5 Best Camping Hammocks For Every Type Of Adventure

May 6, 2021 by Mark Wilcox

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“Hammocks are incredibly comfortable, and they provide a refuge in the wilderness.” – Ben Louvis, hammock enthusiast.

My friend Nathan introduced me to hammock camping. He grew up camping in Michigan. Michigan has plenty of trees and a thriving hammock community. And hammocks have been used by humans for hundreds of years.

I grew up in central Texas, and while east Texas has plenty of trees, central Texas is mostly flat open plains. And my generation started out using the Vietnam era canvas US Army surplus tents.

But I have become fascinated by hammock camping because hammocks are lighter and more portable than a tent. You are above the ground, which provides more protection from critters, bugs, and snakes. And you don’t have rocks and sticks poking into your back.

Plus, many hammocks can be used as a tent if suitable trees are not around.

This article will share what I believe are the 5 best camping hammocks on the market as well as the top tips on hammock camping.

The 5 Best Camping Hammocks

Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge Camping Hammock and Tent

Size: 7.5 feet in length. 3.5 feet in width. Weight: 4.25 pounds Mosquito Net: Yes Rainfly: Yes Number of colors: 1 Pro:

Several industry awards, including best hammock by both Backpacker magazine and American Survival Guide.
It comes with bug net and rain fly and spreader poles to enable to lay flat.
Explicitly designed to be used as a single person tent if there are no suitable trees to hang from.
Cons:
More expensive than most other options, however, it is the most versatile of any of the hammocks listed here.
It is also the heaviest but only supports up to 275 pounds
Can be easy to tip

This hammock solves the biggest problem with traditional hammock camping - providing shelter if there are no trees around.

Any camping hammock can be improvised into a tent. But you will have a faster setup if the hammock is designed to be a tent.

Plus, the rain fly and bug netting are part of the hammock, which also simplifies the setup and takedown of the hammock.

The inside of the hammock setup includes 2 O rings, which make it easy to hang additional equipment like a small LED lantern.

However, we should point out the 2 most common complaints I read in the hammock Facebook group I joined.

The first is that people said that it can be easy to tip over. One person said “Tippy as all heck.”

But many people who owned them said they loved them. And they were their best sleeping.

Yet, everyone, even the biggest fans, all said it was heavy and bulky. This is because of the aluminum poles. Which cannot be swapped out. However, they said it was no worse than a tent.

If you want to learn about this intriguing combination of hammock and tent then:

Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Camping Double & Single with Tree Straps

Size: Single 9ft length by 4 1/2 width. Double is 10ft lengthy and 6 1/2 ft width. Weight: Single is 16ounces (1 pound). Double is 26 ounces. Mosquito Net: No Rainfly: No Number of colors: 1 Pro:

Holds up to 500 pounds
Customer support very active on Amazon comments
Will hold even big guys (over 6 feet) Cons:
Rainfly and bug net separate

This a traditional camping hammock. It’s not designed to do double-duty as a tent in the same way the Lawson is.

What really stood out for me on Amazon was how responsive Wise Owl was to the 1-star reviews.

It appears that everyone had been responded to with a thoughtful response.

That’s a sign of great customer service.

One more thing that stood out is that they rate their hammock to hold up to 500 pounds.

Most other hammocks rate their hammocks only to hold 400 pounds.

Another great thing about this hammock is that it comes with straps instead of ropes.

Many people who camp with hammocks prefer to use straps instead of ropes. They’re easier to attach and detach. And they won’t strip the bark off of young trees.

You can learn more about this hammock at:

ENO DoubleNest

Size: 9 feet, 4 inches length and 6 feet, 2 inches width Weight: 19 ounces Mosquito Net: No Rainfly: No Number of colors: Multiple Pro:

Holds up to 400 pounds
Another great option for tall people (a reviewer mentioned her husband is at least 6 feet, 5 inches and had no problems fitting in it)
Easy to clean

Cons:

Straps are not included
Might be a little short

Based on the research I have done, Eno is the current most popular brand for camping hammocks.

Many people buy them and enjoy them without needing anything else.

The only complaints I could see in the hammock group on Facebook were by the hard-core hammock campers.

Which seemed to be split between hikers who were on a mission to cut every ounce and those who want to make their own hammock.

In other words, if you are looking for a solid hammock to get started, the Eno would make a good choice.

