The S.H.I.T. System: A Smarter Way to Dial in Your Hammock Camping Gear

When you're packing for a hammock trip, the gear list can feel endless: straps, quilts, tarps, pillows, cordage, coffee kits... What do you really need to hang comfortably in the wild?
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That’s where the S.H.I.T. system comes in.
It stands for Suspension, Hammock, Insulation, and Tarp—the four core components of any solid hammock camping kit.
It’s a clean (well, cleaner than it sounds) and straightforward way to organize your gear, simplify your loadout, and make sure you’re not forgetting something important—like, say, your tarp on a rainy night. Don’t ask us how we know.

🧵 Suspension: The Unsung HeroYour hammock doesn't hang itself.
Suspension is how you connect to anchor points—usually trees, but sometimes truck racks, fence posts, or whatever you’ve got.
This includes:

• Tree straps
• Whoopie slings
• Cinch buckles
• Carabiners
• Daisy chain webbing

Pick something safe, easy to use, and tree-friendly. Our SlothLine Straps and Whoopie Sling Kits are tried-and-true options that keep you off the ground and in the trees—right where you belong.

🛏 Hammock: Your Floating Fortress
This is your backcountry bed, your nap nest, your portable treehouse.
Comfort starts with size--11 feet is the sweet spot for most campers. Shorter hammocks can feel tight and make you wish you'd brought a chiropractor along.
We build several hammock models here at Arrowhead Equipment, including the Mountain XL Hammock—longer, wider, and stronger for serious comfort wherever you hang.

❄️ Insulation: The Thing That Keeps You From Regretting Life at 3 A.M.
Even in summer, don’t let warm air fool you. At 70°F and below, most people will get cold in a hammock without insulation—thanks to convective cooling. That constant airflow beneath your hammock pulls heat from your back all night long.
You need two kinds of insulation:

• Bottom insulation: A foam pad (budget-friendly but fiddly) or an underquilt (the real deal—no shifting, no cold spots).
• Top insulation: A sleeping bag (bulky) or a top quilt (streamlined and hammock-friendly).

Quick Temp Guidelines:

• 70°F and under: You’ll want at least a bottom-side pad or summer quilt.
• 50°F and under: A full 3-season quilt set is highly recommended. That “surprise mountain dip to 38°F” happens more often than you think.

We build underquilts and top quilts using Climashield™ APEX—synthetic insulation that works even when damp, packs well, and lasts through serious use.

⛺️ Tarp: Your Portable Roof
Your tarp is your real shelter out there. It keeps the rain off your head, the wind off your face, and the pine cones out of your sleeping bag.
Choose a tarp that:

• Gives full coverage over your hammock
• Has good side protection in case of wind
• Leaves you some space to stash your gear or cook during a storm

Wind Tips:

• Set your tarp low and tight if wind or rain is expected.
• Use terrain, rocks, or other trees to block incoming gusts.
• Ridge line accessories like our Tarp Kits can help you pitch fast and clean.

🎒 Bonus Round:
The What-NotsOnce your four essentials are squared away, you can start layering in the fun stuff—accessories that make your trip faster, cozier, or more custom. Add-ons can make your life in the trees:

• Faster to set up
• More comfortable to relax in
• More customized to your style

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These include:

• Glow Zipper Pulls (because finding zippers in the dark is never fun)
• Ridgeline Organizers
• Foot Pads
• Gear Sacks

The little things add up. A warmer foot, a faster setup, a cleaner hammock... it’s all part of dialing in your hang.

💡 Final Thoughts: System, Not Gimmick
Breaking your setup into Suspension, Hammock, Insulation, and Tarp helps you think modularly. It also makes packing easier, planning faster, and upgrades more targeted. You don’t need everything at once—just a clear system to build from.
Once you’ve nailed the essentials, everything else is icing. Or bug netting. Or an extra pair of dry socks.

🧭 Ready to Build Your Kit?
We’ve helped more than 70,000 campers worldwide build gear that works. If you're looking for a straightforward place to start—or just need to upgrade one piece at a time—we're here to help.

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