Best Camping Hammock Systems Gear Guide
High-quality, complete, beginner-friendly hammock packages
Camping Hammock Systems, also known as hammocks tents, backpacking hammock packages, and hammock shelter systems are complete hammock setups that include a:
- hammock
- mosquito netting
- tarp for rain protection
- tree suspension system.
The biggest advantage of buying a complete camping hammock system is that you can rest assured that all of its components fit together. That’s particularly useful if this is your first hammock setup. While you can also purchase each component separately, that can be an expensive trial-and-error process. I know this first-hand.
Here are best complete Camping Hammock Systems we recommend:
| Make / Model | Height Limit | Trail Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammock Gear Wanderlust | 6' 4" | 40 oz | $249 |
| Dutchware Complete Netted Hammock Package | 6' 1" | 43.2 oz | $481 |
| Kammok Mantis Ultralight All-in-One Hammock Tent | 6' 4" | 35 oz | $320 |
| Hennessy Hammock Ultralite Backpacker Asym Zip | 6' 5" | 31 oz | $240 |
| Hennessey Hammock Expedition Deluxe Asym Zip | 7' | 51 oz | $170 |
| ENO JungleLink Hammock System | 6' 5" | 48 oz | $220 |
The advantage of sleeping in a hammock is that makes it much easier to find great campsites on the fly, particularly in heavily forested or mountainous terrain, where flat open campsites are few and far between. Once you get accustomed to sleeping in a hammock, you’ll be surprised how much better you sleep compared to sleeping on the ground.
1. Hammock Gear Wanderlust Complete Kit for Hammock Camping
2. Dutchware Complete Netted Hammock Package
3. Kammok Mantis Ultralight All-in-One Hammock Tent
4. Hennessy Hammock Ultralite Backpacker Asym Zip Hammock
5. Hennessy Hammock Expedition Deluxe Asym Zip
6. ENO JungleLink Hammock Camping System
Key Considerations for Hammock Tents
Buying a complete hammock shelter system is a quick way to try hammock camping and backpacking to see if it’s right for you. The nice thing about all of the kits listed here is that they include everything you need to sleep in a hammock, soup to nuts, without having to acquire additional components. That can be a tricky process when you’re new to hammocking and you can end up buying some incompatible gear.
Backpacking vs Camping Hammock Tent Systems
Hammock systems designed for backpacking are usually lighter weight than those designed for base camping or car camping. The features and functions are largely the same, but lighter-weight fabrics are used for backpacking hammock systems and they tend to be somewhat more expensive.
Single or Double Layer Hammocks
Most people need insulation under their backs when sleeping in a hammock if its; less than 70 degrees outside. If you have a single-layer hammock you can sleep on top of a foam pad or suspend an underquilt underneath the hammock body. Inflatable pads don’t work that well because they’re hard to hold in place underneath you when you’re hanging in the air. Double layer hammocks have an internal sleeve under the sleeping surface, so you can tuck a sleeping pad into it to keep it out of the living space. The sleeve can also hold a foam or an inflatable sleeping pad. But the extra fabric layer on double layer hammocks does add to their weight.
Webbing, Daisy Chain, or Whoopie Sling Suspension Systems for Hammocks
There are three common types of suspension systems for hanging a hammock. Some shelters come with polyester webbing straps that you wrap around a tree and then hook your hammock too directly with a carabiner or a metal hook. Some add daisy chains to the webbing that you can clip your hammock to, and some use a knotless tensioning system called a Whoopie sling (which works like a Chinese finger trap) to attach a hammock to the webbing straps. All three work fine and the only real difference between them is usually gear weight, with the Whoopie sling being the lightest weight system.
Tarp Suspension Systems
Most tarps require a suspension system that is separate from the one that suspends the hammock between two trees. Most of the hammock tarps listed above have a knotless setup, with cord tensioners at the ends of the ridgeline and on the side guy lines for setup. This really expedites set-up times.
Gathered End Hammocks
Hammocks that have bunched ends and a banana shape are called gathered-end hammocks and are commonly used on hammocks intended for backpacking. Long (length) gathered-end hammocks are better than shorter ones if you prefer sleeping flat, as you would on a bed, rather than with a back curved like a banana. An 11′ foot long hammock is considered long, while a 9′ hammock would be considered moderately short.
