There are few better ways to enjoy a night under the stars while camping and backpacking than in a hammock. Indeed, kicking back and relaxing as you’re blissfully suspended between 2 trees can be a truly wonderful experience.
However, finding a hammock that’s comfortable and functional can be tricky if you need a model that’s perfectly sized for a big guy.
Although there are plenty of camping hammocks on the market today, relatively few of them are designed specifically with larger backpackers in mind.
To ensure that you have the gear you need while you’re outside, we’ve put together this review and guide to help you find the best hammock to take on your next adventure.
In this article, we’ll give you the low-down on the top heavy-duty hammocks on the market today. We’ll even offer some shopping tips so you can select the model that’s right for your needs.
Let’s get to it!
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Best Heavy-Duty Hammocks for Big Guys Review
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
A time-honored classic, the ENO DoubleNest Hammock is a sure bet for big guys who want to get out and explore the great outdoors.
Made from an extra-durable 70D high-tenacity nylon taffeta fabric, this hammock can support a solid 400lbs (181kg) of weight. The fabric is also designed to be both highly breathable and quick-drying, so it’s a nice choice for use in rainy environments.
If that weren’t enough, the DoubleNest Hammock features heavy-duty triple-stitched seams throughout to prevent rips and tears, even after years of use.
Plus, though it’s crafted for durability, this hammock’s nylon taffeta fabric is still soft to the touch for added comfort.
To ensure that you have a large enough space to stretch out at the end of a long day of hiking, ENO engineered this hammock to have a 9’x6’6” (275x190cm) layout. As a result, it’s wide enough for diagonal sleeping, even for taller campers.
Oh, and despite its high weight capacity and large layout, the ENO DoubleNest Hammock packs down small into its attached compression sack.
It also weighs just 19oz (538g) with its 2 included wire gate carabiners, so it’s a compact option for backcountry adventuring.
Pros:
- Wide bed dimensions for added comfort
- Compact packed size and lightweight
- Extra-durable fabric and construction
- Integrated stuff sack for easier packing
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
MalloMe Large Camping Hammock
When affordability is a chief concern, the MalloMe Large Camping Hammock should be toward the top of your list.
With MalloMe’s Large Camping Hammock, you get an extra-rugged all-in-one sleeping kit that’s made from premium 210T nylon fabric. This nylon fabric is highly breathable for use during the summer months and is easy to wash for faster clean-up after your camping trips.
Moreover, this hammock boasts a spacious 9’6”x6’7” (300x200cm) layout, which offers more than enough legroom for the tallest of campers.
As far as its weight limit goes, MalloMe’s hammock doesn’t disappoint. It features triple-stitched seams that give it a truly remarkable 1000lb (450kg) maximum weight capacity, making it suitable for big guys who love to adventure.
For added value, this hammock also comes with a set of carabiners and rope so you have everything you need to hit the trails in 1 great package.
It also comes with a stuff sack that’s conveniently sewn onto the side for quick packing and easier transport.
It’s worth noting that the MalloMe hammock is a bit heavier and bulkier than some of the other options on the market. However, when it comes to budget-friendly hammocks, this model is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Exceptionally high weight limit (1000lbs/450kg)
- Spacious layout for added comfort at night
- Includes straps and carabiners for pitching
- Budget-friendly price point
Cons:
- Fairly heavy and bulky
Sea to Summit Pro Hammock
One of the few single-sized hammocks on the market with a 400lb+ (181kg) weight limit, the Sea to Summit Pro Hammock is a solid choice for campers who prioritize weight savings and portability above all else.
Sea to Summit’s Pro Hammock is made from durable 70D ripstop nylon, which is designed to withstand regular use in harsh environments. The hammock’s fabric is decidedly breathable and even wicks away moisture on hot, muggy nights in the forest.
For added convenience, the Pro Hammock comes complete with the company’s proprietary single-length, high-tenacity 15mm webbing system. This webbing system boasts a set of high-strength buckles, which makes set up and take down a breeze.
Moreover, if you’re camping in particularly buggy and rainy environments, the Sea to Summit Pro Hammock is compatible with a slew of accessories from which to choose.
The company offers a set of purpose-built rainflies and bug nets (sold separately) to protect you from the elements when traveling in harsh terrain.
Finally, although this hammock has a modest 9’x5’ (275x150cm) bed size, these compact dimensions make it lighter and more packable on the trail.
Indeed, the Pro Hammock packs down to an impressively small size in its integrated water-resistant Ultra-Sil compression sack, so it’s a great option for life in the mountains.
