Getting started in the world of hammock camping can take a ton of effort and feel overwhelming! I should know, I made the transition from tent to hammock myself a few years ago. There are a lot of details involved in choosing the best backpacking hammock for your needs and personal style.

Unfortunately, there was a lot I didn’t know about hammock camping and it cost me time and money both!

With hundreds of nights of experience on the trail guiding backpacking trips, I know what to look for in great gear. 

At a Glance: Top Recommendations:

• Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker – Best Overall Hammock
• Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter – Best for Beginners/Budget
• ENO DoubleNest Hammock – Best for Couples
• Kammok Mantis UL – Best Hammock tent
• Hummingbird Single – Best ultralight hammock
• Kammok Roo Jr – Best camping hammock for kids
• Dream Hammock Darien – Best if you don’t mind waiting
• Dream Hammock Sparrow – Best 4-season Hammock

Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon

Let’s get right into it and find out what gear belongs in your backpack! Here’s what’s to come in this article:

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How to Choose the Best Backpacking Hammock for You

Remember, we’re all different. Whether it’s body size, sleep preference, hiking location or other factors – you need something different from the next guy. Also, keep that in mind as we go over some of the details of hammock camping.

Material & Fabrics

Hammocks for backpacking are usually lightweight – or at least lighter weight than recreational ones. For one thing, that means they have to push the envelope a bit with materials. These lightweight materials generally are one of two main types:

• Nylon is a man-made material that is extremely durable and abrasion-resistant. This material is heavily used in backpacking gear because it’s effective and affordable. Nylon is made more robust by including thick reinforcement threads called ripstop nylon.
• Polyester is another man-made material common in backpacking and sports gear. It has great wicking capabilities in clothing. In hammocks, however, are sometimes used as a lightweight material for bodies. Depending on the weave and exact fiber type it can be both affordable and lightweight.

Both nylon and polyester are perfectly acceptable materials for hammock camping. For those seeking the absolute lightest, high-end polyester weaves may often offer the pinnacle of performance.

Hammock Construction

There are two main construction styles – camping and recreational. To clarify, these styles offer dramatically different end results:

Gathered-end hammocks are made by cinching up all the material at the end of the hammock. From that “gathered end” a suspension system travels out to the trees. Basically, gathered-end ones are affordable and easy to DIY or make at home.

Indeed, the biggest downfall of a gathered-end camping hammock is that it tends to cause “banana” shaped sleeping positions.

Some gathered-end models are made to lay asymmetrically so the user lays across them at an angle. This helps flatten the hang lay so if the banana lay bothers you, it’s best to look for this feature!

Pros of Gathered Hammocks

Cons of Gathered Hammocks

Bridge Hammocks try to solve the problem of the banana-shaped lay as well. Instead of making you lay at an angle, bridge hammocks attempt to flatten out the entire hammock.

With a bridge, there are two spreader bars at the head and foot of the hammock. These bars spread out the weight and pressure of the user across the material. Any suspension on the hammock then attaches to these bridge bars.

Pros of Bridge Hammocks:

Cons of Bridge Hammocks:

Suspension Systems – How to Hang

Suspension systems are tricky and can rapidly get confusing! They’re an area of hammock technicality that many newbies don’t even realize they have options.

The suspension system of any hammock refers to the rope, webbing, or cord that holds the weight of the user. Suspension straps (“tree straps”) are the most common for beginners.

Suspension systems are critical to a good hang and a technical look at them can quickly get more complicated than this article can cover.

There are several competing popular styles of suspension but one style beats them all for simplicity and lightweight. That is the whoopie sling method of hammock suspension!

Whoopie slings are common on some of the best hammocks for backpacking. Fortunately, even on those without whoopie slings, they can be added afterward without too much hassle. To make or modify your own whoopie slings, start with this tutorial video:

To save you some time in research I’ll give you a tip to unlocking a lightweight suspension: Dynaglide rope is by far the lightest suspension material you can use. However, it may not be quite strong enough to support heavier users and tight hang angles.

If you need suspension gear to make or adjust your suspension, there are few resources as good as the Whoopie Sling site. You can also learn more about the technical forces and components of a suspension system through their great educational material as well.

When you’re deciding on a suspension, make sure to consider that it will bear the entire load of you and your gear in the hammock. Don’t skimp on the weight capacity of your suspension material – if in doubt go with a stronger material!

