Best Camping Hammock, and Reliable Gear You'll Absolutely Love

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Are you one of those people that think that hammocks are such a goner? Well, think again! Yes, it is a bit of a lost art, but hammocks are and always have been the best way to enjoy a good night’s sleep after a long day trekking along the most adventurous trails in the world. As long as you have trees around the campsite, you have nothing to worry about especially if you like to keep your feet and body off the ground for a few hours every day. If you are still sitting on the fence unable to decide which gear to choose between a tent and a hammock, all you need to do is think outside the box for a little, except this time you would be thinking outside the tent so to speak.

If you are like most people, you will instantly thin of a tent when you hear the word camping. Yes, it is the universal symbol for camping, but a tent may not stand a chance against a hammock in terms of comfort and versatility. You really haven’t enjoyed a night out in the woods until you have slept in one of these things. Ok, ok, depending on your normal sleeping postures it might be a few nights before you can adjust really start to enjoy the full benefits of a hammock. But sure, it could as well be love at first one night stand for you too just like for thousands of camping enthusiasts from around the globe.

Types of hammocks you can choose from

First of all, you should know that hammocks are way more than just an alternative for tents during a camping trip. They are a blessing for anyone anywhere who loves to catch a great nap outside by day or by night. You can as well have one in your backyard. So while choosing a hammock for camping, it is important to make sure you are choosing the right type. It is true then that not all hammocks are created equal. There are many styles, fabrics, as well as design and construction all of which affect the ease of setup, the way you interact with your hammock and your overall comfort and safety while sleeping in it. Below are some common types of hammocks you should know about.

1. The Brazilian hammock
2. The Nicaraguan hammock
3. The Mayan hammock
4. The Venezuelan hammock
5. The Spreader bar hammock
6. The travel hammock
7. The hammock chair

Tip: you are interested in the travel hammock if camping is what you need a hammock for.

First, some hammocks come with a spreader bar and those that do not. The bar serves to flatten the surface and is only ideal for use by the poolside or someplace else where you are not actually spending the night. This kind is associated with most of the hammock woes like suddenly flipping over and falling if you make a wrong turn in your sleep. These are not camping hammock and should not come with on your camping trip. What you want is the kind that does not have this bar because it gives you one cozy hug until dawn. You certainly want to sacrifice the flat smooth appearance for the comfort and lower risk of falling and screaming in horror in the night.

Second, there are rope hammocks and fabric hammocks. These two are made for different climates. If it is really chilly out there, the fabric hammock is your best choice of a camping hammock while for warmer climates you might want to go with the rope hammock. The rope hammocks roasted in the past for their unique ability to print crisscross patterns on your body when by the time you wake. If this makes you uncomfortable like with most people, you should probably choose a lighter fabric but still go with fabrics even with warmer climates.

Why you will absolutely love hammocks

• You get to avoid the uncomfortable hard ground. There are a certain beauty and convenience in being able to live off the ground. It almost feels as though you are elevated to another level. Moreover, you get to avoid pressing against a hard uneven ground with say, a rock or root of a tree emerging from beneath your tent.

• Easy setup When compared to the difficulty of setting up a tent, the hammock has it. A hammock is fairly easy to setup you should be able to figure it out on your own even as a beginner. It also takes considerably less time and effort, so you will be relaxing while others labor to make sure their tents do not end up taking flight by night.

• Versatile While tents are mostly just for camping grounds, if you want to buy something you can use in different ways, then the hammock might be what you are looking for. As earlier stated, hammocks are versatile in their uses in that you can use one in your backyard or poolside just as well as you could use one while out camping. Depending on your intentions when buying, you can buy one with a stand for use in different ways.

• Much more compact construction compare to tents. Compare to tents and all the necessary pieces for the setup to work; the hammock is generally more compact in design. You can easily carry it on your back with room for more stuff. Also, when you set up your hammock in the wild, it require less space compare to a tent so assuming that space is a big deal, you should have no problem with using hammocks.

• Experience more of the nature around you. Let’s be honest, a tent feels more like the indoors than the outdoors. You could say it’s a smaller portable house in the wild. Hammocks, on the other hand, are the true outdoors by definition. In one of these, you are actually more of outdoors than indoors, and you get to experience more of the nature around you without the annoying and harmful elements interfering with your rest.

• You can choose from a variety of components to customize your hammock. With hammocks, you are spoilt for choice with the types of material and constructions to go with as well as other add-ons that will help customize your sleeping in the wild experience. For instance, you can add nets to keep away mosquitoes and bugs while you sleep.

• You can camp on inclined ground near the water or nearly any place. Unlike camping with tents, with a hammock you can camp virtually anywhere on condition that there are trees strong enough to bear your weight or you carry a stand with. This will work to your advantage if you find that the ground on the camping grounds slightly inclined. You do not have to compete for the flat spots because you hammock will auto-adjust to level. Sleeping on the inclined ground can be might uncomfortable as you feel gravity’s pull disturbing you all night.

• You can use bug nets and quilters to keep away the elements. Being able to sleep well in the wild requires far more than just a simple wind shelter. Mosquitos and bugs can also be a nuisance in addition to the elements. With hammocks, you can always keep out the unwelcome visitors with nets quilts permitting comfortable sleep all through the night.

• Hammocks will be cheaper than tents. If you make a fair comparison of a tent n hammock of comparable weight and level of comfort, the tent is always going to cost you more. So if cost is a factor for you, as it should because you deserve the best value for your money, then the hammock has it again.

What is not so lovable about using hammocks?

