The best hammocks: for spring snoozing beneath a canopy of leaves and stars

The best hammocks give you the possibility of many glorious nights spent under the stars. There are few things in life more liberating than the feeling of sleeping out in the wild and a hammock is definitely the classiest way to do this. With spring and summer on the way, who wants to be hunkered up in a bivvy bag on the ground when you could be nestled beautifully in a hammock?

The hammock's origin can be traced back to natives of Central and South America, who would weave suspended sleeping platforms from the barks of the hamack tree. These early hammocks had the advantage of protecting the sleeper from the bitey and stingy nasties that were found on the ground. Christopher Columbus brought them from the Bahamas to Europe in 1492 and today they are found all over the world.

At a fundamental level, a hammock is a sling of material suspended between two or more points, designed for lounging or sleeping in. These days, they come in all manner of designs and with additional features, like mosquito nets and integrated stuff sacks. Some are lightweight, designed for backpackers, while others are much heavier, designed for the ultimate in comfort. Of course, for cooler nights, you'll still want your best sleeping bag too.

The best hammocks are perfect for bushcraft-style woodland expeditions, fast and light missions and as a novel alternative to a one-person tent. Here we round up the finest models, hammocks that are comfortable, perform brilliantly in the backcountry and are durable enough to last for many years of adventure.

The best hammocks for lightweight camping

Backpackers who count every ounce will agonise over each piece of gear that vies for a valuable place in their pack. For some, comfort is sacrificed for weight, or bulk. The floaty, flyweight Hummingbird Single dismisses that whole debate. Designed by a FAA-Certified Parachute Rigger and constructed of the same uncoated lockstitched ripstop nylon used to build skydiving parachutes, this hammock isn’t just light (although it really is light) – it also packs incredibly small. 

The clever ‘Button Link’ attachment system (removing the need for metal carabiners) means you can squish it into a good-sized camping mug if you want to, and you’ll barely remember it’s in your pack until you want to kick back and relax after and hard day on the trial. And then it sets up quickly and easily, with the use of super-strong spectra cord – although be aware that you need to buy the tree straps separately. Switching from carrying a heavy backpack to swinging between trees in a one of the best hammocks is a wonderful reward at the end of day on the trail.

Hammocks are crafted around two simple principles: a comfortable bed of fabric and a way to attach that to a sturdy tree. The Pro Hammock masters both elements. Rugged, strong triple bar-tacked buckles combined with a single length high-tenacity 15mm webbing system makes set-up easy and rock-solid stable. The hammock is constructed with lightweight ripstop nylon. The breathable fabric wicks moisture away on a hot summer afternoon. 

The Pro is available in single and double versions. This is a super lightweight hammock for fair-weather use whether you’re backpacking or heading to a beach with handily placed trees, but if hanging in a hammock is an attractive overnight option for you, Sea to Summit offers a Hammock Bug Net and 15D Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp – sold separately – so you can jig a more robust shelter and keep the elements and bitey beasts at bay.

The best hammocks are simple. Simple is good, and this single-skin option does all that’s needed for nights out in wooded country without adding complications. The easily adjustable suspension system adds a few ounces over ropes and knots, but it is well worth it for the speed and accuracy in hanging the Alpkit Mora; it took me under four minutes to have the hammock correctly centered and hanging at the right height. Like all single-skin hammocks, arranging a sleeping mat correctly under one takes some practice, but the dimensions of the skin are generous enough to allow for the correct diagonal sleeping position and no sense of claustrophobia. The ‘kelp’ color is what’s needed for bushcraft and low-impact, stealth camping.

Clever design and high-tech materials have been used to create a fully functioning hammock that compresses down to a grapefruit-sized bundle, so it can be slipped into a pack side pocket. The suspension straps (an add-on buy; you can also use correct strength ropes) are quick to deploy whilst the slide buckles allow for precise alterations to get the centering and the height right. Sea to Summit advises against sleeping more than 18 inches above the ground, but that’s about the right height for comfortable and practical use anyway. 

