Best Camping Hammocks: Our 9 Top Picks Of 2023

Over the last decade or so, hammock camping’s popularity has skyrocketed. And for us dyed-in-the-wool hammockers, this comes as no surprise. Hammocks are lighter, more packable, and – for some – a darned sight more comfortable than your regular sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and tent setup. 

Whether you plan on using your hammock for thru-hiking, car camping, or lounging in the yard, our guide has you covered. It includes nine outstanding hammocks suitable for would-be hammockers of all shapes and sizes. And if you’re not sure which is best for you, our detailed buying advice is there to lend a hand.

Best Camping Hammocks Reviews

Camping Hammocks Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose

A lot more goes into the making of a good camping hammock than meets the eye. Below, we provide a detailed explanation of all the factors to consider when buying.

Intended Use

As with any outdoor gear, finding the right hammock for you depends on when, where, and how you plan to use it. 

Car Camper or Backpacker?

Many backpackers prefer hammocks over traditional sleep systems because lightweight or an ultralight hammock like the Hummingbird Single will allow them to shed a few ounces from their total pack weight, even if this means compromising on durability and spaciousness. 

If you’re a car camper, however, you can afford to throw weight considerations to the wind. In this case, heavier-duty and roomier hammocks like the ENO DoubleNest, ENO Skyloft, or Tentsile Connect become an option.

Solo Camper or Hammock-Camping Couple?

This one seems simple on the face of it, right? If you’re a solo camper, buy a one-person hammock. If you’re hammocking with your partner (or pooch), get a double hammock.

But it ain’t quite so straightforward. 

Let us explain…

If you’re a larger human, the dimensions and/or max load capacity of a single hammock might not cut the mustard (read: support your weight or accommodate your physique). In this case, a two-person model like the ENO DoubleNest or Kammok Roo Double will prove more comfortable (and be less likely to collapse while you’re catching your Zs!). 

Fair-Weather Camper or All-Weather Warrior?

The main drawback of hammock sleep systems, of course, is that they don’t provide the same level of waterproofing as a tent – for that you’ll have to rely on a well-hung tarp or invest in a rain fly.

When buying your hammock it’s wise to factor in the added cost and weight involved in adding a rain fly to your setup. Some of the camping hammocks on our list might seem like bargains at first, but once you’ve added the cost of a fly, this might no longer be the case. 

Some of the pricier options, likewise, might suddenly seem like a good deal when you discover they include a full suspension system and a rain fly, as is the case with the Hennessy Expedition Asym.  

All of the above, of course, depends on the conditions in which you tend to do your hammocking. In our experience, though, having a rainfly along for any overnight trip is never a bad thing, just in case conditions take a turn for the worse.  

Weight Capacity

The hammocks in our review have weight capacities ranging from 250 pounds (the Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym) to 500 pounds (the Kammok Roo Double). 

While choosing a suitable model simply comes down to matching the hammock with how much weight you plan on putting in there, there are a few observations worth making. 

First up, make sure you account for ALL of the weight you plan on putting in there. That means your body weight plus the weight of your quilt or sleeping bag, plus the weight of your clothes/pajamas/canine/cat/teddy bear. 

Secondly, be sure to leave a 10-20 pound buffer over and above the total weight calculated above. This is not only an act of “due diligence,” but will allow you to pile on a few pounds without having to fork out for a new “hang.”  

Dimensions

Depending on how tall you are, and how you tend to sleep, the dimensions of your hammock can have a significant bearing on how comfortable it will be. 

Ideally, you should be able to lie diagonally. This provides a flatter sleeping surface and helps avoid uncomfortable curvature of the spine and neck. For this, you’ll need a model that’s a minimum of two feet longer than your height, and at least 45 inches wide (48 if you’re over 6’ tall). 

Single vs Double Hammock Design

Design-wise, single and double hammocks are all but identical. With double, two-person hammocks, you simply get more space to accommodate a second sleeper and higher-tenacity materials that can handle a heavier load. 

As with single models, check the load capacity and ensure the hammock is at least two feet longer than the height of the tallest sleeper. 

Looking for more room? We recommend a model like the ENO Skyloft, which uses spreader bars that essentially expand the fabric at both ends to create a more rectangular shape, thus providing a wider sleeping area than with a gathered-end hammock, which tapers inward at the top and tail.

Suspension System: Hammock Straps & Ease of Setup

A hammock suspension system is simply the method used to tie and secure your hammock to a tree or stand. These are typically made up of nylon, polyester, or Dyneema straps and carabiners, though a few exceptions do exist.

Here, though, is the rub: not all hammocks include a suspension system, so be sure to factor this in when weighing up the options to ensure you get value for money.

On our list, the ENO Doublenest, Grand Trunk Ultralight, and Warbonnet Blackbird’s suspension systems are sold separately.