Tree Hugger Straps

In order to attach the hammock to a tree, you need some kind of strap. In the past, some have been made to attach to the tree using the same suspension rope that attaches to the hammock.

Unfortunately, that can cause damage to the tree and is not allowed in many areas of public land.

Tree straps not only save the tree, but they also save your hammock suspension. Tree bark can be damaging to suspension lines over time. Plus, many tree hugger straps are designed to help you quickly adjust distances.

There is really only one general rule for tree hugger straps in my mind: they must be 1″ wide or more.

For more information on tree hugger straps check out this comprehensive resource.

Aside from that single rule, anything goes when it comes to tree hugger straps. However, what I like to look for is a lightweight webbing material.

Seek the lightest webbing you can find that is 1? wide or more and has a load rating that can handle the weight of you and your gear.

I made my own tree hugger straps. Many hammocks come with them. For the gram weenies like me, seeking to cut every ounce, you may want to make your own.

Treehugger straps usually also require toggles when being used with whoopie slings. I made my own as well, but you can purchase them.

Most toggles are made from old aluminum arrow shafts cut into 2? – 3? lengths. If you happen to have one on hand just cut it with a hacksaw and gently sand down the burs to make your own and save a buck or two.

Bug Nets – Beat those Noseeums

One of the last features to think about with a camping hammock is the bug net. Essentially it’s a question of “to bug net or not to bug net”?

The answer is that you need to have a bug net unless you happen to be in an area that’s completely free of bugs. There’s really no other way to comfortably sleep the night away.

Some users will use an oversized recreational hammock, like a double Eno, and wrap the whole thing around them to protect from bugs. This method of protection has several problems, only one of them being claustrophobia.

Bug nets do add a bit of weight, but not much for their added comfort. For that reason, I urge people to opt for bug nets.

Bug nets come in two flavors: integrated or separate.

Integrated bug nets are convenient and effective. Unless you have a specific reason for avoiding them, it’s best to look for a hammock with one included.

If for some reason, you already have a hammock you want to use or you go with one without a bug net, you can add one after. Bug net “sock” slip over the entire hammock and surround you in 360 degrees of bug protection.

One advantage of a removable bug net is that you can remove it and leave it at home when bugs are negligible. Considering the disadvantages of removable bug nets, however, this may not be worth your time.

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Rain Tarps – Shelter from the Water

The final component is a hammock rainfly/ tarp. Shelter from the rain is one of the many reasons why hikers are reluctant to shift away from tents. I’ll note a few things here to think about and avoid and then cover all you need to know about rain tarps.

Integrated rain fly, when attached to the suspension, loses tension when you lay in the hammock. Laying in the hammock pulls the two end attachment points closer together and thus causes tarp slack, allowing water in.

Instead, what you need is a nice lightweight rainfly with its own suspension cord. For this purpose, you can choose to use one of a number of materials.

Understanding the size of the tarp to go with is a bit trickier. If you’re a gram weenie you’ll probably want to save every ounce by picking a small size. I would urge you to avoid this in this case as a small tarp is a big pain in the butt.

Instead, go with a moderate to large size tarp and save yourself a lot of trouble. An extra ounce or two here will give you more room to get in and out of your hammock without getting soaked. It may also afford the room you need to cook underneath the tarp on a nasty weather day.

For those unconcerned about weight or cost, I’d go with a very generous-sized silpoly tarp from Underground Quilts. The weight will still be quite light and you’ll have tons of “elbow room” and no worries during driving rains.

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Camping Hammocks in Cold Weather

Winter hammock camping. Hammocks are highly susceptible to heat loss during winter and therefore struggle to compete with conventional shelters like tents for efficiency.

In order to survive the cold winter temps you’ll need a few critical things:

This doesn’t sound so bad, does it? Well, unfortunately, those thick warm quilts – even when made from good quality down – weigh quite a bit and take up a decent amount of space in the pack.

Plus, most wraparound 4-season tarps are nearly double the weight and bulk of minimalist summer tarps.

That said, even in a tent you’ll need bulkier, heavier gear for the winter. However, when the dust settles and we crunch the numbers, staying warm in a hammock takes more gear in the winter.

Remember that weight and bulk are not the final deciding factor in every case. If you enjoy hammock camping and want to keep on hanging right through the winter, there’s no reason to worry about crunching numbers.

For the gram weenies and ultralight purists among you, I would urge you to consider other shelter options for super lightweight winter camping.

