Yeah I hear you. I grew up in New Mexico and trees were few and far between. A hammock isn't the perfect thing in the Southwest desert. There you really want a bomb-proof tent because rain is uncommon but when it comes it can come in buckets and the soil doesn't absorb the water so little rivers will start running through your camp and the very dirt you are camped on will wash out from under you (ah the memories!).

But this gets into an issue that new hikers often don't grasp. There is no answer to the question "What is the best ______" (fill in the blank with the name of any piece of gear. The answer will depend on location and season as well as personal preference. Just like you would use different clothing for the desert vs eastern woodlands and winter vs summer your other gear (at least some of it) will vary as well.