Last Updated on February, 2025
Not all of us have the right place to set up a hammock. You need to tie your hammock somewhere so it can be a comfortable relaxing place for you.
People tie them with trees or any other support pillars in a lawn or a backyard, while most of them prefer to use these hammocks on camping and backpacking trips.
But what if you can set it up without any trees or support around you? This is where hammock stands come in.
Camping soared in popularity, especially after the pandemic, and in 2024 one out of three leisure trips involve it and it’s not over. And this also ignited the rising demand for hammocks and hammock stands.
However, a comfortable hammock is only as good as the stand supporting it. Its structure will keep you from falling on the ground and spare you from embarrassment.
Some hammocks do come with their stand and ensure a proper fit. You can also purchase these stands separately, and many of them are portable so you can easily carry them on your trip.
If you’re looking for one this comprehensive guide can assist you with that. So without any further ado, let’s get into the details of the best hammock stands money can buy in 2024.
Table of Contents
Best Portable Hammock Stands Reviewed
1. Kammok Swiftlet
Short Bar Setup:
Long Bar Setup:
Folded Dimensions:
The Swiftlet hammock stand by Kammok is a top choice if you’re looking for portable camping hammocks. It’s lightweight and easy to carry so it works well on your hiking and backpacking trips as well.
No matter where you’re planning to set your hammock up, whether it’s a sandy beach or an alpine hike, this lightweight stand will enable you to get it done with ease. It even works well for tailgating and car camping.
And the best part is that you don’t have to spend much time setting it up. It comes with push pins and quick-release buttons and you won’t have to worry about screwing anything or using any tools. Each piece in this setup snaps and slides to provide you with a seamless experience.
An excellent feature of this hammock stand is that you can turn it into a chair using its chair mode, enabling you to save space by reducing the footprint if you have to deal with any cramped spaces.
This stand is adjustable so you can easily change the sag of your hammock without touching the suspension straps. It also means that you don’t have to get out of the hammock to do so.
Moreover, it comes with a portable design that enables you to store it conveniently without using up much of your storage. This stand is designed to distribute weight evenly and flex on uneven surfaces. So you don’t have to look for leveled ground before you start unpacking it from your storage.
The stand is made of solid aluminum and it’s resistant to rust, so you can leave it outside during any unexpected showers. All-in-all this packable hammock is built for outdoors.
Pros
Cons
2. ENO Nomad Hammock Stand
The Nomad hammock stand by Eagle’s Nest Outdoors is another one of the affordable hammock stands that you can consider for your outdoor adventures.
The biggest weight contributor in your camping hammocks is these stands. But this one weighs only 15 lbs which makes it an ideal choice for trekking.
It sets up in no time thanks to its shock corded design and your purchase will also come with a custom stuff sack. It means that you can quickly set up your stand with a hammock and pack it up to go back to your base conveniently.
Whether you’re on mountain tops, a desert, or on the beach, this stand works very well thanks to its easy setup and portable design. It is made of light aluminum allowing poles that ensure stability while saving weight.
The lightweight model is patented featuring 6 different adjustment points to get the best sag for yourself. Therefore, you can conveniently make adjustments without even touching the hammock steps. And the best part is that it is compatible with most ENO hammocks only excluding SuperNest and the Sky Series.
Setting it up is not a thing due to the snap-and-slide construction. Once you get the hang of it, which you do after your first setup, getting it ready for your resting time won’t be a thing.
Pros
Cons
3. FDW Hammock Stand
Dimensions:
If you’re looking for a bigger option to set up a hammock ideal for a couple and comes with a larger weight capacity then the FDW hammock stand is the ideal option for you.
This stand is made of powder-coated steel, and it also comes with plastic caps on tubing ends for maximizing durability and ensuring safety,
This stand here is a robust one still, it is pretty easy to assemble and disassemble. However, you might need to get the hang of it first. It’s better to assemble and disassemble it in your home a couple of times to get used to it and then take it out on your trips.
Moreover, each end of this hammock stand features 6 different holes that are spaced 4 inches apart. Therefore, you can adjust the sag according to your preferences and needs without disturbing your hammock straps.
During hammock testing, we found that this stand is pretty sturdy and you won’t have to worry about falling off from it when getting in and out of your hammock.
Pros
Cons
What to Consider When Looking for a Portable Stand for Hammocks?
Now, the question is what should you look for in a hammock stand when you’re out to make a purchase? There are various features you must consider before finalizing your decision.
To assist you with that we have developed this buying guide listing down all the features that you must take into account before pulling the trigger.
So, let’s have a look at each of these features one by one in detail.
Types
First up is what type of portable stands for hammocks are available on the market. So, there are three different types of these stands for hammocks.
Brazilian
These hammocks tend to be large and hence they provide you with a deep sag. Instead of a hammock-lounger style with your head and feet in line with the posts, this style enables you to lie perpendicular to the brackets with which your hammock is hanging.