Despite its tiny packed size the Ultralight has the necessary length and breadth for sleeping on the diagonal comfortably. Because of its gossamer light fabric it’s not a hammock for rough and tumble swinging; I’d consider it for a super-light trip in the right conditions, or as an add-on to an existing tarp, mat and bivvy bag sleeping setup to give more versatility and provide the opportunities for hammock sleeping comfort whenever trees and circumstances allow.

For those whose experience of hammocks comes from travels in South America or Asia the Amazonas Ultra-light Silk Traveller will bring back memories. It’s colorful, packs small and has traditional cred. Rather than the skin being gathered in at each end, the hammock is hung on a web of fine strings running to eyelets which allow it to spread out wider (tip from experience: try not to tangle them when packing up). You can either use ropes to suspend the hammock or buy Amazonas’ own T-strap or adventure rope system. The breathable parachute silk – actually nylon nowadays – is a boon in hot weather and this, allied to the tiny size, simplicity and robustness and ease of hanging, makes it an ideal piece of kit to throw into a daypack for a siesta or lounging option on a summer’s hike. Use a closed cell mat and a light sleeping bag and a summer night under the stars becomes a possibility.

The best hammocks for all seasons

Rather than sleeping lengthwise between suspension points, as with other hammocks, the Amok is built around a fabric platform that hangs across its axis. It’s an innovative design that, using adjustable straps, and an integral inflatable mat, allows one to sleep flat, sit-up or pull the platform into a comfortable, supporting lounger-chair shape for evening reading or contemplating the stars. The Amok’s Norwegian bushcraft enthusiast manufacturers have drawn on several Scandinavian preoccupations for their mould-breaking design, including comfort and thwarting mosquitoes. 

A ‘floor’ pocket holds an inflatable mat or other firm insulation, there are numerous pockets to hold kit and there is a full zip-round bug net over an integral ridgeline. Amok’s shaped rain fly (or another tarp big enough to cover the configuration) provides weather-proofing. For trips – especially by bike or kayak – in landscapes where trees are easy to find, the Amok functions more like a suspended tent than a hammock, and with the right accessories and skills could provide the basis for cosy winter camping. Hanging the Amok, familiarising yourself with its features and adjustments, as well as getting in and out, are definitely worth practising before your first trip. For my 5’ 11’’ body the standards dimensions were just about right, but for anyone taller choose the XL size.

North America is the home of all-season hammock camping and Hennessy has 20 years of experience in coming up with designs and features for the serious hammock camper. Whilst the 4Season is still suspended in the normal way, using tree-saver straps and ropes at either end to make putting up and taking down quick and easy, its asymmetric cut gives a flatter, roomier sleeping area orientated diagonally across the axis. 

Other features include a zipped mosquito net, and a full-length pocket in the skin that keeps a supplied open-cell mat under your body and which can take more layers of insulation if needed. The skin’s waterproof lower layer means that the whole hammock can be used on the ground, under a tarp, if lack of trees, or weather dictates. Ideally the hammock is paired with Hennessy’s own hexagonal-shaped rain fly but any suitably sized tarp would work; indeed the whole design encourages adaptability and improvisation to meet different situations. For cold, wet or snow sleeping the complete set up compares favourably in carry weight and size with a tent based system, but potentially provides more sleeping comfort.

The best hammocks for keeping the bugs at bay

It’s a fitting description for a laid-back hammock crafted from soft seamless ripstop polyester. Ultralight aluminum carabiners create a sturdy, stable hanging platform. This is an all-in-one set-up, with tree-friendly straps included, as well as a flysheet, bug barriers and stakes so you can rig it up right to keep out the elements and the fauna – and the entire rig fits into one stuff sack. One of the most versatile of our best hammocks, you can use it with or without the flysheet, depending on the weather, and there are three set-up options for the bug net. Available in six colors to match your favorite color palette (or lack of it), there are plenty of small details that a true slacker will appreciate, including an attached pocket, which holds a book or tablet at the ready when you wake up from an afternoon nap.

