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A good hammock provides comfort anywhere you can find a couple of stout trees or fence posts, a wall that supports mounted hooks, or a dedicated hammock stand. The WildHorn Outfitters Outpost Camping Hammock is our top choice because it's great for a midday break or even a restful night of slumber.
The word "hammock" comes the Spanish term "hamaca," which itself was co-opted from the pre-Columbian Arawakan group of languages shared by many cultures native to South and Central America. Hammocks had been common among people living in the Americas for hundreds of years before the first Europeans arrived in the late 15th Century, but were essentially unknown throughout the rest of the world. All that changed quickly, of course, because hammocks rock.
Within a few short decades following the first "New World" contact, navies and merchant fleets around the globe were using hammocks as sleeping quarters for sailors at sea. Hammocks were soon adopted as leisure items for the wealthy and used as cheap, convenient bedding for the frontiersman, farmer, or itinerant.
In the modern era, hammocks can be seen swinging in backyards, campsites, frat houses, and teenagers' bedrooms. They are prized for the comfort they offer when unfurled and for how well they fold up for transport and storage when the R&R session is over.
How to choose the right hammock for you
If you're looking for a hammock, before you choose which one you'll buy, first consider the classic questions of Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
First, who is looking for a hammock? Why, you are! If you'll be sharing this hammock, or lending it out, then you need to think about the other people who might also use it. Some hammocks can accommodate many hundreds of pounds, while some are rated and sized for the single user.
Next, what are you hoping to buy? A hammock! Got it. Moving on.
When will you use your new hammock? This issue is a bit more nuanced than you might think. Sure, saying "I'll probably use it on Saturday afternoons" might be the right answer, but you should also consider the season (temperature and insects can be factors in choosing) and if you will be using the hammock overnight.
Where is a big question here: Will you use your hammock while camping in the wilderness, or only on the patio beside the pool? Is it going to be hung in the basement playroom or in a bedroom? Will you want to set up and take down the hammock frequently and in various locations, or leave it as a semi-permanent installation?
As to why you should get a hammock ... well, have you ever been in one? Then you know all about it.
And finally, how will you use your hammock? As a bed when you're camping far afield? As a spot to read or relax at the end of the day? For tanning in the summer sun?
All of the hammocks on our list share a couple of characteristics, in that they hang from two fixed points and support a person or two. But that doesn't mean comparing various types of hammock can't become an apples to oranges situation. So think through where you will use your hammock, how you will set it up, who might be sharing or borrowing it, and so forth, then get yourself a great hammock and enjoy.
SEE ALSO: The best beach chairs you can buy
The best hammock overall
Why you'll love it: The Wildhorn Outfitters Outpost Camping Hammock measures 11-feet long, so you can achieve an almost flat sleeping position when spread out on a diagonal.
Most hammocks feel great when you first climb in. Your body feels almost weightless as you ease yourself into a gentle curve and rock back and forth in the breeze. But should you want to shift out of that initial position of supine repose, you’re basically out of luck. That's because many hammocks are only comfortable enjoyed on your back and in near total stillness.
With the Wildhorn Outfitters Outpost hammock, you have the room and the support you need to shift positions and move about as you search for that ideal arrangement of your body's various parts. The 11-foot span of the Outpost allows you to stretch out fully with room to spare and creates a nearly flat space when you lie in it diagonally, provided you were able to secure the ends of the hammock tautly and far enough apart.
At one pound, ten ounces, this isn't the lightest parachute nylon hammock ever made, but it's still light and compact enough for use on overland treks or during climbs. The generous size and comfort of the hammock more than make up for those few extra ounces. Speaking of ounces, the hammock is tested to support up to 1,000 pounds, though its safety rated at a maximum of 400 pounds.
The Wildhorn Outfitters Outpost hammock has a winning 4.7-star rating on Amazon. Many users praise the ease and speed of its setup thanks to the cinch buckle system. An owner named Nikki said it "takes two minutes or less to set up." A customer named Holt said he was "super pleased with the quality of the product."
