A hammock's biggest cold-weather surprise for new users is that insulation works completely differently than it does in a tent — and tree strap width matters for reasons beyond comfort.
Underneath insulation works differently than in a tent
In a sleeping bag on the ground or in a tent, body weight compresses the insulation directly beneath you, but a sleeping bag's compressed underside still provides some barrier against cold ground. In a hammock, that same compression happens against thin air below rather than insulated ground, and a sleeping bag's compressed underside insulation becomes far less effective at blocking the cold air moving beneath an elevated hammock — a phenomenon experienced hammock campers know well, sometimes summarized as being cold from underneath even while feeling reasonably warm on top. This means a hammock camper generally needs a dedicated underquilt (insulation hung underneath the hammock, uncompressed) or an insulated sleeping pad placed inside the hammock, not just the same sleeping bag that would suffice on the ground at a similar temperature.
Tree strap width matters for tree health, not just gear
Wide, flat webbing straps (rather than thin rope or cord) distribute a hammock's suspended weight and force across a broader area of tree bark, reducing the risk of damaging bark compared to thin cord, which can cut into bark under sustained tension, especially over multiple uses or extended camping. Many parks and wilderness areas specifically require wide tree-friendly straps for exactly this reason, and using proper wide straps is both a practical durability choice and, in many areas, an actual rule or expectation for responsible camping.
Hammock angle affects sleeping comfort more than most first-time users expect
A hammock hung too tightly, in a nearly straight line between anchor points, tends to feel like sleeping in a tight taco shape, curling the body uncomfortably. Hanging with more sag, allowing a flatter, more diagonal lay position across the hammock rather than lying straight along its length, is the technique most experienced hammock campers use to achieve a genuinely flat, comfortable sleeping position — this is a real technique worth learning and practicing, not simply an inherent limitation of hammock sleeping that has to be tolerated.
A rainfly or tarp is a separate purchase for genuine weather protection
A basic camping hammock by itself offers no protection from rain — a separate rainfly or tarp, sized and positioned to cover the hammock adequately, is necessary for any camping trip where rain is a realistic possibility. This is worth budgeting for as part of a complete hammock camping setup from the start, not an accessory to add later after being caught unprepared in genuinely wet conditions.
The one thing people forget
Check that intended camping locations actually have suitable trees spaced at an appropriate distance apart, and confirm hammock camping is permitted at that specific location, before finalizing hammock-based camping plans — not every campsite or wilderness area has suitably spaced, healthy trees for hammock hanging, and some specifically prohibit or restrict hammock use to protect vegetation, information worth checking directly rather than assuming any campsite will accommodate a hammock setup.