Advice Centre
Ultimate Guide to Backyard Camping
Choosing a Tree Tent by Weight
Whether you're a solo camper about to go on an epic hike, or a group out for a camping adventure, choosing your tent can be one of the most important steps.
If you’re anything like us, you'd be taking a tree tent. But which type? Heavy duty or Lightweight? In this article we'll give you some pointers and try to get you on the right track before you head out on your journey.
Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
Tree tent weight considerations
When you're looking for a specific weight class, you need to take into consideration what your trip will consist of, and how many people are going:
If you’re going it alone, we’d suggest the UNA tree tent, our one-person tree tent.
Two of you? The Flite balances extra space without adding too much weight.
Three? Our flagship Stingray will suffice, but as it's rather large it could be heavy - in this case our Connect will tick all the boxes.
If your party is between 4-6, then our Universe or Trilogy will give you the experience you're dreaming of.
Partner whatever tree tent you get with our hammocks so you can really make nature your home and relax. Are you heading to a campsite? Make sure you check the rules on tent size before you head out. How much can you store in your vehicle? If you were wanting separate tree tents, make sure you have the space. How many of you are going to distribute the overall weight? If there are just 2 of you, but you'd like a bit more wiggle room, our Connect will prove easier to balance with two people as it’s heavier than the Flite.
What season are you taking your trip in? Our Safari range is made of more robust material, capable of keeping a lot more heat in. If you're expecting to be a little chilly, think about your sleeping bag, or even your Skypad, the weight all adds up.
Check out our tent comparison guide for a more general overview of what we have available.
Heavy duty
If you want a little more space in your tree tent on your trip, and you get an extra person tent (2 people in a Connect/Stingray) the tent is considerably larger than a Flite. Naturally, a larger tent will weigh more, but you can reduce this by splitting the load between the two of you amongst your other camping gear.
If you go for our super-robust Safari range, the material is heavier than their standard counterparts. They are a preferable choice for winter camping, or for colder climates, they may be a necessity, so make sure you get the right number person tent.
You'd be wanting a heavy duty tent for car camping, or even for backyard camping with your kids. The Safari Vista is Tentsile's biggest Tree Tent. It is also a "3-in-1" as it can convert from a 3-person giant open hammock to a hammock with a roof, or a complete Tree Tent with rainfly and insect mesh. Its size and versatility are perfect for young families and small groups.
If there are a lot in your party, The Trilogy is a truly awesome piece of equipment for any adventurous camping group or team wanting to have a full base camp in the wild. This suspended tree-fort for six people, can easily be converted to sleep nine people by simply adding any standard hammock under each Connect!
Lightweight
For smaller groups or backpackers, you'd be wanting a lightweight tent to accommodate the walking you'd be doing to your destination and back. Wild/backcountry camping or multi-day trekking. Or even for the festivalgoer, who wants a more glamorous and comfortable camping experience rather than on-the-ground traditional camping. Overall, you need something portable and comfortable.
Why not get a hammock too, or double hammock, to really take your experience to the next level. Our Flite is Tentsile's lightweight 2-person Tree Tent. With its built-in no-see-um insect mesh and removable rainfly, this model is perfect for hiking and backpacking adventures with a friend. If you're going one-to-one with mother nature, and heading out alone, the UNA is exactly what you need. And make your night the most comfortable you've ever had outside of your bed with a Skypad.
To sum up, check over all your needs and make a checklist. After assessing your situation, make your decision on what tree tent you will be getting. Regardless, you'd be in for a comfortable, fun, and exhilarating experience with our Tentsile tree tents and hammocks.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or want a few more pointers to help make your decisions.
Tree Tent Accessories: Protection
Tree Tent camping is quite different to traditional tent camping. The suspension system allows for extreme versatility, being able to hang over water or over steep inclines.
You're not limited by terrain. Being encased in an integrated bug net, underneath a perfectly aligned rainfly, with easy access under-storage bags that are protected from the elements, all allow for the most comfortable and exciting camping experience you could ever have.
Because of the versatility of Tentsile tree tents, you may be interested in researching different accessories for tree tent protection to really take your experiences to the next level. In this article, we'll be going through just that.
Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
Protecting your Tree Tent Camp
There are a few factors that can come into play when on an outdoor adventure, to prepare for this you need to have the right camping gear to ensure you have a comfortable trip whether you're in a Tentsile or conventional tent.
Camping in unpredictable weather can be difficult unless you're equipped, and being in a suspended tent, this can prove even more vital. The Hatch Cover is the perfect way to block out cold winds coming up through the center hatch in winter weather conditions. Compatible with all 3-person units from Gen 3.0 series. If you're heading somewhere high up, or somewhere you have researched to be windy, you could invest in our trapezium tent wall, compatible for the Flite, Connect, Safari Connect, Stingray, Safari Stingray or Safari Vista.
You could even attach some rainfly clips to a large tarp you may have and try to wrap it (if it's large enough) around the tree tent, or over the top as an extra layer of protection from the elements. There are times when the bad wea just won't stop. This can mean that rainwater soaks the straps to such a point that the water can be channeled under the rain fly and around the corner D-rings. Our Watergates will mitigate that problem.
As well as protecting your camp for the time you're there, it's also important to maintain the principles of Leave No Trace, and products such as our tree protector straps can help towards this by ensuring no damage occurs to the tree trunk while your tent is suspended from it.
Rainfly
The rainfly is your savior when it comes to protection from all different elements that mother nature has in her arsenal. Every tent comes with a rainfly, but if you're an avid camper/outdoor enthusiast and extensively use your tree tent - it may be wise to purchase a spare for the tent type you have. If you wish to be spotted easily during hunting season, or just fancy a different color, the options are there for you.
Our rainflys are made from 70D PU coated waterproof polyester 5,000 Hydrostatic Head, so you can put your trust in the fact that the rainfly will keep you warm and dry during rainy nights. However, wind and rain will push some droplets underneath, in this case you'd be wanting to get yourself a trapezium wall to have 360 degrees of protection.
Canopy
The Trilogy is a large 6-person super made up of three of our Connect Tree Tent, but it's made from three connects (or their safari variants) that are interconnected, with a dome roof over the middle. If you and your friends all own your own connects, then the separate canopy would be a great purchase for you, as it can really take your camping experience to a whole new level. Make your camp your home! Making the super tent provides extra comfort, being close together and having your own rainflys over the top ensures a great coverage area.
Tent Wall
As previously mentioned, the tent wall attaches from the base of your tree tent downwards, creating a larger tent underneath your tree tent. This allows for a lot of storage space, as it's protected from the elements and encased. They are compatible for a range of tree tents and are perfect for larger groups that would like a place to shelter and store their belongings. It's almost like a living room for your camp!
Before you head out, always check the weather and plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please get in touch. Stay safe!
How to Stay Warm When Camping with a Tree Tent
As summer’s balmy nights draw to a close for the season, you may not be ready to give up the freedom of getting out into nature to enjoy that sense of peace and space. Armed with some know-how and insight, there really is no need to give up on those dreams and you can continue exploring and adventuring well into the colder months!
The main rule on keeping warm on a cold weather camping trip is to be prepared. This means eating and drinking well and bringing the right gear! Tree Tents are perfect for wild winter camping for many reasons, not least because you can pitch them over any type of ground condition; be it covered in vegetation, rocks, on an incline or just plain muddy. Just like a hammock, a Tree Tent will give you that extra bit of versatility in terms of where and when you can camp. But with Tree Tents, you can share this space with other people and can have a super flat bed!
However you like to sleep, the key to sleeping well in a tree tent on a cold night is finding a sheltered campsite. A place that is protected from the wind is best, as wind is the natural enemy of warmth. Whether it be blowing your fire or stove all over the place, rattling your tent all night, or stealing the warm air from your bed, you want to be as sheltered as possible and for as long as possible.
Being suspended off the ground means that you will not be fighting heat loss from the cold ground, but you may need to protect yourself from the cold wind. Luckily, there are many ways to do this without adding too much weight and they will all enhance your experience level of comfort.
