HOW TO ADD GEAR STORAGE TO YOUR HAMMOCK
Imagine this scenario: you plop into your hammock for a restful night of sleep, only to realize that you’re lying uncomfortably on your headlamp, you have nowhere to put your phone, and the warm clothing layers you stashed at your feet are now cascading down onto your top quilt, causing minor overheating issues. Intolerable!
But don’t let this chaos get you down, intrepid hammock sleeper! Organizational accessories are here to solve all of your storage-related problems. In this article, we’ll review Hammock Gear’s best pockets, lofts, and organizational add-ons for better sleeping and better livability while hanging. These highly affordable, lightweight storage solutions keep all of your nighttime, or chill time, extras accessible within arm’s reach overhead.
First and foremost, we consider the Ridgeline Organizer a must-have. This two sided, 17 inch long by 9 inch tall, multi-section mesh pocket hangs from the hammock’s ridgeline. It is intended to store knick-knacks like your phone, headlamp, headphones, glasses, book, charger, or even a small water bottle. It attaches to the ridgeline using an ultra strong velcro, and can slide forward or backward so you don’t bump your head when getting in or out of the hammock. If you were to only buy one single hammock storage accessory, this is the one to get.
But don’t take our word for it, nearly 70 Hammock Gear customers have given the ridgeline organizer an average of five out of five stars. The following customer review statements sum it up perfectly. “This ridgeline organizer is just what I was looking for. It is big enough to hold everything I want and scrunches down nice and small to pack with the hammock.” “Well-built, sturdy, and easy to remove.” “I don’t know how I have lived this long without it.”
Next up is the Mesh Peak Pocket. While less critical than the ridgeline organizer, this humble storage unit sits in a section of the hammock that would otherwise go to waste: the ends. Measuring 14 inches wide by 20 inches deep when fully stuffed, weighing in at only half an ounce, and not competing for coveted ridgeline space, there’s really no reason not to add a peak pocket to your hammock. It’s perfect for storing an article of clothing, electronics a small pillow, or something otherwise too bulky or heavy for the ridgeline organizer. The Mesh Peak Pocket is newer to our line, but we already feel a lifetime’s worth of commitment to it. Try it for yourself!
Lastly, and most voluminously, is the Mesh Ridgeline Loft. The biggest of all of our hammock storage accessories, the loft measures 24 inches long and 10 inches deep, and weighs a scant .84 oz. A good deal even for ounce-counters, considering how much you can store inside. We think it’s perfect for stashing rain gear, puffy jackets, or any layers you might shed before entering the cozy warmth of your top and bottom quilt cocoon. Unlike the ridgeline organizer or peak pocket, which we recommend for every single hang, the loft is more of a specialist that truly shines in fall, winter, and spring, when temperatures or precipitation require us to wear extra layers around camp.
We get it. It’s easy to overlook storage accessories. They certainly aren’t the flashiest part of hanging. But there’s a reason that experienced hammock campers bring some combination of hammock storage accessories on every single trip, bar none; they’re extremely useful and make hammocks more livable. We can’t stress enough how much better hammock camping is when gear isn’t falling into your gravitational well. The pros of storage add-ons simply outweigh the cons (not that there are any). So do yourself a favor, and organize that hang!