When packing for your next camping or backpacking trip, one challenge may be figuring out how to pack something to sit, lounge, or sleep in, without it taking up too much of your bag space. Camping chairs, while an improvement from the folding chairs of the past, still tend to be somewhat bulky and weighty. Many outdoor enthusiasts have turned to hammocks to help solve this problem.
Today, hammocks are made very compact for travel, are more versatile than chairs, and are often as comfortable, if not more so, than those heavy, awkward camping chairs.
There are many different types of portable hammocks suitable for outdoor adventures. There are simple hammocks that can be easily hung from solid, appropriately spaced-apart trees, but there are also freestanding portable hammocks available for those times when there are no trees in sight. Many hammocks are made solely for daytime lounging or napping, but you can also find nighttime hammocks designed specifically for you to spend your nights in, in lieu of a tent. There are hammocks made of woven string, and also hammocks made from various different fabrics. All of these options should be considered when shopping for the best hammock to take with you on your next outdoor adventure.
Hammock Material
Many portable hammocks are made from nylon, due to its very light weight. Despite its light weight, nylon is a strong fabric. When shopping for a nylon hammock be sure it is labeled ripstop or rip-resistant. This means that if the fabric is torn, it will not continue to tear like regular nylon, due to special reinforcement threads that are woven in at strategic angles. Many ripstop nylons are manufactured to be water resistant as well, which makes them ideal for outdoor use. If you are on a budget, polyester is also a strong fabric that is less expensive but still suitable for portable hammocks. Polyester hammocks do have a stiffer feel than nylon hammocks, which some actually prefer because they allow for a flatter lying surface. However, low-priced polyesters generally don’t have the benefit of rip-resistance and are slightly heavier in weight than nylon. Hand-woven string hammocks are another option and are known to be very stretchy and comfortable. Unfortunately, due to their open weave and lack of weather resistance, they are not ideal for overnights.
Hammock Shape
Most are familiar with the cocoon shape of traditional, portable hammocks, but there are actually a few other shape options as well. One is the bridge-style hammock. It features spreader bars for each end to eliminate the cocoon-effect of traditional hammocks that may make some feel claustrophobic. Another unique hammock shape option is the 90 degree lie hammock; rather than lying in the traditional hammock position, you actually lie perpendicular to, rather than parallel to, the supporting trees. Hammocks designed in this manner provide some of the flattest lying surfaces available. Other hammocks are designed specifically for overnight camping. They look almost like small tents suspended in mid-air, include attached insulation and complete, all-around coverage, and a slightly elevated top cover. However, if you want a more versatile hammock that also allows for easy daytime lounging, this option may not be for you.
Hammock Size
Portable hammocks often come in standard sizes. It is wise to look for a hammock that is at least two feet longer than your height. Most hammocks meet this requirement for most people, but tall folks will unfortunately have a tougher time finding hammocks long enough to meet their needs. Longer hammocks do exist, but are generally pricier than standard-sized hammocks. Another consideration is how many people at a time will be using the hammock. Camping hammocks often come in either a single or double size. Single hammocks are intended to accommodate one person and tend to be four to five feet in width, while double hammocks intended to accommodate two people usually range from five to six feet wide. However, if you just want the extra wiggle room, you can always get a double hammock and keep it all to yourself!
Hammock Weight Capacity
Your own size, and the number of people who will be using the hammock at a time, will be another factor in determining which hammock is right for you. The lightest weight nylon hammocks available often have the lowest weight capacities as well. Typical portable, single-person hammocks tend to have weight capacities ranging from 300 to 400 pounds, while an ultralightweight nylon hammock may only accommodate up to 250 pounds. Double hammocks generally have weight capacities in the 400 to 500 pound range, while an ultralightweight double hammock may only accommodate about 350 pounds. Whichever type you choose, your hammock will definitely have a longer useful life if you make sure its users weigh well-below its listed weight capacity.
Hammock Carrying Weight
If you will be traveling significant distances on foot, it is important to consider how much weight your portable hammock will add to your pack. Woven string hammocks tend to weight about three pounds or more. While this may not seem very heavy, once you add those pounds to the rest of the gear in your pack, the weight may become problematic. Basic lightweight nylon hammocks tend to be in the one to two pound range, except for the more bulky overnight-specific hammocks which may reach about three pounds. Long-distance backpackers may opt for the ultralightweight nylon hammocks that weigh well under a pound, but will still have to consider the added weight of bug-netting and tarps if they are overnight camping as well.
Hammock Suspension System
Hammocks intended to be suspended from trees are affixed to the trees using tree straps. It is important that your tree straps are both strong, durable and easy to use. Using basic rope or paracord are of course options as well, but they tend to be weighty and may dig into tree bark and damage trees. Tree straps made specifically for portable hammocks come in a variety of materials and sizes and tend to be easier to use than basic rope or cord. Extra long straps are often a wise choice, because you might not always be able to find trees that are the exact length of your hammock apart. While some tree straps are made of nylon, most high-quality tree straps today are made from polyester straps which are strong, resist stretching, and are designed to be wide enough that they do not damage trees. There are also portable hammocks that include hammock stands for those times when there are no trees available from which to suspend your hammock. However, because of the added stand components, they can weigh around twenty pounds, and therefore would not be ideal for backpacking.
Hammock Insulation
The two main schools of thought regarding staying warm in your camping hammock involve whether to opt for a sleeping bag or an underquilt and topquilt. While a sleeping bag can cover you completely, they sometimes become uncomfortable and claustrophobia-inducing in the confines of a hammock. Also, the areas of your body that become pressure points in a hammock (like shoulders and hips) put extra pressure on certain parts of the sleeping bag, compressing the insulation and reducing its insulating capacity. Another option is using an underquilt and topquilt. An underquilt consists of sleeping bag-type insulation that is suspended underneath the hammock, where it insulates the bottom of the hammock without being crushed under the camper's body weight. The topquilt is similar to a sleeping bag but is shaped more like a hammock and doesn’t zip up one side. Instead, it lays over top of you and tucks in at the sides. If you are hammock camping in the cold, the underquilt/topquilt combo is the preferred way to stay both comfy and warm.
Hammock Accessories
Tarps and bug-netting are accessories you may want to bring along with your hammock on your outdoor adventure. As we know that weather forecasts aren’t always 100 percent accurate, it is possible that your adventure may involve some unexpected rain. Lounging in your hammock holding an umbrella for hours would not be ideal. Attaching angled tarps over your hammock will provide you a rain-proof roof and allow you to put down the umbrella and enjoy a nice book or beverage during the rain. Particularly for overnight hammock use, bug-netting may be useful as well. It takes up little space and adds very little weight to your pack, but may let you rest much easier at night knowing that the creepy-crawlies aren’t exploring your face while you snooze.
Whether you are going backpacking for a day or camping for weeks, you’ll want to make sure you have the right hammock for your trip. Your hammock should be strong, easy to use, and just the right size for you. Keeping the above considerations in mind while you shop for your portable hammock, will help you find just the right one for your particular needs.
