camping hammocks buying guide

Find your spot between two trees

Skip the ground, string up a hammock instead

Based on current 2026 reviews, we compare weight, packed size, and weather resistance across the top camping hammocks — from ultralight backpacking setups to backyard double hammocks.

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Quick answer: Our top pick for camping hammocks is the ENO DoubleNest Hammock (Best Overall). If you're looking for best budget, the Wise Owl Outfitters Double Camping Hammock is a strong alternative.

Why a hammock beats a sleeping pad for a lot of trips

Reviewed by the TreeHangout team · last updated 2026-08-23

A tent puts you on whatever the ground happens to be doing that night — roots, rocks, slope, puddles. A hammock skips all of that: two trees and a strap kit, and you're off the ground and level in under five minutes. For three-season trips in wooded terrain, that trade-off wins over a lot of campers who never go back to a pad.

The market splits into a few clear tiers: ultralight backpacking hammocks built from single-layer ripstop nylon that pack down to the size of a grapefruit; general-purpose double hammocks with room for two or one person plus gear, aimed at car camping and backyard use; and budget single-layer hammocks that cover the basics without the reinforced stitching or included suspension of pricier sets. Below, we compare five well-reviewed 2026 models across exactly that trade-off.

Worth knowing before you buy: a hammock alone doesn't insulate you from below the way a pad does, so cold-weather trips usually call for an underquilt or a foam pad inside the hammock. For summer and shoulder-season camping in wooded campsites, most of the models below work straight out of the bag.

Weight capacity and fabric

Most double hammocks handle 400-500 lbs, plenty for one camper plus gear or two people sitting up. Ripstop nylon resists tears better than plain nylon if you're setting up near rough bark or rocky ground.

Packed size and weight

For backpacking, look at packed size and total weight including straps — some hammocks pack smaller than a water bottle, while double car-camping hammocks can weigh over two pounds before straps.

Included suspension straps

Tree-friendly straps aren't always included. Cheaper hammocks often ship with thin cord that can damage bark, so check whether wide daisy-chain straps come in the box or need to be bought separately.

Single-layer vs. double-layer

Double-layer hammocks let you slide a sleeping pad between the layers for ground-level insulation, which single-layer designs can't do without an external underquilt.

Bug net and rainfly: built-in or add-on?

None of the hammocks above ship with an integrated bug net or rainfly -- they're bare hammock bodies, which keeps price and pack weight down but leaves you exposed at dawn/dusk or in rain. If you're camping somewhere buggy or wet, budget for a separate bug net (clips onto most standard hammocks) and a rectangular or hexagonal rainfly sized to fully cover the hammock body, rather than assuming protection is included.

Ridgeline: built-in or add-on?

A ridgeline is a length of cord or webbing strung above the hammock body between the same two anchor points as the suspension straps. It's not about holding you up -- the straps do that -- it's about repeatability and comfort: a ridgeline locks in the same amount of sag every time you hang the hammock, instead of you re-eyeballing the tension on each side by hand. It also gives you a place to clip a bug net or a small gear line without adding load to the hammock fabric itself. Some hammocks (including asymmetrical backpacking designs) ship with one built in; on hammocks that don't, an aftermarket ridgeline is a cheap, lightweight add-on worth budgeting for.

Product Best For Price Rating
ENO DoubleNest Hammock Best Overall $60 - $75 4.7/5
Wise Owl Outfitters Double Camping Hammock Best Budget $20 - $30 4.5/5
Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe Best for Backpacking $140 - $170 4.6/5
ENO SingleNest Hammock Best for Solo Camping $50 - $65 4.6/5
Kammok Roo Double Camping Hammock Best Premium $100 - $120 4.7/5
Best Overall

ENO DoubleNest Hammock

4.7

A diamond-ripstop nylon double hammock that fits one or two people, packs down to about the size of a loaf of bread, and dries quickly after rain.

  • Comfortable for one person or two sitting up
  • Durable, quick-drying ripstop nylon
  • Packs small enough for a daypack
  • Suspension straps sold separately
Best Budget

Wise Owl Outfitters Double Camping Hammock

4.5

A parachute-nylon double hammock rated to 500 lbs that ships with tree straps and carabiners included, aimed at campers trying hammock camping for the first time.

  • Straps and carabiners included in the box
  • High weight capacity for the price
  • Compresses into a small attached stuff sack
  • Fabric feels thinner than premium ripstop options
Best for Backpacking

Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe

4.6

An asymmetrical backpacking hammock with a built-in bottom-entry bug net and an integrated rainfly, designed to sleep flat on a diagonal for multi-day trail use.

  • Sleeps nearly flat thanks to diagonal lay design
  • Built-in bug net and rainfly for trail nights
  • Full setup weighs under 3 lbs
  • Steeper learning curve to pitch than a basic hammock
Best for Solo Camping

ENO SingleNest Hammock

4.6

A compact single-person version of the DoubleNest, sized for one camper who wants a lighter pack weight without giving up the same durable ripstop build.

  • Lighter and more packable than double-size hammocks
  • Same durable ripstop fabric as the DoubleNest
  • Fits solo backpacking trips well
  • Too narrow for two people
Best Premium

Kammok Roo Double Camping Hammock

4.7

A double-layer hammock built from recycled ripstop fabric with reinforced stitching and a lifetime warranty, designed to double as a two-person hammock or a single hammock with a pad slid between the layers.

