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My girlfriend and I both like sleeping in hammocks in the outdoors. We now sleep in two separate hammocks. However, I've seen many hammocks that are designed, or at least make it possible to sleep with two people in it. Most notably these two:

Possible advantages

  • Warmth: two people sleeping together is warmer (an advantage in colder environments)
  • Weight: one hammock is lighter than two hammocks and two tarps
  • Romantic: sleeping in two separate hammocks isn't really romantic, after all :)

Possible disadvantages

  • Warmth: two people sleeping together is warmer (a disadvantage in warmer environments)
  • Space: it seems to me that you would just keep rolling into each other and won't actually be able to fall asleep; not necessarily from the lack of space, but rather from the natural effect of rolling to the middle of the hammock

My question is: has anyone tried sleeping (not just relaxing or sitting in it) with two in one of these hammocks? Is it doable? Would you recommend it?

To be honest, I'm fairly skeptical myself, but I wanted to ask this question anyway because of the potential advantages. We also can't try sleeping in it for ourselves, since we both have single hammocks and we don't know anyone who owns a double hammock (and I don't think any store is going to let us try for one night).

Please don't just say: that seems/doesn't seem to be a good idea. I'm looking for people who have actually tried it. I have heard a lot of opinions based on gut feelings already; that is not what I'm looking for.

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Good, well-written question! – manoftheson Jan 20 at 21:40

2 Answers

up vote 9 down vote accepted

There is another post in which my answer deals with this question among other things.

I have not yet met anyone that has tried to sleep with two people in a hammock that still practices it. I have tried it, and while it's ok for a short nap or just relaxing, for overnight and/or multiple nights it's just not comfortable or practical.

I have owned two ENO Doublenests and they still squeeze two people together no matter what way you set up the hammock, whether it's with sag or not. This is subjective, and you may find that it works for you, but I'm betting you won't. I have many married friends who also hammock camp and they don't share hammocks for sleeping either, even though they're accustomed to sleeping in the same bed or tent. (Actually they usually tent camp so they can stay together.)

One of the other big problems with trying to sleep two people in one hammock is if one person has to get up in the night, it's unavoidable to completely disturb the other person. This is assuming either of you has actually managed to stay asleep while sharing the hammock. The romance factor will have quickly lost it's momentum at this point.

It's worth noting that I haven't tried the Deluxe ENO (9'4" x 8'4"), and while wider than a Double (9'4" x 6'2"), I have my doubts that it would provide any different result for sharing a hammock overnight. Sorry to confirm your doubts.

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Thanks for your answer (can't upvote yet; requires 15 rep.). Yes, it's a pity, but I'd rather have my doubts confirmed now than after buying a hammock (and paying about $70) and finding out the hard way that it doesn't work. :) – ChaosAndOrder Jan 20 at 21:56
Glad to help! Also don't accept just my answer too quickly. Someone else may have a better answer than me. There are some knowledgable and experienced folks here. By the way, having a DoubleNest for just yourself is pretty nice. – manoftheson Jan 20 at 22:02
1  
It was a good answer that answered all of my concerns in the way I asked (the source being actual experience), so I think it was worth accepting it. I've heard the DoubleNest is great as a single hammock. I now own a DD Hammock (good review) and while it's not as wide as the DoubleNest (and I haven't actually tried a DoubleNest), I think its main advantages over the DoubleNest are that there is a built-in mosquito net and a space underneath to place a sleeping pad (which prevents the sleeping pad from slipping underneath you). – ChaosAndOrder Jan 20 at 22:13
(cont.) ... + being able to use it as a tent, since the "floor" is water-proof. This has saved me a couple of times when I couldn't find trees. It's not a real tent, of course, but in case you can't find the right trees, you at least have a backup plan (without any extra weight). – ChaosAndOrder Jan 20 at 22:16
up vote 4 down vote

This is not personal experience, but I'll share anyway. I was really into hammocking a few years back and found a guy on one of the message boards who was VERY enthusiastic about sharing a hammock with his girlfriend. He had built a hammock he was very satisfied with, but it had a spreader across the top, which I assume kept their top halves from smooshing together.

So, it may be possible, but you might also have to build one yourself to make it work.

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Here's an example, and LOTS of info about designing your own: hammockforums.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8900 – Aaron Jan 31 at 1:28
Thanks. I really like the idea. – ChaosAndOrder Jan 31 at 20:18

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