The hammock is one of the world’s most brilliant inventions ever to get created. A bed, apart from giving you an unparalleled outdoor experience, also boosts your standard of living. It offers your lumbar region more support.
The result is a reduction in back-related complications, given that the device eliminates pressure point development. Hammock use also improves blood circulation. It reduces body stress levels, too.
But a bed does not work in isolation. It requires additional components such as:
- Tarps
- Ridgelines
- A rainfly
- Bug nets
- Hooks, and
- Cords, to become functional.
So, what is a hammock ridgeline?
Building Comprehension
To the layperson, a hammock ridgeline is a component used to suspend a tarp above the bed. The device comes in handy, given that it holds the rainfly, an element used to shield you from snow and rainfall in place.
The ridgeline also promotes platform asymmetry. But not all hammocks come integrated with the device. You must, therefore, learn how to install the ridgeline yourself to achieve maximum function.
Ridgeline Set Up
Installation is easy. You only need to tie both ends of the hammock with a whoopie sling at the points when the propping cords meet the bed. But you must use a piece of rope that is shorter than the hammock length for maximum function.
Types of Hammock Ridgelines
Hammock ridgelines come in two varieties. These are the structural and adjustable ridgelines. The “structural” lines never move once installed. Adjustable ridgelines, on the contrary, are mobile. They are, therefore, easy to calibrate.
The Best Ridgelines
Superb ridgelines are masterpieces manufactured from high-quality materials. They are not only durable but also robust enough to support heavy loads. Above all, they have reflective patterns that enhance visibility during the night. So, do you see Why You Should Use a Hammock Ridgeline?
Advantages of Using a Ridgeline
Hammock ridgelines are unnecessary. They are, however, useful to campers in the following ways. The ridgelines:
Promote Bed Asymmetry
A ridgeline gives you the same amount of sag every time you install the platform. It also maintains balance by promoting asymmetry. The hammock, although unnecessary, proves to be a valuable asset for any camper. It also encourages consumer safety by reducing the likelihood of a fall.
Enhance Sag
Outdoor beds can be useless if there is no sag, and here is why. A compact platform makes climbing hard. In the real sense, a short person is at risk of falling under such circumstances.
Second, you cannot lie down flat when the platform is taut. Back-related complications might then develop, rendering the equipment useless. But ridgelines save the day, given that they amplify the bed’s curvature and make the device more user-friendly.
Increase Room for Additional Storage
Where do you hang your gear in the wild? Ridgelines are useful because they allow you to suspend camping accessories with ease. Besides, you might use the line for extra support as you dress up, especially if you have wobbly feet.
Provide a Platform for Rainfly Support
What do you do when a calm jungle night transforms into a torrential downpour? Settling down and fast is the first thing you must do. You must also find a way of shielding yourself from the rain, and that is where the ridgeline proves itself vital. The line helps you install the rainfly fast before the raindrops get to you.
Eliminate Pressure Points
A bed without a ridgeline is subject to a lot of stresses. Remember, the device must support your weight at all costs, something that becomes burdensome in the absence of the line. The ridgeline, anyhow, distributes the weight evenly, thus eliminating pressure points that might otherwise weaken a hammock’s structural integrity.
Make Bed Installation Easy
Installing the ridgeline is usually a one-time affair. The rope creates a model through which all other hammock installation processes can follow. You, therefore, benefit a lot from using a hammock ridgeline, given that you can prop the device up in a matter of minutes.
Conclusion
The hammock ridgelines are more of a necessity than a need for the following reasons. They make the bed more stable by increasing the arc. Besides, ridgelines improve user comfort. Remember, they promote bed flexibility, meaning you can sleep diagonally, and on your back.
Moreover, the lines increase the bed’s structural integrity. Propping cords do an excellent job in supporting the camper’s weight. But the device functions a lot better when the ridgeline is in place. The component also reduces tension, thus averting hammock tear.
Finally, ridgelines provide enthusiasts with a platform for additional storage. Life in the jungle is messy. You cannot, therefore, leave your gear and food on the ground unless you want to attract bugs and wild animals to your camp.
In summary, the ridgeline suspends the equipment above the ground and protects you from savage animal attacks. In a nutshell, a ridgeline does not cost much but serves a lot of purposes.