6 Best Hammocks For Beginners Camping That Make Setup a Breeze

You’ve just found the perfect campsite, but now the real work begins. While your friends wrestle with tent poles and tangled guylines, you could be kicking back in minutes. This is the promise of hammock camping, offering a faster, more comfortable way to connect with the outdoors. For beginners, the right hammock turns a potentially frustrating gear puzzle into a simple, breezy setup.

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What to Look For in a Beginner Camping Hammock

Ditching the tent for a hammock is about more than just comfort; it’s about simplifying your connection to the wild. A well-chosen hammock system allows you to camp in places a tent can’t go—on slopes, over roots, or between two perfectly spaced trees overlooking a valley. The key for a beginner is to think in terms of a complete system, not just the hammock body itself.

A basic hammock camping setup has three core components. First is the hammock, the fabric sling you’ll be sleeping in. Second is the suspension, the straps and hardware that connect you to the trees. Finally, you have your shelter elements: a bug net for buggy nights and a rain fly (or tarp) for protection from the elements.

For your first hammock, look for an all-in-one kit or a hammock that uses a simple carabiner and strap system. Double hammocks are often a great choice even for a single person, as the extra fabric provides more room to lie diagonally for a flatter, more comfortable sleep. Prioritize systems with wide, tree-friendly webbing straps over simple ropes to protect the environment and make setup a cinch.

ENO DoubleNest: The Classic for Effortless Setup

If you’ve seen a colorful hammock hanging in a park or at a campsite, there’s a good chance it was an ENO DoubleNest. This hammock is the undisputed classic, serving as the gateway for countless people into the world of hanging. Its reputation is built on a foundation of durability, simplicity, and a massive range of color options.

The DoubleNest is made from a tough but soft 70D nylon taffeta and includes two lightweight aluminum carabiners already attached to the ends. The entire hammock stuffs into its own integrated pocket, creating a compact bundle you can toss in any pack. The critical thing for a beginner to know is that suspension straps are sold separately. Pairing it with a set of ENO’s Atlas straps makes for one of the most intuitive setup experiences available.

This modular approach is both a pro and a con. It means you have to make a separate purchase for straps, but it also means you can build your system over time. Start with the hammock and straps for sunny afternoon lounging, then add a bug net and a tarp as you get ready for overnight adventures. It’s a reliable, no-fuss starting point.

Kammok Roo Double: A Versatile and Simple Shelter

Imagine a slightly more refined, feature-rich version of the classic gathered-end hammock, and you have the Kammok Roo Double. It’s built for the beginner who appreciates thoughtful design and wants a premium feel from their very first hang. This is the kind of hammock that feels just as at home on a demanding backcountry trip as it does on a lazy weekend.

Constructed from a proprietary Gravitas™ 40D diamond ripstop nylon, the Roo Double is incredibly soft to the touch yet impressively strong and water-resistant. It comes with high-quality Kanga Claw carabiners and Dyneema slings, shaving a few precious ounces compared to other setups. Like the ENO, you’ll need to purchase suspension straps separately, like Kammok’s excellent Python straps.

What sets the Roo Double apart are the small details. Eight gear loops along the sides are perfect for clipping small items, underquilts, or other accessories. This built-in versatility makes it a fantastic platform to grow with. It’s an investment, but one that delivers a high-performance, user-friendly experience right out of the bag.

Wise Owl DoubleOwl: The All-Inclusive Budget Kit

For the camper who wants to try hanging without a significant financial commitment, the Wise Owl DoubleOwl is the answer. This is the perfect kit for casual car camping, music festivals, or simply figuring out if you enjoy sleeping off the ground. It removes the biggest barrier to entry: a high price tag.

The most compelling feature is that it’s a complete kit in one bag. Inside, you get the spacious DoubleOwl hammock, two steel carabiners, and a set of tree straps. You can buy this one item and be ready to hang within minutes of it arriving at your door. There’s no need to research and buy separate components.

