Outdoors March 9, 2020 A quintessential prop strung between two bending palms in pirate movies since the earliest days of cinema, hammocks surely don’t have a role in modern travel do they? Actually, they do, with modern portable versions of the Caribbean invention (it’s called hamaka in Taíno) rapidly becoming a popular alternative for tents, chairs, and beach blankets. What’s with this change of heart from campers and lovers of the great outdoors? For one thing, the best portable hammocks do not suffer the main problem with tents lumpy, uneven, and sloping ground, giving users a better night’s sleep. But portable hammocks are also lightweight and can be used wherever you can find a couple of trees or other supports – which is nearly everywhere! What are you waiting for then? Check out our pick of the crop of the best portable hammocks! Quick Answer: the Best Portable Hammocks Top pick best portable hammock – Active Roots Double HammockBest lightweight portable hammock – Wise Owl Outfitters SingleOwlBest portable hammock for two – ENO DoubleNestBest portable hammock with stand – Campart Travel Folding Portable HammockBest portable hammock for camping – Easthills Outdoors Double Camping HammockBest portable hammock with mosquito net – Hennessey Expedition HammockBest portable hammock for backpacking – Terra Hiker Camping Hammock Top Pick Best Portable Hammock 1. Active Roots Double Camping Hammock with Tree Straps Active Roots Double Hammock is our top pick for the best portable hammock What makes this double hammock by Active Roots the best portable hammock around? For one thing, it’s super lightweight, hitting the scales at only two pounds or thereabouts. Coming with its own stuff sack, and everything you need to get going: including tree straps and carabiners, this parachute-style hammock can be set up in as little as three minutes. Taking the traditional bowed banana shape you’ll be used to in hammocks, the Active Roots Double Hammock has a capacity of 500 lbs, meaning there are enough support and space for two. There’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and promise that 5% of revenue goes to elephant conservation in South East Asia too! Pros Ready in just 3 minutesLightweightComes complete with everything needed100% satisfaction guarantee Cons Parachute style hammockConstructed from nylonLacks an integrated mosquito netHas no rain cover Are the Active Roots Double Hammock for me? You really can’t go wrong with the Active Roots Double Hammock, whether traveling alone or as a pair. Lightweight, and comes with all you need to head straight out into the wilds, this hammock can be set up in as little as three minutes as well. Best Lightweight Portable Hammock 2. Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Camping Double & Single Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Camping Double & Single is our top pick for the best lightweight portable hammock Are you heading out with a backpack on your shoulders? In that case, weight is probably going to be your major concern and you’re going to want the lightest portable hammock you can find. The US-based company Wise Owl Outfitters produces the SingleOwl, a portable hammock with a weight of little more a 1 lb! But more than that, the SingleOwl portable hammock comes with a pair of carabiners that have been specifically weight tested, and a loop of nautical-grade rope too, meaning that like the Active Roots Double Hammock, you have all you need to enjoy a night out as soon as your package arrives! Pros Very lightweightRespectable US brandSingle portable hammockEverything you need provided Cons Carabiners rather than hammock strapsLacks a mosquito netNo internal pocketsMade from nylon Is the Wise Owl Outfitters SingleOwl for me? When weight is of primary concern, how can you overlook the SingleOwl by Wise Owl Outfitters, given its superb weight of roughly 1 lb? As well as being lightweight, the SingleOwl is also easy to set up and comes with all the equipment you need straight from the packet. Best Portable Hammock for two 3. ENO DoubleNest Hammock ENO DoubleNest hammock is our top pick for the best portable hammock for two. There is an increasing number of double hammocks on the market, leaving no need to erect two separate single hammocks and offering a warm and cozy night’s sleep for two, or enough space for a single camper to stretch out. Despite the extra nylon material required, the ENO DoubleNest still manages to come in at 19 oz! It also shrinks from its hung size of 9 x 6 feet to being packed into a stuff sack of just 5 x 5 inches. It has a maximum weight capacity of 400 lbs, and promises structural integrity through its use of nautical-grade line, aluminum carabiners, and snap linkers of stainless steel. Straps are sold separately, which is good and bad: you’ve got to order those, but you’re not