and name of a traditional hammock that all the fabric gathers at the end attaching to the suspension without the use of a spreader bar. Traditional Mayan, Nylon and Rope hammocks use this design.
- Hammock Sock: Essentially a large sock that fits over the hammock and can help to block wind, rain, and snow.
- Load lifter: A string used to tighten the underquilt up to the hammock.
- Pillow dry bag: Used to carry items and prevent any moisture. When time for sleep turn the bag inside out, refill with clothing materials and use it as a pillow. Service two purposes and reducing total carry weight.
- Polyco groundsheets: Thin plastic window insulation repurposed to keep backpacking gear dry. Very light weight to carry, just spread this on the ground under your gear to keep the moisture away. Also used as a makeshift carpet to keep socks dry while getting in and out of the hammock.
- Quilt Loops: Single tied stitches from one side of a quilt or under insulation are often used with batting insulation.
- Ridge Line: attached to the gathered end hammock at each end. This line keeps the bug net off of the hammock occupant
- S Biner: A small S shaped carabiner that makes it quick to attach the underquilt to the hammock straps.
- Sag: References the angle that a hammock droops down from each anchor point.
- Shock Cord: Bungee rope used to connect hammock to suspension system or to tie out stakes.
- Shoulder squeeze: Improper size of the hammock compared to the occupant leads to painful or annoying pressure on the hammock occupant‘s shoulders. A very tall and broad shouldered person needs an appropriate length hammock.
- Side Tie-Outs: Elastic strings hanging off of that hammock along the sides allow the hammock to be staked to the ground reducing the swing and taco effect.
- Spreader bar: Traditionally made from wood this bar spreads out the hammock at each end. Spreader bars add weigh and make the hammock harder to carry or travel with. Most spreaderbar hammocks are for backyard or patio use. There are a few options made of light weight metals for hammock camping.
- Straps: Refers the webbing, normally ¾” to 1” in width, used to secure the hammock to a tree or stand.
- Stuff Sack: Is a thin storage bag attached to a gathered end camping hammock. Stuff the hammock into the bag for quick, simple, safe carry storage.
- Taco: An improper hang causes the hammock occupant sinks into the hammock and becomes so engulfed by the sides that they are unable to see out.
- Tarp: Also, known as fly or rain fly. It keeps you dry. Tarps on hammocks are generally rectangular (8’x10′), a square hung diagonally (8’x8′), or a shaped tarp (catenary cut).
- Tent Stakes: Used to guy out your rain cover with paracord.
- Top Quilt (TQ): Any light weight blanket or open sleeping bag that can be used to cover while sleeping. Cult following for the Costco Quilt.
- Tree Huggers: Webbing straps that wrap around a tree and have loops on each end that the hammock ropes tie to. Tree huggers not only reduce damage to the tree but also are less likely to slip.
- Undercover: Waterproof fabric hung on the bottom of a hammock to keep it dry from mist or splashing. It can be used to hold additional insulation.
- Underquilt (UQ): A very light weight down filled quilt hung under the Hammock to keep the occupant warm. Under quilts are sold by the weather degree they are rated to keep hammocker warm. They are also a popular DIY for Hammock Campers.
- Utility Constrictor Rope (UCR): Is a hardware-free hammock suspension method made by splicing one length of cording through another, thus creating an adjustable constriction.
- Warm Sleeper: Is one who tends to feel warmer than that of the temperature rating of their gear.
- Warp: Width ways in the weave of the body of fabric.
- Weather shield: Is a thin water resistant fabric panel used under the underquilt and hammock to keep cold and rain out.
- Weft: Length ways in the weave of the body of the fabric.
- Whoopie Sling: Is a hardware-free hammock suspension method made by splicing the end of a single piece of cording back through the standing end, thus creating an adjustable loop.
- Zigzag stitch: A stitch made by a sewing machine that allows the fabric to stretch against the stitch without breaking the thread.