How do you not smile telling your camping friends your hammock house is called Slacker?

A practical bushcraft hammock, with a well-designed mosquito net with a mesh fine enough to keep out black fly, no-see-ums and other horrors. Insects are the bane of sleeping out, especially in the regions and seasons that can be the best hammock camping spots. The Hammock Bliss No-See-Um No More is quick to put up – though I’d use longer ropes to give more options if there weren’t a lot of trees to choose from – and the bug net is easy to deploy once you’re in the hammock. A YKK zip completely seals the gap between the net and the opening along one long side of the hammock, (you’ll need to ensure that the opening is on the side you want when you’re hanging it), whilst elastic guys hold the net clear. Generous dimensions for a single hammock make it easy to get a good diagonal lying position, and also holds a mat and bedding in place better than many, meaning those with experience could comfortably use this across three seasons.

The best hammocks for summer siestas

The ENO SingleNest’s size, simplicity, comfortable fabric and cheery colors make this hammock a versatile choice for numerous fair-weather situations. It’s a good carry as a siesta hammock on day hikes, useful for those festivals where there are trees and – beefed up with the right insulation and sleeping bags or quilts – fine for summer sleeping out if discretion isn’t important. The recommended Atlas suspension system adds weight but makes suspension and adjustment quick and easy, but you could also use ropes and knots to clip the included end carabiners into. The taffeta fabric holds an insulation mat in place with more grip than some other more slippy skins, and is cool and comfortable without a mat making it ideal for summer weather or for hanging in the garden.

Two people sleeping through the night in one hammock is a romantic idea that rarely survives reality; insulation mats, quilts or sleeping bags, as well as limbs and bodies end up tangled in each other and all too close for real comfort. Nonetheless, this generously sized, and strong, double hammock provides some real value in two ways. It’s ideal for a couple of people to lounge or take a siesta in when it’s warm enough not to need supplementary sleeping gear, making the DoubleNest ideal to carry on a long day hike or to hang in the garden or park. Less obviously, for one person there’s a real luxury in spreading oneself across a bigger skin; for a relatively small weight penalty a more generous size changes the geometry of the hammock making it even easier to get comfortable. As with the SingleNest, the taffeta fabric is comfortable and grips a mat well, though for the added weight of two people the Atlas suspension system has many advantages over ropes and knots.

Snugpak have added a few refinements to what is a satisfyingly traditional design. Suspending the hammock is made easier and more accurate with ropes attached to tree-saver straps, and knotted to make ‘ladder’ loops which carabiners at the ends of the skin snap into; putting up and taking the Snugpak Tropical down took me a couple of minutes. The hammock’s length is adequate for all but the tallest of users, while its generous width makes it easier to fit a mat under one and lie out on the diagonal with one's sleeping gear over and under one. The green color, simplicity of design, toughness and versatility make this a good choice for lightweight, multi-day bushcraft trips in landscapes where you can be confident of finding suitable trees or other supports; you’ll need a light tarp or rain fly and the lack of a bug net might test your mettle some nights but this is a practical set up for beginner and more experienced hammock campers.

Choosing the best hammock for you

Not all the best hammocks are made equally, and neither should they be – different people are looking for different things in their suspendible sleeping/lounging systems. Some just want something to snooze in outdoors or as an alternative to a camping chair, while others are seeking the full sleeping out system for multi-day backpacking adventures, and there are myriad requirements in between. The best hammock for you is the one that best suits the way you’re most likely to use it most often. Following are some factors to consider when buying a hammock and some of your most frequently asked questions answered...

Nets and fabric features

Though many of the best hammocks use the same traditional design, different features increase versatility but often add weight and cost. Mosquito nets – with mesh small enough to keep out black fly – can make the difference between a great and a miserable trip in some seasons and regions. We'd all prefer mesh protection to having to douse ourselves in insect repellent for the night. 