You can learn more here:

Hennessy Hammock Ultralite

Size: Not given, but they say maximum length is for six foot person.
Weight: 1.94 pounds Mosquito Net: Yes Rainfly: Yes Number of colors: 1 Pro:

The classic model has a bottom entrance that claims to make it harder for mosquitos to get in allow to sleep any way you want
Good for normal camping conditions Cons:
Only for people under 6 feet tall

I was recently at dinner with a friend and her son. He’s thinking of joining the military. And he’s 5’8”. I told him that he’s the perfect height for submarine service (I didn’t serve, but I got my research skills from studying military as part of my initial education around nuclear proliferation in the 1990s. Which is also how I got into survival prepping.).

He’s also the perfect height and weight for this hammock.

This is an intriguing design as long as you meet the height and weight requirements.

What catches my eye is that version that has a bottom entry. According to Hennessy this is supposed to make it harder for mosquitos to follow you into this setup.

I don’t know if this is true or not but you should practice how to get in and out of the hammock before hitting the trail.

You can find out more here:

Kammok Roo Single

Size: 8 ft 4 in long
Weight: 10 pounds, 2 ounces Mosquito Net: No Rainfly: No Number of colors: Yes Pro:

Use the eight conveniently located reinforced gear loops to attach carabiners, gear accessories, and more quickly Cons:
Not many reviews on Amazon

I was hesitant to include it because there weren’t many reviews on Amazon. But there’s several conversations on them in the Facebook group.

Many people own and enjoy these hammocks. They also say they have great customer service.

As with the nEno there isn’t anything to standout. But if you want to learn more, check it out here:

Republic of Durable Goods Mock ONE

Size: 5 feet, 6 inches long
Weight: 14 pounds and 5 ounces Mosquito Net: No Rainfly: No Number of colors: Yes Pro:

This is a hammock that doesn’t require any trees.
It is perfect if you want to live the hammock lifestyle but don’t want worry about trying to find 2 trees to tie up to. Con:
The downside is that it doesn’t sway like a traditional hammock. It’s more like a cot.

Common Additional Accessories

Straps

Straps are preferred over ropes when connecting hammocks to trees. They are simpler to use. They allow you to attach and detach faster. And they don’t damage the bark on a tree. Which allows you to leave no trace about your camping.

Underquilt

While sleeping in the air is more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, the air beneath you will make you feel cold if it’s below 68 degrees.

People in the hammock community call this “cold butt” syndrome.

And a sleeping bag doesn’t help. A sleeping bag requires it to remain fluffy to retain its warmth. And in a hammock, sleeping bags end up getting smashed up. Thus they are not as warm.

And sleeping pads don’t work either.

Instead, you should bring and underquilt. These are like blankets that are designed to fit into your hammock to provide warmth for your backside.

Top Quilt

A top quilt is like an underquilt but, as the name implies, goes on top.

While everyone I have found in hammock camping says you should get an underquilt for your hammock, a top quilt is optional.

Instead, you can use your sleeping bag or even a traditional blanket.

Carabiners

You need hooks to help hang your hammock. And that’s what carabiners are rate for. They are spring clips to connect the straps with ringlets in your hammock.

Parachute Cord

Parachute cord is always a useful piece of equipment to carry along. You always need to tie down something, hang something, or heck even emergency shoelaces.

With a hammock, it is easier to make a more comfortable hang by using a structural ridgeline.

A ridgeline is a line that goes between two tie-down points above the person who is lying in the hammock.

There are three uses for a structural ridgeline:

1 - It allows you to control the amount of sag in your hammock. orThis gives you the most control over how comfortable your lay will be. Including the slope and allowing enough fabric to enable a diagonal lie.

2 - You can hang your rain tarp and bug net and drip lines

3 - You can hang additional equipment from the ridgeline. This can be as simple as an LED lantern, but you can also attach a pouch to keep your phone and glasses.

Some hammocks come with an integrated ridgeline, but if they don’t, you can make your own with parachute cord.

Benefits Over Tents

There are five benefits of hammocks over tents.

First, you are not sleeping on rocks and sticks. Fans of hammock camping say that the best sleep they ever have is in hammocks because you are “sleeping on air”.

Second, by not sleeping on the ground, then you are also not sleeping with bugs, critters, and snakes. I read that hammocks were created by fishermen in a tropical climate explicitly to avoid snakes. While I’m not afraid of snakes, I also don’t want to wake up, keeping a rattlesnake warm.

Third, you can set up your hammock’s rain fly faster in a storm. Attach your ridgeline first, then get the tarp set up, and then you can finish setting up your hammock under the fly.

Fourth, hammocks are typically more portable than tents. This is particularly true if you don’t have any cross-bars or underquilt.

Fifth, they have less impact than tents. If you use straps, carry your trash out and avoid building campfires, this is as close as you can get to a zero-trace camping experience. Even if you build a campfire, this has less impact than a tent. Tent camping has a tendency to pack down the grass and kill it off.

