The ideal summer is one spent enjoying the simple things: diving into a lake on a hot day, spitting watermelon seeds into a can and dozing upon a hammock. But when it comes to the latter — as anyone who’s ever grappled their way into one knows — that simplicity can also make them faulty and accident-prone.
The hammock isn’t exactly a miracle of engineering: slap some straps on the ends of a piece of fabric, tie it up to two trees and you’re done, right? But it’s that mindset that leads to hammocks that rip, slip and spit you right out.
To make sure you don’t end up with a sub-par man napping cocoon this summer, we’ve rounded up our favorite hammocks and hanging chairs for the backyard, backwoods and everywhere in between.
The Indoor/Outdoor Hanging Chair: SkyFloat by Element5
All the portability and simplicity of your favorite hammock, adapted for a one-person chair. Solo setup is a breeze, and it’ll fit right in at the campsite or an open-concept office.
The Minimalist: SingleNest Hammock by Eagles Nest Outfitters
A 400-lb. capacity workhorse in a 16-oz. package. Currently 25% off. (Note: Doesn’t include a suspension system, so make sure to grab one like their trusty Atlas.)
The Double Dip: Roo Double Hammock by Kammok
Nothing but the best materials for Kammok’s hammocks, from the LunarWave 70D diamond ripstop nylon with a durable water repellent (DWR) treatment to the Dyneema straps. Holds up to 500 lbs., so you and your significant other are ready to rock. (Needs tree straps, like their Python Straps.)
The Miniature Hammock: Stargaze Recliner by Nemo Equipment
We’ve championed Nemo’s WWE-level chair game in the past, waxing poetic about its “hammock-like design.” It’s currently on sale for $135 (down from $180), so suspend your tyrannical notions of what a hammock should be and give in to the recliner.
The Family-Sized: Gigante Brazil Hammock by Byer of Maine
Instead of relinquishing the hammock to your kids, get this Brazilian-made colossus that holds up to 550 lbs. and measures 9.8 x 6.6 feet. Get 20% off and free shipping with code USA.
The All-in-One Camper: Blue Ridge Camping Hammock by Lawson Hammock
Using the word “hammock” here is a little misleading, as this works both in the air and on the ground as a regular tent. The bug netting and rainfly are directly attached, so no need to mess with extra rigging. Make sure to order the bundle with suspension straps if you don’t already have them.
The Cold-Weather Sleeper: Eira by SWAYY
Swayy successfully funded on Kickstarter by solving the one hammock conundrum that hadn’t been (satisfyingly) solved: cold-weather usage. While they have two on offer, the Eira fully encapsulates Swayy’s mission of combining a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad into one, with DownTek 800 Fill insulation, a suspension system and a rainfly.
Note: If you buy through these links, RealClearLife may earn a small share of the profits.
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