We have spent several hundred hours and many seasons “hanging around” backcountry campsites, campgrounds, canyons, and city parks to evaluate how all the best hammock models perform in a multitude of environments. We rated each product on the same criteria: comfort, ease of setup, durability & protection, versatility and weight. As new and impressive products become available, we test, test, and retest. We made spreadsheets of every detail and measurement to discern minute differences between even the most similar models.
Comfort
We evaluated comfort for sitting, lounging, and sleeping each time we slung a hammock between two trees. Our reviewers spent nights in every backcountry model and lounged in everyday-use specimens.
We tested multiple positions to find the ones that were the most comfortable for each model. Sometimes, the difference between a sore neck and a dreamy good time was scooting down an inch, adjusting the tension, raising the feet, or laying more diagonally. We discuss breathability to determine how insulated the hammock feels and tested each hammock's ability to integrate with underquilts, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags.
Ease of Setup
We set up each sling without the instructions to determine how intuitive the setup process is for the average user. Many models do not include necessary equipment like suspension straps, carabiners, or stakes with the rain fly, so we make sure to take note of any non-included materials that would make your setup situation easier. We timed each setup to determine which suspension systems are more difficult to learn and which ones are more straightforward. Lastly, we slung the webbing up around skinny aspen trees and thick pine trees to see how long and adjustable the straps were.
While this part of the testing process is straightforward, we weighted it more heavily because, truthfully, no one wants to waste their time trying to figure out how to sling their hammock at the end of the day, particularly if you just spent a bunch of money on a seemingly “state of the art” model.
Durability and Protection
We include specs about each model's material and construction and tell you how they feel and perform in the real world. Throughout the review, we note which materials feel robust enough for your dog to join and which ones have a more delicate feel.
With each hammock, we assess material construction, from the type of nylon used to the seam stitching along the hammock itself and how those materials hold up against the brand's claimed weight threshold for each model. The carabiners, suspension straps, rain fly, bug net, and other clips, hooks, and webbing associated are equally important in our assessment of strength and durability.
We test protection of the shelter hammocks in the wind and rain to determine if a bug net or rain fly provide enough coverage to rest comfortably. This means overnights in the high alpine or next to a river bed to determine how functional these tenting systems will be.
We note whether the fragile bug nets and rain flys integrate well with the suspension system and whether or not they are prone to tearing or slumping as we use the hammocks for more relaxing times, like reading a book or kicking back with friends. Additionally, since rain isn't always available, we dump water on the hammocks to simulate a wet night in the woods to determine how waterproof the materials are and how quickly they are able to dry.
Not only do we swing, sway, and rummage around in the hammock to apply pressure to the suspension in various ways, but we also adjust tension to see if the fragility of the materials is altered by how the webbing is strung. Lastly, we perform a simple abrasion test by rubbing the nylon against tree bark and pavement to determine if any ripping or tearing will occur under standard use scenarios.
Versatility
We tested the backcountry models and backyard models alike in a variety of environments and temperatures. We used them in both the backyard and out in more remote locations that required hiking on a trail. We assessed the ability of day-use models to make the transition to a backcountry shelter and vice versa. This means checking if each item has the ability to integrate well with underquilts, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags, and if each hammock nest is capable of stretching in different directions from the headbox to the foot box for maximum sleeping and resting comfort.
We check for attachments for rainflys and bug nets to see how versatile the setup can become if one decides to take their hammock deep into the backcountry or live in a wetter climate. We stuff each model into a backpack to determine if the packaging is small enough for multi-day trips or too bulky. We tested accessories, used every pocket, fumbled with sleeping pads and underquilts, and generally moved around inside the 'mocks in all sorts of directions to get a well-rounded sense of what type of usage each model is best suited for. We also invited friends and family on board to see how they performed with multiple occupants.
Weight
We weighed each model with all the bells and whistles, and with just the essentials. We loaded each one into a backpack and a shoulder bag to compare sizes to see which are best to carry into the backcountry and which are best suited for a festival in the park or car camping site. Ultimately, this had the lowest weighting because, for the backcountry enthusiasts, it's important, but we have found that most users are not traveling too far with their setups.
Many books were read during the hours we spent lounging — it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. We hope our adventures and experiments inform your decisions on what gear to buy and inspire you to get outside and create amazing memories.
