If you are going camping with your partner it might seem a pain to take two separate hammocks.
Especially if you are trying to minimize your kit list!
And if you are only going away for a couple of nights, then surely two people can sleep in a hammock for that long…
Can’t they?
That is what we are going to look at today.
So without further ado, let’s get started…
Two people can sleep in a hammock, but it isn’t necessarily likely to be comfortable! The problem is that you will most likely both end up in the same sagging low point of the hammock and most probably any move either of you makes will likely wake up the other. A double hammock with provide more space and comfort, but even then there is no guarantee two of you will sleep comfortably in it.
How Do Two People Comfortably Fit In A Hammock?
The answer is, they don’t!
That may be a bit harsh, but the general consensus is that it is difficult to get two people in a hammock comfortably.
This is because inevitably you will both work your way into the lowest spot in the hammock, and find yourself pressed together, making relaxing challenging and sleeping almost impossible
Don’t just take my word for it either, someone asked a very similar question on a post on the camping section of Reddit, and these are some of the replies:
Yeah, you will always end up pressed together in a common depression. Sleep alone or be prepared to be “one”
You end up really close, no other way around it. Some can hang with it, some can’t. Helps if your partner is tiny.
Hammocks really don’t work for sleeping two people. Every move one makes wakes the other
In a hammock your going to both head to the lowest spot. Which will end up with you being pressed snuggly together.
I have not yet met anyone that has tried to sleep with two people in a hammock that still practices it.
There is no angle that won’t end up with some kind of pressure for you both. Both nights I ended up sleeping on top of him.
So whilst you might both be able to lounge for a while with two of you in a hammock, trying to get any long-term rest is likely to prove difficult.
So what you might save in terms of money and gear weight, you will lose in comfort!
How Do You Sleep With Two People In A Hammock?
The answer is, with great difficulty!
But if you really do insist on trying to fit two people into a hammock (or maybe there are two of you camping now with only one hammock), then there are a few techniques you can try to make sleeping in a hammock easier with two people.
Scissoring
If you scissor whilst you sleep on a hammock, then it should spread the weight sufficiently that the hammock won’t warp as much.
Get in and find your perfect angle to lay in the hammock.
Then slowly move about a foot in the direction your feet are pointing.
Then have your hammock partner get in and lay down with their feet towards your head on the side with more space.
Then scissor!
You might have to adjust a little bit but soon you should find a comfortable fit.
Head to Foot
You most probably won’t want to sleep side by side in a hammock with your heads both at the same end.
Essentially you will need to sleep head to foot so each person is slanted, forming what resembles a tight ‘X’.
On Back and On Side
Another way you could try to sleep two people in a hammock is for one of you, usually the larger of the two, to lie on your back with your knees slightly raised.
Your hammocking partner can then lay on their side with their head on your chest and with their knees under yours.
That spreads the weight evenly and should help keep the hammock stable.
Can One Person Sleep In A Two-Person Hammock?
Yes, one person most definitely can sleep in a two-person hammock.
Just because it is called a two-person or double hammock, doesn’t mean two people have to use it.
In fact, it will almost certainly be more comfortable with just one person in it, and it provides some advantages over a single person sleeping in a one-person hammock.
Most notable is the fact that you should be able to sleep more easily and the extra space in the hammock can be used to store your valuables close to you as you sleep.
If you are concerned that the hammock might be too big, you can simply tie the hammock tighter at each end to make it more snug fitting.
Is A Single Or Double Hammock Better?
If we compare the benefits of a single hammock and a double hammock, you can pretty quickly see what type of hammock is best:
Double Hammock: Benefits
- More spacious
- More comfortable
- Easier to sleep in
- Perfect for kids/pets/partners to join you.
Single Hammock: Benefits
- Saves weight
Essentially a double hammock is the winner all day long.
The extra space you get with a double hammock makes it much more conducive to getting a good night’s sleep.
The additional width gives you much more scope to position your body at the necessary angle to create a nice flat surface for your back and legs.
Essentially think of it as akin to sleeping in a double bed to a single bed.
If you are a side sleeper or someone who moves around a lot in your sleep, then you will definitely benefit from a double hammock.
And as the material conforms to your body, it shouldn’t feel too large for you.
If you need any confirmation this Reddit thread backs up the idea that a double hammock wins out almost every time.
What Are the Best Double Hammocks?
Double hammocks have definitely become more popular over the past few years, and the quality and range have improved considerably.
Here are some of the best double hammocks around.
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
This hammock is lightweight, quick to set up and can easily be clipped to any belt or backpack.
It has a 400lb capacity and measures 9.5 foot.
Wise Owl Double Hammock
The Wise Owl double hammock is hugely popular, and for a good reason.
It is very comfy and strong and packs into the smallest ball.
It is no wonder this has over 40,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
Kootek Double Hammock
Kootek is another popular producer of double hammocks.
They have all the hallmarks you would associate with an excellent hammock, they are comfortable, roomy and reliable with a weight capacity of up to 500lbs.
Covacure Double Hammock
Although Covacure’s double hammock could be slightly longer, the elastic lines on its sides help expand its width.
It also has an excellent bug net, and the entire thing feels incredibly light.
Sunyear Double Hammock
Sunyear’s double hammock is very reasonably priced and has tough triple-stitched body seams and double-stitched seams with the bug net.
It is lightweight, well-constructed and well-priced, what more could you want?
Final Thoughts
Let’s quickly summarise what we have learned in the blog post today:
- Two people can get in a hammock, but it isn’t necessarily likely to be comfortable.
- If you are going to try and sleep with two of you in a hammock there are two or three positions you can try, notably scissoring and head to foot.
- One person can definitely sleep in a two-person hammock, it is likely to be much more comfortable than a single hammock.
- If you are weighing up whether to buy a single or double hammock, then you should always go for a double hammock as they are much more comfortable to sleep in.
There are some really good double hammocks on the market now, and with a bit of research you should be able to pick up something comfortable, roomy and well-priced.
Good luck!