On Underquilts and Top Quilts – Insulation

Chances are good that you’ve heard about these. They’re the hammock equivalent of a hiking sleeping bag. However, because of the lay of a hammock, using a sleeping bag won’t work. Traditional sleeping bags lose insulation value when used in a hammock due to the crushed loft.

That said, this article is primarily about camping hammocks so we won’t dig into the nitty-gritty details of quilts. I will arm you with a few tips though:

Buying a new underquilt and top quilt to match all the changes in outdoor temperature that you might experience throughout a backpacking season will cost thousands of dollars!

I would buy one warm underquilt for 3-season and a 20-degree top quilt plus a 40-degree top quilt to cover 90% of situations.

Of course, you’ll have to decide what’s best for you, your sleep preferences, the time of year, and your budget!

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The Best Hammocks for Backpacking: Reviewed

Let’s be clear – there are tons of camping hammocks out there. However, only a handful of them really measure up against the strict needs of backpackers and campers.

Top Backpacking Hammock- Hennessy Hammock Ultralite Backpacker

Specs

• Weight 1 lb 12 ounces (complete shelter system, rainfly, tarp)
• Hammock weight alone 23 ounces
• Load capacity 200 lbs

Hennessy made my very first (and still only) backpacking hammock. Meeting the manufacturer at Trail Days in Damascus, VA was my introduction to the then-budding phenomenon of backpacking hammocks.

• Popular cottage manufacturer
• Tons of aftermarket accessories
• Asymmetrical rainfly included

These guys know how to make a camping hammock. One of the design features you won’t find elsewhere is the “classic entry” model. With these, two overlapping layers of fabric on the bottom provide entry into the budget-protected hammock. This makes it lighter by removing the zipper.

Note: You can order the zipper model like I did if you prefer.

These gathered-end asymmetrical hammocks have an included lightweight rainfly. The current Hennessy Hammock model rainflys have their own independent suspension that prevents rainfly sag.

While the hammock and rainfly come in at about 2 pounds total, you can always tweak a Hennessy to your liking. There are many accessories and changes you can make to create the perfect backpacking sleep system for you with this platform!

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Best Hammock for Ultralight Backpackers– Dream Hammock Darien

Specs

• Weight and weight capacity depend on your customizations

If there were a single hammock that’s “the best” for everyone it would be the Darien from Dream. Seriously, this thing is loaded with features and options.

You can custom order almost every single detail including fabric, color, and options. The downside is you have to wait 6-9 weeks for delivery. Which is no good if you want to get started quickly!

This hammock is designed with an asymmetrical layout of the box. What you won’t get out of the box, however, is a tarp.

That’s okay though because most discerning backpackers using hammocks probably have their own tarp preferences anyway.

You can order this hammock ready with whoopie slings so there’s no tinkering necessary. I’d advise this method!

Plus, you can choose from 10’ hammock models or 11’ ones. The longer 11 Foot model will be a bit heavier but you’ll get a flatter lay and more room for taller sleepers.

Practically everything about this ultralight hammock can be customized. If you don’t see the options you want, just send them an email.

You’ll also be hard-pressed to find a lighter hammock at a lower price with all the features of the Darien. It’s notorious for being among the all-time top performers in the world of backpacking hammocks.

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Best Ultralight Hammock- Sea to Summit Ultra lightweight Single

Specs:

• Weight: 5.4 ounces (note this doesn’t include the rainfly, tarp, or straps)
• Load capacity: 300 lbs
• Packed Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 x 8.25 inches

If you want an ultralight camping hammock and don’t want to wait for Dream to make you one, then take a look at the Sea to Summit Ultra Lightweight Single Hammock.

Made from nylon 66 monofilament lightweight fabric in the US, they use the lightest parachute fabrics. What’s more, the guys at Sea to Summit have cracked the balance between packable and comfortable. An FAA-certified parachute rigger is responsible for the design, leaving out unnecessary hardware that adds weight.

Note that this does not come with a tarp, tree straps, or rainfly, so in order to use it, you’ll have to order those separately.

With a weight capacity rating of 300 lb, you can get the standard straps or the extra-long ones for those massive trees.

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Best Hammock for Budget/Beginners- Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro

Specs

• Weight 1 lb 13 ounces (includes bugnet but no tarp)
• Load capacity 400 lbs

I still remember getting started backpacking. This was a time in my life when inexpensive gear ruled my world by necessity. I spent hours searching for the most affordable version of the gear I needed. That’s why I made sure to include an option that can get you hammock camping on the cheap.