How To Sleep

Sleeping in a hammock can be a challenge.

When I was growing up, I seemed never to be able to get into a tent properly.

Heck, I remember one time, I crawled into a hammock my dad had setup. It was a hammock with an integrated bug net. It was like sleeping in a cocoon. And I made the mistake of rolling over on my side.

I’m not sure how I did it. But the hammock started to spin.

Over and over. Like a washing machine.

Until the rope (this was 30 years ago and before straps were popular) broke, and I feel to the ground.

Anyway, according to the experts on the camping forums, the best way to sleep in a hammock is on your back diagonally.

This is also known as cross-lay.

It will keep the hammock flatter and more comfortable.

Keep Yourself Dry

The past week in Dallas, reminded me of how unpredictable weather can be. It was the 2nd week of October and we were still experiencing our extended summer.

On Wednesday, we set a record high temperature. It was 97.

And it had been 40 days without any rain.

On Thursday, it was 95.

Then a cold front came through that night.

We had thunderstorms that switched to a steady rain.

And it was 45 at 11 am the next day.

Heck, Saturday morning, we dropped below freezing, and we had frost!

In about 72 hours, we went from blistering heat to freezing cold. And I’m sure someone was out camping unprepared.

There are 3 steps you want to do to prepare for rain with your hammock.

The first is to make sure you have hung in a good location. While leaves and branches can help protect you from rain, you don’t want to be under large branches.

Or to hang from a dead tree.

In a storm, these can break and fall to the ground. And seriously injure or kill you.

Next, you want to set up your rain fly. This will keep rain from falling on your hammock. And if you watch YouTube videos, you can see they do a great job.

But one last thing to set up as part of your hammock’s rain kit is drip lines.

Drip lines are small strings of rope or cord that you hang off your straps and ridgeline. They need to be above your head and feet. Their job is to allow water that flows down the straps or ridgeline to drip off the driplines. And thus won’t drop on your hammock.

How to get started

Getting started with hammock camping is simple. Just like with tent camping, you need to buy a hammock and go to a suitable campsite.

However, you will want to go with a more experienced person first. This way, you can learn how to properly hang your hammock, bug net, and rainfly.

If you don’t have any current hammock camping friends, then you can look online for local groups. Facebook and Meetup are great places to look.

Hammock Camping Without Trees

I grew up in Waco, Texas and now live in Dallas.

And I spent 4 wonderful years going to university in Enid, Oklahoma. Enid, Oklahoma is in the northwest part of the state. And it’s so friggin’ empty it’s where the Air Force trains pilots how to fly jets.

This means I don’t live in an area with many trees. And so if I ever want to go hammock camping, I would need to figure out how to hang a hammock without trees.

There are 3 general options to solve this problem:

Use Posts

If there are existing telephone poles or fence posts, you can use them to hang your hammock.

Heck, you might be able to find structures around the house such as your porch to hold the hammock.

Just make sure they’re sturdy enough to hold your weight.

Use Your Vehicle

You can use your vehicle to hold our hammock. This will work best with a pickup truck. I have even seen a stand that’s designed to attach to your trailer hitch.

Use Stands

There stands that you can buy.

Look for ones made for camping because they will be designed to be portable.

What To Consider When Choosing A Camping Hammock?

Planning on favoring the light weight and convenience of a camping hammock for your adventures? Then you will need a formidable option that is up to the task. Here are some of the most important considerations for selecting the camping hammock that will serve you well and bring comfortable nights sleeping under the stars.

1. The 4-foot Rule

The best sized hammock for your outdoor adventure will be anything 4-feet longer than your actual height. So, if you are 5’6”, you will need a hammock that is at least 9’6”. This extra space is essential to getting the most comfort and rest when it comes time for sleeping in your hammock.

The thing is a hammock will tend to curl up at the ends when you sleep which can lead to cramped legs and strained backs. The shorter options means you will conform to the shape of your hammock as opposed to the other way around. This can be fine for hanging around and relaxing, but is not suitable for outdoor camping. The extra space will allow you to stretch out in a fairly straight position and this means better rest and a feeling of being refreshed in the morning.

2. Temperature Considerations

One of the most important considerations for sleeping in the great outdoors is the great drop in temperatures that occurs shortly after the sun goes down. If you will be in a tent, you will have walls and doors that provide a thermal barrier to keep you nice and toasty. If you will be heading out into the wilderness with nothing but a hammock, you will need some protection.

