Hammock camping is a fabulous way to camp and is growing in popularity. There’s a mind-boggling number of setup options out there, so we thought we’d narrow things down a bit and focus this article on budget camping hammock setups. We have tried to include a range of setups – from hammock only, through to full setups with rain-fly, ridge-line, bug nets, tree straps, etc.
How do I choose a camping hammock setup?
We’d suggest you have a think about the type of hammock camping you want to do and what the conditions will be like. Will you be backpacking for a few days or are you just planning a one-off over-nighter with friends? Will you be in local woodland or out in the wilderness? Is it likely to be warm and dry or pouring with rain? Will you need protection from bugs? Answering questions like these will help you narrow down your requirements and ultimately help you choose the hammock setup that’s right for you.
What you need to hammock camp
We are not going to get bogged down in hammock camping gear-lists in this article. There’s plenty written online about that already and there are lots of great YouTube videos covering different hammock camping options. There are lots of hammock setups and it basically comes down to personal choice. In a nutshell this is what you need to hammock camp:
- Hammock
- Tree-friendly suspension system to suspend your hammock between a couple of trees.
- Ridge-line – a ridge-line can have a number of purposes depending on the setup you’re using, such as:
- to adjust the amount of sag of the hammock;
- to suspend things from (using things like a ridge-line organiser);
- to keep items like a bug-net away from your body;
- to also suspend the tarp.
- Pockets for storage and easy access to essential kit.
Depending on the time of year and your location you may also need the following:
- Bug protection – usually in the form of some sort of bug-net. An ultra-fine mesh bug net is best to ensure mosquitoes and midges can’t get at you. Look for setups with some sort of spreader poles and/or ridge-line to suspend the bug net and keep it up off you.
- Insulation – under-quilt, top-quilt, sleeping bag. Check the hammock setup comes with some way of attaching or fixing in your insulation.
- Tarp – some campers like the feeling of security that a tarp gives. Tarps also provide shelter from the rain and, depending on the positioning, the wind.
Some hammock campers, particularly experienced ones, prefer to make up their own system to suit their needs. Like most forms of camping, hammock camping is one of those things where you need to just get on and try it. You’ll soon learn what you like and don’t like.
What price camping hammock setups have we included?
Price-wise, we are including camping hammock setups roughly between £25/$30 and £80/$100. This should get you a decent set up from a brand with good reviews and feedback. Whilst these are budget setups, they should still be decent setups. Whether you spend $ or $$$$$ on something, it should still be fit for purpose and provide value relevant to the price you paid. Don’t forget – you need to buy a hammock setup that does what you need it to do. Ok, let’s dive straight into the gear.
Budget camping hammock setups
These are the budget camping hammock setups we are covering in this article (listed alphabetically):
DD Hammocks Frontline Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
ENO SingleNest Camping Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Kiaitre Camping Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE
Night Cat Camping Hammock Tent — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
OneTigris Kompound Camping Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Onewind Zippered Camping Hammock — AMAZON.COM PRICE
Snugpak Jungle Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Sunyear Camping Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock — AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
DD Hammocks Frontline Hammock
Size: 270cm (106″) x 140cm (55″)
Weight: 850g / 1.87lb (hammock only)
Suitable for users: up to 6ft 5in and weighing up to 125kg
Colours: Forest Green (limited edition), Olive green, Coyote brown, Jet black, Sunset Orange
Fabric: Not specified
Pack size: 28cm x 17cm x 12cm
Usage: Open hammock; hammock with bug net; ground bivvy/tent.
What’s included: Hammock; bug net; suspension webbing; spreader poles (with elastic cord); stuff sack. This is a double layer hammock – ideal for inserting things like a partially inflated sleeping pad or an under-blanket in colder weather.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
ENO SingleNest Camping Hammock
Size: 284cm (9′ 4″) x 140cm (4′ 7″)
Weight: 454g / 16oz
Suitable for users: weighing up to 180kg (400lb)
Colours: numerous
Fabric: 70D Nylon Taffeta
Pack size: 4″ x 5″
Usage: Open hammock
What’s included: Hammock; aluminium carabiners; nautical grade line; store bag.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Kiaitre Camping Hammock
Size: 240cm (94.5″) x 120cm (47.2″)
Weight: 680g / 1.5lb (hammock only)
Suitable for users: weighing up to 198 kg (440lb)
Colours: green
Fabric: 210T nylon
Pack size: 29.2cm x 24.8cm x 13.1cm
Usage: Open hammock; hammock with bug net.