tied down to using Eno brand straps. Pros Weight of 19 ozPacks down to 5 x 5 inches400 lb maximum capacityHigh-quality attachments Cons Straps sold separatelyRelatively low maximum weight for a double hammockCan get chilly for single usersNo mosquito net included Is the ENO DoubleNest for me? Using really high-grade materials from the hammock itself to its carabiners and other attachments, the ENO DoubleNest is sure to survive more than just a couple of nights of use. Lightweight and packing down to a small size, this is a very good option for a couple looking for a portable hammock for two. Best portable hammock with stand 4. Campart Travel Folding Portable Hammock Campart Travel Folding Portable Hammock is our top pick for the best portable hammock with stand No trees or other supports for a traditional portable hammock? No worries! The Campart Travel Folding Portable Hammock comes with its own stand! Its tri-form stands simply and easily folds down for transportation, carrying, and storage when not in use. Made from powder-coated steel, it is both protected from the elements and infinitely washable to keep clean. The dimensions of the hammock itself are 280 x 87 x 76 cm, making it generously proportioned compared to many of its competitors. What’s more, the Campart Travel Folding Portable Hammock has a unique locking feature to ensure there’s no risk of collapse when you slip into its comfy cloth. Pros Doesn’t require external supportsEasily transportable and storableQuick to keep cleanGood dimensions Cons Heavy compared to standard portable hammocksMaximum weight capacity of 150kgSingle-person hammockNot for camping adventures Is the Campart Travel Folding Portable Hammock for me? If you’re looking for a comfortable and well dimensioned portable hammock that has its own stand and therefore doesn’t require any external support structures, we think the Campart Travel Folding Portable Hammock is a great option. Easy to transport and keep clean, it promises simple relaxation wherever you may be! Best portable hammock for camping 5. Easthills Outdoors Double Camping Hammock Easthills Outdoors Double Camping Hammock is our top pick for the best portable hammock for camping Hardcore campers will be looking for a little extra from any portable hammock they buy, which is why we recommend the Easthills Outdoors Double Camping Hammock! It has two long tree straps with 16 adjustable loops, all the equipment required, an integrated mosquito net, and an optional rainfly cover too! The hammock itself is composed of high strength yet breathable 210T taffeta parachute material with triple-stitched seams for extra sturdiness. As a double camping hammock, it is obviously designed with enough space for two adults to occupy the hammock together and has a maximum capacity of 700 lbs. Two internal gear pockets seal the deal! Pros Designed for campingIntegrated mosquito netOptional rainflyTriple stitched seams Cons Double person hammockWeightier than single person hammockAttached stuff sackAsymmetric style Is the Easthills Outdoors Double Camping Hammock for me? Looking for the best portable hammock for camping? Not any longer! Specifically designed for camping, the Easthills Outdoors Double Camping Hammock has all you need for a successful few nights under the stars, from carabiners to mosquito net and rainfly. What’s more, as a double hammock, there’s plenty of space for one or enough space for two campers to share! Best portable hammock with mosquito net 6. Hennessey Expedition Hammock Hennessey Expedition Hammock is our top pick for the best portable hammock with mosquito net We’ve already brought you one portable hammock with an integrated mosquito net – the Easthills Outdoors Double Camping Hammock – and here’s another! Not any old portable hammock, the Hennessey Expedition Hammock lays claim to being the hammock that started the turn away from tents. The Hennessey is another all-in-one portable hammock and is made from a high-density bottom of nylon, a ripstop polyester rainfly, and an integrated mosquito net. It also has a unique way of entry – through a self-sealing Velcro bottom. Despite all these extras, it remains lightweight at roughly 3 lbs, can be set up in the time it takes to make a cup of tea, and has a maximum weight capacity of 250 lbs. Pros All-in-one portable hammockIntegrated mosquito netRainflyQuick to put up Cons Middle-range weightSingle-person hammockBottom entryA little claustrophobic for some users Is the Hennessy Expedition Hammock for me? Hennessey has been making outdoor equipment for more than 40 years, and it shows. Incredibly strong and durable thanks to its high-density nylon and ripstop polyester combination construction, it also has that all-important ‘no see ‘em’ mosquito net, which stops even the smallest of bugs from enjoying a free meal. Best portable hammock for