Love chilling around the campsite after a long day on the trail? Hate sitting on the ground and on uncomfortable chairs? Or maybe you’re bored of sleeping in a tent and you’re looking for something to spruce up your next camping trip? Either way, it sounds like you might be in need of a camping hammock!
Hammocks are a great addition to any campsite. They’re way more comfortable than camping chairs and make for fun little hang-out spots around camp. What’s more, some hammocks act as your primary shelter, so you don’t need to take a tent at all and you can experience the joy of waking up in the trees.
At A Glance: Our Top 3 Camping Hammocks
There are tonnes of hammocks out there to suit every camper, and finding the best ones can be a daunting task. To save you some time, we’ve brought you a range of the best ones currently on the market so that you can find the one that’s right for you – enjoy!
Top Pick
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Best Allrounder
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Best Budget
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We’re starting our list of the best camping hammocks off strong with the Hennessy Hammock Expedition Zip.
This one-person hammock has been constructed from no-see-um mesh, 70D ripstop polyester, and 70D high-density (bug-resistant) nylon, giving it a high-quality feel from top to bottom. The rainfly has a waterproof rating of 2000mm HH and the included ropes are 6x stronger than needed for the weight capacity, so you can rest assured that they won’t let you down.
It’s also one of the most carefully designed hammocks we’ve come across. Its unique asymmetrical shape provides fantastic support for the back and knees, which is perfect for when you’ve been out on the trail all day. On top of that, you’ll be able to find the same comfortable hanging spot night after night thanks to the structured ridgeline.
Furthermore, it features a zippered side entry (and robust YKK zippers), which makes it super easy to get your bedding in and out. Alternatively, there’s also a model available with a bottom entry that snaps open and closed in seconds thanks to Velcro fasteners, so those pesky bugs won’t have time to follow you inside.
It also has tonnes of homey touches that we love, such as a mesh gear loft that slides along the ridgeline so you can get your positioning just right, glove hooks, carabiner loops, and webbing for extra organization.
The high-quality materials and extra touches have added to the weight somewhat, and this definitely isn’t the lightest hammock we’ve come across, but at least it packs up nice and small. It also takes a little longer than some other models to set up, but it’s totally worth it for the awesome asymmetrical design.
Overall, this is one reliable tent with some great extra touches that really do make it feel like a home away from home.
Is it a hammock or is it a tent? Actually, it’s both! The Lawson Hammock Tent is one incredibly versatile bit of camping gear that can be hung as a hammock or pitched as a tent – perfect for those times when you just can’t find the right branches.
We absolutely love the spreader bar and arch pole system that flattens the base of the hammock, keeping it nice and flat stopping the dreaded U-shape from forming.
The removable, waterproof rainfly will keep you dry when the bad weather hits, yet on dry nights you can gaze at the stars safe in the knowledge that the no-see-um mesh will keep you protected from bugs. Alternatively, if you fancy reading yourself to sleep, you can string up some lanterns on the ceiling O-rings, and the dual internal pockets are great for essential items you want to keep close.
At 4.25 lbs, it’s definitely on the heavy side, but this does include the rainfly and stuff sack, as well as the poles (and is way lighter than carrying a tent AND a hammock). Similarly, it costs more than your average hammock… but it’s not your average hammock is it, it’s also a tent. Sadly, the hanging straps aren’t included, but at least they don’t cost much.
Overall, this tent-hammock combo is super durable, has some nice homey touches, and offers great value for money.
If you’re looking for a comfy hammock for two to brighten up your campsite, but you don’t want to spend a fortune, then you should definitely check out the Wise Owl Outfitters Double Hammock.
This is an extremely popular double hammock, and it’s easy to see why. Constructed from 210T parachute nylon, this hammock is as comfy as it is strong, so you can kick back and relax as you hang in the trees.
It’s also incredibly lightweight for a double, weighing less than 2 lbs, even when you include the straps and carabiners (which are also included in the price, yay). What’s more, it compresses nicely, and you can pack it down to a bundle roughly the size of an eggplant.
Its super portable nature makes it great for backpacking adventures, and you can even tie the stuff sack to the outside of your bag if you really want to save space.
Set up is super simple too, and you won’t have to tie any knots – just make use of one of the 5 loops provided on the lengthy straps. Plus, the stuff sack is actually attached to the hammock and doubles up as a useful pocket once assembled.
This hammock doesn’t come with a mesh screen or rainfly to protect you from the outside world, so if you’ll be using this hammock in place of a tent you might want to pick those up separately. However, if you’re after a hommock to chill around your camp in, and don’t want to shell out for unnecessary protection, then this hammock is a fantastic shout – oh, and it comes in heaps of colors too.
If you like the sound of the Wise Owl hammock, but it just isn’t portable enough for you, then fear not, the ENO DoubleNest Hammock has you covered.
Weighing in at just over one pound, yet accommodating two people, this really is one ultra-lightweight hammock for two. On top of that, it folds down to about half the size of the Wise Owl hammock into a tiny 5 x5 inch bundle – you can pop it in your pack and barely know it’s there. Plus, the stuff sack doubles up as a pocket, further keeping the weight down.
The nylon used is durable and fast-drying (which is great, seeing as there’s no rainfly included) and, combined with the sturdy line and carabiners, can support a weight of up to 400 lbs. There’s no bug protection either, so you’ll need somewhere else to hide if the bugs come out.
It comes in an impressive array of colors (you’ll definitely be able to find one you like), making it a great option for outdoor celebrations and festivals as well as camping trips. One thing to note, however, is that the hammock straps aren’t included, so you’ll have to pick those up separately.