After a good tent, the best bits of gear you can have are a good air mattress/inflatable pad and sleeping bag. An air mattress will protect the underside of your body from the cold by creating a buffer layer of warm air (warmed by your body). As heat is best conducted through solid matter, the air is actually one of the best insulators (bested only by a vacuum).
A good sleeping bag works in the same way. By using down (feathers) or hollow fibre filling, a sleeping bag will trap your body heat around you so that cold air cannot get close to your body. The weakness point here is the side you sleep on, as this will compress the down/fibres and push out the insulting air buffer--which is where the mattress comes in.
Tentsile Sky-Pad inflatable sleeping pad is made by Klymit, one of the leading US brands in the field. The Sky-Pad has been designed to fit every Tentsile Tree Tent model, with its two-chamber construction and snap-buttons to give added flexibility and versatility if used. The pads can easily be fitting between the double skin floors of our lightweight range of Tree Tents or added into the larger models to be covered by an inner sheet that holds them in place.
Cold weather often means that your tent will be warmer on the inside than the outside, and this will create condensation—small droplets of water forming on the inside surface of your rainfly. To combat this, you should ensure a decent level of airflow in order to help this evaporate. No one wants to have freezing water dripping on their heads at night! We would recommend that you keep at least one side of the Tree Tent legged out to help with this airflow, or make sure your tent has a 2-3”/6-8cm gap between the rainfly and ground to allow air to circulate.
Finally, eat well and layer up! It seems obvious, but the best thing you can do to keep warm is to make sure you are well-fed and have access to a hot drink if you need one. Your body needs the energy to stave off the cold and being able to have a heat source such as fire or stove will give your core the added boost of warmth you’ll need to stay cosy all through the night. Layered clothing is paramount. You can always take layers off if you end up not needing them, but it is harder to warm up than it is to cool down so don’t go to bed cold! And make sure you’ve gone to the toilet before you tuck yourself in…. that can be annoying.
How to Keep Bugs and Insects Out When Camping with a Tree Tent
Tree Tent Types
At Tentsile, we understand that you like to adventure in many different ways. Sometimes, you just want to have some fun in the backyard, while other times you want to go deep into the wildness and disappear for a week, a month, or a year… luckily, we have you covered! Our Team is dedicated to making sure that you get what you need and if we don’t have it already, you can contact us directly and talk to us about your needs and we will always see what we can do to help you out on those special requests!
The website has been set out to give you many different browsing options by product weight, use, occupancy and size. We have categorised all our accessories in the same way as our Tree Tents and Giant Hammocks, while the search function will allow you to find a product that you may have seen elsewhere, and do not know the name of!
One of the best ways to find the right model for you is to look at our weight categories: Lightweight for backpacking and hiking (these have blue fabric floors); Medium-weight for standard family use (these have green fabric floors), whether it be in the backcountry or the backyard; or our heavyweight Safari Range (with beige fabric floors) which is suited for hard-wearing use such as longer-term camps and rentals. Whatever you intend to use your Tentsile for, there is something to fit the bill and always a way to achieve the best outcome!
Whether you are super-light solo camping with a sleeping bag and need mosquito protection and gear storage, or you want a cosy nest for the whole family to hide in away from the rain, wind or bugs, we have a model that will suit you. Tried and tested, with the high quality you expect from Tentsile, we are here to make sure your camping experience is elevated to the next level.
Camping trips and styles can vary widely and so need different priority lists to make them successful. For instance, if you are going solo, you want to be light and agile, only taking the bare essentials so that you get to travel further and have less gear to carry. Many backpackers opt for the lightest possible solution, such as the Tentsile Flite 2-Person Hammock Tent. Comfort is another big consideration; if you don’t sleep well, you could find yourself achy, unfocussed and tired. We recommend you think long and hard about the equipment you want to bring and make sure you will use everything in your bag. If in doubt, leave it out.
For a group or family camping trip, you make want to bring the kitchen sink! Fine, if you have a car park nearby. And if you have kids, the opposite applies to solo camping. You probably want to bring more than you think… they need to be constantly entertained and busy! It’s a good job camping in a suspended tree tent is so fun! The only downside is that you may need to bring more than one; there is nothing relaxing about hanging out in a Tentsile Tree Tent or Giant Hammock that is being used as a spaceship, jump station or trampoline!
