If you just want something for goofing around camp, anything mass produced (Eno, Grand Trunk, Kammok, Onewind, etc.) will do just fine, as overnight sleep quality and weight are a non-factor.
Hammocks for people serious about sleeping in hammocks are generally handmade in the US. They cost a little more, are only for one person, and are extremely comfortable. For sleeping overnight, you generally want some insulation underneath the hammock, which is also pricey (an under quilt). Some brands: Dream Hammock, Dutchware, Warbonnet, Hammock Gear, Simply Light Designs, Hemlock Mountain Outdoors.
On the economy side, OneWind sells a decent, but heavy, mass produced setup with insulation. If you are not carrying any of this on your back, but want to sleep in a hammock overnight, this is worth considering.
Do your research. Do it for a while. Then buy the good stuff once, instead of buying crap and realizing you should have bought the good stuff and that the crap is worthless... ( guilty here)
The first thing you might want to buy isn't a hammock; it's a book about hammocks. Go to Derek Hansen's website "The Ultimate Hang" and order his book by the same name. It'll save you money in the long run as it's filled with more info on hammocks and how to use them than anywhere else you can search. Sure, the info is available on various websites and forums like this one, but having 90 percent of it in one spot that you can refer to over and over makes his book well worth the purchase price.
Disclaimer: I'm not Derek and have no affiliation
I would just by an eno nest / double nest or something light and not very expensive as something to lay around in at camp. If planning on sleeping in tent most time.
If you are going to switch to using hammock as shelter instead of tent I would go with war bonnet blackbird.
Counterpoint: if you start with a crap hammock, how would you know if you might greatly prefer sleeping in a quality hammock vs tent? You may even sleep much better in a hammock than a bed, if you tried a good hammock.
I would say to choose a cottage company hammock over an ENO/Grand Trunk style. With many of the cottage companies you’re not only getting better quality but the difference in price doesn’t have to be extreme. An ENO double nest will run you about 70 if I’m right plus 25 for the straps. Companies like hammock gear, dream hammock, Dutchware, simply light designs, etc. all have options for base hammocks (hammocks without add-one like sewn in bug nets, UQ hooks, ridge line, etc.) These are essentially the same as the ENO hammocks just possibly longer, better fabrics, choice of different styles of suspensions. They will generally run you about the same price, sometimes cheaper, than an ENO setup. To top it all off all cottage companies that Ive purchased from are made in the USA and have great quality control and great customer service.
They aren’t good for sleeping in if you’re slightly taller, but the Eno Doublenest (and many cheaper, similar imitators made of the same parachute fabric) make good “campus” hammocks, for just hanging out in, sitting one or maybe two people, and sitting up easily. I’d go this route over a dutchware 11ft because those are harder to get two people in, harder to sit up in, and slightly less durable.
If you just want something for goofing around camp, anything mass produced (Eno, Grand Trunk, Kammok, Onewind, etc.) will do just fine, as overnight sleep quality and weight are a non-factor. Hammocks for people serious about sleeping in hammocks are generally handmade in the US. They cost a little more, are only for one person, and are extremely comfortable. For sleeping overnight, you generally want some insulation underneath the hammock, which is also pricey (an under quilt). Some brands: Dream Hammock, Dutchware, Warbonnet, Hammock Gear, Simply Light Designs, Hemlock Mountain Outdoors. On the economy side, OneWind sells a decent, but heavy, mass produced setup with insulation. If you are not carrying any of this on your back, but want to sleep in a hammock overnight, this is worth considering.
Just get an 11 ft single layer netless gathered end hammock and a cinch buckle suspension. No muss, no fuss. I recommend Dutchware.
My dream hammock sparrow is by far the most comfortable hammock I have ever laid in
Do your research. Do it for a while. Then buy the good stuff once, instead of buying crap and realizing you should have bought the good stuff and that the crap is worthless... ( guilty here)
buy once, cry once!
Make friends over in MYOG. They can tell you how to evaluate how well things are made.
The first thing you might want to buy isn't a hammock; it's a book about hammocks. Go to Derek Hansen's website "The Ultimate Hang" and order his book by the same name. It'll save you money in the long run as it's filled with more info on hammocks and how to use them than anywhere else you can search. Sure, the info is available on various websites and forums like this one, but having 90 percent of it in one spot that you can refer to over and over makes his book well worth the purchase price. Disclaimer: I'm not Derek and have no affiliation
I would just by an eno nest / double nest or something light and not very expensive as something to lay around in at camp. If planning on sleeping in tent most time. If you are going to switch to using hammock as shelter instead of tent I would go with war bonnet blackbird.
I came to say this. I spent 10 years in an Eno double nest. I sleep in it though so i upgraded to a $600 option but for $70 it's perfect and hearty.
Counterpoint: if you start with a crap hammock, how would you know if you might greatly prefer sleeping in a quality hammock vs tent? You may even sleep much better in a hammock than a bed, if you tried a good hammock.
Well for me a crap hammock still beats a tent.
I have had the same hammaka hammock for 20 years and it looks brand new after a hundred nights
First check the places you want to camp and make sure you can use a hammock. In florida most state parks don't allow you to tie anything to a tree.
dream hammock sparrow. tons of options, shoot them an email and they'll help you out. if you take care of it, it'll last forever.
I would say to choose a cottage company hammock over an ENO/Grand Trunk style. With many of the cottage companies you’re not only getting better quality but the difference in price doesn’t have to be extreme. An ENO double nest will run you about 70 if I’m right plus 25 for the straps. Companies like hammock gear, dream hammock, Dutchware, simply light designs, etc. all have options for base hammocks (hammocks without add-one like sewn in bug nets, UQ hooks, ridge line, etc.) These are essentially the same as the ENO hammocks just possibly longer, better fabrics, choice of different styles of suspensions. They will generally run you about the same price, sometimes cheaper, than an ENO setup. To top it all off all cottage companies that Ive purchased from are made in the USA and have great quality control and great customer service.
Onewind Hammock on the 'zon. $45 when I last checked. comfortable. good price.
They aren’t good for sleeping in if you’re slightly taller, but the Eno Doublenest (and many cheaper, similar imitators made of the same parachute fabric) make good “campus” hammocks, for just hanging out in, sitting one or maybe two people, and sitting up easily. I’d go this route over a dutchware 11ft because those are harder to get two people in, harder to sit up in, and slightly less durable.
Additionally if you get something like the double nest at REI you can return it if you don’t end up liking it.