Hammock Buying Guide: Match Your Hammock to How You Camp

Quick answer

For most campers, the right hammock comes down to three things: whether you sleep solo or share, how much weight you're willing to carry, and whether you have trees. If you share or lounge around camp, get the DoubleNest. If every ounce counts on the trail, get the SuperSub. If you have no trees or want a permanent yard setup, get the DoubleNest Print + Parklite Stand Bundle.

Start with how you camp, not the hammock specs

The most common mistake is buying the hammock with the best specs on paper instead of the one that fits your actual trips. A hammock that's perfect for car camping can be miserable on a 10-mile backpacking day, and an ultralight hammock can feel cramped if you mainly lounge in the backyard with a friend.

Before comparing models, answer three questions honestly: Do you sleep alone or with someone? Will you carry it on your back for miles, or is it going in a car or a permanent yard spot? Do you have trees, or do you need a stand? Your answers eliminate most options immediately.

Weight and packed size: the backpacking trade-off

If you're carrying your hammock, weight and packed size matter more than almost anything else. The SuperSub Ultralight Hammock is designed for the ultralight enthusiast who wants to get off the ground without sacrificing comfort. It's the lightest option in this lineup, which makes it the clear choice for long-distance backpacking or bikepacking where every ounce is counted.

The trade-off is capacity. Ultralight hammocks are typically built for solo use, so if you want to share your hammock or sprawl out with a partner, you'll want a roomier model. There's no single 'best' hammock for backpacking—there's only the lightest one that still fits how you sleep.

Capacity and comfort: solo vs. sharing

The DoubleNest Hammock is spacious enough for two and built with durable yet soft FreeWave fabric. That makes it the most versatile choice for lounging, car camping, festivals, and casual hangs where comfort and roominess matter more than shaving grams.

If you mostly camp solo but want space to stretch out, a two-person hammock like the DoubleNest still works well—you just get more room. If you're strictly counting weight, the SuperSub is the better match. Think of capacity as a comfort decision, not just a sharing decision.

Trees or no trees: when you need a stand

Hammocks need two solid anchor points, and if you don't have trees, you need a stand. The DoubleNest Hammock Print + Parklite Stand Bundle pairs a roomy DoubleNest hammock with the lightweight, portable Parklite stand, so you can relax almost anywhere—no trees required. It's the simplest path for backyard, basecamp, or festival setups where trees are scarce or off-limits.

If you want to hang multiple hammocks in one spot or leave a stand up season after season, the ENOpod Hammock Stand lets you hang three ENO hammocks and is built with time-tested materials for yard, festival, and anywhere the party takes you. That's a different use case: a social, semi-permanent setup rather than a packable one.

How to read a hammock size guide without guessing

Hammock sizing isn't like tent sizing—there's no universal 'two-person' standard. Instead, look at the intended use and fabric description. A hammock described as 'spacious enough for two' is built for sharing or lounging. A hammock described as 'ultralight' is built for solo backpacking. If a spec you care about isn't listed, treat that as a decision limitation and choose based on the use case the product is designed for.

When in doubt, size up for comfort if you're not carrying it far, and size down for weight if you are. That single rule resolves most hammock buying decisions.

Decision rules: pick your hammock in under a minute

• If you're backpacking and counting ounces: Choose the SuperSub Ultralight Hammock. It's designed for the ultralight enthusiast and solo backcountry sleep. Lightest option; solo use only.
• If you're sharing, lounging, or car camping: Choose the DoubleNest Hammock. It's spacious enough for two and made with durable yet soft FreeWave fabric. Most versatile for comfort-focused trips.
• If you have no trees or want a yard setup: Choose the DoubleNest Hammock Print + Parklite Stand Bundle. It includes a portable stand so you can relax almost anywhere—no trees required. Best for backyard, basecamp, or festivals.
• If you want to hang multiple hammocks in one spot: Choose the ENOpod Hammock Stand. It lets you hang 3 ENO hammocks and is built for season-after-season use. Social, semi-permanent setup.

Product facts that matter

• DoubleNest Hammock Print + Parklite Stand Bundle: The DoubleNest Hammock Print + Parklite Stand Bundle pairs a roomy DoubleNest hammock with the lightweight, portable Parklite stand, so you can relax almost anywhere—no trees required. This is the only option here that solves the no-trees problem out of the box, making it the best fit for backyard, basecamp, or festival use.
• DoubleNest® Hammock: The DoubleNest Hammock is spacious enough for two and built with durable yet soft FreeWave fabric. If you share, lounge, or just want extra room, this is the most versatile hammock in the lineup for comfort-focused camping.
• SuperSub™ Ultralight Hammock: The SuperSub Ultralight Hammock is ideal for the ultralight enthusiast ready to get off the ground for a night's sleep in the backcountry. Choose this when weight is your top priority and you're sleeping solo on backpacking trips.
• ENOpod® Hammock Stand: The ENOpod Hammock Stand lets you hang 3 ENO hammocks and is built with time-tested materials to enjoy season after season in the yard, at a festival, and anywhere the party takes you. Pick this if you want a social, semi-permanent setup for multiple hammocks rather than a packable one.

Who each hammock is for

Best for

• Backpackers who count every ounce and sleep solo (SuperSub)
• Campers who share, lounge, or want extra room (DoubleNest)
• Anyone without trees or wanting a portable stand setup (Bundle)
• Groups or families who want a permanent multi-hammock hang (ENOpod Stand)

Not for

• Couples or loungers who want space (SuperSub is solo-focused)
• Ultralight backpackers counting grams (DoubleNest and bundle are heavier)
• People who always have trees and want the lightest setup (stand options add weight)