In any case, there are some items that are really important for both extreme scenarios…
Just in case this is your first time, we would recommend not skimping on your bug net, blankets, food, cooking stove and toilet roll, and bring double the amount of water you think you’ll need. It cannot be understated how important staying hydrated in the wild is! A First Aid kit, complete will bandage, plasters (band-aids), antiseptic cream and sanitiser gel, insect repellents, a safety pin and tweezers and phone charger is always useful too!
Oh, and one last thing: bring a sense of humour. Something is bound to go wrong, and you’ll need to see the funny side in order to find the best solution to fix the problem!
Finding The Right Trees for Your Tree Tent
Tentsile invented Tree Tents so that you can expand your appreciation of trees. You can now camp connected to them, feel their strength, their bark, their moving limbs and know that they are alive. You can do all this with a treehouse that pops up right out of a bag and sets up in no time at all. Camping will never be the same once you have perfected your ability to set up a Tentsile Tree Tent properly—you’ll never choose to camp in a ground tent again!
First, though, you’ll need to get to grips with some basic information that will help you stay safe, comfortable and mosquito-free. The first rule is to make sure that the trees you intend to anchor to are healthy and strong. Visual signs on this are easy to spot. No leaves? Usually, this would indicate a dead tree—do not use! Also, signs of decay, including fungus and mushrooms growing from the trunk, are a clear sign of rotting wood and should be avoided. If in doubt, choose another tree.
Ground conditions are also important. A healthy tree may not always be rooted in firm ground. Sandy substrates are common and will not hold a tree steady if a lateral side load is applied to it. Make sure that your trees are fully rooted in good ground, and that the tree is strong enough to take the load! We recommend that the tree trunk should be no less than 12”/30 cm in diameter—this is a good, strong tree.
Any three trees will work as long as the angle between each of them is less than 90 degrees. That means no right angles! And if you need to use a right angle, you will need to come right up to the tree trunk on that one; we would suggest using the ‘tail’ of the tree tent for this. You will also need to use a slightly different set-up for your ratchet if you are this close to the tree. We call this a basket loop!
Alignment is key for a good night’s sleep. The closer you are to getting the under-floor straps and orange straps to line up perfectly, the tighter the tent or hammock will be and the better it will feel. There is a six to seven-degree margin of tolerance, but the closer you can get to straight, the better it will feel when you get inside.
If you cannot find three trees that work, then you may have to improvise, and that’s ok! Tentsile camping gear is made to be infinitely versatile, you just need to use some common sense and possibly a fourth ratchet and strap to pull one of the main straps into alignment. We have videos on how to do this and also how to increase the length of a strap to reach a tree that is at a better angle for your set-up.
Lengthening the straps is ok, but you want to use a carabiner to do it or else you may never get them free of each other again. We have seen straps fused together by the forces needed to set up a Tree Tent, and it isn’t fun! Also, if the distance is too great, we would recommend using a five-ton ratchet and a 2”/50mm strap. The longer the strap, the more it stretches, but the wider the strap, the less it stretches.
You cannot over-tighten your straps. Do not worry, the product will not break! However, it will stretch (especially when it is new), as the fabric fibres need to set into place. Set it up, jump in and get out to re-tighten. You may want to do this several times over the course of a camping trip, just like you may want to put some extra air into your bicycle tires or oil in your engine. It makes everything work much better.
As you may have already guessed, the trees do have to be in a perfect triangle. The tent will want to find its point of equality between the three anchor points, so you use the strap length to allow for this. Just like a spider’s web which always uses three anchoring points to make a perfect spiral web, some of those anchoring lines can be much longer than others, but it always makes a perfect web!
Damaging the trees is obviously something to try and avoid because we love trees and founded this company to help protect and save them. Our straps are wide, and our Tree Protector Wraps are even wider. This spreads the load on the surface of the tree trunk so that the vertical transportation nutrition just under the bark is left unaffected. We do, however, recommend that all tents be taken down at least once every three months and moved up or down the trunk by 6-8”/15-20cm so that one area is not stressed too much. It is also a good opportunity to carry out a safety check on all product components for signs of wear and tear.
