Getting a great night’s sleep is part of what can make or break your comfort during your camping trip. While some weather only permits the use of sleeping bags and tents, a cool summer’s night is the perfect time to break out the hammock for a night in the wilderness. Growing in popularity with hikers, backpackers, and campers alike, hammocks are one of the more unique ways of spending your nights outdoors.
A hammock has only a few simple components such as a sling (the main part of the hammock) and suspension/anchor points. While you may think this pretty well negates the need for having to read up on the details, there are in fact many variations that can improve your comfort during your night under the stars.
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Hammock Sling
The main part of your hammock in which the user sleeps upon can vary in size.
Width: Hammocks can vary in width from a conservative 48 inches (4 feet) upwards of 102 inches (around 8 ½ feet!). The median of around 6-7 feet can comfortably accommodate one or two users making it the more versatile of width choices. If you know you’ll only be sleeping solo, then save room in your pack and opt for a narrower hammock.
Length: While widths tend to vary drastically to accommodate more or less sleepers, the lengths generally stay the same. Taller users will want to look for hammocks with extra length, opting for hammocks that are 8ft long or more. The rest is left to personal preference.
Materials
The insulation of your hammock can make a warm summer night unbearably hot or a crisp spring evening frigid. Most hammocks are designed to be lightweight and breathable, making them a much cooler option than a sleeping bag/tent. There are a few material compositions to keep in mind when shopping for your hammock:
Material | Guidelines | Best for: |
Nylon | Breathable, light, versatile, and fit for warm nights. It compresses easily into a pack, making it a traditional favorite. Tears easily in comparison to cotton. |
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Cotton | Heavy and hard to transport, cotton can be imprinted with ‘hip’ designs. |
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If you’re planning to spend the night in a hammock during cooler weather, you can improve the insulation properties of your nylon hammock by investing in underquilts, topquilts, and sleeping pads. For underquilts, follow the namesake by attaching the insulation to the underside of the hammock, preventing the user from crushing the insulation and reducing its effectiveness.
Suspension
The second design feature to consider is the suspension system for your hammock. This supports the weight of the user and the sling, anchoring it to the trees that will support your weight. You’ll also need to invest in carabiners if they aren’t included with the purchase of your hammock, as they’re essential to the setup of your suspension system. There are a few options for your suspension system that may come in the purchase package:
Webbing Straps: These wrap around the tree, so opt for .75 inches or wider to prevent damage to the tree itself.
Synthetic Tree Slings
Nylon Ropes: While durable, you’ll want to ensure that the stretch of your ropes doesn’t have too much ‘give’ lest you wake up with your hammock touching the damp ground.
More attachment points and longer straps in your suspension system allows for more adjustability. This can make your setup easier and tailored for your individual preferences as well as giving you the ability to utilize a wider range of trees for your hammock support system.
While the above-mentioned suspension types work well for those near trees, other folks can still enjoy the use of a hammock even without forested areas (like your back yard, for instance). A hammock stand allows users the luxury of using a hammock by providing sturdy attachment points that can be set up in just about any location including your porch or your backyard. Stainless steel construction and threaded hand knobs allow for adjustments that support virtually any sized hammock.Hammock Design Features and Tips
Weight Capacity
The combined durability of your sling as well as the integrity of your suspension will ultimately determine the weight capacity of your hammock. Weight capacity refers to static weight, so it does not take into account any sudden movements like jumping or swinging (which truly should not occur in your hammock or you may open yourself up to accidents and hammock damage).
Every hammock comes with list of specifications that includes its weight capacity, and this will range from 150-500 pounds. Be sure to take into account whether or not you’ll be sleeping alone (and this includes any pets that may accompany you on your journey).
Overall Weight
This is a big area of interest to those who will be using their hammocks on extended backpacking or hiking journeys, as the added weight of any item can make for a heavier burden. Hammocks generally weigh anywhere from 7oz to a few pounds with lighter options typically being shorter or narrower. Your suspension system can add an additional 10-15 oz as well, so do the math before making your final purchases.
If you’re truly looking for a lightweight option, be sure to pay attention to models labeled ‘ultralight’. These are designed by manufacturers with close attention to the weight of the overall hammock and are ideal for those who don’t want to pack a heavy burden.
Additional Features
Bug Protection: Because you don’t have a tent protecting you from the elements, there are bug screens that can be purchased to protect you from insects at night.
Screen Type | Guidelines | Best for: |
360 Screens | As the name implies, these offer maximum bug protection coverage. |
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Permethrin-Treated Models | Net-free protection helps keep bugs away while suiting those who may be susceptible to claustrophobia. |
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Add-On Net | These nets can be purchased as an addition and offers maximum flexibility. |
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Tarps: Rain can turn a comfortable night under the stars to a damp, dreary, miserable excapade. Most manufacturers offer an additional tarp specially designed for rainy situations, but some offer these as part of the purchase price of the hammock, so check before you buy!
