Over the years, I’ve really come to appreciate the benefits of carrying a hammock for backcountry sleeping, as opposed to lugging in a heavier tent set up. That’s why I’m going to tell you about my top backpacking hammocks.
These hammocks are the two with which I have the most experience. Later on in the article, I highlight my Most Anticipated Backpacking Hammock of 2019.
In other words, I share with you the hammock I’m most anticipating buying and testing in the coming year. I hope you enjoy, and if you’re wondering how in the heck you sleep comfortably in a hammock, just wait until next week, when I’ll be publishing ‘Hammock Camping: 10 Reasons to Sleep Elevated’!
Article Overview
Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter
My Grand Trunk Backpacking Hammock Experience
The Ultralight Starter from Grand Trunk was the first backpacking hammock that I ever bought. Back when I acquired mine, hammock camping was still a relatively new phenomenon.
The hammock that showed up was nearly twice as big (when packed) as the ultralight starter is now. Grand Trunk has clearly done a great job changing the materials of this hammock so that it’s more compressible and fits in a smaller bag when not in use.
The other major change that’s happened with this hammock since I bought mine is with the straps. Back then, the Trunk Straps were not available. I actually don’t think the hammock came with straps at all, if I recall correctly. It was up to me to choose the right string or nylon rope to hang it properly, which I had trouble doing at first (and which my friend actually paid the price for once, but that’s a story for another time!)
Fortunately, the Trunk Straps are now available and, if you purchase the entire Ultralight Starter Bundle, you’ll get the hammock and Grand Trunk Tree Slings in one package!
Specs on the Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter
Today’s Ultralight Starter is made of King Rhombic ripstop polyester. It features triple-lock stitched seams and two nautical grade carabiners on either end. The hammock’s dimensions measure 9’6″ in length and 4’6″ in width. It’s capable of supporting one person (up to 300 pounds) and weighs just 12 ounces when packed up. It’s the perfect lightweight backpacking hammock for young adventurers.
Why I Recommend The Grand Trunk Ultralight Hammock
The Ultralight Starter is the perfect hammock for anyone that’s looking to explore sleeping in a hammock in the backcountry for the first time. The price point is right for those that aren’t sure if they’ll be able to comfortably spend a whole night in a hammock in the woods and it can double as a cozy reading hammock around your property or on day trips if you decide you’re more of a tent-sleeper!
Kammok Roo Single
My Kammok Backpacking Hammock Experience
I was very lucky to acquire a Kammok Roo Single and a set of their Python Straps while I worked as an outdoor guide in Austin, Texas. I actually met several members of the Kammok team at that time, as they are based in Austin.
I was really excited at the time to step up my hammock camping game, and the Roo Single has gone with me on numerous trips around Texas and in my home mountains outside of Truckee, California ever since.
The biggest difference I noticed when I made the switch from my old hammock to the Roo was how easy it was to set up. I was also impressed by the strength of the straps. While I know it’s recommended as a ‘Single’, I’ve definitely shared my Roo with my partner comfortably without worrying about it tearing or the straps breaking.
As far as sleeping goes, I love the cocoon shape that my body naturally falls into in the Roo. The straps make it easy to adjust the head end of my hammock slightly higher than the foot. I like this technique because I was always told that you shouldn’t sleep with your head below your feet and it seems to make my legs feel better and more alive in the morning when I use it.
Overall, the Kammok Roo has made me seriously consider why I even still have a tent. The only things holding me back from committing to the backpacking hammock life are:
1) the Kammock Roo Single doesn’t include a rain fly or trap; 2) It also doesn’t include a bug net; and 3) I seem to have misplaced mine after using it very successfully for a 6-day, 5-night backpacking trip in the Ruby Mountains. It was with me all the way until I got home after driving 6 hours from the trailhead back to Truckee!
