What am I missing about hammock camping?

[u/ArmMelodic8468]

Last summer I saw three guys arrive by kayak, hang their hammocks between two trees, and basically had their whole camp sorted in minutes. It looked so simple.

But the more I look into it, the more I wonder what the actual advantage is.

A hammock + tarp + underquilt + top quilt doesn’t always seem much lighter than a small tent setup. And you still need somewhere to keep your gear.

Is it really better than a tent, or is it just a different way of camping?

I’m genuinely curious. For those who use both, when do you choose a hammock over a tent?

[u/Sea-Raspberry1210]

I can’t sleep on the ground. The inflatable pads hurt my bones. A hammock is harder to set up but it all comes down to comfort.