Ray Mears, the king of bushcraft himself, says the tarp and camping hammock is one of his favorite ways to sleep outdoors. And he’s right (of course) – traveling light gives an unparalleled sense of freedom. Plus, sleeping in a hammock, tent-free, allows you to wake up fully immersed in the natural environment, but without any unwelcome guests eating you for breakfast.
Hammocks pack easy and keep you off the ground … away from snakes and bugs. They are also super-quick to pack down and you can use the space you save in your pack for some of life’s luxuries, like food.
And don’t worry – if you were wondering where the love of your life will sleep, there are double camping hammocks too, so there’s no excuse to wander off into the wilderness on your lonesome, ever again.
If you’ve never tried hammock camping, we say give it a go – it’s really an excellent way to connect with your surroundings. Here’s a roundup of some of the best hammocks on the market to help you get started.
The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro
Made of 100 percent parachute nylon, and capable of supporting 400 pounds, this hammock comes complete with its own mosquito net, making it ideal for the tropics, or anywhere outside really. For mosquito free zones you can flip the hammock over and let the net hang underneath for a truly open-air sleeping experience.
At 10 feet 6 inches long, and 5 feet wide, there is plenty of space in this hammock for even the tallest outdoors enthusiast.
The ENO DoubleNest
If you’ve found ‘the one’ and can’t bear to be parted, then this hammock is the one for you. The Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest is extra wide at 6 feet 2 inches to accommodate two. It’s 9 feet 4 inches long, made of 70 denier nylon, and supports up to 400 pounds.
This hammock is available in nearly 50 color combinations so you can choose a bright option if you want to make sure you can always find it easily. The compression sack is attached to the hammock – a handy pocket for valuables when sleeping, and always on hand when you are packing up.
Hennessy Hammock Asym Classic
For anyone less than six feet tall in search of a true expedition hammock, then this is an excellent choice. The Asym Classic is available in any color you like – as long as it’s Hunter Green. This beauty has an attached mosquito net with a pocket on the ridgeline. Also included in the pack are a set of straps to protect the trees, and a stuff sack (not attached, so you’ll have to look after this one).
Our favorite feature is the included asymmetrical fly sheet – it keeps the rain off and shelters you from the prevailing wind. Hennessy also offers a customization service, so if you’d like longer straps or a different size of fly, then all you need to do is ask. And pay a bit more, obviously, but it’s worth it for the ultimate hammock.
Wait a Minute
Got your new hammock stashed in your pack? Outstanding. But before you go – did you make sure it came with straps? You could just use cord to tie up your new home, but for the sake of the trees, it’s much smarter to invest in a set of nylon straps. They distribute the pressure on the tree’s trunk and don’t cause any damage, so you really can leave no trace.
That was all we wanted to say. Go on now – get out and experience what Ray Mears was talking about.