Different Suspension Systems

Most hammocks can work with different types of suspension system. However, many hammock brands sell proprietary suspension systems that are specific to their brand or even certain models, like the ENO Helios or ENO Sublink.

The type of suspension system you use might not seem like a big deal, but it can make a world of difference to setup time and general convenience. 

Daisy Chain Straps

Both user-friendly and convenient, these are the best hammock straps out there for beginners. To use them, all you have to do is loop one end of the strap around your anchor point, feed it through the loop of webbing on one end, then clip the strap to the end of your hammock with your ‘biner. 

To help you get the ideal 30º hang angle, daisy chain straps have multiple connection points (the links in the “chain”) per strap. This saves you from having to mess around with knots and makes tweaking your tensioning a breeze. 

The only real downside to daisy chains is that they tend to be much heavier than other types of straps. If you’re hammocking in wet weather, water can also run down the strap and into your sleeping area if the flat side of the strap is turned skyward. 

Our favorite chain straps for our hammock shelter system? The ENO Atlas.

Here’s how to use a daisy chain:

Whoopie Sling System

This is a popular suspension system among backpackers because it’s lightweight, packable, and easily adjustable.

Whoopies comprise a fairly easy-to-use loop and knot system. While they have a lower load capacity and aren’t as easy to set up as a daisy chain, they’re easy to adjust and far lighter. 

Our favorite whoopie? The Hanging High Whoopie Sling.

Here’s how a whoopie sling is used:

Buckle Suspension

These systems are ultralight and easy to set up but not as common as the other two suspension types. On the plus side, buckle systems usually require no knots and are easily adjusted. On the downside, they typically don’t hold as much weight as daisy chains.

Our favorite? The Warbonnet Outdoors Buckle Suspension System.

Here’s how they’re used:

Durability

Durability is key to getting value for money in any camping product. With camping hammocks, however, it can make the difference between hanging happily ever after or an unhappy nocturnal landing somewhere down the line. 

But how do you gauge durability?

This all depends on the type of fabric and the fabric denier rating. 

Let’s start with the denier rating. This refers to the thickness of the fibers in the fabric and is usually represented by a number followed by a solitary ‘D’, i.e. 20D, 70D, etc. The higher the denier rating, the thicker the diameter of the yarn. And the thicker the diameter of the yarn, the more durable and abrasion-resistant the fabric will be. 

The Eno Skyloft, which is made with 140D ripstop nylon, is by far the toughest hammock on our list. This is followed by the Sea to Summit Double Pro, Hennessy Expedition Asym, and ENO Doublenest, which are all made with 70D nylon. The Kammok Roo Double and Warbonnet Blackbird (both 40D) have the lowest denier rating. 

The other indicator of durability is the type of fabric used. Most models use either nylon, ripstop nylon, parachute silk, or polyester. 

Polyester

Polyester is easy to care for. It doesn’t absorb much water, so it’s very resistant to mold and dries quickly after getting wet. This makes it a good choice if you’ll be leaving it exposed to the elements.

There are, however, a few downsides to polyester. For starters, it’s oleophilic. This means it absorbs oil, including – you guessed it – the oil from your skin. Over time, therefore, polyester camping hammocks may get a bit stinky, less breathable, and the colors might begin to fade. Polyester also isn’t as tough as nylon, so it’s not the best bet for backcountry adventuring. 

Nylon

Nylon is the most popular material used in bona fide camping or backpacking hammocks (as opposed to yard or beach hammocks). The reasons for this are simple. It’s durable, lightweight, relatively breathable, and more rip-resistant than other fabrics.

The only real downsides to nylon are that it absorbs more water than polyester (and so takes longer to dry out), and is typically pricier than other fabrics.

Ripstop Nylon

Nylon-made fabrics are often reinforced using a special weaving technique that earns them the designation “ripstop.” This technique involves weaving additional fibers through the original fibers to add strength and create resistance to rips and tears. Ripstop fabrics are easily distinguished by the diamond pattern of the weave.

On our list, the following hammocks are made with ripstop nylon: Sea to Summit Pro Hammock, ENO Skyloft, and Hummingbird Single.

Parachute Silk

This is a variety of nylon that’s made with extra-thin threads and is especially soft to the touch.  It weighs less and dries quicker than standard nylon, so it’s a good choice for backcountry hammockers. The only hammock on our list made with parachute nylon is the Grand Trunk Ultralight.

Need extra strength? If so, you might want to consider a double-layer hammock. As the name suggests, double-layer hammocks are those that use two layers of fabric instead of one. While this adds to the weight, it increases load capacity and rip resistance. Although there are no double-layer hammocks on our list, the Warbonnet Blackbird is available in a two-layer version.

Packed Size & Weight

End-use is the critical factor to consider when deciding how light and packable or heavy and bulky you’re willing or need to go.

