Is a tent a false sense of security? Tents vs tarps vs hammocks

My reason for preferring a tent over a hammock is that I am looking for one item to do it all....I hike a lot of areas that don't have trees, ie desert, or gravel/sandbars.
Between a tarp and a tent, I feel more of a sense of security in a tent. I have a tarp, but usually use it as an extra for shade, rain, when I want to be out of the tent. I am currently looking at a tent that weighs 2.2lbs. (Big Agnes FlyCreek 2) a free-standing, double-walled tent...I also like free standing for the same reasons as above. While I know plenty of folks that use a tarp to get their weight down, I just am not sure I like the idea of bugs and animals having direct contact with me...I have had raccoons get so close to my tent at night I've had to repeatedly bang on the tent wall to scare them away. Well, this has only happened on the Buffalo once, but I was glad to have something between he and I. Also once, on a Current River trip I awoke (I'm a VERY light sleeper) to the sound of breathing outside my tent, and while we laughed about the next morning, we then discovered bobcat prints at the waters edge and around tents. Am I overreacting? Am I really any safer in a tent?
I welcome your comments,
leigh

Leigh.. your opening a can of worms with this one.. lol. I challenge you that I can set up and use a tarp ANYWHERE you use a tent. Yep ANYWHERE.. And can make it just as free standing as your tent. As far as security.. Unless your using 1.1 oz armor plated Kevlar lined ripstop silnylon ANY animal out there, in one swipe can come through. In fact if they are curious about what is making that noise they will want to KNOW what it is. I have had squirrels use my ridge line as a highway and have had raccoons come down the trees I am tied to and squeal at me. Ripstop, whether tent or tarp WILL not stop TEETH, CLAWS, PEOPLE or BULLETS.. bottom line a tent is a false since of security. The ONLY thing a tent may stop a little better is Bugs. But then I just zip up my bug net on my hammock and stop them. Wich is better because generally if its bug session I wont put up a tarp so its all open so I can look at the stars at night. I would love to see a tent with a removable roof. Oh and I am off the ground so if I do get a thunderstorm I still wont get wet (with tarp deployed lol) But all this aside, I don't use this set up to cut weight, even though it does) I don't do it to be different, I do it for comfort. The ground HURTS. The worst night in a hammock has been better than the best night on the ground. Enough.. lol

OK, so maybe what I really need to do is consider a tarp for desert camping, which I only do when the bugs/snakes are gone anyway, and a hammock for the rest. For sand/gravel bars, I will likely be in a canoe where weight is not an issue, and will just take my trusty REI Half-Dome.
It's obvious I need to get together with you guys to learn a thing or two about tarps and hammocks
Thanks for the input
leigh

Well, you don't have to worry about a skunk kissing you on the lips when you're in a tent. I have them walk under my hammock fairly often, it's no telling what goes under there when I'm asleep.

If the bugs and snakes are crawling, I'm going to be in a tent! I have a Tarptent Rainbow, not too heavy at 32 oz with the stakes.

I carry a tent and a hammock in my canoe, it's a lot easier to find a gravel bar than the perfect trees, which can be difficult on a river in the summer. I most usually don't have to use the tent, but I don't get stuck in the dark on the water looking for a hammock site.

Those float stream raccoons are smart! And persistent. Lots of experience. When I die, I would like to come back as a float stream raccoon, I like hot dogs, potato chips, and free beer!

http://www.tarptent.com/moment.html

Leigh,

Take a look at this.

John

I have had critters around me, but I agree with TM, if they want in, they are coming in. I have had no problems using my tarp and hammock in 5 years now. My tarp is also designed where I can fully close it in if needed to.

Leigh, I agree that you need to check out different systems. I don't begrudge anyone for using what they want, but it is very nice to sit in my hammock with my tarp set up with an awning during the rain and still have a great view. I don't miss the confining walls of a tent You can check out some different tarp and hammock setups in my gallery here.

Thanks guys, I've been doing research for days,and I think I'm beginning to like the hammock idea. 98% of my hiking will be in a treed area.I hope you all don't mind getting your ears bent, as I have lots of questions. I will mosey over to the gallery.

1stist.... how u keep drips from coming down the hammock belts lines or whatever is suspending?

Lots of good tents have rain flies that come off for that view of the stars.

Hope my kids don't read this and we will stay in the "safety" of our kelty tent on our river excursions. They feel better.

Does getting into these hammock rigs take a certain amount of youthful agility? which in my case is waning fast.

Clif, many ways to get around the drip problem. My tarp covers the suspension so I don't get them. But you can either simply tie a drip loop in your suspension or take a small narrow piece of felt and tie around it just before the hammock. Either way all your doing is giving the water a means of escape as water tends to follow the easiest and lowest point of travel. ENO Hammocks use a carabina to hook the suspension and it will tend to run off that. As for the removable flys, thats about all it amounts to in the summer when I have my bug net up. But in the cooler months when no bugs out I can take even my bug net down so that its NOTHING but stars. As far as agility, depends on how you hang and how low to the ground you are. You really have to try it to see.