Pros:
- Includes a set of high-strength straps and buckles
- Lightweight and highly packable design
- Integrated water-resistant compression sack
Cons:
- Narrower bed size than a double hammock
- Fairly pricey
Wise Owl Outfitters Single Hammock
Another excellent single hammock designed with bigger guys in mind, the Wise Owl Outfitters Single Hammock is a simple yet functional option for getting a good night’s sleep while outside.
Wise Owl crafted this hammock out of burly 210T woven parachute nylon, which provides a nice mix of durability and comfort at night.
This fabric is breathable and fast-drying, so it’s good in both hot and rainy environments. Plus, it’s soft to the touch to help you get a better night’s sleep.
At the same time, the company’s proprietary triple interlocking stitching construction provides added strength and durability, giving the hammock an impressive 500lb (226.8kg) weight capacity.
To ensure that this hammock is quick and efficient to set up, Wise Owl also includes a set of 9’ (275cm) straps and 2 heavy-duty D-shaped carabiners to make the pitching process as seamless as possible.
It also comes packed inside its own drawstring stuff sack, so it’s easier to carry on the trail.
However, because this is a single hammock, it has a fairly narrow bed size of just 9’x4’6” (275x137cm).
Although many campers will find that this isn’t a problem, it’s worth keeping in mind if you like to have a lot of extra wiggle room at night.
Pros:
- Single hammock with a high (500lb/226.9kg) weight limit
- Includes 9’ (275cm) straps and 2 D-shaped carabiners
- Comes with a small stuff sack for easier packing
- Fairly affordable
Cons:
- Fairly small bed dimensions
Legit Camping Double Hammock
Spacious and rugged, the Legit Camping Double Hammock provides a cozy sleeping space for larger campers who love spending time outside.
Designed specifically with durability in mind, the Legit Camping Double Hammock is crafted out of a sheet of military-grade 75D nylon taffeta fabric, which provides it with a maximum 500lb (226kg) weight limit. It also has triple-stitched seams to prevent tears, even throughout frequent camping trips.
Moreover, despite being just 25oz (725g) in weight, this hammock has an impressively large bed size of 10’x6’ (304x180cm). Therefore, it’s a great choice for campers who like to stretch out at night.
One of the key features that really sets this hammock apart, however, is its included strap system. This hammock comes with a set of steel carabiners and burly end straps for quick pitching when you arrive at camp.
The included straps also feature integrated padding to help protect trees from damage as you snooze.
To wrap up its great list of features, the Legit Camping Double Hammock even features a built-in stuff sack, which doubles as a gear storage pocket at night.
Pros:
- Included straps come with built-in tree protection
- Integrated stuff sack doubles as a gear storage pocket
- Large sleeping area for added comfort
Cons:
- Somewhat bulky packed size
How to Pick the Best Hammock for a Heavy Person
Although they might seem like simple pieces of gear, hammocks are surprisingly difficult to shop for.
In particular, if you’re looking for the best hammock for a heavy person, finding a model that’s comfortable yet durable enough to support a big guy is no easy feat.
To make the buying process as easy as possible, in this section, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to pick the best hammock for large people.
Overall Weight Capacity
Perhaps the single biggest concern for any big guy who’s looking to buy a hammock for camping and backpacking is the hammock’s weight capacity.
Thankfully, pretty much any reputable hammock manufacturer will list a specific maximum weight capacity on its gear so you have an idea of how much weight a given model can support.
Overloading a hammock can cause it to rip or even snap, so staying under this weight limit is of the utmost importance.
That being said, it’s important to give yourself a bit of wiggle room when it comes to the weight capacity of a hammock.
For example, if a camper weighs 250lbs (113kg), it’s best to look for a model that offers a substantially higher weight capacity than 250lbs (113kg).
Indeed, you’ll generally get the best possible performance out of your hammock if you opt for a model that can support more weight than you need.
As a general guideline, plan to use no more than 75% of a hammock’s total weight capacity. So, if you weigh 250lbs (113kg), you’ll want a hammock that offers at least 315lbs (143kg) of weight capacity.
For a quick and simple way to calculate the minimum overall weight capacity that you need from your hammock, use this equation:
Your weight x 1.25 = Your hammock’s minimum overall weight capacity
Hammock Sleeping Area Dimensions
In addition to overall weight capacity, the essential specification that big guys need to look out for while shopping for hammocks is the hammock’s dimensions—or, in other words, the hammock’s bed size.
Although many camping hammocks look similar, they actually vary quite a bit in terms of the dimensions of their sleeping areas. In fact, while some hammocks are very long and narrow, others are shorter and wider.
