Best Hammocks for Sleeping
When you daydream about your ideal sleeping conditions, they probably revolve around a bed. After all, that’s where we do most of our sleeping. Beds have been providing comfortable sleep to humans for centuries. But what if there was another way to get the zzz’s you deserve?
Have you ever considered a hammock? I know it seems like only Homer Simpson and survivalists sleep on hammocks, but that’s not actually the case! People have been enjoying satisfying rests by sinking into dangling hammocks for years.
There are many factors to consider. Which type of hammock do you need? Which way should you hang it? Which sleep ailments can be cured by being curling up in a supportive position while swaying gently? All will be revealed! Just keep reading and soon enough, you’ll be living that hammock life!
| Rank | Product | Highlights | Trial / Warranty |
| #1 | 
Bear Butt Double Parachute Camping Hammock |
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| #2 | 
Winner Outfitters Double Camping Hammock |
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| #3 | 
Novica Nicaraguan Hammock |
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| #4 | 
Vivere Double Hammock |
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| #5 |  HAMMOCKS RADA Handmade Yucatan Hammock
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1. Editor’s Choice – Bear Butt Double Parachute Hammock
SPECS
- Warranty – Lifetime Warranty, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
- Weight – 1.5 pounds with gear included.
- Height – 10″ x 6″
- Material – 75D Nylon Taffeta
As a rule, Bear Butt is the ultimate camping hammock made of a weatherproof nylon blend that’s super sturdy and lightweight. With your purchase, you receive all the setup care you need for the outdoors. The hammock itself holds up to 500 pounds comfortably, and unofficially 900 pounds. The company promises affordability and a no hassle, 100% satisfaction guarantee. There are no questions asked if you’re unhappy with your purchase in any way, no timelines or expirations for any reason at all, promise over promise warranty.
Pros
- Extra durable
- Super affordable
- Lightweight even with all the gear
- Awesome guarantee/warranty aka promise
- American startup with honest roots
- Hardware included
- Lots of color options
Cons
- Can’t think of any! If you’re unhappy with the product, they will replace it or refund your money
2. Runner Up – Winner Outfitters Double Hammock
SPECS
- Warranty – 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Weight – 1.5 pounds (except hanging straps and carabiners)
- Height – 118″ x 78″
- Material – 210T Nylon
Winner is a large, international company that has proven itself to its customers year after year. It has a large footprint in the camping gear arena and will most likely stay that way. The consumer reviews speak for themselves.
They’re largely impressive by being able to offer incredibly fast refunds within 5 hours, reliable customer service 24 hours and 7 days a week, and hassle-free returns for all of their products. Being international, they are also able to easily ship just about anywhere.
This double hammock can hold up to 500 pounds like the Bear Butt hammock, and weighs in at a pound and a half. All equipment needed to hang your hammock is included in the purchase, and they’re able to say it will take you less than 3 minutes to successfully pitch your hammock. This hammock is one of the most affordable on our list.
Pros
- Durable
- Affordable
- Super fast refunds
- Straps included
Cons
- Website is askew, not managed well
- Not the small business other similar companies, boasts international business
3. Best Handmade – Novica Nicaraguan Hammock
SPECS
- Warranty – N/A
- Weight – 4.44 pounds
- Dimensions – 80″ x 5″ x 65″
- Material – 100% cotton
This Nicaraguan hammock is handcrafted by local artisanal artists that are supported by National Geographic and the Novica company. This is considered a double sized hammock with a 100% cotton design. It’s gorgeous, comfortable, and durable – however, it must be cared for properly and consistently in order for it to last. It must be hand washed in cold water, dried completely and stored properly to assist in maintaining its great quality.
Pros
- Beautifully handcrafted
- NOVICA, Fair Trade, in association with National Geographic
- Comes with story and letter of authenticity
- 450-pound weight capacity
- Lightweight
Cons
- Doesn’t come with stand
- Somewhat expensive because of its craftsmanship
- Delicate, hand wash only in cold water
- Not weather-resistant
4. Best Durable – Vivere Double Hammock
SPECS
- Warranty – There is a one-year limited warranty from the manufacturer on this product.
- Weight – 33 pounds
- Height – 108″ x 42″ x 41″
- Material – Cotton, Sunbrella, or Polyester
The Vivere Double Hammock is a Brazilian style hammock that’s tightly woven with three different material blends: cotton, polyester, sunbrella. Each have their own pros and cons:
The cotton is durable, but a little more delicate and needs more dedication in cleaning. However, it’s warmer and softer.
The polyester is more durable, less tiresome in care and maintenance, however it’s more expensive than the other options.
The Sunbrella material is the easiest to care for, long lasting and is said to repel environmental toxins. But, this is the least comfortable of the three. Consider each of these materials and which will be the best for you when making your purchase.
Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Sturdy
- Double hammock
- Lots of options
Cons
- Double hammock – non-traditional use single person
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Takes up a lot of space
5. Best Style – HAMMOCKS RADA Handmade Yucatan Hammock
SPECS
- Warranty – 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Weight – 2.6 pounds
- Dimensions – 5″ x 6.1″ x 11.3″
- Material – Cotton and nylon
Hammocks Rada has over half a century of experience working with hammocks, and the material used to create them. They work with small villages to create sustainable jobs for families of over three generations to create Mexico’s highest quality Mayan hammocks. These Yucatan hammocks are made to hold up to 550 pounds of weight. They’re extremely vibrant, decorative and highly designed in their open weave, soft and lightweight stature. This particular hammock is also designed for up to 13 feet stands.
