Camping hammocks

When you’re looking to kick back outside, with a lounge hammock or get off the ground for a dreamy night’s sleep in a [camping hammock] (/en/products/camping-and-hiking/camp-furniture/hammocks/hammock-tents), a suspended shelter shines anywhere the ground is sloped, covered in brush or thoroughly wet and muddy.

Hammock camping vs. Tenting

With a rainfly to keep weather off and bug netting to keep mosquitos and biting insects out, a lightweight hammock rivals a solo tent in terms of security, lightness and packability – and you won’t have to spend time looking for a flat dry spot. By using wide straps or tree-protectors, camping hammocks don’t damage trees. Positioned above the ground, they also limit damage to fragile plants, moss and lichen. The suspensions systems don’t require knots, so they’re as quick to set up as a tarp tent. Spreader bars are a common feature that prevent the hammock from closing in around you and allow for a range of sleeping postures. Hammock camping is gaining popularity for trails below the treeline and with thru-hikers on the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails with careful site selection in deserts and high mountains.

Sleeping warm in cold weather

To hold in heat, cold-weather campers add an under-quilt or sleeping pad (either closed-cell foam or self-inflating) to their hammock setup. It’s common to use a top quilt rather than a sleeping bag, so an insulating layer underneath is key to sleeping warm. A rainfly or tarp will also block wind and help retain heat. A camping pillow and clothing layers are the final pieces to fully winterize your hammock.

How to set up a hammock

Select healthy trees that are big enough to support weight, about six inches or more in diameter. Rig the suspension system so the straps are near a 30-degree angle with the tree trunks. This creates a gentle bend in the hammock that’s neither too saggy nor to taught when you lie in it. You can also use a firm post or part of a structure if there are no trees available.

Where to store your gear when hammock camping

A stuff sack filled with extra clothes will easily fit in your hammock with you. Most campers use the space under the hammock like a tent vestibule to stash boots and their hiking pack. You can also hang items off the ridgeline to keep them off the ground and away from critters that might gnaw your sweaty pack straps and or make off with your socks in the night.