Of course, a budget-friendly price comes with tradeoffs. The included straps are functional but less user-friendly than daisy-chain webbing, and the whole package is heavier and bulkier than premium options. But for pure value and eliminating guesswork, the DoubleOwl is an unbeatable starting point that gets you outside with zero fuss.

Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip: All-in-One System

Ready to dive into the deep end with a complete, integrated shelter? The Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip is less of a hammock and more of a self-contained backcountry home. It’s designed for the beginner who knows they’ll be camping in buggy, wet conditions and wants a single, cohesive solution.

This isn’t just a piece of fabric; it’s a patented system. It includes the hammock, an integrated no-see-um bug net, a detachable rain fly, and a unique asymmetrical design that allows you to lie flatter and more comfortably. The suspension system is also included, though it uses a knot-based system that has a slight learning curve compared to simple straps.

While the setup isn’t as mindless as clipping two carabiners, it’s a brilliant choice for a beginner because it removes all the compatibility guesswork. You don’t have to worry if your tarp will provide enough coverage or if your bug net will fit correctly. It’s a proven, all-in-one package that’s ready for serious weather right out of the box.

Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro: Bug-Free Simplicity

There’s nothing worse than settling into your hammock for the night only to be swarmed by mosquitoes. The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter Pro is built to solve that one problem with elegant simplicity. This is the ideal hammock for anyone planning to camp near water or in the humid woods of the East and South.

Its standout feature is the integrated, zippered bug net. Unlike separate nets that can be finicky to set up, this one is sewn right in. Just zip it up, and you’re sealed inside a bug-free sanctuary. The hammock itself is made of durable parachute nylon, and the net can be flipped underneath when you don’t need it.

The included suspension is a basic rope system, so a beginner’s first upgrade should be a set of wide webbing straps for easier setup and tree protection. The Skeeter Beeter Pro hits a sweet spot: it’s more protective than a basic hammock but less complex than a full Hennessy system, making it a fantastic and practical choice for summer camping.

Hummingbird Single+: Ultralight and Uncomplicated

For the beginner who is already thinking about pack weight, Hummingbird Hammocks offers a stunningly simple and lightweight option. Whether you’re a backpacker wanting to shed ounces or a day hiker who wants a full-size hammock that weighs less than a phone, this is your starting point. It proves that ultralight gear doesn’t have to be complicated.

Made from FAA-certified parachute fabric, the Single+ is unbelievably light and packs down to the size of a coffee cup. The secret to its simplicity is the proprietary button-link connection system, which completely eliminates the need for heavy carabiners. You simply pass the "button" on the end of the hammock through the loop on their ultralight tree straps (sold separately).

Despite its minimalist design, the setup is foolproof and incredibly secure. The "Single+" size provides ample room for a comfortable diagonal lay, making it suitable for overnight sleeping. This hammock is the perfect choice for a beginner who wants to start with a fast, light, and minimalist ethos without sacrificing comfort or ease of use.

Choosing Your Suspension: Straps for a Quick Hang

The hammock itself is only half the equation for a breezy setup; the suspension system is where the magic really happens. While some budget or all-in-one hammocks include a rope-based system, the modern standard for ease of use and environmental responsibility is the webbing strap.

For beginners, daisy-chain webbing straps are the undisputed champion. These are long, flat straps made of polyester or nylon webbing with multiple loops sewn into them. Setup is as simple as it gets: wrap the strap around the tree, pass one end through the loop on the other, and clip your hammock’s carabiner to whichever loop gives you the perfect height and tension. No knots, no slipping, no hassle.

When buying straps, look for a pair that is at least one inch wide to avoid damaging tree bark. A length of 10 feet per strap provides plenty of versatility for trees that are spaced far apart. Investing in a good set of straps from a reputable brand is one of the best decisions a new hammock camper can make, ensuring a fast, safe, and secure hang every time.

Ultimately, the best hammock is the one that gets you outside with a smile on your face. Don’t get paralyzed by the endless options. Pick a reliable, easy-to-use system from this list, find two sturdy trees, and experience the simple joy of hanging in the wild. The real adventure is out there, not in the gear closet.