In case you cannot find trees, we released a range of Ground Conversion Kits in 2021 so that you can now set up each of our Tree Tents on the ground, too! These kits include everything you need to get your tent up in a more conventional way when you find a location where trees are scarce. We also have an Aluminium Stand that will fit your three-person Tree Tents and Hammocks (made to order). Some people have come up with ingenious ways to use their car tow bar as a third tree!
For those that want to create a permanent Tentsile placement in their yard, we also have advice on how to set poles into the ground. We recommend telegraph poles (10-14”/25-30cm diameter), set in a hole and concreted in at a depth of 5ft/1.4m. This will give you a sturdy anchoring point up to a height of 4ft/1.2m, off the ground.
We have solutions for all eventualities, all locations and all uses. We aim to help you get the most out of your Tentsile products wherever you are and if this article doesn’t answer all of your questions, please feel free to get in touch with us at support@tentsile.com. We’ll see you in the trees!
Camping Hammock Care and Set-Up
Camping hammocks offer a unique camping experience that is unmatched by traditional ground tents. With a suspension system that supports you off the ground, all you really need are some sturdy anchor points for pitching. They are incredibly comfortable and make a great place for relaxing during the day or sleeping at night.
If you’re planning a trip with a camping hammock or hammock tent for the first time, you may be unsure of how to hang your hammock safely and effectively. Or, if you’ve got a few camping trips in the pipeline, you might want to know how to look after your hammock so that it lasts a long time. This guide covers some useful information and shows you where to go for more detailed expert guides from Tentsile.
Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
Where to Hang Your Camping Hammock
Camping hammocks are lightweight and take up relatively little space in your backpack or stuff sack, meaning they are less cumbersome to carry when hiking, backpacking or staying on a campsite overnight.
When setting out on a camping trip with a hammock, there are a few factors to bear in mind before setting up camp. These include anchor points, weather, location and wildlife. Most Tentsile camping hammocks have a three-point anchor system, so you’ll require three healthy trees or columns to suspend your hammock from. However, some, such as the Solo 1-Person Mesh Hammock, only require two.
Location is one of the most important considerations when choosing where to hang your camping hammock. You don’t want to be too close to water, as this may attract insects and may be at risk of flooding in wetter weather conditions. You should also make sure you are permitted to camp in the spot you’ve chosen, and that you’re not trespassing on private land.
When wild camping and hiking or backpacking, you need to make sure you have a reliable navigation system. This is vital should you lose your bearings, but also helps you identify nearby facilities such as public toilets and bins.
Our guide to hanging your camping hammock covers anchor points, location and more.
How to Hang Your Camping Hammock
Once you’ve decided where to hang your camping hammock, you need to know how to set it up safely and comfortably. The weather will play an important part in this, as you may need some extra accessories such as a tarp, rain fly or bug net to protect you from rain and insects, as well as a sleeping bag and underquilt or sleeping pad to keep you warm.
We recommend having a practice run hanging your hammock before you set off on your trip. It can be tricky knowing how to pitch your hammock at the right angle and with the correct ridgeline, but familiarising yourself with the instructions or having a go in advance should make the process less confusing.
Your first task when hanging your hammock is choosing suitable anchor points. Trees (either two or three depending on your hammock’s anchor system) should be around 15ft apart. You can also use stationary anchors such as posts or cars, or even a simple and quick to assemble portable hammock stand.
If you have a single hammock with a two-point anchor system like the Solo, you should attach the straps 6ft up the tree with knots or a carabiner to allow for the material sag. Our hammocks with a three-point system have taut bases for a flatter surface. Once you’ve attached your hammock to the supports, try it out and make any necessary adjustments then add your extras like an underquilt.
For more information on how to hang your camping hammock safely, including how to tie knots when tying a rope or strap to a support, check out our guide. We’ve also covered how to hang your hammock indoors for all you stay-at-home types.
