Bikepacking with a Hammock: An Introduction

Sleeping in a hammock is a contentious topic among outdoor enthusiasts, bikepackers included. There are the diehards who claim their soundless night’s sleep is thanks to their cocoon in the trees, and then there are those who stick to a traditional tent—either unconvinced by suspended sleeping or unwilling to find the perfectly spaced trees required. All jokes aside, integrating a hammock into your bikepacking sleep system has its benefits, and when done properly, has the potential to provide a very comfortable night’s sleep.

I fit somewhere in between these two groups and am certainly hammock-curious. Over the last year, I’ve tried out a few of the most popular designs to see what all the fuss is about. Read on for an introduction to the necessary components of a hammock system, followed by my thoughts on some options from Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) and Dutchware. I’ve also included some thoughts from an experienced hammock user, Patrick Farnsworth of the Bikes or Death Podcast, who has plenty to say on the topic.

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Anatomy of a Hammock

Although there are a few complete hammock camping kits out there, most hammocks don’t actually include everything you need to spend a night outside comfortably. They require straps, or suspension, to secure the hammock to two trees; insulation to keep you warm; and depending on where you live in the world, a tarp or bug net. Below you’ll find a breakdown of the various hammock components that you should be familiar with.

Hammock

Often made with a single sheet of 40-70D nylon, hammocks require two tie-offs at either end to suspend them between two trees. The lightest options will provide no integrated bug or weather protection, while more complete systems offer interchangeable bug net and rain-proof canopies. Most hammocks require the user to sleep on an angle to properly support their weight and to avoid sleeping in an uncomfortable “U” shape lengthwise. There are many different lengths, widths, and styles, as well as numerous talented manufacturers making them all over the world. For the most part, these are designed specifically with camping in mind and aren’t the recreational “parachute” style hammocks you’d use in a park. Keep an eye on weight limit ratings, as these vary between brands and models, and sometimes aren’t as strong as you might think.

Suspension

Suspension refers to the system of straps, hardware, and cordage that attaches the ends of the hammock to the trees. To avoid harming the tree, a wide webbing type strap should be used on one end, with some kind of adjustable portion where the hammock attaches. More adjustment is better to achieve the perfect pitch, and manufacturers have designed all sorts of different ways to keep the weight down while providing a safe and secure setup. They might come in the form of titanium hardware, Dyneema straps, daisy chains, and ultralight alternatives like ENO’s Helios Ultralight Suspension System, which relies on a unique bury splice to provide unlimited adjustments with no knots or added hardware.

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Tarp

Depending on where you’re bikepacking, packing a tarp may not be mandatory for every trip, but it’s something to be aware of. Once again, there are endless options, shapes, and sizes that will often come down to personal preference and the conditions you’re sleeping in. In many cases, an ultralight tarp that simply provides an overhead shelter will be enough. However, for those hoping for four-season protection or winter readiness, a larger tarp that provides 360° coverage might be needed. For those of us who weren’t Scouts growing up, some tarps will come with hardware for a knotless setup, while others require some light tarpology.

Overquilt and Underquilt

Hammocks still require some kind of insulation to stay warm at night, the most common being over quilts and under quilts. Over quilts are similar to sleeping bags but eliminate the back portion of the bag and act more like a blanket than a mummy-style sleeping bag. However, sleeping pads and hammocks aren’t as easy to pair together. In addition, your body compresses a sleeping bag’s down or synthetic down insulation, which then loses its insulation properties. And since a hammock is suspended, not having any insulation below can be quite bone-chilling. An underquilt, on the other hand, is suspended below the hammock, so isn’t compressed and retains loft to provide insulation.

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Sleeping Pads

Several brands offer hammock-specific sleeping pads that are shaped a little differently than traditional pads to conform to the hammock’s curves. Klymit and ENO both offer hammock pads with “wings” that help insulate further up the sides of the hammock, as well as a winged add-on that can be used in conjunction with a standard pad. We’ve also heard that some people have had success using closed-cell foam pads like the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite, emergency blankets, or even just deflated sleeping pads.

Accessories

Other optional accessories include removable bug nets, including some that slip over the entire hammock system, such as the ENO Guardian Bug Net (pictured below) or Dutchware’s bug net that zips directly to the hammock body. Top covers are great for when the temperature drops and help keep warmth inside the hammock. Not all hammocks have integrated ridgelines, which is a thin rope that runs across the top of the hammock, holding bug nets and tarps away from the hammock, and providing a great place to lash gear. There are also loads of hammock-specific add-ons that help with gear organization in or suspended from the hammock in some way.