backpacking 7. Terra Hiker Camping Hammock Terra Hiker Camping Hammock is our top pick for the best portable hammock for backpacking Ideal for backpacking when both space and weight are always at their premium the Terra Hiker Camping Hammock is extremely compact in size and lightweight to boot. As with many of the portable hammocks we have reviewed up to this point, this hammock by Terra Hiker is an all-in-one, meaning everything you need to successfully camp is included in this one bundle. The hammock also comes with a handy external pocket, while weighing just over 800g. Constructed from high grade, breathable, and quick-drying nylon, it has three-step quilted seams and a maximum weight capacity of 300 kg. Even so, this camping hammock still manages to pack down to a compact size, as we’ve already mentioned. Pros Compact in sizeLightweightAll-in-one hammockQuick-drying nylon Cons Pocket doubles as a stuff sackNo integrated mosquito netSingle person hammockLacks a rainfly cover Is the Terra Hiker Camping Hammock for me? While the lack of a rainfly may well put some backpackers off, if you’re heading off to somewhere warm and dry, the Terra Hiker Camping Hammock offers all you could need in a portable hammock for backpacking. It’s compact in size and lightweight, fitting into its own stuff sack, and coming with all you need to enjoy your time without rushing around camping stores looking for those missing extras. 8. NatureFun Ultralight Travel Camping Hammock This symmetrically-styled portable hammock incorporates highly durable materials and heavy-duty double zips on the integrated fold-down mosquito net. The hammock and all its required pieces of equipment are not only included as an all-in-one package but also comes in at a total weight of just 760g. Having a maximum capacity of 300kg, NatureFun claims its Ultralight Travel Camping Hammock is one of the strongest on the market, with support ropes that have been tested to the weight of three adults, and the main body comprising military-grade 210T parachute nylon. Pros Symmetrical styleDurable and heavy-dutyAll-in-oneLightweight Cons Mosquito net not fully detachableNo rainflyMiddle-range in weightMaximum capacity of 300kg Is the NatureFun Ultralight Travel Camping Hammock for me? Incorporating many of the finest features of the best portable hammocks around at present, the NatureFun Ultralight Travel Camping Hammock includes a fold-down integrated mosquito net in its durable and heavy-duty design. Coming with all you need to head from day one, it is also a good lightweight example of a portable hammock. How to Choose the Best Portable Hammock Before you make your final choice of the portable hammock, here are a few tips to keep in consideration to find the best for you and your specific needs. What do you want it for? As you will already have realized, these days there is a whole range of different styles of the portable hammock on the market. Our review covers all the main styles, so to determine which will be the best portable hammock for you, you need to ask what you’re most often going to use your hammock for. If you’re planning to use your portable hammock for relaxing in the sun during the day, on the beach or in your garden, you’re going to want to opt for a very different hammock than if you’re planning to head out into the wilderness for a few days of adventure camping. Will you need a mosquito net, and rainfly cover, or are you looking for a simple place to lay your head? In either case, the weight will also play a part in your final decision! Single or double? Portable hammocks come as both single- and double-person hammocks. If you travel alone, you’ve still got to decide between the two; it’s common to go for the double just to have that extra space. But if you’re traveling with a partner, do you want two single-person hammocks, or perhaps a double-person hammock instead, or even TWO double-person hammocks? It’s well worth carefully considering the potential positives and negatives of both sizes. Where are you going to use it? An odd question perhaps, but another worth considering. If you’re heading out into the desert or another area without any trees or other external supports, for example, you’re probably going to want a portable hammock that has its own stand and support! If you’re not worried about mosquitoes, skip the net. If you won’t be hammocking in the rain, skip the tarp (though we really wouldn’t). The best portable hammock for you Found your portable hammock? You must have after checking out our review of the best portable hammocks around. Our tips are meant to find the best portable hammock for you. Start planning your next adventure with the ideal gear! The links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you buy anything, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep the site going.