Therefore, you will need taller stands to work with these hammocks to make room for that deep sag lifting you above the floor.
Moreover, these stands come with different adjustable heights. The suspension straps of your hammock loops over the stand and attaches to the hool holding your hammock in place.
Spreader Bar
The spreader bar style is conventional and you will mostly find it in backyards. In this type, the suspension strap looped through the two bars on both ends.
The bar will keep the fabric of the hammock open and it will maintain its shape, even if you’re in it. Therefore, you can comfortably sit in your hammock just as you sit in a chair. Of course, you can always kick back for a nap by lying in your hammock lengthwise.
The stands for such hammocks are conventional as well, including a frame and a couple of raised arms. You can connect the suspension straps of your hammock with these arms. These stands might come with adjustable heights but usually, they come in preset lengths.
Hammock Chair
For those who prefer a more cocoon-like design, it’s better to choose the hammock chairs. The hammock chair style features rope, fabric, and basket-like materials that are woven together to make a chair.
Some models might also come with a spreader bar to keep the hammock fabric open. But it entirely depends upon the fabric. Typically, this type only hangs from one end and it enables you to spin, sway, or rotate your chair.
The stands of these hammocks feature large arms that are linked with a robust base. More advanced models even feature shock-absorbing springs that enable you to get in and out of your hammock with ease.
Size
Whether you’re looking for a hammock for sleeping or just for relaxing, these hammocks don’t feature a one-size-fits-all design, and neither do these stands for hammocks.
Therefore, expert advice mentions that consider where you want to fit your hammock and what size of the stand you should choose.
Most conventional hammocks tend to be around 9 to 12 feet long. Some of the longer versions can go up to 15 feet. If you have a vast backyard, having a 15-foot-long hammock might work pretty well. But for a small deck, it’s an overkill.
For more compact spaces like patios, a 9-foot hammock is better. Therefore, you’ll need a hammock stand that is suitable for a 9-foot-long hammock.
Weight Capacity
At times, a hammock is more enjoyable when two people are cuddling up in it. Now, if you don’t want your romantic evening, stargazing, or sunbathing to give you the feel of a stuffed human burrito that might end up on the floor, better to check the weight capacity of a hammock.
Most stands for hammocks come with a weight capacity ranging from 300 to 400 pounds. This is a standard weight capacity for a double hammock (for two persons).
For hammock chairs, the max weight capacity on average is around 300 lbs. You might end up saving more with a lighter hammock stand but in doing so you might have to compromise on stability and durability. So it’s better to go for a durable option, otherwise, you’ll have to regret it later.
Storage & Portability
Of course, we’re talking about these portable stands here so the ones that we have featured in our list have a portable design. This is because such a design is much more convenient and you can take your hammock on your hike and tailgating trips.
Therefore, you need to consider the packed size of your hammock stand. Be sure to factor in the length of your disassembled hammock stand because it can still be pretty long.
And of course, you also need to take into account the weight of your stand. Too heavy and you won’t be able to take it on your hikes. Too light and you might have to compromise on its durability.
Be sure to look for stands that come with a stuff sack or a carrying case. This way you will be able to store it in your car or not when in use and can carry it comfortably.
Durability & Materials
In most cases, the stands for these camping hammocks are made of steel to ensure sturdiness and stability. But such stands tend to be heavier and less portable.
Therefore, most camping expert advice revolves around choosing aluminum if weight is an important factor. These tend to come with higher price tags, but if you’re regularly on the move with your hammock, this will come in handy.
Aluminum is also resistant to rust so it works great outdoors without an issue. Steel is more prone to corrosion and rust due to exposure.
Still, steel is a popular and cheaper option here and if you’re considering it, go for a powder-coated, corrosion-resistant variant or water-resistant coating.
User-Friendliness
The ease of setting up your hammock stand is a major convenience factor here. Look for stands that you can set up without using any tools.
Some stands come with bolts and nuts and for that, you will need to carry some tools as well. That is something not required here.
Adjustability & Versatility
It’s always better to look for stands that enable you to make adjustments to the height of your hammock. Such stands enable you to change the sag of your hammock by using the hammock straps. It entirely depends upon whether you want to use your hammock for sleeping or just relaxing.
Some of them feature different hooks or points with certain gaps for the hanging straps or hammock straps. Whenever you need more sag you can move those hanging straps to a different point.
Some models are more versatile and they let you convert your hammock into a chair. So it entirely depends upon what types of versatility and adjustability you need in your hammock stand.
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Final Thoughts
After testing out different hammocks, we can safely say that the best one out there is the Kammok Swiftlet. This lightweight single hammock stand is excellent for hot summer days and you can use it even with the hammocks that come with tree straps.
It also comes with a stuff sack that allows you to store and carry it on your back while trekking or camping on the Appalachian Trail.
However, for an affordable price and with more weight capacity, the FDW Hammock Stand is a better choice. This hammock has a more robust construction and is made of powder-coated steel.
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