Because the thin fabrics of a hammock can’t be counted on for much. A couple extra blankets will be needed for warmth. But, without a proper sleeping pad you have the chance of waking in the middle of the night with a frozen backside. Make sure the sleeping pad you have selected for your is a good fit for your camping hammock.

3. Precipitations Considerations

A camping hammock would not be the best choice if you will be heading out into extreme weather conditions, but, most of the camping hammocks on the market today are fixed feature a tarp or rain fly that can be strung up over your sleeping accommodations. Some of the finest camping hammocks will also be fitted with waterproof pockets and storage spots for keeping valuable high and dry.

4. Insect Protection

Trees are a prerequisite for the hammock camper and this means that there will be droves of insects attracted to your camp. Keeping a campfire burning will only be marginally effective at scaring away these insectoid invaders. What you really needs is mosquito netting or screening. Most often these are available in perfectly designed sections for fabric that clip or zip over your sleeping quarters. But, it may be worthwhile to bring a few square meters of mosquito netting as a backup plan.

5. Accessories and Suspension

For best result, choose a camping tent that comes with all the accessories needed to support your hammock. Some of the most important are the tree straps, carabiners and spreading poles. Make sure the carabiners and straps can support the weight requirements for your team. Spreading poles are not to everyone’s liking as they can make packing a bit harder, even though some people say it adds a level of comfort with width and room.

Two Person Hammock

The idea that two-people can share a hammock is somewhat fantastic. While there are many situations where two people in a single hammock will be cozy and pleasant, there is really only one way to know if this will work for you and your camping mate.

If you get a chance, try sleeping in the hammock before hitting the trails. If you find you can both hunker down comfortably, you can spare an expense. If not you may find that being hammock neighbors is the best solution.

Best Hammocks For Tall Person

More and more individuals are starting to see the comfort and beauty of using hammocks for sleeping and relaxing purposes while outdoors. Hammocks are efficient and practical alternatives to conventional camping tents and are great for cozy and sound sleep. Camping hammocks come in different sizes and styles, and it can be challenging to pick the best for tall people. Not to fret, as this brief and straightforward guide is meant for you. That being said, here are a few tips to choose the best camping hammock for a tall person.

Length

As a tall person, this is obviously the first factor to consider. The standard 5-foot hammock will not be long enough, so look for at least 8-foot or even longer for a comfortable fit. As mentioned, camping hammocks come in all sizes, and so, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding one that suits your height.

Width

Camping hammocks also come in different widths, ranging from 4 feet to 8.5 feet. If you are a tall and big guy, you’ll want to settle for a width of 6ft or larger for a comfy fit. However, it is imperative to note that if the hammock is too wide, it’s likely to wrap around you, inducing claustrophobia.

Weight Capacity

This is another important feature to consider, regardless of your size. Camping hammocks are available in an array of weight capacities, between 150 and 500 pounds. If you weigh over 280 pounds, consider picking one with a weight capacity between 400 and 500 pounds. This should give you more allowance to avoid straining the suspension straps.

Keep in mind that weight in this regard refers to the product’s static weight capacity. Jumping or violent rocking on the hammock will take a toll on its structural integrity.

Suspension System

In order to set up your camping hammock, you need to have a suspension system with straps to attach it to the trees and carabiners to attach the straps to the hammock. Straps come in various designs, from synthetic tree slings to webbing straps.

When choosing suspension straps, pick longer ones with several attachment points. Many points of attachment will provide better adjustability, and therefore, more options for the trees to use.

Purpose

Next, you need to consider what you intend to use the hammock for. If you want to take it everywhere like the beach, park, etc., go for a compact one that’s easy to set up. If you are searching for a camping hammock to sleep in, go for one with three hammock anchor points for a cozy sleeping bay.

Additional Features

If you are camping in a place infested with bugs, go for a hammock with bug protection features. These come in varying designs like permethrin-treated options to keep crawlers at bay or a 360-degrees screen model to fend of flying insects.

Most hammocks also come with a tarp to protect against rain. So, if you’re going night camping, consider these extra features.

With these quick and simple tips, you should be able to pick the right hammock for a tall person.

We created a table to compare 3 of our favorite budget hammocks for tall people. As a tall person, hammocks can be a challenge. We (I’m 6’4”) need longer hammocks and have to pay

Our recommendation would be the “onewind”. It’s 11 feet long, 55 inches wide and can hold up to 1100 pounds. Several hammock campers mentioned that this is a great budget hammock.

Name	Length (feet)	Width (inches)	Weight (pounds)	Holding Weight (pounds)
onewind	11	55	1.1	1100
GO! Outfitters	11	70	1.1	400
Lay-Flat Halfmoon	11	58	1.4	400