If you can’t resist the allure of sleeping among the trees, we’ve got you covered. We tested the best winter hammock camping to determine which ones are worth bringing on your next adventure. After researching over 30 models, we narrowed it down to 7 of the most promising based on features and price. To get a well-rounded perspective, we spent a night in each hammock and gathered feedback testers. So, let’s explore the products in detail with National Park Shops through the following article!
Contents
- 1 Best Overall: Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock for Camping ($29.99 on Amazon)
- 2 Best for 4-Season: Onewind Tempest ($74.90 on Amazon)
- 3 Best Portable: Sunyear Camping Hammock ($69.99 on Amazon)
- 4 Best Budget: Covacure Camping Hammock ($27.99 on Amazon)
- 5 Best All-In-One Kit: Kammok Mantis UL ($269.95 on Amazon)
- 6 Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip ($269.95 on Amazon)
- 7 Night Cat Flat Lay Hammock Tent ($199.99 on Amazon)
- 8 How we tested
- 9 5 Tips for Winter Hammock Camping Setup
- 10 Conclusion
Best Overall: Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock for Camping ($29.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Nylon
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 5E+2 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 1
The Wise Owl Outfitters winter hammock camping is designed to provide comfort and convenience for outdoor enthusiasts. These hammocks are made from soft yet strong parachute nylon with triple interlocking stitching, ensuring durability and longevity. They are available in single and double sizes. The Single Hammock measures 9 feet long by 4.5 feet wide and can hold up to 400 lbs, while the Double Hammock measures 10 feet long by 6.5 feet wide and can hold up to 500 lbs.
This winter hammock camping is lightweight and compact, folding down to the size of an eggplant and weighing only 24oz, making it easy to pack for backpacking and travel. Setting up the hammock is made easy with the included 9-foot-long tree straps and carabiners. The tree straps feature 5 separate loops, allowing for adjustable height. Wise Owl Outfitters also offers various hammock accessories such as suspension straps, mosquito nets, and rain canopies.
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Best for 4-Season: Onewind Tempest ($74.90 on Amazon)
- Material: Fabric
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 5E+2 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 2
With comfort and features that rival models costing twice as much, Onewind Tempest consistently impressed us throughout our testing. While it’s not the least expensive option in our lineup, the extra cost gets you a winter hammock camping loaded with value.
Its generous size and soft fabric made the Tempest one of the most comfortable models we tried. We found ourselves relaxing in it under the pines more often than in other models priced at double its cost. The symmetrical bug net allows you to sleep in either direction, and the side pull-outs keep the mesh away from your face for a more enjoyable experience.
Despite its affordable price, the Tempest is packed with useful features, including a stashable bug net, ridgeline pocket, attachment points, side pulls, and an adjustable ridgeline. When we started searching for a budget-friendly recommendation, we never expected to find a winter hammock camping model this well-rounded and user-friendly.
Best Portable: Sunyear Camping Hammock ($69.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Nylon & Oxford
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 500 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 1
The Sunyear Camping Hammock, available on Amazon, is a versatile and portable outdoor essential perfect for camping, backpacking, survival, and travel. Crafted from high-quality 210T parachute nylon, akin to materials used by skydivers, this winter hammock camping promises durability and comfort, supporting a weight capacity of up to 500 or 600 pounds depending on the model. It comes in various configurations to suit different needs. For those seeking protection from insects, the hammock with a mosquito net is an excellent choice, featuring a removable no-see-um net, tree straps, and carabiners for an effortless setup. Dimensions range from 106″L x 55″W to a more spacious 118″L x 78″W.
Alternatively, for comprehensive protection against the elements, the winter hammock camping with a rain fly includes a waterproof 210D Oxford fabric rainfly with a 13ft ridgeline, guy lines, and convenient stuff sacks. The rain fly’s triangle design ensures enhanced defense against wind and rain.
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Best Budget: Covacure Camping Hammock ($27.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Nylon, Aluminum
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 772 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 2
The Covacure winter hammock camping was our way of exploring the question, “Why spend more on a hammock when this affordable one from Amazon seems to offer the same experience?”. Initially, we were excited to test it, hoping it would be an inexpensive entry point into hammocking.
Covacure boasts solid reviews and promising features, but it fell short in several key areas compared to other models we tested. Its small size was limiting. The side pulls are positioned in the middle of the hammock, making them ineffective at keeping the bug netting out of the head area. Although the product photos suggest a structural ridgeline, it’s just a length of shock cord, which makes achieving a proper curve difficult and reduces overall comfort. Lying diagonally is challenging because the bug net tends to press into your face, and without a pillow under your knees, there’s a risk of hyperextension during the night.
For casual lounging, the Covacure is fine, but we wouldn’t recommend it for overnight use, especially after experiencing the superior comfort of other options on the market.
Best All-In-One Kit: Kammok Mantis UL ($269.95 on Amazon)
- Material: Nylon
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 330 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 1
Testing the Kammok Mantis UL was an absolute pleasure. With its smart, well-thought-out design and outstanding comfort, this all-in-one winter hammock camping kit left very little to criticize, making it an easy recommendation.
The kit includes a lightweight tarp, hammock, and suspension system, all of which work seamlessly together. The tarp can be set up separately, which is perfect for creating a group shelter in rainy weather. Each attachment point has LineLocs for quick adjustments, plus handy storage pockets for the cords to prevent tangles. The winter hammock camping itself is made from luxuriously soft fabric and offers comfortable dimensions that deliver a great night’s sleep.