Breathable fabrics are more comfortable in hot weather; water resistant materials are better for other climates. Stuff sacks sewn to hang from one side of the hammock skin don’t get lost, and double up as kit pockets for small items. Integrated systems – like the Hennessy and the Amok – are complex kit, which with the right skills and in the right landscape can be matched against lightweight tents for weight, weather beating and overall comfort.

Weigh up the cost

Can you put a cost on a good night’s sleep in the outdoors? Well, yes, and often it’s hammock-priced. It is certainly the cheapest sleeping solution in our camping checklist. Key to value for money is choosing the best hammock to meet your needs, and maybe your ambitions for future trips. Using any hammock will teach you the skills needed to site it safely, hang it correctly and sleep comfortably if conditions and weather are good, whilst the additional insulated sleeping pads and mats, tarps and sleeping bags needed are probably already in your camping cupboard. Some people will be happy with a basic bushcraft hammock, while others might weigh up the cost of a top of the range all-season hammock system and reckon it’s more than good value for the versatility and – above all – the comfort.

How do you hang a hammock?

One of the best things about a hammock is that you don't need to find flat ground. Even a modest slope can render a one-person tent or a bivvy completely useless. Of course, you need to find two points to suspend your hammock from, which is where the suspension system comes in.

Ropes and knots may be traditional, but easy adjust suspension straps, clips and loops make hanging a hammock with correct centering easy. Snugpak’s ladder loops in cords is a well-thought out refinement of the old school tie-up ropes method, while more sophisticated systems have tree-savers (wide webbing straps to go round trunks), carabiner to clip into loops and micro-adjust slide buckles.

A hammock skin needs to be long and wide enough to hang loosely without weight in it; this allows you to lie at a slight diagonal to the hammock’s length, which gives a flat sleeping position.

A hammock that's too small or one hung too tightly means sleeping along its length, giving you a miserable night held in a banana bend. I’m 5’11’’ (180cm) and all the best hammocks we've reviewed here were more than long enough to allow me to lie out, on an insulation mat, on the diagonal, though the more generous a hammock’s width and length the easier it was to get comfortable. Some brands, like ENO, Amok and Sea to Summit, supply XL models, which are advised if you’re above average height

Where can you hang a hammock?

Once your eye is in you’ll be amazed at how many places there are to hang a hammock; we’ve used the angle between two fence posts, belays on rocks, the insides of barns and vehicle roof racks. And if there just isn’t anywhere offering suspension possibilities, or if you’re exposed in bad weather then many of the best hammock, mat and tarp set-ups can form a makeshift bivvy on the ground.

Basic bivvy or camping skills, whether it’s choosing a location to hang your bed for the night or adjusting a tarp to deflect wind or rain, are key in hammock camping, but the simplicity of the technology rewards those skills with huge versatility. Hanging above hard, rough or sloping ground is already a good thing but a sheltered night in a wood can defeat wind and rain. 

Can you hang a hammock indoors?

Hammocks can be used indoors just as easily as outdoors. To begin with in Europe, they were widely used by sailors as an alternative to sleeping on the cold, hard, wet deck of a ship. As long as you have two sturdy points to suspend it from, you're in business.

Is sleeping in a hammock bad for you?

The key thing here is to make sure your hammock is the right size and that you have set it up correctly. If you've seen to this, then you're good to go. Hammocks force us to sleep on our backs, which actually reduces pressure on your spine compared to sleeping in a bed. Unlike a bed, there's also no tossing and turning in a hammock, which can lead to muscle aches in the back and neck. However, if you have pre-existing spinal issues or nerve problems, speak to your doctor before sleeping in a hammock, as it may not be a good fit for you as an individual.

Is sleeping in a hammock comfortable?

Again, as long as you have the right size and you have set your sleeping system up correctly, then sleeping in a hammock is blessedly comfortable. This is illustrated by the fact that many hammock sleepers sleep very deeply, achieving REM sleep. This is the most restful form of sleep and leads to better mood and mental agility.