How to Clean Your Camping Hammock
You should always check your gear before packing away after your camping trip in case anything sharp or sticky has become tangled in or stuck on your hammock. You should never machine wash or dry your hammock, or use household soaps which contain perfumes that can attract insects.
Instead, you should clean your hammock or tree tent with warm water, non-detergent soap and a non-abrasive sponge. Products specially designed to clean load-bearing textiles will also help tackle dirty patches.
After cleaning, your hammock or tree tent should be air-dried in a dry and airy spot, not in direct sunlight. Only once it’s completely dry should you pack it up and store it in a cool, dry place.
Our article How to Clean Your Tentsile discusses cleaning your hammock/tree tent, ratchets, straps and rainflies in more detail.
View our full range of camping hammocks or contact our team today if you would like more expert advice for your next camping trip.
Different Activities with Your Camping Hammock
Are you tired of tent camping? Hammock camping opens up new opportunities for where you can camp and who you can camp with, without compromising on weight or comfort. Hammocks are as suitable for pitching deep in the backcountry as they are for relaxing with family in your own backyard.
Whether you need a single hammock for a solo trip or something more robust for camping in the winter, Tentsile has a hammock for you. In this guide:
Hiking and Backpacking
You may enjoy staying on a campsite, but sometimes you just want to venture further and see more of nature. Lightweight camping hammocks provide unrivalled portability and versatility, allowing you to set up and pack away easily in a variety of locations otherwise inaccessible with a traditional tent.
Ultralight gear is important for hiking and backpacking trips, and a Tentsile camping hammock is a simple yet effective solution that won’t take up too much room in your bag or stuff sack. After a long day of hiking, you don’t want to tackle an unnecessarily complex setting up process—that’s why our lightweight camping hammocks are fast to pitch so you can spend your evenings relaxing.
Lightweight hammocks are also compatible with many other hammocks and tree tents, so are the perfect addition to our famous Tentsile stack system if you’re camping as a group and need some extra storage space.
For more information, read our guide to the Best Lightweight Camping Hammocks for Hiking and Backpacking.
Lightweight Hammocks for Solo Camping
The perfect lightweight camping hammock should be around 3 kg or less. They should be easy to carry and quick to set up, while also offering a comfortable night’s sleep in a safe spot suspended from wet or uneven ground.
The Tentsile Solo weighs just 2 lbs and takes up very little room in your bag, so you have plenty of space to pack other essentials like a sleeping bag or a sleeping pad. Like other camping hammocks and tree tents from Tentsile, the Solo is made from robust and durable heavy-duty nylon-polyester mesh.
The UNA 1-Person weighs 3.13 lbs and comes with a rain fly and bug net. Though it’s just as easy as the Solo to install, the UNA has a three-point anchor system so requires three tree or anchor points (unlike the Solo which only needs two). This is the perfect lightweight solution for camping trips requiring more protection from the weather and insects.
To learn more about lightweight camping hammocks for solo camping adventures, check out our guide.
Camping in Different Seasons
If you’re a regular camper, you’ll know to expect the unexpected when it comes to the weather. The spring and summer can bring sunshine and warmth but also intermittent showers, whereas autumn and winter are typically windy, rainy, cold and snowy.
Luckily, you can get a hammock that suits your camping needs no matter the time of year. Tentsile camping hammocks allow you to venture further as all you need in addition to your gear are two to three sturdy trees or anchor points depending on the hammock you take with you.
The type of camping hammock you opt for should be informed by the number of occupants and the intended use. All Tentsile camping hammocks are fitted with insect mesh and removable rainflies, perfect for protecting sleeping campers in the summer months. The Safari range are the most robust hammock models and are capable of withstanding extreme heat and 3,500 hours of sun exposure.
Camping in the cooler months requires a few extra pieces of gear like the SkyPad inflatable mattress to help you stay warm in the night, so you need a lightweight hammock that doesn’t take up too much space in your bag. The Safari Trillium 3-Person Camping Hammock is heavy-duty and ideal for small groups, whereas the ultralight T-Mini 2-Person Double is a lightweight alternative for couples or solo campers.
