With summer in full swing, you may start to see a lot more hammocks hanging between trees or posts. Some types of hammocks are called “swings” based on their shape and design, but in general, the concept is pretty universal.
There are a variety of designs out there, but we’ll explore the best ones according to our standards.
Best Overall
Honest Outfitters
Honest Outfitters produces what many would describe as the simplest and most mainstream design of hammocks. This particular design is constructed of parachute-quality nylon and comes in two sizes-108″x55″ and 118″x78″, with different colors for both.
The 108″x55″ supports 1 person up to 400 lbs while the 118″x78″ supports up to 500 lbs, with the latter being only a couple dollars more expensive. All in all, the Honest Outfitters hammock is our choice for the best overall hammock. With durable material and stitching underneath, you can rest assured you’ll be safe and comfortable. Click here to check the current price.
EZFull
The EZFull hammock is very similar to the Honest Outfitters hammock except that it only comes in one size-118″x78″. Its made out of similar heavy-duty nylon material but holds up to 660lbs, a noticeable jump in capacity compared to other 118″x78″ hammocks.
The main difference between the EZFull hammock and others is the mosquito net. Mosquitos commonly carry West Nile Virus and Malaria, so if you’re traveling into heavy bug infested areas, this is probably going to be the preferred hammock for you. The mosquito net is on one side of the hammock, but you can flip it over to use the other side the normal way. Click here to check the current price.
Eagle Nest Outfitters
This Eagle Nest Outfitters (ENO) SingleNest hammock is a single person hammock that’s more form fitting than usual. Its 112″x55″ dimensions mean that only a single person can fit in it at a time, but still hold up to 400 lbs. The SingleNest comes in a variety of colors, so you can pick the one that best fits your personality.
It’s not as wide as other hammocks, so you can pack it down real compact into its travel sack. It has a pretty stable price for a single-person hammock and whose weight capacity is up there with the rest of them. The only downside is that your purchase does not include suspension straps. Click here to check the current price.
Best Choice Products
Best Choice Products (BCP) produces a cotton lounging hammock with a different construction than most. This hammock, because of its construction and the fact that it comes with metal stand, makes it more suited for the level backyards and even indoors rather than the wilderness.
With dimensions of 115″x48″, this cotton hammock can hold up to two people and support weights of up to 450 lbs. The wider than average frame allows both occupants different seating arrangements with no problems whatsoever. Click here to check the current price.
Eagle Nest Outfitters
The next ENO product we have isn’t actually a complete hammock but rather a secondary skin. The Ember 2 hammock is constructed with a polyester filling, so it keeps you warm when temperatures drop as low as 50°F. This under quilt fits underneath hammocks like the SingleNest (above) and just about any other hammock it fits under. Its one of the smaller hammocks in ENO’s catalog at 95″x45″, and only allowing room for one person.
You probably won’t need this under quilt on a warm summer night, but out on the trails and national parks, it will definitely come in handy when the sun goes down. Click here to check the current price.
Sorbus
The Sorbus hammock is the widest bed on our list, due to the spreader bar stretching out the hammock’s ropes. With dimensions of 75″x55″, you’ll be able to spread yourself out beyond the confines of a normal, cocoon-like hammock.
The heavy cotton fabric that makes up the hammock is also rated against UV rays. This prevents the hammock from heating to unbearable temperatures especially if a certain part of it is exposed in the sun. Like the BCP hammock, its perfect for the backyard or indoors if you have space. Click here to check the current price.
How to Pick a Hammock
If you plan on traveling into the great outdoors, you can probably assume you’ll be looking for a very specific type of hammock. When encountering lower temperatures, hammocks like ENO’s single nest are going to be preferable because they surround your body and trap heat. If the temperatures are moderate to warm, a hammock like the one from Honest Outfitters will work best and give you room to stretch your limbs.
Cotton hammocks like the ones from Sorbus and BCP are not as durable as the true outdoorsmen ones, and must be treated with care. However if you keep them out of the elements and maintained they can last you a long time.
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