Hammocks for Backyard Naps and Backpacking Trips
The ENO DoubleNest is the most versatile camping hammock of the group, the Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl gives nearly the same experience for a lot less, and the Vivere double cotton hammock with stand is the pick for a backyard with no trees.
The ENO DoubleNest is the camping hammock that suits the widest range of uses, with the Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl offering most of that at a lower cost and the Vivere double cotton hammock with stand solving the common problem of a garden with nowhere to hang one.
Hammock shopping gets confusing because a packable nylon camping hammock and a spreader bar lounger are almost different products, and many listings quietly exclude the straps you need to hang them. We compared published packed weights, capacities, fabric specifications and included hardware, alongside what owners report about comfort over a full night versus an afternoon.
What we recommend
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
The DoubleNest is the hammock most people picture, and it earns that position by being light enough to carry, wide enough for two to sit or one to sprawl, and strong enough for years of use. The nylon packs into its attached stuff sack in seconds, which is the detail that makes it actually travel rather than live in a cupboard. Suspension straps are sold separately, so budget for those.
Pros
- Packs down small enough for a daypack
- Wide enough for a comfortable diagonal lie
- Durable enough to last many seasons
Cons
- Straps are an extra purchase
- Nylon can feel cool without an underquilt
Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Hammock
Wise Owl includes the tree straps and carabiners in the box, which means the advertised price is the real price rather than the start of a shopping list. The parachute nylon and stitching quality are close enough to premium brands that most casual users will not notice a difference. It is the sensible first hammock for someone who is not sure how often they will use it.
Pros
- Straps and carabiners included in the box
- Very close to premium comfort at a lower cost
- Light enough to take hiking
Cons
- Included carabiners are heavier than premium ones
- Stitching quality is a step below top brands
Kammok Roo Double Hammock
Kammok builds the Roo around a proprietary fabric that is noticeably light for its strength, which matters when every ounce in the pack is being counted. The included stuff pocket doubles as a gear sling once hung, keeping a phone and headlamp within reach. It is a premium buy aimed at people who will genuinely carry it into the backcountry.
Pros
- Excellent strength for the packed weight
- Gear pocket keeps essentials within reach
- Compresses very small in a pack
Cons
- Premium pricing for a hammock body
- Suspension is a separate purchase
Bear Butt Double Hammock
This is the hammock to buy when you want three of them for a group camping trip without much thought about cost. Straps are typically included, and the parachute nylon is perfectly adequate for casual use in a garden or at a campsite. It is heavier and less refined than premium options, so serious backpackers should look elsewhere.
Pros
- Low enough cost to buy several
- Comes with the hardware needed to hang it
- Comfortable for casual afternoon use
Cons
- Heavier than premium backpacking hammocks
- Hardware quality is basic
Vivere Double Cotton Hammock with Space Saving Steel Stand
This solves the most common backyard problem, which is having nowhere suitable to hang a hammock. The steel stand assembles without tools and the cotton hammock with spreader bars gives a flat, open lie that suits reading and napping better than a cocooning camping hammock. It is a stationary setup rather than something you will move often.
Pros
- No trees or fixed anchors required
- Flat open lie is easy to get in and out of
- Assembles without tools
Cons
- Cotton must be brought in from rain
- Stand is heavy and not really portable
Lazy Daze Hammocks Quilted Fabric Hammock with Spreader Bars
The quilted padded fabric makes this considerably more comfortable for long afternoons than plain woven cotton, and the spreader bars keep it open so you lie flat rather than being wrapped. It usually includes pillows, and the polyester based quilting handles occasional weather better than untreated cotton. It needs either trees or a separately purchased stand.
Pros
- Padded quilting is comfortable for hours
- Spreader bars keep the hammock open and flat
- Handles occasional weather better than raw cotton
Cons
- Bulky and not portable
- Stand is usually a separate purchase
Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym Zip
This is a complete shelter system rather than a hammock, combining an asymmetric body designed for a flatter diagonal lie with an integrated bug net and a rain tarp. For anyone actually sleeping outdoors in a hammock, the bug net is the difference between a good night and a miserable one. It is more complex to set up and heavier than a simple hammock body.
Pros
- Integrated bug net and tarp for real camping
- Asymmetric cut gives a flatter sleeping position
- Complete system with nothing else to buy
Cons
- More complex and slower to pitch
- Heavier than a bare hammock body
Before you buy
Camping hammock or spreader bar lounger Gathered end camping hammocks, such as the ENO and Kammok models, wrap around you and pack small, which suits camping, travel and anywhere you need portability. Spreader bar hammocks hold the fabric open so you lie flat on top, which is more comfortable for reading and easier to get in and out of, but they are bulky, tip more easily and stay put once installed. Decide which use dominates before comparing anything else.