  • Double-layer design fits a sleeping pad for insulation
  • Reinforced stitching backed by a lifetime warranty
  • Made from recycled ripstop fabric
  • Heavier than single-layer backpacking hammocks

Which one should you get?

You're new to hammock camping

The Wise Owl Outfitters (Best Budget) ships with straps and carabiners included, so there's nothing extra to figure out on your first trip.

You're doing multi-day backpacking trips

The Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe (Best for Backpacking) packs light and sleeps nearly flat for trail nights.

You're camping solo and want to save pack weight

The ENO SingleNest is sized and weighted specifically for one person.

You want the most durable, long-term option

The Kammok Roo (Best Premium) comes with reinforced stitching and a lifetime warranty.

You're camping with a partner and want to lounge together, not sleep two overnight

The ENO DoubleNest (Best Overall) is rated to 400 lbs and its extra width makes it comfortable for two to sit or nap side by side -- just note it doesn't ship with straps, and overnight sleeping is still best for one.

You're camping somewhere buggy or the forecast looks unreliable

The Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe (Best for Backpacking) is the only pick here that ships as a complete system -- a bomber built-in bug net with no zippers to fail, plus a full-coverage rainfly, so you're not adding separate bug and rain gear on top of the hammock itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need tree straps separately?

Check first -- some hammocks (like several of ours) include tree straps, while others sell them separately. Straps are required either way, since ropes alone can damage tree bark.

Can one person set up a camping hammock alone?

Yes, most single and double hammocks take under 5 minutes to hang solo once you've picked two trees roughly 12-15 feet apart.

Is a double hammock only for two people?

Not necessarily -- many people prefer a double size solo for the extra room to lie at a flatter, more comfortable diagonal angle.

How cold-weather-ready is a camping hammock?

A hammock alone leaves your underside exposed to cold air. Pairing it with an underquilt extends comfortable use down to roughly 20F; otherwise plan for temperatures above 40F.

Do I need a bug net?

Recommended for humid or buggy environments. Some hammocks include an integrated net, others require a separate one that attaches to the suspension line.

How far apart should the two trees be?

About 12-15 feet apart works best for a standard 9-11 foot hammock, using the classic 30-degree hang angle for a comfortable sag. Trees farther apart than that still work fine -- you'll just need longer straps and a higher anchor point to keep the same angle. Under about 10 feet gets fiddly no matter what you do.

Can I hang a camping hammock without trees?

Yes -- freestanding hammock stands exist for backyards, campsites without suitable trees, or beach camping, though they add weight and bulk most backpackers skip. For trail use, picking a campsite with two live trees 6+ inches in diameter and 12-15 feet apart is the more common approach.

Should I use an underquilt or a regular sleeping pad for warmth?

An underquilt hangs underneath the hammock and stays fully lofted, so it keeps insulating all night. A sleeping pad works too, but your body weight compresses it against the hammock fabric, which flattens the insulation right where you need it most -- pads are the budget option, underquilts perform better in genuinely cold conditions.

What's the actual weight capacity, and can two heavier campers share a double hammock?

Most double hammocks (including our ENO DoubleNest pick) are rated around 400 lbs combined; our Kammok Roo (Best Premium) pick is rated closer to 500 lbs, which gives more headroom if both campers are on the heavier side. Always check the specific model's listed rating rather than assuming every 'double' hammock carries the same capacity.

Does a camping hammock come with a rain tarp?

Usually not -- standalone camping hammocks like the ones above are sold as the hammock body plus suspension straps, and a rain tarp/fly is a separate purchase. If you're setting one up ahead of rain, rig the tarp's own ridgeline directly to the trees (not to the hammock) so it stays taut and doesn't sag when you climb in and out.

Does it matter if a hammock is made from nylon or polyester?

Both work, but they trade off differently. Ripstop nylon is lighter and more breathable, which is why most backpacking-focused hammocks (like our Hennessy pick) use it, but it stretches slightly under load and loses some strength when wet. Polyester holds its shape better, resists UV and mildew longer, and dries faster, making it a reasonable choice if the hammock will see frequent sun or rain exposure at a fixed campsite rather than being packed in and out on the trail.

Recent Updates

2026-08-11

Checked against current 2026 comparison roundups -- the ENO DoubleNest and SingleNest remain the most widely recommended all-around picks, consistent with our current lineup.

2026-08-21

Re-checked our full lineup against current 2026 outdoor gear roundups: all five picks (ENO DoubleNest, Wise Owl, Hennessy Explorer Deluxe, ENO SingleNest, Kammok Roo) are still actively recommended. Worth noting for the Kammok Roo (Best Premium): reviewers now cite a roughly 500 lb weight capacity, notably higher than the ENO DoubleNest's typical rating, which matters if two heavier campers share one hammock.

2026-08-23

Re-confirmed: the ENO DoubleNest still ranks as the best-selling, most widely recommended all-around pick across current 2026 roundups, with the Kammok Roo positioned specifically as the premium step up. New detail worth flagging -- reviewers now note the Roo's GravitasX fabric feels noticeably softer against skin than the DoubleNest's 70D nylon, and its 10-foot length gives more diagonal sleeping room, which matters if you sleep on your side rather than flat on your back.