Specs on the Kammok Roo Single
The Roo is made with Gravitas ripstop nylon fabric with diamond ripstop reinforcement. This reinforcement keeps the fabric from stretching excessively so that it performs better and lasts longer. The Gravitas fabric is also water-resistant, breathable, fade-resistant, and silky soft. The hammock’s dimensions measure 8’4″ in length and 4’2″ in width. It’s capable of supporting up to 400 pounds and weighs only 10 ounces when packed up. It’s built for adventurers who want to travel light and sleep comfortably!
Why I Recommend The Kammok Roo Single
Ease and convenience. It’s really as simple as that. The Roo takes just a few minutes to set up once you’re familiar with it and it takes up a very minimal amount of space in your pack. For trips like the one in the Ruby Mountains I mentioned above, it was clutch to reduce the weight and space taken up by my sleeping arrangement so that I could have room for other supplies!
But. . .The Best is Yet to Come!
So, those are the two hammocks I’ve tested and feel comfortable recommending to you. But before I go, I want to tell you about the hammock release I’m anticipating most in 2019. The Mantis Hammock from our dear friends at Kammok is an all-in-one backpacking hammock that’ll make you forget you ever had another!
The Kammok Mantis
This all-in-one set up features a lightweight, breathable hammock body that can support weights up to 500 pounds. Moving up, it includes an integrated insect net to keep mosquitoes, flies, and those indomitable No-See-Ums out of your resting space. From there, this set up offers a featherlight rain fly to keep you (and your gear) dry if it starts raining unexpectedly in the middle of the night. The tree-friendly straps and a dual compartment stuff sack round out this entire backpacking hammock set up.
The entire package weighs less than two pounds and requires less than 60 seconds to set up (without the need for tying a single knot!). It boasts four-season adaptability and a flat-lay design. Many users have claimed it’s much more comfortable than a ground tent and Gear Patrol said that “the Mantis proves itself to be a capable tent alternative for those looking to carry less on the trail.”
Why I’m Excited About The Mantis Hammock
For starters, backpacking season is right around the corner and I’ve realized that I haven’t done anything to replace the Kammok Roo that I lost last summer. But beyond that, and even with my old Kammok, I had to purchase a separate tarp (as seen in the featured image) to make my set up more resistant to rain. And even then, I couldn’t keep those pesky bugs from bothering me in the morning. Has anyone wondered why mosquitoes always seem to buzz right in front of your face first thing in the morning?
Anyhow, I’m excited about this hammock set up because it truly is an “all-in-one” solution. It gives you the ability to sleep elevated in any environment and, with the purchase of an additional sleeping bag or hammock liner, I could even make this my go-to for winter camping excursions!
I want to get my hands on one of these before I get home this summer, as the big winter in the Sierras means there might not be as many places to set up a tent in the backcountry early in the season as there normally is. If you want to learn more about the Mantis and the Mantis UL, check out the video below!
My Top Backpacking Hammocks
I hope you’ve enjoyed this summary of My Top Backpacking Hammocks and I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section below. I’ll be quick to reply to any questions, comments, or concerns you feel like sharing.
If you decide to purchase the Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter, Kammok Roo Single, or Kammok Mantis after reading this article, I’d love to hear about your experience once you’ve taken it out for a few trips!
I want it to be clear that I receive a commission for any product that you purchase by clicking the links I provide on this site. As an affiliate marketer, I have relationships with many of the leading brands in the outdoor industry.
Everything that I earn through this site helps me continue to create more helpful resources, which will one day include guided backpacking trips focused on education, connection, and empowerment.
About The Backpack Guide
As The Backpack Guide, I’m on a mission to explore the wilderness, create learning opportunities, and connect with nature. These are the objectives that underline all the content I create on this site.
I want to inspire others to recreate in their respective wildernesses and to do so in the safest, most enjoyable manner possible. I’m also very interested in the experiences of others in the wild and I want to create a community of people that share those experiences and the lessons they’ve learned as a result.
