Switched to hammocking 5 or 6 years ago and don't see going back to a tent unless I'm camping above treeline. In my opinion as long as you have a decent hammock, know how to properly set it up, and have the right accessories (just like a tent) you will be fine. There is a learning curve to hammocks for sure. I survived (but froze my arse off) the -10*F snow dump last CO 1st rifle in a hammock. I was only prepared for temps around 15-20* with my newly homemade quilt, so I could have been better prepared but that weather is also not typical. Those temps ran most of the tent campers off the mountain; no one was ready for that.
Most hunting trips I am hiking well into the dark hours and finding flat ground clear of trees/rocks in the terrain I hunt while in the dark is near impossible. With a hammock I only need trees and I can set up anywhere I choose. Never worry about flat ground/sliding around in a tent, don't worry about moisture seeping through the bottom, critters aren't a concern (never were but it is for some), no condensation, and no more water puddling in my tent after severe conditions. Hammocks also make a nice chair to relax in and with the right tarp have more room that almost any double-walled tent that doesn't weight 7+lbs.
My tips for a good hammock experience:
- have a good underquilt **most important item on this list** - you will never believe how cold the airflow below you can actually be until you've experienced it. Inflatable pads don't cut it; I even used a car windshield sunscreen for years because inflatable pads just do not work in a hammock.
- set up your hammock right - get the angles right
- lay diagonally - so you lay flat, no one is gonna sleep well in a banana shape
- have a good tarp/rainfly - the more coverage the better especially when that sideways snow/rain starts coming
- if your hammock setup is drastically lighter than your tent setup - you are either not properly prepared or your tent is too heavy. My hammocking setup (hammock, tarp, quilt) is slightly heavier (~8oz) than my UL tent setup (tent, pad, bag).
- as said above, hammocks are not for belly-sleepers. Back-sleepers should be in hog heaven in a hammock, I am a side sleeper but move a lot and a hammock still works well. Never once have I dumped it.
I've done the super cheap route to hammocking (eno, tyvek, and a sunscreen) for years (CO 2nd/3rd rifle) and have gotten by. Went the expensive route last year because of the benefits. I won't be going back to a tent.