Hey guys, the ole tent and hammock topic again. If you are worried about critters you should stay at home they are not interested in you they want your food. Getting out on the trail is about being with these "critters". If you are responsible with your food it should not be a problem. It is truly all about comfort. Don't take me wrong, but it is easy to worry too much about what can go wrong and not focus on having fun.

You should always wash yourself and anything that you take into your tent after eating. This will keep these critters from skratching a hole into your tent or bag.

agreed Ed.. I always strive for "Never take anything that has had food on it, in it or next to it in my shelter. Anything that can even "Seem" like food is game, including toothpaste and any necessities. By doing this I have eliminated one more potential hazard to my shelter regardless if its tent or tarp. But to get back to the point of this thread, YES I believe a tent is a false sense of security. For anything you can do with one you can do with the other. The only exception that I have found with this is the potential of bugs when not using a tarp with a bug screened hammock.

As far as the water dripping problem something as simple as a shoe string will work.

I've been interested in them, but the one reason I've never tried out a hammock is that I'm a side-sleeper. Were any of you side-sleepers that were able to find yourself getting a decent night of sleep in a hammock? Take a tent when my ladyfriend goes along and a tarp otherwise. Really would like to have the added shelter versatility except for the silly sleep issue...

I have a Hennessey hammock and a DIY hammock made by Dwight (preachaman). I have always been able to
sleep on my side in my HH. The hammock that Dwight made for me is so roomy that I can also side sleep
in it also.

Not to be off topic, but being careful with food was mentioned as a way not to attract attention from critters.

My hiking buddy and I have been BPing for over 12 years now and on our very first trip (Butterfield Loop out of Devils Den SP) my partner left some food (granola bar) in his shirt pocket which was at the foot of his sleeping bag. About two minutes after we doused the lights, a coon started scratching on the outside of the tent for that food. My buddy says, "John, is that you?"

We still laugh about that incident to this day. He thought I was playing "footsy" with him.

Oh man the thread that wont die... I actually can sleep on my belly in my diy preacher hammock. John.. thats EXACTLY what I am talking about. NO FOOD or even if its come into contact with food

WOW I did open a can o'worms.....
Just to clarify, I keep an extremely clean campsite, and NEVER bring food into my tent,nor any gear that's had food on or in it. The coon on the Buffalo was a riot...huge, and drug one of Richard McFadden's pieces of gear off just to play with it. and I suspect that's what he was doing around mine;and yes I was aware it was a coon, as he had been very bold all evening.

I don't pretend to be a seasoned backpacker, I'm not, which is why i came here for advice. However, I have been hiking/camping for many years, and some of the responses here remind me why I do most of it solo
Have a good night, gentlemen.

lol lbaker.. the only reason that your getting these responses in these forms is there are already countless threads on here talking about this exact same think. Please don't think bad of anyone one here. Especially me We really are about the fuzziest bunch of (*^(*&^ you have ever been around lol.

Hey Preacher man.....weren't you the guy that felt safer sleeping in a bathroom? With four walls and a solid roof? And under a sink? LOL

I have both a tent and a hammock and I still prefer the tent.....especially when I am hiking with my opposite sex BFF. Sorry Trail Monkey...we are the same sex so your not invited!

Not the kind of "swingin" we wanna hear about!

When I was a child and I was afraid I would close my eyes tight and pull the covers over my head thinking that what I can't see can't hurt me. Well that's just absurd. Tents are great for keeping out bugs and snakes but are little more that pretty gift wrap for a hungry bear. Tarps offer even less protection, however they do give you a better chance of bailing out if needed. Some hammocks can be used as a bivy bag, provided that you put a pad under them to protect them from the ground. I myself have used an old body bag I got while in the Army as a bivy bag, so take everything I say with a big grain of salt. I was dropped on my head...twice!

[quote="Tenn_Trekker"]Hey Preacher man.....weren't you the guy that felt safer sleeping in a bathroom? With four walls and a solid roof? And under a sink? LOL [quote]

Yes, I am not afraid to say that I will find shelter just about any where and especially after a 28 mile day

That said, that night would have been more comfortable outside on the ground too, I was just too tired and lazy to hang up my hammock

Dwight-Looking forward to meeting you this weekend!

you too! I need this time off, and I know that it will be a great time for all of us to "hang" out

Coming in a little late to this, but here's a pic of my hammock. There are drip rings on the main lines and the rain fly is removable. The weather guard & bug netting zips off and stores in a pocket by the feet if I want to sleep under the stars.



That was set up near the Goat Trail below Centerpoint last night. It was still spitting rain most of the day, though nothing as bad as the short downpour Friday. I was online sharing trip pics with a friend when I found this forum.