The Best Camping Hammocks

Best Camping Hammocks © CreditDonkey

Nothing says a well-stocked camping trip like bringing your own hammock into the wilderness. Especially after a long day of hiking, there are few things better than collapsing into supportive mesh dangling between a couple trees and staring up at the sky. You’ll be the star of any group camping adventure and know that you’ll rest and relax the right way.

Hammocks serve a lot of purposes on any camping trip you might want to take. For starters, they offer unparalleled relaxation when you’re out in the woods. Even the softest camping chairs pale in comparison to swaying on soft nylon between a couple of sturdy trees. Then there’s the element of recharging after a big hike. Especially if you’re feeling a little sore, you’ll want to have your lower body elevated and there’s no better way to do that than in the comfort of a hammock.

Factors in Purchasing a Camping Hammock

Camping hammocks come in all sorts of different features, sizes, costs and comfort. They are some of the most versatile accessories when it comes to outdoor trips. The number of options on the market can be overwhelming, but one of the best things to keep in mind is how you plan on integrating a hammock into all your gear.

We broke down the best camping hammocks on the market by the various ways you can put them to work. Do you want a lightweight hammock that you can stuff in your pack for multi-day backpacking trips? Or do you want a big, two-person hammock for relaxing under the stars? Weather is a big factor when it comes to warmth, mosquito nets and shade. Size, cost, features and durability are also important considerations when finding the right hammock.

Purpose

Some people just want to lie outside during a group camping trip with a good book or take a long nap in the shade. Other people spend their first night sleeping in hammock and they never go back to a tent again. One of the best places to start when picking a hammock is knowing its primary use.

Consider whether it’ll be how you sleep during every trip, in which case you might want a lightweight fabric you can stuff in your bag. Or if you want it in the backyard just as much as the back woods. Maybe there’s a region where you do most of your camping, in which case the climate is going to sway your decision based on warmth and bugs.

Best Hammock for Sleeping

Eagle’s Nest Outfitters (ENO) has released one of their best, most versatile, durable and comfortable camping hammocks on the market with the ENO Reactor Hammock. It offers all the features of some of the best hammocks on the market: lightweight (less than two pounds), strong nylon material, and packs down to only 7” x 5”. What makes this great for sleeping is the second layer of fabric that allows you hold a sleeping pad in place. This adds additional comfort for any cold-weather hammock sleeping, but also prevents the pad from shifting around while you rest.

Best Hammock for Lightweight Backpacking

Hennessy’s high-end hammock does everything (and it’s extremely lightweight at a little over two pounds). Constructed from comfortable polyester and including a ripstop nylon rainfly, the Hennessy Explorer Ultralite Asym Zip fits backpackers up to seven feet tall and holds up to 250 pounds. The Hennessy also offers customizable options that let you mix and match accessories with their hammocks. You can get a larger rain fly, insulation pads and longer tree straps depending on where your adventures might take you. This is one of the most expensive hammocks on the market.

Best Hammock with a Mosquito Net

Coming in under a hundred bucks, the ENO JungleNest Hammock combines the best features of ENO’s hammocks with an included bug net to keep critters out while you sleep or relax. It holds up to 400 pounds, features a small organizer pocket and full-length side zipper for easy access. The 950 square inch, no-see-um mosquito netting makes this one of the best bug hammocks for the price.

Best Hammock for Car Camping

Billing itself as the world’s best camping hammock, the Austin, TX-based designer’s top product is the Kammok Roo Hammock. Spacious, portable, comfortable and running less than $100, the ripstop, breathable fabric is large enough for two people and packs down with the included stuff sack. It can hold up to 500 pounds, runs ten feet long and comes with a lifetime warranty. It comes in six different colors and promises to be the accessory that you’ll bring along for any car camping adventure.

Weather

The kind of climate is going to affect the hammock you want. If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, you’ll want something that will work well with a rainfly and tarp accessory. The southeast is going to call for bug protection and the southwest will be all about sun cover. You might want something for all four seasons if you live near the mountains and want to get year-round use out of your hammock.

Best Winter Hammock

Sold separately from ENO hammocks, the ENO Ember 2 Underquilt accessory is a polyester quilt that keeps you warm and insulated during any cold weather hammock use. What’s great about it is that you can bring it along when necessary and leave it at home during warmer weather adventures. It runs less than $100 and even when that’s combined with a hammock, it still costs less than a one-piece design that you’ll only want in the winter. It comes with an included stuff sack and weighs less than two pounds.

Best Hammock with Shade

For those of us who like to glamp in style, the Hennessy Deep Jungle Asym Zip can be adapted from its original, rugged use. It was constructed to survive jungles covered in bugs and mosquitos, but that doesn’t mean you can’t camp with a high-end hammock that will keep you covered for ultimate relaxing. Running close to $300, the high tenacity ripstop nylon will survive anything you throw at it and allows the rainfly to double as shade. Men’s Journal called this the hammock you can take anywhere and it lives up to the billing.

Size

The next factor to consider is what will be the best fit for your body size and shape. If you and your significant other are going to be doing a lot of camping together, that will change what you’re looking for. If you are taller than six feet, you don’t want to get in the woods, hook a hammock to a couple of trees and then find it’s impossible to get cozy in a hammock that’s too small. You’ll want to look at XL offerings from the top brands.

Best Two-Person Hammock

Constructed from parachute nylon that skydivers trust to not rip, Grand Trunk Double Parachute Hammock weighs just over a pound and makes for a great addition to a car camping trips or hanging up near a lake on a summer weekend. It packs down within the included stuff sack and the nautical-grade carabiners hold up to 400 pounds. The other great feature is that it usually runs under $100.

Best Big and Tall Hammock

Campers, hikers and hunters swear by the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC, which offers all the great features of the Warbonnet Blackbird in a larger size. It features a removable zippered bug net, storage shelf to hold valuables, and footbox for comfort. It fits people up to seven feet tall and weighs less than two pounds. It can also be customized with an optional top cover (not included), which adds extra warmth and protection for winter hammock use. Just like the Blackbird, you can get a second layer XLC to keep a sleeping pad in place. Starts at $195.

Cost

If you want to get the best value out of a hammock, you want something at a reasonable price while still offering great durability. The greatest deal will take into account how much usage you get for the price you paid. There are plenty of excellent hammocks for less than three figures and even some solid offerings for under $50.

Best Hammock Under $100

Kammok Wallaby Hammock offers 10 oz. of portability for around $65. It’s the kind of hammock you can scrunch in the included stuff sack and bring anywhere you go. Especially perfect for day hikes and weekend adventures that are built around going to a trail and then relaxing when you get there, it’s a great accessory that you won’t notice until you put it into use.

Best Hammock Around $50 to $60

ENO SingleNest is a perfect, straightforward camping hammock that packs down in the included stuff sack so you can take it on the go. That sack also doubles as storage once it’s unfurled. This hammock is the perfect way to lounge around for a day in the shade with a book or to get one of the best naps of your life.

Where to Buy Camping Hammocks

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