Camping hammocks, bivouac hammocks & hiking hammocks

How to choose the right camping hammock?

Whether you're wild camping or finishing a long day of hiking, a camping hammock has become a lightweight and comfortable alternative to a tent. It can be set up in minutes between two trees, freeing you from uneven ground and suiting both multi-day treks and relaxing breaks by a mountain lake. But choosing the right model for your needs is key: here are the criteria that really make a difference outdoors.

Key criteria for choosing

For campsite stays or relaxing in your garden, go for a wide hammock: the more generous the fabric, the more it wraps around your body and stabilises your sleeping position. If you want to take it everywhere, choose a lightweight, compact hammock. A single hammock is ideal for use in the wild, on your travels or even in the woods. Before deciding, consider these important points:

• Weight and pack size: parachute fabric models often weigh less than 500g and pack down to the size of a banana, a real advantage when every gram counts in your rucksack.
• Sleeping width: a wide fabric lets you lie diagonally, which is flatter and more restful for your back.
• Maximum load: check it matches your build; most models support 150 to 200kg in normal use.
• Material: parachute nylon remains the benchmark for combining lightness, strength and breathability.

Comfortable and good for your back?

Contrary to popular belief, a well-set hammock doesn't wrap you in an uncomfortable banana shape. The fabric moulds to your body and distributes pressure points evenly, as long as you lie slightly diagonally rather than straight: the sleeping surface then becomes almost flat. A suspension that's neither too tight nor too loose, with an angle of about 30° at the straps, ensures healthy support for your spine, even over several consecutive nights.

How to set up your hammock easily

Once you know how, hanging a hammock takes less than five minutes. First, find two solid anchor points, three to four metres apart: two healthy trees are ideal, but a vehicle or dedicated stand works just as well. Attach your tree straps at about 1.5m high, using wide straps to protect the bark, then connect the hammock to the straps with the supplied carabiners or hooks. Adjust the tension for a nice curve and settle in diagonally for true relaxation.

Our selection of camping hammocks

At Snowleader, discover a wide range of camping hammocks chosen for outdoor use. Whether you want maximum comfort or minimal weight, you'll find what you need! To help you choose, we've split our range into two main types depending on your intended use.

Lightweight hammocks for travel

Check out especially the hammocks from Ticket to the Moon, ultra-light and made from parachute fabric. These are the best models for travel, thanks to their comfort, minimal weight and easy setup. This 100% nylon fabric, inherited from the parachute industry, dries quickly and doesn't retain moisture-two key qualities for multi-day treks where you pack up early each morning. Where weight is a major concern, such as on multi-day hikes, these compact models are perfect for your rucksack.

Comfortable hammocks for relaxing

When weight is less important-at the campsite, in the garden or on a fixed pitch-wide or even double hammocks are best. More spacious, they create a cocoon where you can relax, read all afternoon or sleep for two, at the cost of a little extra bulk.

Essential accessories for your hammock

A hammock alone is rarely enough for a full night outdoors. A few well-chosen accessories transform the experience and extend the life of your gear:

• Straps and fixings: wide and knot-free, they allow quick setup while protecting tree bark.
• Mosquito net: essential in summer or damp areas to keep insects away while you sleep.
• Protective tarp: keeps you dry from rain and morning dew.
• Underquilt, mat or overbag: to insulate the underside of the hammock, where cold creeps in first. An insulated mat under the fabric or a sleeping bag suited to the season makes all the difference on chilly nights.

You'll find all these accessories-from Moon Straps to tarps, mosquito nets and the Moonquilt underquilt-at Ticket to the Moon, the perfect complement for a successful suspended sleep setup.

Camping hammock FAQ

Hammock or tent: which to choose for wild camping?

It depends on the terrain and your needs. Hammocks excel in forests and wooded areas, offering a lightweight, elevated sleeping solution away from uneven ground; they're less suitable at altitude or in open spaces where there are no anchor points. Tents are better on open ground and in very cold weather. Many outdoor enthusiasts own both and choose according to their route.

What distance should you allow between anchor points?

Ideally, allow three to four metres between your two trees. Less than that and the fabric will sag, making sleeping uncomfortable; more than that and the straps will be overstretched. Choose healthy trunks at least fifteen centimetres in diameter and attach your straps about 1.5m high to get the right curve once set up.

Can you use a camping hammock all year round?

Yes, as long as you adapt your gear to the season. A simple fabric is enough for summer nights, while an insulating underquilt, overbag and tarp make the hammock comfortable in spring and autumn, and even in winter for experienced users used to cold conditions.