You've got it. I'm a diehard hammock user but I am *very* comfortable in one because I can sleep on my side in one (diagonally in the hammock). However, my hammock and big silnylon tarp together are *heavier* than just a superlight
solo shelter or tarp - heck I could take just the tarp and
save the weight of my hammock, since in moderate weather
I carry tarp, hammock, and blue pad that goes in hammock.
I could sleep on blue pad on ground - there - no weight of
hammock.

Again, it depends what you are carrying for. If your sole satisfaction in life is having the lowest weight on your back during the day, a hammock is not for you, delete the hammock
and sleep under the tarp and you are lighter. For me it's a simple comfort tradeoff - in fact if I know I'm not hammocking
I don't take the blue pad. I take a superlight shelter, and a
big old big agnes insulated aircore mat. however with that big
mat, I'm now about as heavy as I was with the hammock tarp and blue pad... but me, I know my comfort level..

some people however are *NOT* comfortable in hammocks - which is why you should try before you buy.