Ultralight setups built for trail nights, not the backyard
Every ounce and cubic inch in your pack counts on the trail. Here's how the top 2026 picks compare on pack weight, packed size, and included features for backpackers.
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Quick answer: Our top pick for camping hammocks for backpacking is the Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe (Best Overall for Backpacking). If you're looking for lightest setup, the ENO SingleNest Hammock is a strong alternative.
A backyard hammock just needs to be comfortable. A backpacking hammock also needs to be light, small enough to disappear into a pack, and ideally bundle in the extras -- bug protection and rain cover -- that a car camper can just toss in separately. That's the real split between the picks above: some are purpose-built trail systems with everything integrated, others are general-purpose hammocks that work fine for backpacking once you add straps, a net, or a tarp yourself.
Total system weight is the number that matters, not just the hammock's weight on its own. A hammock that weighs a pound less than another can still lose that advantage once you add a separately-purchased bug net, rainfly, and straps -- which is why an all-in-one design like the Explorer Deluxe often ends up lighter in practice than it looks on paper.
If you're not ready to invest in a dedicated ultralight setup, a budget double hammock with included straps still gets you off the ground for a trial run. Just know you're trading pack weight and space for the lower price, and can always upgrade to a lighter, more integrated setup once you know hammock camping is for you.
| Product | Best For | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe | Best Overall for Backpacking | $140 - $170 | 4.6/5 |
| ENO SingleNest Hammock | Lightest Setup | $50 - $65 | 4.6/5 |
| Wise Owl Outfitters Double Camping Hammock | Best Value for Backpacking | $20 - $30 | 4.5/5 |
| ENO DoubleNest Hammock | Best for Backpacking Pairs | $60 - $75 | 4.7/5 |
Built specifically for the trail, with an integrated bottom-entry bug net and rainfly already attached, so there's nothing extra to pack separately. The full setup weighs under 3 lbs and sleeps nearly flat on the diagonal.
The lightest, most packable option here for a solo backpacker willing to add their own bug net and tarp separately, sized to fit one person without the extra fabric weight of a double.
Ships with tree straps and carabiners already included, so a first backpacking trip doesn't require buying suspension gear separately. It's heavier than a dedicated ultralight hammock, but the low price and included straps make it an easy way to try trail hammocking.
Still packs down to about the size of a loaf of bread despite the extra width, making it a reasonable backpacking option for two people sharing a shelter or a solo backpacker who wants more room to lie flat on the diagonal.
Total system weight is what matters, not just the hammock's weight on its own -- a hammock that weighs a pound less than another can still lose that advantage once you add a separately-purchased bug net, rainfly, and straps. An all-in-one design like the Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe often ends up lighter in practice than it looks on paper for exactly this reason.
It varies -- the Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe integrates a bottom-entry bug net and rainfly directly into the hammock body, one less item to pack and pitch. The ENO SingleNest, by contrast, is the lightest single option here but doesn't include either, so you'd need to buy them separately for a full trail-ready setup.
No -- check specifically before buying. The Wise Owl Outfitters Double ships with tree straps and carabiners included, while the lighter, more dedicated ENO DoubleNest sells suspension straps separately, which adds to the total cost and pack weight once you factor them in.
The Wise Owl Outfitters Double is a reasonable way to try backpacking with a hammock -- it's heavier than a dedicated ultralight hammock, but included straps and a low price mean you're not investing heavily before knowing if hammock camping is for you. You can upgrade to a lighter, more integrated setup later.
Yes -- a hammock that's light but bulky can still eat up pack space you need for other gear, so compressed size is worth checking alongside the weight on the spec sheet. The ENO DoubleNest packs down to about the size of a loaf of bread despite its double width, which matters for pack space even though it's not the lightest option.