It will set you back more than the Wise Owl hammock but, if you’re heading out on backcountry adventures, and portability is the name of the game, then it’s probably worth the extra pennies.
If you’re after a super simple and very economical solo hammock, then the Forbidden Road Parachute Hammock might be just what you’re looking for.
The no-frills approach taken towards the design of this hammock has helped to keep both the cost and the weight down. The price includes the hammock, ropes, and carabiners, but you’ll have to pick up the hammock straps separately.
This hammock may be designed for one, but you’ll be able to fit some gear in there too thanks to the high weight capacity of 400 lbs. This makes this a great hammock for overnighting in, but you might want to invest in some kind of tarp to go over the top in case of bad weather.
One thing to bear in mind is that the manufacturer suggests not elevating this hammock more than 50cm above the ground. You’ll still be raised off the hard, cold ground, but you might not get the full-on ‘tree factor’ you were expecting.
The stuff sack doubles up as a handy storage pouch, and this hammock is incredibly easy to set up. If you’re new to the world of outdoor hammocks and want to test the water, then this is a great entry-level hammock that won’t break the bank.
Tentsile is known for manufacturing fantastic tree tents, so it makes sense that their hammocks are awesome too. The Tentsile T Mini 2-Person Hammock is an awesome 2-person hammock in its own right, but it can also be teamed up with Tensile tents to form multi-story tree camps – how cool is that?
The hammock is hung via a novel 3-point anchor system that ensures the base stays flat and supportive – no banana shapes, phew. Plus, we absolutely love the anti-roll strap system that acts to prevent campers from rolling into one another in the night, so you can be sure of a good night’s sleep.
The underfloor mesh storage pouch and hanging pocket are great places to stash your gear and save precious sleeping space – but bear in mind that there’s no bug or rain protection included.
The high-quality fabric ratchets, and straps mean that this isn’t the lightest (or cheapest) option out there, and we wouldn’t recommend it for backpacking adventures. However, if you want something exceptionally well-designed that will last you a while, then it’s definitely worth those extra pounds (and dollars).
The dreaded banana shape puts many people off spending the night in a hammock, but it can be quite comfortable as a hang-out position, and it’s definitely more sociable around the campsite as it lets you sit up and see who you’re talking to.
The ENO Skyloft Hammock is one of our favorite hammocks because it features dual modes – one for relaxing and one for sleeping, what a winner. When in sleep mode, the spreader ensures a taut base that lets both your head and feet recline, yet the relax mode gives that classic U-shape so you can keep an eye on the camp.
It’s not the lightest hammock out there, but we do like that the stuff sack doubles up as a pillow, so at least you don’t have to pack one of those. There are also dual storage pockets for your gear to save your sleeping space and the 140D ripstop nylon and DAC aluminum poles can handle some bumps and scrapes.
The packed dimensions could be a little smaller too, so it’s probably not the best for backpacking adventures. But, if your looking for a versatile hammock that’s as well suited to chilling as it is to sleeping, then this could be the one for you.
Last, but by no means least, on our list of the best camping hammocks around is the Kootek L Camping Hammock – a great budget option for couples who like that bit more wiggle space.
This hammock has a great weight capacity of 500 lbs thanks to its durable fabric and super sturdy tree straps (which have tonnes of loops and come included, yay). As well as being super robust, the parachute nylon is also soft to the touch, helping you to get a good night’s rest. Although the carabiners will do the trick, they don’t seem to be as high-quality as the rest of the materials used.
On top of its large dimensions, the stuff sack doubles up as a storage pocket to free up even more space, and we like the drawstring design of the sack that makes it easy to attach to the outside of your pack when packing space is an issue.
In its most basic form, this hammock provides no bug or rain protection. However, we love that there are bundles available that include mosquito nets if you know you’re going to a bug-prone area.
So, there you have it, the best camping hammocks around. In case you’re still not sure which one is right for you, here are a few things to think about before you buy one:
Whether you’ll be sleeping in your hammock or just hanging out in it will make a big difference to the hammock you go for. Shelters generally need rain and bug protection but, if you find your perfect hammock but it’s missing these features, don’t forget you can pick up rain flies and bug screens separately (but it will add to the overall cost).
Gain, this comes down to the shelter or seat issues. For hanging out, a U-shape is probably a better option, as you can sit up and talk to your fellow campers on the ground. For sleeping, however, most people despise the U-shape and want a nice taut base.
There’s more to the cost of a hammock than meets the eye… are the hammock straps included? Will you need to purchase a rainfly separately? Are the carabiners likely to pack in on you and need replacing? All these factors can contribute to the overall price, so don’t rush into the first budget option that you find.
Still struggling to decide which camping hammock is right for you? Here are our top three to help you decide:
For couples on the hunt for a bargain, we definitely recommend the Wise Owl Outfitters Double Hammock. It’s exceptionally well-priced for a double, and the hammock straps come included so you won’t have to shell out extra for those.
On top of that, you’re getting a comfortable, durable hammock that is super easy to set up and is available in tonnes of colors – what more could you ask for at this price?
How could our best allround hammock not be the Lawson Hammock Tent with its dual tent and hammock functionality? Whether you’re on the ground or hung from a tree, you’ll sleep well in this thanks to the waterproof rainfly and mesh bug protection.
The spreaders ensure a taut base when hung, and there are O-rings and pockets to make you feel at home, what a winner
But what’s our top pick? It has to be the Hennessy Hammock Expedition Zip. This hammock has been incredibly well designed – we just can’t get enough of its 3-point anchor system that provides a flat base and the anti-roll straps to stop you bumping into your fellow camper in the night.
With water and bug protection too, plus great organizational features, we wouldn’t be surprised if you never slept in a tent again.
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