What’s included: Hammock; bug net; suspension webbing; two cords to use to lift bug not and tie it out to the trees; two carabiners to attach the hammock to the suspension webbing; stuff sack.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE
Night Cat Camping Hammock Tent
Size: 270cm (8.85ft) x 140cm (4.59ft) x 49cm (1.6ft)
Weight: 1.8kg / 4lbs
Suitable for users: weighing up to 200kg (440lb)
Colours: dark green, camouflage, green, orange
Fabric: 70D nylon, B3 Polyester Mesh
Pack size: 45cm x 22cm x 13cm (18″x9″x5″)
Usage: Open hammock; hammock with bug net; hammock with bug net and rain flysheet; ground bivvy/tent.
What’s included: Hammock; rain flysheet; bug net; suspension webbing and carabiners; aluminium poles to hold up the bug net; guy lines and stakes; bag.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
OneTigris Kompound Camping Hammock
Size: 260cm (8.5ft) by 130cm (4.2ft)
Weight: 910g
Suitable for users: weighing up to 150kg (330lb)
Colours: Green
Fabric: 210T nylon taffeta
Pack size: 32.8cm x 26.4cm x 10.5cm
Usage: Open hammock; hammock with bug net.
What’s included: Hammock; bug net; webbing suspension straps; 2 x carabiners; 2 x guy-lines.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Onewind Zippered Camping Hammock
Size: 335cm x 162cm (11′ x 5.3′)
Weight: 600g / 1.32lb (hammock and bug net only)
Suitable for users: weighing up to 180kg (400lb)
Colours: green
Fabric: 40D nylon ripstop
Pack size: 13″ x 9.25″ x 5.39″
Usage: Open hammock; hammock with bug net.
What’s included: Hammock; bug net; aluminium stakes and guy-lines; suspension tree straps; cinch buckles; ridge-line; stuff sack.
AMAZON.COM PRICE
Snugpak Jungle Hammock
Size: 274.32cm x 142.24cm x 5.08cm (9′ x 4′ x 8″)
Weight: 900g / 32oz
Suitable for users: weighing up to 180kg / 400lb
Colours: Olive, Terrain
Fabric: Nylon, bug net 20D Polyester
Pack size: 23cm x 17cm x 10cm / 9″ x 7″ x 4″
Usage: Hammock with bug net
What’s included: Hammock; built-in bug net; carabiners; suspension system with tree straps; stuff sack.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Sunyear Camping Hammock
Size: 269cm x 140cm x 69cm (106″ x 55″ x 27″)
Weight: 998g / 2.2lb
Suitable for users: weighing up to 227kg / 500lb
Colours: Numerous
Fabric: 210T parachute nylon and mesh bug net
Pack size: 9.4″ x 7.1″ x 5.5″
Usage: Open hammock; hammock with bug net.
What’s included: Hammock; bug net; carabiners; suspension system with tree straps; storage sack.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock
Size: 274cm x 137cm (9′ x 4.5′)
Weight: 454g / 16oz (hammock only)
Suitable for users: weighing up to 180kg / 400lb
Colours: numerous
Fabric: 210T nylon
Pack size: 5″ x 5″
Usage: Open hammock
What’s included: Hammock; carabiners; suspension system with tree straps; storage sack.
AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE
Budget camping hammock setups – top picks
Our favourite budget camping hammock setup: DD Hammocks Frontline Hammock (CHECK PRICE)
The cheapest budget camping hammock setup in the UK (from our list): Kiaitre Camping Hammock (AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE)
The lightest budget camping hammock setup (from our list): Both the ENO SingleNest AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE) and the Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Hammock (AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE) weigh only 454g / 16oz, but remember – that weight is only for the hammock. Some of the other systems are heavier because you get a lot more with them, such as tree straps, bug net, etc.
Best budget camping hammock setup for tall people (from our list): Onewind Zippered Camping Hammock. At 335cm x 162cm (11′ x 5.3′) this is the longest hammock we have featured by far. A longer hammock should allow a taller person to lie flatter. (AMAZON.COM PRICE)
The most versatile budget camping hammock setup (from our list): We’d probably go with the Night Cat Camping Hammock Tent. You can use this hammock tent in a huge range of situations, including on the ground as a bivvy. (AMAZON.CO.UK PRICE | AMAZON.COM PRICE)
There are loads of other options available of course – military systems; minimal systems; complex systems; and everything in between. Hopefully, our pick of the best budget camping hammock setups has helped you choose the right budget setup for you. By the way, if, after reading this article you feel you’re going to stick to tents, check out our popular Budget 2 person wild-camping tents article. There are some cracking budget tents included in that article.
