How to Choose a Bug Net for Your Hammock: A Practical Buying Guide

Quick answer

Choose a bug net by coverage first: a full-coverage net with its own ridgeline is the safest pick for camping hammocks, while a simple top-only net suits casual lounging. Then match the net to your hammock's length and width, and pick an entry style you can use in the dark. If you want one purchase that removes most of this guesswork, start with the DoubleNest Hammock + Atlas Straps Bundle and add a net sized for it.

A bug net is the difference between a great night in the trees and a night spent swatting. The catch is that nets are not interchangeable: coverage, fit, and entry design all change how a hammock feels and how easily you get in and out.

This guide walks through the decisions in the order that matters, so you can narrow the field before you buy. It also covers where ENO's hammock bundles fit into the picture, since many people end up choosing a net after they've already picked a hammock.

Start with coverage: full net vs. top-only

Full-coverage nets enclose the hammock from end to end and usually hang from their own ridgeline, so the net stays off your face and covers the sides where mosquitoes actually reach you. Top-only nets cover just the opening above you and are lighter and cheaper, but they leave the sides exposed. If you camp where bugs are aggressive, full coverage is the practical choice.

A useful test: sit in the hammock and imagine a mosquito flying at knee height. If your net does not block that path, it is a lounging net, not a camping net. That distinction drives most of the price difference you will see.

• Camping in warm, humid, or waterside areas: choose full coverage.
• Daytime lounging in a dry climate: a top-only net may be enough.
• If you are unsure, full coverage is the safer purchase because it works in both settings.

Match the net to your hammock's dimensions

Nets are sized for a range of hammock lengths and widths, and a net that is too short will pull tight and tear at the seams. Measure your hammock's total length and its width at the widest point before you shop, and compare those numbers to the net's stated fit range. If a net lists no dimensions, treat that as a limitation and look for one that does.

Two-person hammocks need wider nets. A net designed for a single hammock will sit on top of a double like a tarp that is one size too small, which defeats the purpose. The DoubleNest Hammock is a two-person design, so it needs a net rated for that width.

• Measure length and width, not just length.
• Check whether the net is rated for one person or two.
• A net with an integrated ridgeline holds its shape better than one that relies on your hammock's suspension.

Pick an entry style you can use in the dark

Zippered side entries are the easiest to use at night because you can reach them from inside the hammock. Nets that require you to lift the whole net and duck under work fine in daylight but get awkward when you are tired and it is dark. If you get up during the night, entry design matters more than weight.

Also consider how the net attaches. Nets that clip to the hammock's suspension are quick to set up and remove; nets that require threading a separate ridgeline take longer but hold a more consistent shape. Neither is wrong, but the first suits weekend trips and the second suits longer stays.

• Zippered side entry: best for nighttime use.
• Lift-and-duck entry: fine for occasional lounging.
• Clip-on attachment: faster setup; separate ridgeline: more consistent shape.

Weigh weight and packed size against durability

Ultralight nets use finer mesh and thinner materials, which saves ounces but is more prone to snags. If you are carrying the net on a long hike, that trade is worth it. If the hammock lives in a backyard or goes car camping, a slightly heavier net with tougher mesh will outlast it and cost less per season.

Mesh fineness is a separate question from weight. Finer mesh blocks smaller insects, including no-see-ums, but reduces airflow. In hot, still conditions, a coarser mesh is more comfortable; in wet, buggy conditions, finer mesh is worth the airflow penalty.

• Backpacking: prioritize weight and packed size.
• Backyard or car camping: prioritize durability and airflow.
• If no-see-ums are a problem, choose finer mesh even if it weighs more.

Decide whether to buy a net separately or as a bundle

If you already own a hammock, buy the net on its own and confirm the fit range. If you are starting from scratch, a bundle removes the compatibility question entirely, because the hammock and suspension are already matched. The DoubleNest Hammock + Atlas Straps Bundle is the straightforward starting point for most people, and the DoubleNest Hammock Print + Atlas Straps Bundle does the same job in a wider choice of print colors.

For backyard use where there are no trees, the DoubleNest Hammock + Parklite Stand Bundle pairs the same roomy hammock with a stand, so you can hang without two anchor points. In that setup, a net is still worth adding if you plan to sleep outside.

• Already own a hammock: buy the net separately and verify fit.
• Starting fresh: a bundle removes compatibility guesswork.
• No trees available: a stand bundle is the practical route.

Decision rules for buying a hammock bug net

• If you sleep overnight in bug country: Choose a full-coverage net with its own ridgeline and a zippered side entry. This is the default recommendation for camping hammocks.
• If you only lounge in the daytime: A lighter top-only net is enough, and it costs less. Do not pay for full coverage you will not use.
• If your hammock is a two-person model: Confirm the net is rated for that width, not just the length. An undersized net pulls tight and tears at the seams.
• If you are buying your first setup: Start with a matched bundle such as the DoubleNest Hammock + Atlas Straps Bundle, then add a net sized for it. Removes the compatibility question before you spend on a net.
• If no-see-ums are present: Prioritize finer mesh over lighter weight. Airflow is a fair trade for actually being protected.

ENO products that fit this decision

• DoubleNest Hammock + Atlas Straps Bundle: Pairs the DoubleNest hammock with Atlas straps for a complete hanging system, available in a range of colors. Gives you a matched hammock and suspension, so you only have to solve the net fit question once.
• DoubleNest Hammock Print + Atlas Straps Bundle: Includes the DoubleNest Hammock Print and Atlas Straps, offered in seven color options including Day to Night, Optical Illusion/Charcoal, Splash/Sapphire, Fade/Seaglass, and Mantra/Gold. Same ready-to-hang setup as the standard bundle, with more print choices if appearance matters to you.
• DoubleNest Hammock + Parklite Stand Bundle: Pairs the DoubleNest hammock with a Parklite stand so you can relax almost anywhere without trees. Useful when you have no suitable anchor points, such as a backyard or open festival field.
• ENO Aluminum Wiregate Carabiners: Sold as a set of two hammock carabiners. A cheap spare to keep on hand, since a lost or damaged carabiner can end a trip faster than any bug.

Who this approach fits

Best for

• Campers who sleep overnight in humid or waterside areas where mosquitoes are active
• Buyers who already own a hammock and need to match a net to its length and width
• First-time buyers who want a matched hammock, suspension, and net without guesswork

Not for

• Daytime-only loungers in dry climates who do not need full enclosure
• Backpackers counting every ounce who should look at dedicated ultralight net systems
• Anyone who needs a net for a hammock brand or size not covered by the net's stated fit range

Buy the coverage that matches how you actually sleep, confirm the fit against your hammock's real dimensions, and pick an entry you can manage in the dark. If you are starting from zero, a matched bundle plus a correctly sized net is the least frustrating path.