At this price, you might expect lower quality but that’s not the case here. While you lose some of the customization available from cottage industry manufacturers like Dream or Jacks R Better, that doesn’t mean a loss of quality.

This hammock holds a generous 400 pounds of user and gear weight. All that weight capacity comes in at about 1 lb 13 ounces of weight for the hammock and bug net combo. Keep in mind, however, you will have to go find your own rainfly.

If saving every single ounce isn’t that important to you and you don’t mind tinkering with your gear, you could save a pretty penny going this route!

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Best Couples Hammock– Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock

Specs

• Weight 19 ounces (doesn’t include straps, tarp or bugnet)
• Load capacity 400 lbs

With all my experience and research I’ve just never been able to find a double hammock that works really well for couples.

No matter how much you love your partner, hammocks just aren’t the place to share sleeping space.

A double always seems like a good idea, and some people love them. Enter the ENO doublenest.

This is a rugged hammock from a well-loved manufacturer that provides comfortable sleep if you insist on sleeping together.

If you want to get creative, you can still be close to one another and use your favorite single hammocks with a little inventiveness.

The Fuse system from ENO Outfitters provides a spreader bar that puts just enough space between two hammocks that you can both sleep comfortably yet shoulder to shoulder.

You’ll still need two hammocks, suspensions, tarp, and tree hugger straps.

That said, you can get away with one large rainfly to go over both. I’d order a custom-size large silpoly tarp from UnderGround Quilts to finish up this setup.

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Best Hammock Set– Kammok Mantis UL

Even if you don’t mind doing the research and trial and error associated with creating your own customized camping hammock, it’s hard to get it right.

Instead of mucking around with the details yourself, many of you are probably more inclined to buy a finished system. That’s what this is!

The Kammok mantis UL is almost a “hammock tent”, with a trail weight of less than 2 lbs, it’s adaptable to 4 season use with some insulation additions.

On top of that, you’re guaranteed that the hammock, tarp, and rain fly will all work well together. There’s no messing with adding or removing clips and toggles to make sure everything fits right.

Kammok is a small cottage industry manufacturer from the US and they know what they’re doing. It’s nice to see an easy-to-use option for those who want to get started quickly and without hassle.

VIEW AT KAMMOK VIEW AT REI

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Dream Hammock Sparrow – Best 4-Season Hammock

I have to admit that hammocks make unusual choices for winter shelters. Due to several technical factors, they’re very hard to keep warm during the winter.

Therefore most backpackers opt for more traditional winter shelters.

However, if you love hammock camping you can still get out there in the winter. You’ll need a 4-season hammock like the Dream Sparrow.

• One of few hammocks with overcover option
• Tons of customization options
• Whoopie Sling suspension option

• Takes 6 weeks to be delivered, made to order

If you don’t want to wait for this one to be made, try Kammok’s options, as they make systems suitable for winter use – you just need to add insulation in the form of a top quilt and underquilt.

When you order, make sure you get the net and overcover, or overcover only for winter use. This overcover provides an extra degree of warmth and wind protection on those icy nights.

You’ll also need a very generously warm underquilt. Before you’re finished buying your setup you’ll also need to walk away with a 4-season rainfly/tarp.

By the time you’re done, you’ll have everything you need to enjoy 4-season hammock camping.

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Wrapping Up

The world of hammock camping and backpacking is a whole new experience for many backpackers who are used to tents. It’s a fun new skill and hanging can add a breath of fresh air to the experience of enjoying the woods.

If you’re not prepared, it can be frustrating. There’s so much new gear to learn and understand! Plus you’ve got to figure out exactly what to get, where to buy it, and how much you want to spend.

And then you’ve got to figure out how to hang it and sleep in it. No wonder some people stick to tents.

After reading through this article you should be more than prepared to make an intelligent buying decision on your next backpacking hammock! I’ve tried to give you as much technical and personal guidance as I can based on my own seasons of sleeping above ground.

Remember that everyone has different needs and you may even pick different gear based on the time of year when you’re out and about. It’s always easiest to get started in the summer, so begin there and pick the best gear, from Yeti cooler alternatives to camping tables, you can enjoy getting out with your hammock in the enjoyable warm months!
Product images – Amazon.com

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Last update on 2025-04-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API