What Makes A Camping
Hammock Great?

A camping hammock can come in different shapes, sizes, and qualities. Serious backpackers and campers have different needs than an average backyard lounger.

Camping hammocks are a neat idea because they can be suspended over almost any surface where there are trees to suspend it between. So you're probably thinking, "What if they're aren't any trees?" good question. Then you can pitch it as a protective tarp. But what's really cool is that you can put up a good hammock where you wouldn't normally be able to easily or comfortably pitch a tent.

Rocks, saturated ground with standing water, and steep grades are that much easier when you don't have to sleep on the ground, so you actually gain places to pitch instead of losing them and you can always use it like a tarp if you want to anyway. Not too shabby. :-)

Camping hammocks can be a really handy piece of camping equipment especially in backpacking when light weight is important. Good quality camping hammocks get you off the hard ground helping to keep you comfortable and warm if the air temperature isn't too cold. The negative is if it's below 40 degrees F you'll want to sleep on top of a sleeping pad or space blanket to provide insulation or reflect your body heat. Also it might take a little getting used to getting in and moving around and it's only made for one person.

The better hammocks come with no-see-um netting to keep the bugs and spiders from getting too friendly. Hammocks also have less impact on the environment because you don't drive stakes or lay on the ground which can be nice when you're camping or backpacking in fragile areas.

The best camping hammock I've come across is the Hennessy Hammock UltraLite Backpacker A-Sym. With a packed weight of 1 pound 15 ounces and dimensions of 5" x 10" it's pretty easy to bring along. It has no-see-um mesh, gear pockets for small items, a waterproof rainfly, webbing to protect tree bark, and can double as a chair or tent if you have hiking poles. I have to say I'm impressed and that usually takes quite a bit. If you weigh over 250 pounds and/or are over 6 feet tall they also offer the Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight A-Sym and it only adds 5 more ounces.

REI also offers the Byer Moskito Traveller Hammock. It's light at 16 ounces but it doesn't come with a rainfly and in my opinion doesn't offer the value of the Hennessy, but if all you need is a basic camping hammock with netting it might work for you. Byer's also offers a basic Amazonas Traveller Hammock but make sure you get the "hanging system" because it's sold separately.

I hope my camping hammock page hasn't left you hanging. ;-)