What Hammock Should I Buy For Backpacking
Bringing a hammock along on a backpacking trip is an excellent idea. It’s one of the more comfortable seats you can have after a long day of hiking in the woods and it’s easy to pack with you. Deciding whether to get a hammock or not is an easy choice. A more difficult question to answer is this – what hammock should I buy for backpacking?
There are plenty of options out there, and if you’ve never had one before it can be hard to know what to look for. You really don’t want to find out you picked a lousy hammock when you’re 7 miles out in the woods on your first night of backpacking.
So let us help you find the right one.
Below, we’re going to break down why we love hammocks. Then we’ll dig into our favorite hammocks and hammock accessories for backpacking. So, if you’re wondering what hammock you should buy for backpacking, you’ve come to the right place.
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Why You Should Bring a Hammock
Hammocks are a great addition to any backpackers’ packing list. During a trip full of potential discomfort (e.g. blisters and sore legs), it’s great to have something that puts your body at ease. For ultralight backpackers, a hammock is also a great alternative to a heavy tent. Below are the biggest benefits to bringing a hammock for backpacking.
Comfortable Camp Seat
At most campsites, the only seats you have are logs, tree stumps, and boulders. If you’re lucky. Some campsites don’t even have a nice log to sit on. After a day where you’re constantly on your feet, you’ll want to have something comfortable to sit on.
Hammocks are arguably the best choice when it comes to camp seats. They’re more compact and lighter than most foldable camp chairs. They’re also more comfortable. All you need is a couple of trees and you have yourself a nice spot to lounge.
Good For You
One of the benefits of having a hammock is having the ability to put your legs up when relaxing around camp. The curve of the hammock allows you to elevate your legs, which can be beneficial to your health. This is especially true after a day of activity.
When you stand or walk for an extended period of time, you put a lot of pressure on your legs. Putting your legs up for a while can help elevate that pressure. It will also allow the swelling and inflammation in your legs to go down. This will keep your legs feeling fresh and ready to tackle more miles!
Great For Lightweight Camping
Backpackers who take their pack weight seriously will use a hammock as a way to cut down on weight. Rather than bringing along a tent, they’ll spend the night in their hammock.
Hammocks make comfortable beds and they’re far lighter than a tent. However, if you’re going to sleep in a hammock make sure you get one that will keep the bugs and rain off you. It can get really uncomfortable really quick when you’re completely exposed to the elements.
What Hammock Should I Buy?
When it comes to portable hammocks, ENO is hands down the best brand. They are durable, lightweight, and simple to use. Most people can set up one of these in just a couple of minutes, then take it down in even less time.
They’re made from sturdy, 70D High Tenacity Nylon Taffeta, so rips are not a concern. They connect to straps or poles with tough carabiners, so you don’t have to worry about falling. The material is also very light and breathable, making overheating a non-issue during the summer months. Plus it dries quickly. You don’t have to wait long to use it again if it gets caught in a downpour.
These hammocks are also incredibly comfortable, so you will want to use it outside of your backpacking trips, too. Some people even install anchors in their house so they can use them year ‘round.
There is a solid fan base for ENO hammocks and for good reason. You can find one that will likely fit your needs below:
ENO DoubleNest Camping Hammock
The classic ENO Doublenest is our favorite choice for backpacking hammocks. The doublenest is larger than the single nest, built to hold two people instead of one so that you can share your seat if you’d like.
Even if you’re on your own, a double is nice to have. The extra fabric in the double gives you more width to relax in, which may make it more suitable for sleeping. For taller people, you might need that extra space, too!
ENO SingleNest Camping Hammock
People who are really serious about weight might prefer the smaller single nest. There is about a 3 oz difference between the two. This isn’t much weight for the average person, but to an ultra light packer, every ounce counts.
Even if you need to share a seat for a while, a single still has a weight capacity of 400 pounds. Though you’ll be snug, you certainly won’t break it. The narrower width might be annoying if you plan on sleeping in it, though. This is particularly true in the cooler weather when you’ll want plenty of sleeping gear in the hammock with you.
ENO Atlas Straps
I was on the fence about getting the Atlas Straps when I purchased my hammock. I figured rope would be sufficient.
I’m so glad I ended up grabbing a pair of straps!
These are so much better than rope. They are sturdy and soft and make putting up the hammock incredibly easy. There are thirty combined attachment points, so you can make a ton of tree sizes and distances work. This is important because it is rare to find the perfect set of trees for a hammock at every campsite. This versatility is key.
ENO Tent System
If you’re going to spend the night in your hammock, this shelter system has everything you need to do it comfortably. It even comes with the straps you need to set it up properly.
A couple of important features on this set up is the bug net and rain tarp. The bug net is essential for spending the night outside of a tent. Without one, you will most likely wake up with a ton of bug bites. Not to mention the possibility of having creepy crawlies on your face and in your hair throughout the night. The rain tarp will keep you dry if it starts to rain during the night.
Tips For Camping in a Hammock
Spending the night in a hammock can be very comfortable… if you do it right. There are some rookie mistakes that can leave you wishing you stuck to the tent. Below are a few tips for camping in a hammock.
- Use a Sleeping Pad – The light and breathable material of the hammock is great for keeping weight low and moisture out, but not so good for keeping warmth in. A sleeping pad will keep the cold wind from whipping right through you all night. It will provide some much-needed insulation from the chilly night air.
- Have a Backup Plan for Bad Weather – Sleeping in a hammock during a storm is not ideal. In strong winds, the rain might sneak under the tarp and soak you and your sleeping bag. Some people also feel more exposed in a hammock than they do in a tent. If you think you’d feel uncomfortable weathering a storm from your hammock, bring a backup plan.
- Always Use Sturdy, Living Trees – This is a rule for hammock use in general. Make sure you are tying yourself to trees that are sturdy and alive. While the hammock and straps are built to keep you safe, a dead tree is not. It can come crashing down and hurt you terribly if you’re not careful.
Conclusion
So what hammock should you buy for backpacking? The ones we listed above are our favorites. These are tried and trusted hammocks that we bring on every trip.
Hammocks are a great addition to any backpackers’ packing list and can make a great replacement for a tent if you’re going light. You won’t find a better camp seat out there!
Cover photo by Spring Fed Images on Unsplash
