Viewing a backpacking hammock with untrained eyes, we could be forgiven for thinking there’s not much to them…just a few bits of string with some cloth in the middle, right? Wrong! There are many surprising complex and numerous ins and outs of backpacking hammocks and so much more to them than you could ever imagine.

Below, we’re going to take you through what goes into the making of a good hammock so you know what to look for when choosing the best one for your hammock camping adventures. Once we’ve dealt with the details, then we’ll get down to a review of the best backpacking hammocks out there.

What to look for in a backpacking hammock

01Weight

When backpacking, weight is one of our foremost considerations. If you’re ditching your lightweight tent in favour of an even lighter, suspended setup then your pack needs to feel noticeably less heavy. Don’t forget that you’ll probably also need a tarp and/or a bug net, depending on where and when you are camping. And the combined weight of these shouldn’t end up being heavier than your tent.

Having said that, some backpacking hammocks, like the Sea to Summit Ultralight, are so inconceivably light that you can afford to stick one in your pack as well as your tent – the best of both worlds!

02Use

Certain hammocks excel in specific circumstances and environments. Some are workhorse, trail-ready, bug-proof, hovering homes – leave your tent behind and you’ll certainly not miss it. While others, bless them, are more suited to a day at the seaside, in the garden or very light, occasional use on the trail. What’s best for you will depend on where you’re headed and what you plan to use your hammock for.

03Standout Features

Many hammocks come with special add-ons, features or hammocking ‘bling’ that makes them stand out from the rest and may just sway your decision when buying. Among these features are rip-stop fabrics, superior maximum load, foot boxes, extra support or balancing lines, solid construction, insulation, double-zips on the bug mesh, storage pockets and extra length or width.

04Comfort

The raison d’etre for any hammock is the ability to increase the user’s comfort. Comfort-value is added or subtracted by a number of factors: fabric, length and width, breathability, layering, sleeping position (diagonal or straight, flat or raised-foot/curved) and the general feel of the hammock once you are in and airborne.

05Dimensions

Because you’d ideally like your feet to be in there too, the dimensions of your hammock are a key contributor to its overall comfort. For taller users, some models just don’t measure up and other products, particularly the ultralight variety, can skimp on width in order to minimise weight.

06Strength

While all hammocks come with a recommended user weight, it’s best to go for a material that you know to be durable, strong and able to withstand the elements, providing a few pounds of buffer for clothing or storage. While sleeping or lounging in a hammock is about as cool as you can get while out on the trail, all coolness would go out the window should your hammock decide to collapse while your trekking partners watch on.

We’re going one step further now into the world of airborne accommodation. This time we will be venturing into the even more intricate, intriguing and downright game-changing niche of overnight options with an evaluation and review of the 8 best suspended tents and hammock tents out there in 2017.

Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. At some point in the not-too-distant past, some unhappy camper, squished in maybe a wet tent on a rocky patch of ground with a squadron of ants or other unwelcome intruders encroaching on his or her personal space, thought it necessary to take things up a notch in terms of camping comfort and convenience. He or she took this quest very literally, with the result being the first of what have evolved to be the veritable high-fliers of the camping equipment catalogue.

What are suspended tents and hammock tents?

Answering the above question can be done in two ways: the long way and the short way.

Short: Airborne sleeping facilities which fulfil all the same functions as a traditional tent (and more), only in the air.

Long: A fairly variegated and complex array of tent-like, dome-like, cocoon-like and/or spaceship-like structures composed of various materials. Boasting various features, occasional flaws, multiple set-ups and best uses but all sharing the common denominator of providing a sleeping system that lifts the user up off of the ground into the (beginnings, granted) of the stratosphere. Whether elevated versions of traditional tents or tarp-and-mesh cocoons enclosing a more standard backpacking hammock, each of these products offers something a bit different in terms of reliability, convenience, comfort and ideal mode of usage. The tech-specs and jargon can be a touch bewildering, as can the array of choice but, as always, Cool of the Wild is here for you to help you get to know and navigate the ins and outs.

What to look for in your suspended tent or hammock tent

1Comfort

Comfort in a suspended or hammock tent derives from a number of variables. These include:

• Insulation
• Shape
• Size
• Fabrics
• Ease-of-access
• Storage

And, last but not least, the peace of mind begotten of knowing your tent or hammock is well-made, safe and unlikely to plop you back down to earth hastily during the night.

2Weight

Ultra-lightweight or luxurious, ‘bomb-proof’ palace in the sky? How heavy you choose to go will depend, alas, on how much you’re willing to or are able to carry. For thru-hikers and other campers spending the night far from where they leave the car, the ultra-lightweight models are likely to be your best option. For those not straying too far from home and who value comfort over convenience, the heavier, more ‘deluxe’ and spacious options are more appealing and feasible.

3Use and ease of use

Some systems are blissfully user-friendly whereas others require PhDs – well, at least a great deal of practice and faffing around with instruction manuals, straps, cords and slings. What’s best for you will depend largely on your patience levels and where you plan on using your hammock/tent. If you’re out on the Pacific Crest Trail, the Annapurna Circuit or going from John O’Groats to Lands end on foot, we’d recommend the easy options. If you’re driving down to the local campsite and parking up a short stroll from your intended ‘hangout’ with time to kill, the PhD options might just get your vote for the added comfort and convenience they offer. Ease of use depends on a large number of factors and with each item we’ll attempt to highlight those contributing to or detracting from this desirable attribute.