For garden hangs or afternoons at the park, you can probably afford to opt for a heavier and bulkier model. This begs the question: why would you want to? Well, heavier models tend to offer more comfort than their lighter counterparts courtesy of using thicker materials and having more spacious dimensions, which makes them more conducive to a satisfying snooze.

When backpacking, however, every ounce counts, so getting as much fabric per ounce of packed weight is often the name of the game, as long as this doesn’t mean compromising on durability. 

The lightest hammock on our list? Take a bow, the Hummingbird Single. The HS isn’t only ultralight, but is made with tough, ripstop nylon fabric and has an impressive 300-pound load capacity.

The heaviest? The Hennessy Expedition Asym (47 oz.), though it’s worth noting that this comes with an integrated bug net, rain fly, and suspension system.  The heaviest without suspension and other accessories is the ENO Skyloft, which weighs a whopping 45.8 oz.

Best Hammock Camping Accessories

Rain Tarp

A hammock alone, of course, isn’t going to provide enough weather protection to keep you dry in wet conditions. For that, you’ll need a complete hammock shelter system with a waterproof tarp to hang over your airborne bed. For these, check out our guide to the best hammock tarp or opt for a model like the HH Expedition Asym, which has a rainfly included.

Other brands sell rain flys separately, as with the S2S Profly Rain Tarp and the ENO Sublink Shelter System.

Unsure how to hang a tarp? No problem! All is explained in our step-by-step guide on hammocking tarp setup. 

Bug Net

Integrated or not? 

While bug nets might be deemed indispensable for hammocking in buggy locations, we feel that integrated models are less versatile than the detachable kind. The reason? In short, a detachable bug net can be discarded in bug-free locations, saving you a little pack space and weight. An integrated bug net, however, is there for good times and bad, for better or worse…

As with suspension systems and rain tarps, bug nets often need to be purchased separately. If this is the case, we recommend buying the compatible bug net for the specific make and model. 

These will be a better fit and doing so will preclude buying a net that either leaves gaps for airborne biters to sneak in while you sleep or is too large and sags over your body, thereby making it easy for bugs to bite where the net comes into contact with your skin. 

In our review, only the Hennessy Expedition Asym and Warbonnet Blackbird come with bug nets. 

If your system doesn’t have a model-specific bug net available from the brand, our favorite is the Kammok Dragonfly, which provides 360° protection, is large enough to cover even the biggest hammocks, and hangs from a ridgeline to prevent sagging. For other options, check out our guide to the best hammock bug net. 

Underquilt or Sleeping Pad?

Many newbie hammockers wonder why underside insulation is necessary. Our bodies, after all, aren’t in contact with the cold ground, as is the case when tent camping. And we have our sleeping bag, too…

The problem lies in the fact that sleeping bags rely on ‘loft’ for insulation. When compressed against the fabric of our hammocks by the weight of our body our sleeping bag’s loft is all but nullified, leaving our undersides exposed to cold air.

To get around this problem, we have two options: an underquilt or a sleeping pad. 

Underquilts are designed to attach to the underside of hammocks, thus creating a layer of insulation that won’t be compressed by your body weight. With a good underquilt, winter camping or backpacking adventures in your hammock become doable in the lower 48. They are, however, invariably pricey.

Our favorite underquilts are the Enlightened Equipment Revolt or ENO Blaze. For more on these and other options, check out our comprehensive guide to the best underquilts.

Regular sleeping pads aren’t designed to fit inside hammocks, but a few hammocking-specific sleeping pad models are now available for those who want to avoid the expense of an underquilt. You’ll find 7 of these in our guide to the best sleeping pad for hammocks. Spoiler alert: our favorite sleeping pad is the Klymit V.

Hammocking Stand

No trees? No problem! Hammocking stands are a handy way to ensure you can hang your hammock no matter where you take it. While way too heavy and unwieldy for backcountry camping or backpacking, for car camping, beach hammocking, or garden hacks, they’re frickin’ ideal. 

Our favorites? The Kammok Swiftlet and the ENO SoloPod Stand. For a more affordable option, check out the Sunnydaze Portable Stand. 

Best Hammocks for Camping: The Verdict

Hammock camping is a great way to take your camping game to, literally, a whole new level…but only, of course, if you have the right hammock camping gear. We hope the above article has helped you pin down what the “right” kinda kit looks like and steered you in the direction of the perfect camping hammock for your needs.

The best all-rounder? The tough, tried, and true Warbonnet Blackbird.

The best for occasional hammockers? The affordable but fully functional Grand Trunk Ultralight.

And the best for buyers who want the most luxurious hammock sleeping experience? The Eno Skyloft, whose spreader bars and soft fabric allow it to deliver cloud-like comfort.  

So, how did you like our article? If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the box below. And if you’d like to share this post with your friends, share away!