3 Hammocks Tested

Over the past year, we’ve tried out three popular and well-regarded hammocks. Find thoughts on each below. Then scroll down for a larger list of options we gathered.

Dutchware Chameleon

Dutchware is a big name in the hammock and DIY gear world, and they’ve created quite the reputation for themselves in the time they’ve been around. In 2017, Dutchware launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their Chameleon hammock, designed to be the ultimate in weight, versatility, and comfort. It turns out it’s one of the most popular options out there, and it’s made in the USA. The Dutchware Chameleon sets itself apart from other hammocks with an almost overwhelming number of fabric options, colours, and specifications to choose from. I tested out the Chameleon complete with an integrated bug net and their Beetle Buckle suspension system.

The Dutchware Chameleon is well designed and a good example of a high-quality, lightweight hammock. The removable, zippered bug net was easy to use and made getting in and out straightforward, the ridgeline provided plenty of space inside the hammock, and the kit packed down nice and small to make room for insulation and a tarp. Although a little bulky, their Beetle Buckle suspension system provides a quick, adjustable setup that was easy to figure out as someone new to hammocking. I actually enjoyed using them so much that I ended up pairing them with the other hammocks I tested, too.

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• Material (as tested): Hexon 1.2
• Hammock Weight: 582 grams
• Beetle Buckle Weight (pair): 200 grams
• Max Weight: 200-350lbs
• Place of Manufacture: Pennsylvania, USA
• Price: $204 USD (hammock, bug net, and suspension)
• Manufacturer’s Details: DutchwareGear.com

ENO SkyLite

The Eno SkyLite is a tent-inspired hammock that uses two aluminum DAC struts to spread the hammock out into what is supposed to be a more supportive sleeping experience. Even with the additional hardware, the SkyLite still packs down reasonably small and includes an integrated ridgeline and bug net. Since the body is less cocoon-like, there are a couple of interior pockets to organize small items, and the zippered door holds its shape well.

At 2lbs, the ENO SkyLite was the heaviest of the three hammocks I tested, but it was definitely the easiest to transition to coming from a lifetime of sleeping in tents. The struts do a great job at tensioning the body of the hammock, which in turn allows you to sleep however you’d like, instead of diagonally like the other two hammocks. ENO sent their Helios Ultralight Suspension System along, which is made from Silverlite cord and 1000D polyfilament webbing and uses a knotless bury splice tension design that is easy to use and very lightweight. The only complaint I have is that sometimes they weren’t quite long enough to span between certain trees, but I guess that’s a drawback of hammocks in general.

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• Material: 40D Nylon
• Hammock Weight: 735 grams
• Helios Suspension Weight (pair): 119 grams
• Max Weight: 250lbs
• Place of Manufacture: Asia
• Price: $169.95 USD (hammock only)
• Manufacturer’s Details: EaglesNestOutfittersInc.com

ENO Sub6

The Sub6 is ENO’s lightest hammock. At 162 grams and a pack size about the size of a can of soda, it’s easily one of the smallest and lightweight hammocks out there, but it’s also much more pared back than the other two I tried out. It’s constructed from 30D ripstop nylon, Dyneema fiber, and aluminum suspension toggles that pair well with their Helios Suspension System. It’s also the shortest hammock of the bunch and doesn’t include key features like a bug net, ridgeline, or any exterior attachment points for quilts or accessories.

Although the pack size and weight are attractive from a bikepacking perspective, the lack of features and size of the ENO Sub6 usually had me wishing for more. Although ENO sent along their Guardian SL Bug Net to create a more complete system, it just never felt like enough hammock for anything more than an overnighter or for something to hang out in at camp.

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• Material: 30D Nylon
• Hammock Weight: 162 grams
• Max Weight: 300lbs
• Place of Manufacture: Asia
• Price: $69.95 USD (hammock only)
• Manufacturer’s Details: EaglesNestOutfittersInc.com

More Hammock Options

I’ll wrap this up with some options that are worth looking into for those considering giving hammocks a shot. I’ve put together a list of some highly rated hammocks, insulation, and tarps that came up during my initial research, although there are plenty of other options out there and lots of local makers whho are producing fantastic gear.

Are you a fully converted hammock bikepacker? Tell us about or show us your setup in the comments below!