Intro

If you love camping or even going on day trips, hammocks are a great way to recuperate. However, there are many confusing options to choose from.

I have been through several hammocks. Some have been drug through the mud, left in the rain, and possibly through some horrific battles, yet they have still held up. Others I’ve had for a few weeks and someone fell through the bottom. Knowing you can trust your equipment is vital when going on adventures.

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What to Look for When Purchasing a Camping Hammock

Just a few of the hammocks we have owned over the years.

Durability: Just because the weight limit says 400 pounds doesn’t always mean the hammock will withstand the weight. That’s why it is important to go with a trusted brand.

Brand: I can’t even explain how important it is to go with a great brand. When it comes to hammocks you aren’t just buying the brand, but the brand’s quality. I love going cheap when I can, but I’ve noticed that going cheap with outdoor equipment is not a good idea. You DO get what you pay for.

Material: It is important to purchase a hammock that isn’t going to retain moisture. You want something that is lightweight and durable. Most camping hammocks are made of 210T parachute nylon, and that’s exactly what you want to look for.

Width: Size is important because you want to have a good night’s rest in order to tackle the next day’s adventures. There is usually an option to buy either single or double nest hammocks. This is just a preference. I personally love the double nest because I love having the hammock fold over me when I lay in it, It makes me feel more secure and like I’m not going to fall out. My husband, however, likes the single nests for the exact opposite reason. He doesn’t like the hammock covering his view when he lays down.

Length: You typically want a hammock that is 2 feet longer than you are high.

Keep in mind that the length and width are measurements of the bed of the hammock as if it were hanging in the tree.

Weight of Hammock: This is especially important if you plan on hiking long distances. Any amount of weight in your pack matters. The lighter the better, but don’t compromise durability for weight. You could find yourself without a place to sleep in the middle of your journey.

Accessories: Yes, accessories are just as important as the hammock itself. For example, you won’t be getting your hammock set up without the strap system. Also purchasing a rain tarp and drip straps will help you stay dry when a storm decides to roll in. Read more about Hammock accessories here.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

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Eno

I’m sure everyone has heard of this brand. In my opinion, this has been the best brand by far. I’ve been through a battle with my Eno for over 7 years and it is still in good condition. I have left it in the sun and rain for several months at a time, and it still has it’s softness and durability. There has been some color fade due to sun exposure, but that’s the only downside.

Here is a few places in North Carolina my husband and I have set up during our day trips, (using my Eno).

Durability: The single nest claims to hold up to 400 pounds. the double nest claims to hold up to 400 pounds as well.

Material: 70D nylon taffeta.

Width: (Double Nest – 6ft. 2 in.) (Single Nest – 4ft. 7in.)

Length: (Double Nest – 9 ft. 4 in.) (Single Nest – 9 ft. 4 in.)

Other: Typically, Enos only come with the hammock itself. You will need to buy straps separately.

You can check out Eno’s many different colors, prices, and sizes by clicking on the button below.

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Wise Owl Outfitters

This would be my second favorite brand because of its durability and comfort. I would say this is the closest you can get to Eno quality without the high price. I have had mine for about 5 years now, and the only thing that has torn off is the storage bag attached to the hammock ( It was torn off after a teenage party I threw for my sister. Props for it not completely ripping in half because of rowdy teens) You are looking to pay from $30 to $40 depending on which size you get.

Durability: Both the double nest and single nest claim to hold a maximum of 500 pounds.

Material: 210T parachute nylon

Width: (Double Nest – 6.5ft.) (Single Nest- 4.5 ft.)

Length:(Double Nest – 10 ft.) (Single Nest – 9 ft.)

Weight of Hammock: Double- 26 oz./Single- 1 lbs.

Other: This brand includes carabiners and a strap system.

You can check out Wise Owl Outfitter’s many different colors, sizes, and prices by clicking on the button below.

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Equip

This is actually not a great hammock for camping. Instead, it’s okay for chilling in the back yard with or maybe for short day trips. The material is quite stiff and doesn’t dry fast like most camping hammocks. This one also tore after about 3 years of owning it. The only reason I purchased this one is for its cheap price. It just goes to show you get what you pay for. You can find them on Amazon, but they are cheaper at Walmart.

Durability: Double nest holds 500 pounds. Single nest holds 400 pounds.

Material: Water resistant nylon

Width: (Double Nest – 6.4 ft.) ( Single Nest – almost 4.5 ft.)

Length: (Double Nest – 10 ft.) (Single Nest – 9.5 ft.)

Weight of Hammock: Double – 1.6 lbs./Single – 1.4 lbs.

other: Some come with the strap system.

You can check out Equip’s colors, sizes, and prices by clicking on the button below.

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Chillax

Costco actually carries this brand during the summer months, and that’s exactly where we bought it. Online this brand can be fairly expensive, but we purchased ours for only $30 on sale. I have only seen the double size for these hammocks, so all the dimensions below are for the double nest.

We bought Clark’s dark blue Chillax hammock in Hawaii .

Durability: Holds a maximum of 395 lbs.

Material: Parachute silk

Width: 6ft. 7in.

Length: 9ft. 2in.

Weight of Hammock: 1.8 lbs.

Other: Comes with straps, however, they are somewhat hard to figure out.

You can check out Chillax’s colors, prices, and sizes by clicking on the button below.

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Sea to Summit

I have actually never owned one of these, but one day I will. I love how lightweight it is. It’s perfectly compact. It seems like a trustworthy brand that won’t weigh you down on long hiking/camping trips. It is a bit pricey, which is a big reason why I haven’t purchased one yet.

Durability: Both double and single nests will hold a maximum of 300 lbs.

Material: Nylon 66 monofilament fabric (where it gets it’s lightness from).

Width: (Double nest – 4.8ft.) (Single nest – 4ft.)

Length: (Double nest – 9.75ft.) (Single nest – 8.5ft.)

Weight of Hammock: Double-.45 lbs./ Single- .34 lbs.

Other: Does not come with straps. Comes with a compact bag.

You can check out Sea to Summit’s colors, prices, and sizes by clicking on the buttons below.

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There are hundreds of hammocks to choose from. These are just some of the ones my husband and I have used over the years. We learned about how durable each one was firsthand. Hammocking has always been my thing. Before you purchase one check it out by borrowing from a friend or family member. Some people don’t like sleeping in hammocks.

I hope this proved to be helpful for your purchasing needs. Share some of your hammocking adventures in the comment section, I would love to hear about them.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.