As you can imagine, your hammock’s sleeping area dimensions have a major impact on your comfort at night. For folks who are a bit heavier or taller, finding a hammock that’s perfectly sized for your body is essential if you want to be comfortable at night.
In general, wider and longer hammocks are preferred for heavier campers. This means that, at a minimum, you’ll want a hammock that’s at least 9’ (275cm) long and at least 4’6” (137cm) wide.
Anything shorter or narrower than this, and most adult campers will find that they don’t have enough room to move around at night.
Keep in mind, however, that if you can’t find a single hammock that’s big enough for your needs, it might be worth investigating some of the double hammock options on the market.
While double hammocks are technically designed for 2 campers, they’re really just wider than their single counterparts. As a result, they offer a much more comfortable and luxurious sleeping area for you to snooze in at night.
Of course, a longer and wider sleeping area means a slightly heavier hammock in your pack. However, if you’re a bigger guy, the extra sleeping space just might be worth it.
Durability
Because they’re usually designed to hold over 400lbs (181kg), most hammocks for heavier campers are quite durable.
That being said, there are still a few key features to look for as you shop for a hammock, to ensure that you’re getting a durable model that will hold up throughout years of adventure.
Fabric Stitching Quality
The first durability-related feature to keep in mind is the type of stitching used to hold your hammock together.
Most hammocks are made not from 1 giant piece of fabric, but from multiple sheets of nylon. Therefore, the type of stitching that’s used to hold together the various pieces of fabric is important.
As a result, you’ll generally want to look for a hammock that’s made using a triple-stitched pattern, which is more likely to withstand heavy loads without ripping.
Fabric Thickness
Additionally, it’s worth investigating the actual thickness of the fabric used in your hammock. Fabric quality can be expressed through either denier (abbreviation: D) or thread count (abbreviation: T).
Denier is a unit of measurement that tells you precisely how thick a fabric is, with higher values indicating thicker, more durable fabrics.
Thread count, on the other hand, tells you how many threads are in each square inch of a given fabric, with higher thread counts indicating an increase in durability.
In general, denier is a more useful measurement for describing the overall durability of a fabric, though thread count is a helpful specification if denier isn’t available.
Above all else, opt for hammocks with higher thread counts and higher-denier fabrics, as they’ll be more robust in harsh environments.
Packed Weight & Size
The packed weight and size of a hammock are particularly important because they directly affect the ease of transporting your gear to and from your campsite.
Of course, this is more of a concern for backpackers and others who have to carry their gear to camp, but it’s a specification worth considering regardless of your preferred camping style.
When it comes to the weight and packed size of a hammock, the lighter and smaller, the better.
Do remember, though, that weight savings and packability can come at the expense of durability and overall weight capacity.
Therefore, you may need to make some compromises to get the gear that’s right for your needs.
FAQs About Camping in a Hammock
How High Do You Hang a Hammock?
Most hammocks should be hung between 3-4ft (0.9-1.2m) off the ground.
Is Sleeping in a Hammock Healthy?
Not much research has been done on the benefit or the side effects of sleeping in a hammock. So there is no proof that sleeping in a hammock is good or bad for your health.
However, there is some evidence that sleeping in a hammock may offer a benefit. For more information about the pros and cons of sleeping in a hammock, click here.
How Much Weight Can an ENO DoubleNest Hammock Hold?
ENO DoubleNest Hammocks can accommodate up to 400lbs (181.4kg) of weight.
Conclusion
Larger campers often feel left out when shopping for hammocks because so many models on the market today have relatively low maximum weight capacities.
The good news is that there are some great hammocks for big guys to choose from, as long as you know what to look for.
However, if we had to choose just 1 of the 5 heavy-duty hammocks on our list, we’d opt for the ENO DoubleNest Hammock.
In particular, we like that it strikes a nice balance between durability, overall weight limit, comfort, and packability, which makes it a good choice for the majority of campers.
On the other hand, for campers who prioritize value in their gear, the MalloMe’s Large Camping Hammock is a nice choice.
We especially like that this hammock offers an exceptionally high maximum weight capacity, a spacious sleeping area, and all the hammock straps you need for camping, making it great when you’re on a budget.
What’s most important, though, is that you find the right hammock for your needs so that you can make the most of your time outdoors.
If you find yourself without any trees at your camping site, you might want to consider a hammock stand.
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Gaby
Gaby is a professional outdoor educator, guide, and wilderness medicine instructor. She holds a master's degree in outdoor education and spends most of her time hanging out with penguins and polar bears in the polar region. When she's not outdoors, you can find her traveling, reading Nietzsche, and drinking copious double espressos.