A gear reviewer with All Camping Stuff said he got the Wildhorn Outfitters Outpost hammock "fully set up in a matter of seconds," while a video reviewer with SHEFF loved how the Outpost let him "stretch out" and how the strap system allowed for easy adjustability during the hanging process.
Pros: Long hammock for ideal sleeping comfort, easy to set up and adjust strap system, high-quality materials
Cons: Slightly bulky when packed, not made with ripstop fabric
The best hammock for use anywhere
Why you'll love it: Thanks to the included stand, you can set up the Best Choice Products Cotton Double Hammock anywhere, no trees required.
As the name suggests, the Best Choice Products Cotton Double Hammock is made from soft, woven cotton. You sink into the material, enjoying comfort and support ideal for an afternoon nap, a break from the yard work, or while disappearing into the pages of a great book. Add a blanket, and this hammock will even keep you warm and cozy in colder weather, though it's a good choice for summertime, too, as the breeze drifts over your stretched-out body.
But the best thing about this hammock is arguably not the hammock itself, but the fact that it comes with a modular steel stand. The stand can be assembled (or disassembled) in a matter of minutes, and both the stand segments and the hammock tuck away into a carrying case.
That means you can set up this Best Choice Products hammock in the yard, on the porch, at a campsite, at a tailgating party, or anywhere else you want, no trees, fence posts, or wall anchors required. As the stand is resin-coated to be weather resistant, you can also set it up in a permanent location.
Oh, and you'll also probably like the multiple color and pattern options available and the fact that the whole package costs only a little more than sixty bucks.
With well over a thousand reviews logged on Amazon, the hammock enjoys a 4.3-star rating. An owner named Tyler speaks for many when he says: "I love how easy the stand was to assemble." Another customer noted the Best Choice Products Cotton Double Hammock's 450-pound weight limit, calling it "sturdy enough for you and a friend."
If you prefer to take it from the experts, then trust Momma's Little Reviews when a writer there says this hammock was a "fantastic addition" and that required "very little assembly" and that she "can easily move it around [the] yard."
Pros: Sets up anywhere, lightweight hammock and stand, all season comfort
Cons: Not actually large enough for two adults, prone to tipping over with vigorous swinging
The best hammock for insect protection
Why you'll love it: The G4Free Portable Hammock with Mosquito Net creates a safe, insect-free shelter, keeping you protected from the nuisance and the real dangers of bug bites.
Bug bites and bee stings are way up near the top of the list of things that are no fun. While most insect bites are merely annoying, causing an itch or a bit of pain, mosquito-borne illnesses like the Zika virus, dengue fever, malaria, and more can be deadly serious issues.
Whether you're traveling to an area known for endemic insect-born diseases or you're just really tired of having flies buzz around you and ants crawl over you while you try to relax, the G4Free Portable Hammock with Mosquito Net is a great solution.
The hammock itself is made from smooth, supportive parachute-style nylon and can generously accommodate a single adult user. Two hoop-shaped wire frames hold the insect netting up and out of the way, creating a large interior area in which you can sit up and move about without constantly touching the mesh. The netting can also be detached and moved out of the way when not needed.
The materials used to construct the hammock, mesh, and the supporting ropes are all mildew and rot resistant, making this insect shelter hammock a great choice for use in jungles, on beaches, and in varied tropical locations. Your back might protest after multiple nights of sleeping in it, though, as it does dip noticeably when in use.
The G4Free Portable Hammock with Mosquito Net has an average rating of 4.2 stars out of five on Amazon, with customers leaving comments about how "surprisingly easy to set up" the unit is and how lightweight yet sturdy the hammock proved to be.
A writer with Outsider Pursuits called the G4Free hammock "versatile" and able to "keep out the smallest bugs, including no-see-ums and midges." In a write-up on the G4Free, the reviewer from All Around Camping appreciated that it offered "enough room to comfortably stretch out."
Pros: Protects user against insects, versatile design, low price point
Cons: Not comfortable enough for multi-day use, netting rips easily
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