*It’s also important to note that some models can be used on the ground, others not. If you are headed to any area with sparse tree coverage or want a true replacement system for the traditional tent, opt for a ‘hybrid’ model that can be used on the ground when required.

4Standout Features

Certain tents/hammocks comprise one or more of a variety of possible special features that make them go the extra proverbial mile in terms of comfort, convenience, and/or general functionality. Among these we can include layered flooring, extra insulation, inner and outer storage pockets, multiple doors, weather-resistance and overall square-footage.

5Dimensions

Suspended tents and hammock tents are not cheap. Before you make an investment, it’s best to know that you are going to fit in there comfortably. For smaller users size should not be a problem, but for those over 6ft a few of the one-person options might make things a bit tight (or require foetal-position sleeping) if you intend on taking any gear into your tent/hammock with you.

6Strength

All hammocks/tents come with a recommended maximum user weight. Be sure to allow a few pounds of ‘buffer’ for clothes, sleeping bag, midnight munchie supplies, teddy bears and anything else you might take to bed with you.

Got that? Great! Let’s get down to our reviews…

Now that you’ve chosen your hammock, and are ready to leap, feet first, into your suspended wilderness home, you’re gonna need a few extras to make hammock camping feasible. As with regular camping, there is a ton of hammock camping gear that you can comfortably live without, and other gear that you’ll definitely need.

Essential hammock camping gear

Here’s a list of the essential hammock camping gear that you can’t live without:

Suspension systems

To be able to hang your hammock safely you will need a means to attach it to the anchor points. When you buy a hammock it may or may not come with it’s own suspension system. Many companies offer suspension systems at an extra cost which can often end up being the best option due to their compatibility with the hammock. However, there are a number of hammock suspension system options available that may be more appropriate to your hammocking needs and wants. Really, your hammock suspension can be as complicated or as simple as you’d like it to be!

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  Tree straps

  Tree straps should be made of wide (1-2 in) polyester webbing that protect the tree as well as providing a very strong system to attach your hammock to. Many have eye loops at one or both ends that are used with a climbing carabiner or similar to create a really simple setup.

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  Whoopie slings

  These are adjustable loops of strong yet lightweight Dyneema cord. They are more complex to use than simple webbing tree straps, and due to their thin, rope-like nature you’ll also need tree straps to protect the tree. If you like tinkering, or want to cut weight in your setup, then these are a great option.

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  Hammock carabiner

  There are lots of options for connecting a hammock to its suspension system. Some people use special hammock knots, or hardware such as Dutch Clips, Descender Rings or Cinch Buckles. But carabiners offer a super simple solution that can be used for other things too. A climbing carabiner will do fine, just be sure you check the force they can withstand before you go opting for a mini-carabiner designed for your keychain!

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Hammock tarps

Unless you are almost certain that there won’t be rain, packing a hammock rain fly is a must when hammock camping. Yes, it adds extra weight to your setup, but there are some excellent options that are lighter than others:

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  Diamond tarp

  These are usually the most lightweight and best suited to camping in fair weather. When pitched corner to corner the coverage will be enough to get protection from vertical rain. But when the wind starts blowing the rain sideways the hammocker will be less protected.

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  Hexagonal tarp

  Also known as ‘hex’ tarps, the 6-sides provide greater protection from the elements than diamond tarps and are also more versatile when it comes to set up options.

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  Rectangular tarp

  Rectangle tarps provide the most amount of coverage and protection from the wind and rain, and are also the most versatile of the tarp types. Opt for larger sizes for greater protection or for accommodating more than one hammock

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  Tarp ridgeline

  Most tarps will come with a ridgeline and a couple of stakes. But if not, you’ll need some cord to hang your tarp up on. Any kind of lightweight rope or paracord will do fine. Cord with reflective threads weaved in are a fun and practical option.

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Optional hammock camping gear

Now to the not-so-essential hammock camping gear. Depending on the conditions you are camping in, your personal preferences, and how much you are prepared to carry, there are a few other bits of hammock camping gear that you may want to add to your packing list:

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  Top quilt

  Many hammock campers ditch a traditional sleeping bag and opt for a quilt instead. When you lay in a hammock, much of the insulation is lost from the underside of your sleeping bag due to your weight compressing the down and all the air out of the bag. So take away the bottom altogether and you don’t have to carry so much!

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  Hammock bug net

  There are some scenarios in which camping without a bug net would be suicide. If you find yourself camping in climates where bugs and mosquitos are a real problem, then a hammock with a mosquito net built in is a good option. Or choose a bug net that totally encircles the whole hammock and zips open. This is a more versatile setup for those not needing bug protection each time they hammock camp.

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  Hammock underquilt

  If you end up hammock camping at cooler times of the year or at altitude, you may run the risk of CBS (Cold Butt Syndrome). As mentioned, insulation for your backside from a sleeping bag becomes too compressed to be effective. So, many hammockers opt for an underquilt which wraps around the underside of the hammock providing insulation whilst avoiding compression. Clever stuff eh?

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  Sleeping pad

  Another option for keeping CBS at bay is to add a hammock sleeping pad to your setup. Some hammocks have a double layer of fabric to insert a sleeping pad into. A closed cell foam pad will work just fine – lightweight, doesn’t add much comfort but provides the insulation needed. There are also hammock specific options on the market that are highly effective at providing insulation without adding much weight.

So there you have it. Everything you need to know to get your hammock camping escapades off the ground and in full swing. And just like regular camping, once you’ve got the basics figured out, you’ll never stop learning new tricks of the trade for the rest of your hammock camping days. All that’s left to do is to get out there and get hammocking!