Discovering the Magic of Hammock Camping

A Beginners Guide

Words by Megan Williams

I’ve camped since I was a little girl, mostly on grassy cliff tops overlooking the wild Welsh coast, squeezed into an old A-frame canvas tent that I can still remember the smell of. Sardined in with Mum, Dad, and my three older siblings, those early trips instilled in me a love of camping that stayed with me through my teenage years. As I’ve grown older, and found more confidence in the outdoors, camping has become an integral part of outdoor expeditions: a gateway to wild, remote places and a way to wake up with mountains towering over me.

As these trips have grown in ambition and distance, so has my mission to reduce the weight of my kit. Like many others who are drawn to big adventures and lightweight expeditions, a simple hammock and tarp setup seemed like the perfect solution. The appeal? Lightweight gear, quick setups, and the promise of a more elemental feeling - the kind of a camping set-up where you feel part of nature rather than against it.

GETTING STARTED

A few months ago I started working at DD, and ever since, the team’s stories of various adventures have sold me on the idea of hammock camping. With the opportunity to get out and try the kit, I asked the guys for a bit of advice on where to begin. Their suggestion was the DD Frontline Hammock with the DD Tarp 3x3 - a simple, lightweight setup that’s designed to handle a range of conditions. Both are seriously compact too which is not only a huge plus, but often essential, when rucksack space is premium and expeditions are long.

THE TRIAL EXPEDITION

Keen to put their recommendation to the test, I took both the Frontline Hammock and Tarp 3x3 to Tyninghame Beach in Scotland’s East Lothian for our DD camping trip. With beach views looking out over Bass Rock and rolling dunes in either direction, the pine forest behind made a great location close to Edinburgh.

Arriving just before sunset, I found two sturdy trees about three or four metres apart to set up camp. I began by wrapping the DD Tree Huggers around each tree, clipping the carabiner through the loops in each end and connecting the hammock to these. Using the Whoopie Slings, DD’s light and most compact suspension, I was able to easily tighten the hammock to the right height before adding the poles to hold up the mosquito net. Beneath the hammock, I hung my DD Underblanket which I had been told adds the best form of insulation for a hammock on a cold night (they weren’t wrong).

The tarp was even quicker to set up, threading the cord through the reinforced attachment points that runs along the centre ridge line and securing to each end of the tree. I then pegged out the guy ropes at diagonal angles and secured DD’s Magic Carpet to the ground below. My bed for the night was set: hammock between the trees, an A-frame tarp above, and a small groundsheet below. It all came together surprisingly smoothly, even for a first-timer. And with camp sorted, it was time to kick back and relax.

THE EVENING

Like any good evening camping, it’s often made with good food, good company and a good sunset. I was lucky with all three. Wandering back over to the DD team, the BBQ was lit and the burgers were already sizzling away. Together, we chopped tomatoes and slices of cheese, doing our best to keep out of arm's reach from the ‘inquisitive’ noses of Skye, Joey and Cooper. Burgers ready, perched on a large log with beers in hand, we descended into silence as we took hungry mouthfuls of the delicious food. Later, we wound our way over the sand dunes to catch the last of the sunset on the beach, and beneath pink skies, listening to the gentle crash of waves, we lit a bonfire. Over chocolate brownies, we discussed constellations and the hypnotic quality of fire - feeling proud of our first “Wednesday Night Tarp Club”.

As darkness crept in, and under the light of a waxing moon, we headed back to our camp and the real charm of hammock camping started to show. No lumpy ground to deal with, or tent walls with condensation dripping down. As I lay back in the cocoon of the hammock, warm in my sleeping bag, and looked out of the end of the tarp, the stars began to blink through as the wind carried the distant calls of seabirds - it felt raw, peaceful, and a bit surreal. Eyes feeling heavy, as they often do after time outdoors, I managed a couple of pages of my kindle before drifting off, feeling weightless - both mentally and physically. And it’s not just me - hammocks have actually been shown to deepen sleep and relieve pressure points.

My advice? Sleep diagonally to give you a flatter, more ergonomic sleep, and lean into the gentle rocking motion.

I slept well, and woke just as the sun was rising - burning orange and low within the trees. Slipping out my hammock I headed down to the beach, excited to see what lay before me, the empty beach in firstlight did not disappoint. Back at camp, and after a tin mug of coffee brewed on a little stove, I set about dismantling my hammock, making sure we left no trace before hiking back out through the forest - home in time for work on Thursday.

THE VERDICT

Tyninghame Beach gave me the perfect first hammock night: elemental, beautiful and exhilarating. If you’re on the fence about trying a DD Hammock setup, my advice is do it. There’s nothing quite like sleeping between the trees, cosy in a moonlit sleeping bag and cocooned beneath expansive skies. And honestly, the gentle wake up of the sunrise through the trees, I’ve never experienced a feeling quite like it.

KIT BAG

The DD Frontline Hammock and Tarp 3x3 are a lightweight, compact, and versatile combo, ideal for wild camps and off-grid expeditions. Whether you're an experienced camper or just starting out, this setup is great for those wanting to get outdoors and sleep between the trees, all while keeping things easy and comfortable.