Activate relaxation mode. Photo: Austin Schmid//Unsplash
There’s nothing better after a long surf than posting up between two trees in a hammock. Grab a beer, a book, some shade, and it’s pure bliss. Hammocks have been a camping and beachfront staple for years. Once upon a time, hammocks came in one, straightforward design, but these days they’ve got pockets, mosquito nets, quick tie-down straps, and everything you never knew you needed. Here, we’ve rounded up five of our favorite hammocks for hanging, whether that’s at the beach, the campsite, or your own front porch.
What Are The Best Hammocks?
Best Overall: ENO DoubleNest Hammock
Most Versatile Hammock: Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip Hammock
Recycled Materials: Kammock Roo Double Recycled Hammock
Best Budget Hammock: Klymit Traverse Double Hammock
Best Stationary Hammock: Layback Cotton Canvas Hammock
Best Overall
ENO DoubleNest Hammock ($75)
Durability: 5/5
Portability: 4.5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Price: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.75/5
If you stroll down to any beach park or campground, you’ll likely see an ENO hammock strung between two trees. ENO has been my hammock choice for years – they’re simple, comfortable, and pack down small. Available in 13 different color options, the DoubleNest offers lots of room to move around for a single rider or just the right amount of space to snuggle up with your partner or chill with your kids. Featuring breathable and fast-drying FreeWave fabric and exclusive crinkle treatment, the DoubleNest is a testament to quality and comfort.
Weighing in at just over a pound, the DoubleNest is lightweight and packs down into a convenient stuff sack. The hammock comes with carabiners that attach with any ENO straps, but I wish the straps were included with the hammock (you have to purchase them separately). Finally, the hammock features time-tested, trip-stitched seam construction that makes it ultra-durable and prevents rips and tears – I have not been gentle on my ENO and it’s still going strong years later.
Most Versatile Hammock
Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip Hammock ($170)
Durability: 5/5
Portability: 4.5/5
Comfort: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Overall: 4.6/5
Hennessy’s Expedition hammock will keep you covered through rainstorms, buggy tropical locations, backcountry trips, beachside hangs, and everything in between. The Expedition features a unique, patented asymmetrical design that allows you to lie level on the diagonal while supporting your lower back and knees, resulting in the comfiest hammock sleep of your life. The hammock features a side entrance and a breathable mesh to provide protection from bugs, which is a huge plus for me.
Included with the Expedition is a waterproof ripstop rainfly that can be tilted, rolled up, removed, or used separately, so it covers all your bases. Other fun features include gear pockets, a suspension system, and complementary polyester webbing straps. This shape-shifting hammock also folds into an open-air lounger/chair or can be converted into a tent with your hiking poles.
The Expedition is designed for maximum comfort for those up to six feet and 250 pounds, so if you’re on the taller side it might not be as comfy of an option. Although this hammock is a bit on the pricier side, it is extremely versatile and comes with all the bells and whistles to keep up with whatever adventure you throw its way.
Recycled Materials
Kammock Roo Double Recycled Hammock ($79)
Durability: 4/5
Portability: 5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Price: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Made from 100 percent recycled GravitasX 40-denier diamond ripstop fabric and bluesign approved, the Roo is a hammock you can feel good about laying back in. Ten feet long and capable of holding up to 500 pounds, the Roo offers plenty of space for two. Weighing in at just over a pound itself, the Roo is lightweight, simple, comfortable, and includes built-in gear loops for attaching carabiners and accessories.
Unfortunately, the Roo doesn’t include straps, so you must purchase those separately if you don’t already own them. On the flip side, Kammock has lots of fun, compatible accessories like hammock stands, bug nets, and insulated pads, so you can easily tailor the hammock to your needs. Available at an affordable price, the Kammock is a solid option for chilling at the beach or in the backcountry.
Best Budget Hammock
Klymit Traverse Double Hammock ($65)
Durability: 4/5
Portability: 4/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Overall: 4.25/5
Lightweight and comfortable, the Traverse Double Hammock is a straightforward design that’s perfect for relaxing at the beach or the campground. Capable of supporting 400 pounds and weighing in at one pound, 14 ounces, the Traverse is a great option for two people or one person that enjoys a lot of space. The fabric features a subtly cool stone art print and is incredibly soft, making it perfect to snuggle up in.
The Traverse comes with two aluminum carabiners and two, 11-foot tree straps, so it’s easy to string up anywhere, and easier on your wallet than some options that don’t come with straps. Made from 75-denier polyester, the Traverse features a single-panel design that helps prevent stretching and snagging, allowing you to enjoy your hammock for years to come. Can you go cheaper? Yes. Do we recommend a $25 dollar hammock? Not really. The sacrifices in quality simply aren’t going to deliver a piece of gear that will last.
Best Stationary Hammock
Layback Cotton Canvas Hammock ($75)
Durability: 3/5
Portability: 3/5
Comfort: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Overall: 3.75/5
Featuring fun, playful patterns and tropical prints, the Layback Cotton Canvas hammock works well as a backyard fixture or as an addition to a beach-day set up. At three pounds, five ounces, it’s not as portable as some other options, so it’s best suited for car camping or hanging at home — but it does come in a convenient backpack style bag to help make transportation easier. Made from a sturdy, recycled cotton canvas, the hammock features industrial-grade brass eyelets and braided twill ropes that make it easy to string up. Capable of supporting 250pounds, the Cotton Canvas hammock is a fun option for close to home adventures.
Comparison Table
| Model | Score | Price | Weight | Capacity | Features |
| ENO Doublenest | 4.75 | $75 | 20 oz | 400 lb | Packs down small |
| Hennesy Expedition | 4.6 | $170 | 45 oz | 250 lb | Asymetrical design, Weather cover |
| Kammock Roo | 4.5 | $79 | 18 oz | 500 lb | Lightweight, Built in gear loops |
| Klymit Traverse Double | 4.25 | $65 | 29 oz | 400 lb | Carabiners and straps included |
| Layback Cotton Canvas | 3.75 | $75 | 53 oz | 250 lb | Recycled Cotton |
What Makes A Good Hammock?
Hammocks tend to be pretty straightforward, but there are a few things I look for in a good one. I want my hammock to be durable, portable, comfortable, and available at an affordable price.
Durability
I know you should take your hammock down between each use and store it in a cool, dry place. But if I string it up in my backyard, you bet it’ll be out there for weeks weathering sun, storms, and anything else Mother Nature decides to throw its way. That being said, I want a durable hammock that can withstand the elements (and my lazy habits).
Portability
Don’t get me wrong, I love front-porch fixed hammocks. But when I’m looking for a hammock, I want something that I can hang in my yard and pack along for surf trips, camping, beaching, and everything in between. I look for a hammock that packs down into some sort of sack and comes with straps that make it easy to set up.
Comfort
If a hammock isn’t comfortable what’s the point? When I buy a hammock, I want it to be the epitome of comfort because I plan on napping, relaxing, and watching the waves from mine.
Price
Some hammocks cost $20 at a flea market, while others will run you a Benjamin Franklin (or two). I want one that delivers everything I’m looking for, while still offered at an affordable price.
It’s a fact that sunsets are best viewed from a hammock. // Photo: Unsplash
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
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