• Takes time to adjust to the sleep posture for some people. It may take a while for you to adjust to your new hammock and be able to sleep comfortably in it. For some people tough, it can be easier to get used to sleeping in hammocks than others. That said, some people sleep in one of these every single night.

• With too many components it can be heavier to carry. If your setup requires a stand and several other add-ons, the overall weight can sometimes exceed that of the tents option.

• In extreme weather, you may need more gear to sleep comfortably. If the weather is freezing, you may need more gear that you would normally require to sleep in a tent. This can be a disadvantage when it comes to the overall weight of the structure particularly if you have to carry it on your person for longer treks.

• No trees no hammocking If you are traveling to the alpine zones, you might want to stick to your tent. Unless of course, you can bring a stand with, this would be tedious and hectic.

• Just one occupant, please Unless you have too, sharing a hammock with another person might be pretty uncomfortable. There are hammocks built as double units, but that does not necessarily mean they are meant for two people to spend the whole night in them.

• No, your dog cannot come with you into the cloud. Perhaps to your disappointment if you always bring your K9 friend on all your camping trips, hammocks are not pet-friendly. If you do mind them sleeping out on the ground, then you might want to carry a tent with for their sake.

Picking The Best Hammock for You

You can get it wrong when buying a hammock just as with tents or basically anything that adds value to your life. As earlier stated, there are many types and uses of hammocks, and the question you should have at the back of your mind should be how you intend to use the hammock. Below ae some factor to consider when choosing the best hammock for camping.

• Your height: If you are taller than average, then you might want to go with a longer hammock to achieve a flatter lay, and if you are plus sized, then a double hammock would be in order. In short, the most important specifications are your overall dimensions followed by your weight.

• Your tarp size and mosquito net: Another important factor to consider is your tarp size and mosquito net length to keep out mosquitos any other bugs from entering your private air space in the night.

• Your weight: Hammocks are built to withstand a certain weight on maximum depending on their material and construction design. It is always better to buy more that you need as this will mean less wear and tear for the hammock under your weight.

• The weather: The weather your camping destination is another big factor that should influence your choice of the best camping hammock. If it is extremely then, you want to go with a fabric one while for warmer climates you are just ok with a rope hammock. Also, the amount of add-on gear you will need depends largely on where it is you are going and what the weather there is like. Mind you a hammock leaves you more exposed to the elements and can be uncomfortable if you have insufficient insulation to keep you warm.

• Your tarp size: You certainly do not want to spend the night in a wet hammock, so you better get this right. You need to ensure that if there is bad weather, water does not get in. If your hammock is much longer than your rainfly, then there is a real danger of water weeping into your hammock while you sleep.

Finally, while you take out your new camping hammock and gear for a test drive, you should remember that as always, safety first. Ensure you pick your spot wisely choosing only trees that are strong enough to bear you weigh and ground that is not hazardous. So just because you have one of these cool hammocks doesn’t warrant you setting up camp on a cliff. Camping among trees is dangerous, and you should set up camp under the supervision of adults with experience in camping using hammocks.

Hammocks for Camping Compared

Picture	Hammock	Packed Weight	Size	Packed Size	Storage	Max Weight	Special Features	Price
	Hennessy Explorer Ultralight Asym Zip	36 oz / 1020 g	11’ x 4’11”	8” x 10”	Detached Stuff Sack	250 lbs / 113 kg	Attached mosquito net and detachable rain fly	$$$$$
	ENO Doublenest	19 oz / 539 g	9’4” x 6’2”	4” x 5”	Attached Stuff Sack	400 lbs / 181 kg	None	$$
	Hammock Bliss Double	22oz / 624g	9’10” x 6’8”	5” x 7.5”	Attached Stuff Sack	350lbs / 159kg	None	$$
	Grand Trunk Single	16oz / 454g	10’6” x 5’	4” x 7”	Attached Stuff Sack	400lbs / 181kg	None	$$
	Grand Trunk Double	20oz / 567g	10’6” x 6’6”	5” x 8”	Attached Stuff Sack	400lbs / 181kg	None	$$
	Kammock Roo	24oz / 680g	10’ x 5’7”	5” x 6”	Attached Stuff Sack	500lbs / 227kg	None	$$$
	Grand Trunk Nano	7oz / 198g	9’ x 4’	3.5” x 5”	Attached Stuff Sack	300lbs / 136kg	None	$$
	Warbonnet Blackbird	31oz / 878g	10’6” x 5’3”	7.5” x 12”	Detached Stuff Sack	250lbs / 113kg	Attached mosquito net, shelf and footbox	$$$$
	Jacks ‘R’ Better Bear Mountain Bridge	39oz / 1106g	11’ x 4’4”	5” x 10”	Attached Stuff Sack	250lbs / 113kg	Bridge style hammock with attached bug net	$$$$
	Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro	35oz / 992g	10’6” x 5’	6.5” x 11”	Attached Stuff Sack	400lbs / 181kg	Attached bug net	$$
	Lawson Hammock Blue Ridge	60oz / 1700g	9’.5” x 4’2”	8” x 16”	Attached Stuff Sack	300lbs / 136kg	Bridge style hammock with attached bug net, tarp and storage pockets	$$$$$$$$$
	Hummingbird Hammocks Single+	7.6oz / 210g	9’8” x 5’3”	6” x 4”	Attached Stuff Sack	350lbs / 158kg	None	$$
	Hummingbird Hammocks Double	10.2oz / 289g	9’8” x 7’1”	8” x 5”	Attached Stuff Sack	400lbs / 181kg	None	$$