If my mission resonates with you, you think we may have an awesome opportunity to collaborate, or you simply want to connect, I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to reach out to me directly (email below), or share your adventure by tagging @thebackpackguide on Instagram, which is where I’m most active. You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Side note: Once you’ve found the perfect backpacking hammock, be sure to investigate the articles in my Hiking Tips and Trails section. Check out my Outdoor Gear page for reviews on water filters, tents, hiking shoes, trekking poles, and more. Also, check out my Backpack Reviews, including brands like Kelty, REI, and Gregory, if you’re in need of a new pack. Finally, my YouTube Channel is full of informative video content if you’re not really into reading!
“The stars were better company anyway. They were very beautiful, and they almost never snored.”
– David Eddings
The Backpack Guide
Comments
Tucker Ballister
Thank you for sharing this impressive article. Well, I’m a travel lover man. In my short life, I have almost traveled each and every inch of my country.I have also pay 16 visits over the world.My father who is a great traveller, inspired me by gifting me his favorite backpacking hammock on my 13th birthday. I have experienced many remarkable memories with that one. But all of a sudden I lost it last month. Nowadays I am planning to buy one. For that reason, I’m collecting information about backpacking hammock. And guess what I found your article and don’t think I would further need something else. Among all of those, I like the “Mantis” most.
⏹What do you say should I buy it?
Author
It sounds like the perfect hammock for you! I’m planning to get my hands on one this spring and I’d love to hear from you when you do as well!
I think sleeping elevated is a great idea but before I got down to the “mantis” I thought about all the mosquito’s and insects that could invade my space. I think I could really get into the mantis, do you think that if a wild animal were to come upon you it would bother you being so exposed?
I have spent many nights in tents and on the cold hard ground so I think I could get used to the hammock idea.
Are the hammocks easy to get in and out of?
Author
The only encounter I’ve had with animals while hammock camping was up in the Tetons. A porcupine wandered into our camp in the middle of the night, but he was much more interested in munching on my hat (because of the salty sweat residue on it) than in what was hanging in the hammock 10 feet away. All in all, I like the idea of sleeping elevated precisely because crawling insects and other critters can’t get into your sleeping space (like they could if you accidentally left your tent just slightly ajar. With the Mantis hammock, you’re also completely netted in. While hammocks do take some getting used to as far as getting in and getting comfortable in your sleeping bag, I always get an incredible night sleep because of the way I feel cradled in the cocoon!
Nice article on the subject of backpacking hammocks. I currently own the Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter and it has been worth every penny I spent on it. I am sure the other options listed here will be excellent for camping and other activities. I have been anticipating the release of The “Mantis” and I hope it will be worthwhile.
Author
Good to know! I’d love to compare our experiences once you’ve got your hands on the Mantis and taken it out for a few trips!
I couldn’t have found this site at a better time!
The last two nights, my husband and I have been discussing some hammock upgrades. We already have a couple decent ‘hang in your backyard’ hammocks that serve their purpose for short relax sessions, but we’re ready to upgrade to a pair that are a little more rugged for hike trips and sleeping outdoors. We still enjoy our tent, but would like to get up off the ground. We recently researched some hanging tents as well, but I’m not as comfortable with them, as I prefer to feel wrapped when I’m hanging. For the snug factor (security), comfort, strength, durability, and the bug screen, I’m going with the Mantis! Thanks for this guide!
Author
I’m so happy this post found you when it did! I’d love it if you keep my site bookmarked and come back to share your personal experience with the Mantis once you’ve broken it in on a couple of adventures!
I recently caught up with my cousin who also loves camping and hiking. He mentioned about replacing his old hammock with Kammock Roo Single and he asked me for some tips. I don’t actually have any idea about camping hammocks until I found your article. Now I gained some knowledge. Thank you for these features! I can now give my cousin some insights about his plan.
Author
Happy to be of service! Feel free to share the article with your cousin!