Ultralight Camping and Hiking

What size hammock is best for you? 

A single hammock is lighter for backpacking, but less spacious. A double hammock allows two people to share or one person to spread out. 

Look for a hammock that is at least 2 feet longer than your height. (This should be most hammocks, unless you’re really tall.) 

In what kinds of conditions will you use your hammock? 

Heavy-duty fabrics with a high denier count are more durable, while lower-denier models are more lightweight. 

Underquilts (sold separately) offer the best insulation for hammock camping in cooler weather, compared to just using a sleeping pad. Rain tarps, hung above the hammock, are also an option to protect from the elements.  

If you’d like a bug net, look for models with 360-degree protection and “no-see-um” netting. 

Should you consider a hammock tent? 

Compared to a traditional tent, a hammock tent requires no level ground for setup, has less impact on ground vegetation, is generally lighter and more compact, and cooler for summer camping. 

Hammock tents won’t work without sturdy trees, are colder and less rainproof than a traditional tent, generally not a great option for more than one person to sleep, and have minimal interior storage.