Pros
- Long
- Handmade
- Lots of color and decoration
- Holds 550 lbs
Cons
- Open weave, won’t work well in cooler climates
Types of Hammocks
The Brazilian Hammock is a fabric hammock that’s tightly woven, comfortable and supportive. It’s good for cooler climates as it’s made to keep the breeze out and your body heat in. Still made for nightly sleeping in some areas of Brazil, these hammocks are either handcrafted or machine made.
The Nicaraguan Hammock is a super soft, tightly woven yet a pliable and comfortable bed-style hammock. It’s usually decorated and handmade with string or cotton cord.
The Mayan Hammock is an extremely lightweight, vibrant, loose weave hammock that would be good for warmer climates. They are mostly made of cotton material. It can be extremely long and have large weight capacities.
The Ecuadorian Hammock is very similar to the Brazilian Hammock in shape and size, but seems to be a bit more flashy and decorated. However, the material of the Ecuadorian runs more popular in polyester which is lighter in weight, easier to clean and less expensive.
The Camping Hammock is a very well known option for outdoor adventurists and longtime hikers. They’re mostly made of some sort of nylon material, easy to set up, extremely light, and easy to clean and store. Depending on the company, they’re most likely the least expensive option on our list. However, the nylon material doesn’t protect you from the cold as the fabric materials of the others do.
You may want to check out: How to Find the Best Hammock Chair
Things to Consider
When choosing a hammock, some important things come to mind:
First, make sure to set a customized price range for how much you’re willing to spend. The idea that “you get what you pay for” does carry merit, and you don’t want to cheap out on your budget if you’re going to be using it frequently. Craftsmanship and material quality should be considered, and you should want to put out a bit more cash than you would for say, a backyard occasional lazing hammock.
Next, let’s heed a warning of which one is not ideal for sleeping in – The Spreader Bar style.
These hammocks can either be fabric or rope and they aren’t necessarily any one style or another. However, if the hammock has a spreader bar – which is a bar, usually wood, that’s drilled through and allows the hammock ropes to pass through keeping the hammock stretched – you’ll probably want to stay away from it for longer-term sleep sessions.
Keeping the hammock bed flat is awesome for short stints of sunbathing. However, the firm, flat, stretched out hammock bed doesn’t conform well to the body. It doesn’t cradle and support, and it won’t alleviate pressure points. They’re also known to flip over somewhat randomly and sporadically, so it’s not a stable situation.
Consider your climate. There are two main styles of hammocks: fabric and rope, the former is best for cooler climates and the latter is best for warmer climates. The fabric is going to keep the warmth in and the breeze out, while the rope is going to do the opposite.
If you live in a cooler climate or even if you tend to be colder at night, consider purchasing a hammock sleeping mat. It’s a thin mat that will insulate your hammock by keeping the cold out and the warmth in.
How to Sleep in a Hammock
The hammock provides the perfect sleeping position which experts agree is having your head elevated by 10-30% to keep your sinuses from stuffing and your breathing from being obstructed.
You’re best sleeping position is probably on the diagonal, especially in the larger double sized hammocks. This will create a wider, surface area to sleep on, and it’ll prevent the cocooning effect, cramped feeling and will keep you from falling out. Initially, you would believe it’s best to just sleep in the natural curve of the hammock, but it’s best to sleep against the curve to allow you to stretch out and also sleep in different positions.
If you’re a stomach sleeper, the hammock probably won’t be your best option as a sleeping apparatus. One merit of sleeping in a hammock is that it will cradle your body and keep your head and feet slightly elevated. If you flip over on your stomach, your spine from your neck to your toes will be arched in the wrong direction, and you’ll be highly uncomfortable.
For the long run, it’s probably best to keep it to one person per hammock. If you like a good snuggle at night, you may not want the hammock as a choice. Even the double sized hammocks that are made for two people can leave you pretty cramped, and may even leave sleeping on top of one another. As little room as there is in a hammock (which is how it’s designed), there’ll be even less adjustment room if you have another body to compete with.
In my opinion, it’s best to keep the double sized hammocks for the short naps or hiking trips.
How to Hang a Hammock
When setting up your hammock, you don’t want the hammock bed tight. You’ll want to set it up so it has quite a bit of slack. Tightening the hammock bed will eliminate the benefits of sleeping in a cradled and supportive position. Keeping the bed taut will mimic the aforementioned spreader style.
There are several methods to hang a hammock, of course. If you’re sleeping outside, you can use chains or ropes to hang them from trees. But if you’re moving inside with your hammock, you are still able to use the stand or better yet use the ropes and chains to hang the hammock from the ceiling or between two walls that are fairly close together. The last option is if you happen to have stability beams in your bedroom you’d be able to hang the hammock from the beams. Ultimately, what you want to look for are two solid structures that will keep you safe and your hammock consistently stable.
Conclusion
As we have quite the selection of options here, this always makes it more difficult to narrow down to one choice. However, we’ve been able to personally review these products on our list, so we’ve been able to decide which is the best one for our specific sleeping needs.
For the best hammock to sleep in, the Brazilian style has to be the favorite in this case. It’s easily accessed and has many options to choose from in terms of manufacturers. The information is easily accessed, and they’re decently priced and well-made. If you want to find one internationally to support a local artistic cause, you can definitely do this, or you could purchase locally to support businesses closer to home. While all of these hammocks are well suited for your sleeping habits, it really comes down to which one will suit your individual needs best.