6 Best Single Camping Hammocks For Solo Trips That Won’t Weigh You Down

You’ve hiked 12 miles, the sun is dropping behind the ridge, and every potential tent site is either on a slope or covered in roots. But then you spot it: two perfectly spaced trees just off the trail. This is the moment the solo hammock camper lives for—the freedom to make a comfortable camp almost anywhere.

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Why a Hammock is Perfect for Lightweight Solo Trips

For the solo adventurer, a hammock isn’t just a bed; it’s a ticket to a lighter pack and more campsite possibilities. Unlike a tent, which demands a flat, clear patch of ground, a hammock only needs two sturdy anchors. This opens up a world of options on steep hillsides, in dense forests, or over uneven, rocky terrain where a tent would be impossible.

The comfort is a game-changer. Sleeping suspended above the cold, damp ground eliminates pressure points on your hips and shoulders, offering a restorative night’s sleep that ground-dwellers can only dream of. The key is learning the "perfect hang"—a 30-degree angle on your suspension and lying diagonally across the fabric—which creates a surprisingly flat and supportive sleeping platform.

Of course, it’s a complete system. You’ll need a suspension to hang it, a tarp for rain, and often a bug net. But this modularity is a strength. Heading to the desert? Leave the bug net and heavy tarp at home. This ability to pack only what the specific trip demands is the essence of lightweight travel.

Warbonnet Blackbird: The Ultimate All-In-One System

Imagine setting up camp in a buggy, unpredictable environment like the Minnesota Boundary Waters. You want a shelter that’s fast, foolproof, and fully protective. This is where the Warbonnet Blackbird shines. It’s a complete, integrated system designed for serious comfort and function.

The Blackbird is famous for its asymmetrical design, integrated bug net, and a unique footbox that gives you more usable space. It also features a handy storage shelf for your headlamp, phone, and other small items. It’s less a simple hammock and more of a suspended tent, engineered from the ground up for a fantastic night’s sleep.

This isn’t the lightest option on the list, and it comes at a premium price. But you’re paying for ingenious design and integration. For the backpacker who wants a proven, all-in-one solution without the headache of piecing together a system, the Blackbird is arguably the gold standard.

Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip: A Time-Tested Classic

If you’re trekking through the dense, humid forests of the Appalachian Trail, you need a shelter that’s been proven over thousands of miles. The Hennessy Hammock is that shelter. It’s one of the original all-in-one hammock systems, and its design has been tested and refined for decades.

The Expedition Asym Zip is a workhorse. It comes as a complete package—hammock, integrated bug net, a dependable rainfly, and suspension—making it a fantastic value for anyone starting out. Its patented asymmetrical shape allows for a flatter, more ergonomic lie, and the structural ridgeline ensures you get the same perfect hang every single time, regardless of the distance between your trees.

While not an ultralight standout, its durability and ease of use are legendary. The integrated system removes the guesswork, which is a huge confidence booster on your first few solo trips. It’s a reliable, no-fuss shelter that simply works.

ENO Sub6 Ultralight Hammock: Featherlight Simplicity

Planning a fast-and-light weekend trip where every single gram in your pack is scrutinized? The ENO Sub6 is your answer. Weighing under six ounces, this hammock is astonishingly light and packs down to the size of a softball.

This is the essence of minimalist design. The Sub6 is built from a lightweight but strong 30D ripstop nylon and includes a lighter, minimalist suspension system. It’s the core of a modular ultralight system, allowing you to add a separate bug net or tarp only when the conditions absolutely demand it.

The trade-off for this incredible weight savings is in comfort and features. It’s narrower and made of thinner material than more robust models, so it’s less of a lounge-worthy palace. But for the dedicated ultralight backpacker or someone who wants a "just-in-case" shelter for long day hikes, the Sub6 is a brilliant piece of gear.

Hummingbird Single: The True Ultralight Champion

When your goal is a sub-10-pound base weight for a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, you enter a different class of gear. The Hummingbird Single is a marvel of material science and engineering, built for those who count every single gram. It’s often the lightest hammock you can find that is still trail-worthy.

Constructed from FAA-certified parachute ripstop nylon, its strength-to-weight ratio is off the charts. Every component, from the fabric to the soft-shackle carabiners, is designed with one goal: to be as light as humanly possible without catastrophic failure.

This is a specialized tool. It’s not as wide or feature-rich as heavier options, and its gossamer-thin fabric requires more careful handling. For the ultralight purist who has their system dialed in and understands the compromises, the Hummingbird represents the pinnacle of minimalist shelter.

DutchWare Chameleon: For Ultimate Customization

You’re not a "one-size-fits-all" kind of person. You want a hammock that’s longer for your height, made from a specific fabric for its feel, and has a bug net for summer but a solid top cover for shoulder season. The DutchWare Chameleon is your canvas.

The Chameleon is less of a single product and more of a customizable platform. You choose the length, the width, the fabric type and weight, and the color. Then you add on modular components like a zip-on bug net or a protective top cover. This allows you to build the exact hammock for your body and your adventures.

This level of choice can be overwhelming for a beginner. But for the experienced hammock camper who knows precisely what they need, the Chameleon is unbeatable. It allows you to create a shelter that is perfectly tailored to you, ensuring maximum comfort and efficiency on the trail.

Kammok Roo Single: Durable Comfort for Any Adventure

Maybe you’re just getting into hammock camping, or perhaps you’re a weekend warrior who values reliability over shaving the last few ounces. The Kammok Roo Single is a fantastic choice that balances comfort, durability, and a reasonable weight. It’s the dependable friend for any adventure.

Made with Kammok’s proprietary Gravitas™ 40D diamond ripstop nylon, the Roo Single feels both incredibly soft and reassuringly tough. It’s built to last, giving you peace of mind whether you’re setting up in a local park or a remote backcountry site. It’s a hammock that invites you to relax without worrying about careful handling.

While it’s not an ultralight contender, it’s far from heavy. It hits the sweet spot for most backpackers. The Roo Single is an excellent foundation for a versatile sleep system that can handle everything from car camping festivals to multi-day treks.

How to Choose the Right Hammock Suspension System

Your hammock is useless without a safe and reliable way to hang it. The suspension system is a critical component, and choosing the right one involves balancing weight, ease of use, and adjustability. Don’t treat it as an afterthought.

There are three main styles you’ll encounter:

• Daisy Chain Straps: These are webbing straps with multiple loops. They are incredibly simple to use and adjust, making them perfect for beginners. Their primary downside is that they are often the heaviest option.
• Whoopie Slings: Using a special type of adjustable rope loop, whoopie slings are the standard for lightweight backpacking. They offer a huge range of adjustability at a fraction of the weight of daisy chains, though they take a little practice to master.
• Strap and Buckle Systems: These use a metal buckle to cinch the webbing tight, similar to a belt. They are quick, intuitive, and offer fine-tuned adjustments.

No matter which system you choose, always use tree-friendly webbing straps that are at least one inch wide. Thin ropes can dig into and damage a tree’s bark. For most backpackers, a lightweight whoopie sling or a strap-and-buckle system offers the best combination of performance and weight.

In the end, the perfect hammock is the one that gets you out the door and into the wild. Don’t get paralyzed by the options. Pick a solid, reputable model that fits your likely adventures, learn how to hang it safely, and go make some memories.