Our guide Camping Hammocks for the Different Seasons covers single and multi-season hammocks in more detail, as well as some hammock camping tips.
View our full range of camping hammocks or contact our team today if you would like more expert advice for your next camping trip.
Understanding Different Camping Hammock Types
Camping hammocks are designed with portability and outdoor use in mind. They differ from the traditional hammock set-up in that they are intended to be pitched in trees or at a basecamp for sleeping and relaxing in.
A camping hammock only is suitable for warm and dry weather. You can add a tarp to cover your hammock for coverage from rain, but this may not offer full protection from wind or sideways rain. A hammock tent is fully enclosed with a built-in insect mesh and rainfly (which is usually removable) and gives the best protection from unpredictable weather.
Camping hammocks are an increasingly popular alternative to traditional ground tents, offering a unique camping experience and guaranteed comfort as well as reduced weight and pitching times. They are available in a range of sizes for all camping occasions, from solo hiking trips to group or family excursions. In this article:
Single-person camping hammocks
When heading out on a solo camping trip, you want to make sure you’re prepared for all possibilities by thoroughly considering what you need to pack and what to do should something go wrong.
If you’re using a single hammock like the Tentsile Solo Mesh Hammock, there are several important things to bear in mind before heading out on your solo adventure. Beyond how you intend to use your hammock, you need to think about the location and climate of where you plan to camp. Seasonal changes in the weather, the availability of three good trees to fix the hammock straps to and temperature are just three factors that could influence your camping set-up.
Additional considerations include the ease of setting up and packing away your hammock and whether you want to bring any accessories such as a rain tarp or bug net for extra protection. You may also want a sleeping pad in addition to your sleeping bag to make your hammock camping experience more comfortable.
Read our guide to single-person camping hammocks for more information.
Two-person camping hammocks
A double camping hammock is usually more cost-effective than buying two single hammocks and means you only need to find one suitable pitching point rather than two. A two-person hammock can also be used by a solo camper looking for some extra space.
By opting for a shared portable hammock such as the T-Mini 2-Person Double Hammock, you can split the load between campers with one half of the pair carrying the hammock body and the other taking additional suspension system parts.
Similar to single-person hammocks, careful planning and preparation should be a priority when camping as a pair. The size and weight of your two-person hammock and the location and time of year you plan to use it are important, but you should also bear in mind the comfort of the occupants. We recommend an underfloor suspension system to create separate sleeping bays so you won’t collide in the night.
Check out our selection of two-person camping hammocks or read our article on things to consider when choosing the right two-person hammock for you.
Three-person camping hammocks
By adding another person to become a trio, you’ll need a camping hammock that can accommodate the height and weight of all campers while also being comfortable enough to sleep in. You don’t want the hammock to sag in the middle, causing all three occupants to be crammed together in a single position without space to move freely.
Tentsile hammocks such as the Trillium Giant 3-Person Hammock have a structurally supportive floor, meaning they don’t sag in the centre and you can lay in whichever position you want. Reinforcing straps allow you to adjust the hammock according to weight differentials and create individual sleeping bays for the three occupants.
We discuss the differences between standard and Tentsile camping hammocks in our guide to three-person hammocks.
Family camping hammocks
As an alternative to traditional ground tents, camping hammocks offer versatility, comfort and reduced weight. This allows your group or family to venture further, as you aren’t restricted to ground that is damp, rocky or uneven.
Capacity and durability are very important features to look for in a family camping hammock. If you’re a group of two adults and two children, you need a hammock that is strong enough to hold everyone but also supports movement.
Tentsile family-sized camping hammocks such as the Safari Trillium Giant 3-Person Hammock or the Trillium XL have a taut base and reinforcing straps to create separate sleeping bays. They are also easy to set up and are perfect for first-time and experienced hammock campers alike. For even more sleeping capacity and storage, the Trillium XL hammock can be set up underneath a tree tent to create a multi-storey stack.
Find out more in our expert guide to family-sized camping hammocks.
View our full range of camping hammocks or contact our team today if you would like more expert advice for your next camping trip.