Mosquito Netting
Many hammocks have sewn-in mosquito netting, while it is zippered in, or even removable on others. If you get a hammock without mosquito netting, you can get a standalone net that slides on over one end of the hammock that you pull over the head end or one that zippers closed on top. They’re all just as effective and what you get is usually a matter of personal choice and how much insect protection you need.
Internal Gear Storage
It’s really nice to have a pocket or two for internal gear storage in a hammock, even if it’s just for your keys and a smartphone. Most of your gear will have to be stored outside the hammock, usually on the ground, unless you get a gear sling to suspend it underneath your hammock.
Distance between Tarp/Rain Cover and the Hammock
If you plan to use one of the above hammock tent systems in hot or humid weather, consider getting one with an adjustable air gap between the tarp/rain cover and the hammock. Good airflow is necessary to combat the transfer of condensation from your tarp into the hammock and onto your sleeping insulation.
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Thank you from Bahston !!!! ?? This is so helpful for my analysis paralysis.
You should just assume that your first several purchases will be duds. Buy something you have the option to return if used. You will only learn what’s truly important with in-world experience. For example, the Kammok Mantis which is available from REI compares favorable to gear you’d buy from a cottage manufacturer.
No. The whole point of a review is to at least hint at or steer a buyer into avoiding a series of duds. Like backpacking with a SIX POUND hammock made in China, only to find out you are needlessly lugging around un-needed weight. In. Every. Step. I’ve tried. Buy a cottage manufacturer, hand made. Here. And Hennessey still makes fine “jungle style” hammie’s but I’d get a longer one.
Hammock Gear and Dutchwear are both listed above. I consider them cottage manufacturers in term of sales volume and local mfg. Why don’t more cottage companies sell complete packaged systems. They don’t and they’re their own worse enemies in terms of growth.
BTW Hennessy Hammocks makes their gear in China.
The fact that this review does not include Hammocks made by Warbird makes the comparisons irrelevant.
I’ve owned the Blackbird size regular for years and it’s the best full featured Hammock out there bar none.
It has a built in shelf for your phone , headlamp and spare socks for the morning. Integral easy adjust tree straps make it super easy to set up.
It’s a gathered end Hammock with Amsteel Ridgeline which is perfect for drying off any clothes that are damp.
Many tie outs make it a spacious cross lay. Best sleep I’d had in years and beats the lumpy New England ground. I can pitch anywhere even on a steep hillside and still be on the level . Can’t say that about tents.
For a fly I have the Hammock Gear DCF tarp with doors which locks out horizontal rain, weighs next to nothing and doesn’t sag one bit under heavy rain. It’s somewhat bulky when stored but I’ll take that any day over heavy clumsy Silnylon.
I can at will set the fly up in the porch mode which makes dressing and preparing dinner a dry affair. Many times have my tent buddies came over to my site to huddle underneath while it’s raining.
Top it off with Ridgeline by Dutch and some titanium hardware to wrap around a tree and you have a bombproof setup. Being separate the fly can be adjusted higher or lower in relation to the Hammock to minimize wind or condensation.
For an underquilt I use the Western Moutaineering Slinglite which is good down to around 20 degrees or so depending on how cold you sleep and hooks quite nicely to the Hammock body itself.
I usually use my Outdoor Vitals summit series 30 degree bag with top chest zipper and a Down hood from The A store.
In Winter I have the wrap around sock for the Hammock which seals off any wind that might try to get in. This is one area I think that tents have on us Hammock guys. They can completely seal off from any wind while dressing for the day.
To be clear in the dead of winter I will switch to my North Face VE 24 because of the wind shedding and spacious interior but Hammock it is for all other times of year.
Hope this helps.
But warbonnet (I think that’s what you meant) doesn’t sell a complete packaged system, just components. I tried to made that very clear at the beginning. I imagine you bought a lot of stuff to try before you dialed in the system you have with components from many vendors. This post is for people who don’t want to do that mainly because it takes so long and costs so much. The beauty of these packages is that you get every thing you need for one price all at once from one vendor.
Good comment. Good design. Extremely well made. Here in USA.
Philip…I see you’ve been visited by the hammock police! Just kidding. I agree that Kammok is a Best Buy if getting a returnable item, (through REI) is a good newbie strategy. The problem with the cottages as you note is that they don’t offer complete systems and do nothing to educate beginners. The kammok system, is actually top shelf, as you and Greg have pointed out in your gear reviews, and totally comparable to what the cottage gear sellers make.