Check what is actually included Many premium hammocks sell the body alone, with suspension straps and carabiners as separate purchases that add meaningfully to the total. Budget brands typically include straps, which is a large part of their value proposition. Look specifically for tree-friendly webbing straps rather than rope, since rope damages bark and is far harder to adjust. If you are buying a spreader bar hammock, check whether a stand is included.
Hanging it properly Comfort in a gathered end hammock comes from the hang angle, and the common guidance is straps at roughly a thirty degree angle from horizontal with the fabric hanging in a gentle curve rather than pulled tight. A tight hammock squeezes your shoulders; a proper sag lets you lie diagonally, which is what produces the surprisingly flat position experienced hammock campers talk about. Sit height should let your feet touch the ground when seated.
Fabric, weather and insulation Nylon dries fast, packs small and handles rain, which is why it dominates camping hammocks. Cotton is more breathable and pleasant in heat but absorbs water and mildews, so it needs to come indoors. The point most people miss is that a hammock offers no insulation underneath, so compressed sleeping bag fill does nothing and you get cold from below on cool nights. An underquilt or a sleeping pad inside the hammock is essential once temperatures drop.
Compared at a glance
| # | Model | Fabric | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENO DoubleNest Hammock | Breathable ripstop nylon | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl Hammock | Parachute nylon | Best value | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Kammok Roo Double Hammock | Lightweight proprietary ripstop | Best for backpacking | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Bear Butt Double Hammock | Parachute nylon | Best budget | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Vivere Double Cotton Hammock with Space Saving Steel Stand | Cotton with spreader bars | Best with a stand | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Lazy Daze Hammocks Quilted Fabric Hammock with Spreader Bars | Quilted padded polyester | Best for backyard lounging | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Hennessy Hammock Expedition Asym Zip | Complete hammock shelter system | Best for hammock camping | 8.0 | Check price |
Questions worth asking
Do hammocks come with straps?
It varies. Budget brands such as Wise Owl and Bear Butt usually include tree straps and carabiners. Premium brands including ENO and Kammok often sell the hammock body alone, so factor straps into the total cost. Always choose wide webbing straps rather than rope to avoid damaging trees.
How far apart should the trees be?
Roughly twelve to fifteen feet works well for most camping hammocks, though adjustable straps give useful flexibility either side of that. What matters more is the hang angle, since trees that are too far apart force the straps tight and make the hammock uncomfortable.
Is it comfortable to sleep in a hammock all night?
Many people find it more comfortable than the ground once they learn to lie diagonally rather than straight along the centre line. The two things that ruin it are hanging the hammock too tight and having no insulation underneath. Fix both and a full night is genuinely comfortable.
Why do I get cold in a hammock?
Your body compresses the insulation under you, and air moving beneath the hammock carries heat away. A sleeping bag alone does not solve this. Use an underquilt hung outside the hammock, or put a sleeping pad inside it, once night temperatures drop.
What weight can a hammock hold?
Most double camping hammocks are rated for several hundred pounds, and the fabric is rarely the weak point. The suspension, carabiners and anchor points matter more, so check the rating on the straps and hardware as well as the hammock body, and inspect anchors before trusting them.
Can I leave a hammock outside?
Nylon camping hammocks tolerate weather but degrade in constant sunlight, so bring them in when not in use. Cotton hammocks must be brought in from rain or they mildew. Some outdoor loungers use weather-treated polyester, which handles being left out far better.
Do I need a hammock stand?
Only if you lack suitable trees or fixed anchors. A stand makes a hammock usable on a patio, deck or open lawn, and spreader bar hammocks are usually paired with one. Stands are heavy and semi-permanent, so they suit backyards rather than travel.
What is the right hang angle?
A common guideline is straps at about thirty degrees from horizontal, giving a visible sag in the fabric. A hammock pulled tight and flat squeezes the shoulders and is far less comfortable, which is the mistake most first-time users make.
The bottom line
The ENO DoubleNest remains the hammock to buy if you want one that works equally well strung between two trees at camp or in the garden, provided you budget for straps. The Wise Owl Outfitters DoubleOwl delivers a very similar experience with the hardware included, and if your garden has nowhere to hang anything, the Vivere cotton hammock with its steel stand solves that in one purchase.