There are only two areas that could use improvement. First, the included stakes aren’t very durable, we bent one on our first test, which isn’t uncommon for stakes that come with hammock kits, but still worth noting. Second, the zipper design for the removable bug net could be more user-friendly. Since the zippers terminate in the middle of the hammock body on both sides, adjusting them can be a little frustrating. Despite these minor issues, everything else about the Mantis UL impressed us.
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Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip ($269.95 on Amazon)
- Material: Mesh
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 250 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 1
Hennessy has long been a trusted name in the hammock world, and its Expedition series stands out as one of the best-value options for those interested in an all-in-one hammock kit. If you’re new to hammocking and want an affordable, fuss-free system, the Expedition Asym Zip is worth serious consideration. Getting a full setup at a price lower than some standalone hammocks is undeniably appealing, although Hennessy does make some design compromises that may suit specific users more than others.
On the positive side, this winter hammock camping is built to last. It uses thicker fabrics to keep costs down, resulting in a highly durable design. This is reassuring for first-time buyers who might worry about damaging their gear. The patented asymmetric shape allows for comfortable diagonal sleeping, while the side pulls do a good job of keeping the bug net away from your head. The unique suspension system connects the tarp directly to the hammock’s lines, which simplifies setup, at least in theory.
However, those design tradeoffs become more noticeable during real-world use. The hammock’s smaller dimensions and aggressive ridgeline curve make finding a comfortable sleeping position more challenging than in other models. The thicker fabric also sacrifices some comfort compared to softer alternatives. While connecting the tarp to the suspension simplifies things initially, it complicates stability since any movement in the hammock pulls on both the tarp and its stakes.
Night Cat Flat Lay Hammock Tent ($199.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Polyester, Nylon
- Maximum Weight Recommendation: 440 Pounds
- Seating Capacity: 1
The Night Cat Lay Flat Hammock Tent, a standout product on Amazon, is engineered for unparalleled comfort during outdoor slumber, revolutionizing the traditional hammock experience with its flat sleeping surface. Ideal for camping, backpacking, and various outdoor escapades, this innovative winter hammock camping tent allows users to lie flat, catering specifically to side and supine sleepers, thanks to its supportive arms that maintain a level shape.
Boasting a robust construction from durable 70D or 150D nylon fabric, this winter hammock camping supports a maximum load of up to 440 lbs (200 kg). It also features a mosquito net with reliable zippers that effectively keep bugs at bay. A waterproof rainfly provides protection from the elements and can be ingeniously converted into a small porch using trekking poles. Distinct from conventional hammocks, it includes a detached storage room underneath, offering a dry and secure space for shoes and backpacks with adjustable height.
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How we tested
For this guide, we focused on gathered-end hammocks with built-in bug nets and fixed ridgelines, as we believe they deliver the best overall experience for most users. After careful consideration, we decided to leave out bridge hammocks, allowing us to dedicate more time to testing gathered-end models and providing detailed insights on the top choices in that category.
5 Tips for Winter Hammock Camping Setup
Pack an Underquilt
When camping in cold weather, sleeping bags are essential, but the real game-changer for hammock camping is using an underquilt. Insulation materials require a loft to function effectively, and a sleeping bag inside a hammock loses warmth since the underside gets compressed by your body. Instead, go for an underquilt that fits snugly beneath your hammock, preserving its loft and providing optimal insulation.
Prepare a Top Quilt
Once you’ve found a wind-sheltered spot, set up your cozy underquilt, and laid out the comfiest sleeping pad in the forest, it’s time to settle in for a warm night under the stars. But what about your top quilt? If you’re aiming for a lightweight setup in the backcountry, our more compact and packable trail quilts are a game-changer. That said, depending on the weather, your underquilt might create such a snug cocoon that your base layers alone could keep you warm enough.
Use Sleeping bags
A sleeping pad can serve as an alternative to an underquilt, placed directly beneath you inside the hammock. While you can use a standard foam or inflatable pad, be mindful that these can shift or even slip out of place as you move during the night. Some hammocks come with an inner sleeve designed to hold a pad securely and prevent it from sliding around.
Layer Your Clothing
Wearing multiple layers is essential for winter camping, even if you’re sleeping in a winter hammock camping. Layering helps you regulate your body temperature, preventing you from overheating or getting too cold. With some practice, you can even change or adjust your layers without having to leave the warmth of your hammock.
It’s smart to store extra clothing inside your winter hammock camping to keep it warm and easily accessible. Also, remember to brush off any snow from your clothing before climbing into the hammock. While it may seem like an obvious step, it’s crucial for staying dry and comfortable throughout the night.
Stash a Hot Water Bottle
A classic trick seasoned campers swear by fill an insulated water bottle with boiling water before bedtime and tuck it near your feet. This simple hack helps radiate warmth, keeping your entire body cozy through the night.
Conclusion
Winter hammock camping offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the cold season while staying connected to nature. With the right gear and preparation, you can stay warm, cozy, and comfortable even in frosty temperatures. So, if you’re ready to take your camping game to the next level, don’t let the cold hold you back. Grab your winter hammock setup, plan your next trip, and enjoy the peaceful magic of the great outdoors in winter!
