If you’re in a rush and want to find out what the best hammock bug net is, we recommend the Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Bug Net.
Whether you’re hanging out by the lake with friends, or escaping to a remote section of forest, hammocking is a well loved activity by people of all outdoor skill levels. If you’re just out to enjoy the sunshine for a couple of hours, the hammock and a good understanding of the weather forecast is really all you need. But what if you plan on sticking around after the sun goes down?
Insects love to come out to play at night. To help keep you protected from any irritating bites or bedroom buddies, you’ll want to find yourself a good hammock bug net to keep you protected as you sleep.
In this article, we’ll be reviewing the following hammock bug nets:
- ENO Guardian Hammock Bug Net
- Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Bug Net – Best Overall
- Bear Butt Hammock Bug Net
- Mekkapro Large Hammock Bug Net
- Wecamture Hammock Bug Net – Cheapest Bug Net
- Kammok Dragonfly Hammock Bug Net – Best for Double Hammocks
Bug Net Styles
I’d take some time to explain why it’s important to have a hammock bug net, but I think the answer to that one is pretty obvious. After all, hammocks don’t seal all the way around you like a tent does, which leaves plenty of room for the critters to come in. Without a bug net, you’ll likely wake up with a few friends in bed with you, and more than a few bites all over your body. To keep you from this irritation, there are two different styles of bug nets that you can choose from.
Built In Bug Net
Some hammocks come with their own bug net already attached. Typically, they only extend over the entrance of the hammock, leaving your backside exposed to the insects. Sure, you’ve got the hammock material between you and them, but most bugs are able to bite through this pretty easily – especially mosquitos. If you’ve got an underquilt or sleeping pad as an added layer under your back, you’ll probably be able to get away fairly unscathed though.
The other benefit to having a net built into your hammock is that there’s no extra cost. Having one already attached tends to be cheaper than buying a separate product altogether.
Separate Bug net
Hammocks from larger brands like Eno and Kammock tend to sell their bug nets separately. While it’s likely a method for them to make more money, having a separate bug net isn’t a bad thing when you think about it.
Perhaps there’s a time when you just want to relax in your hammock for an hour or two, and you don’t want to deal with the netting. If the net is attached, you’ll have to work around it, even if you don’t want to use it.
Or perhaps you won’t be using an underquilt or sleeping pad as an extra buffer between the bugs and your behind. Most hammock bug nets that you can buy separately are great because they often wrap around your entire sleeping area, acting as a cocoon for your cocoon. Personally, this type is my favorite to go with, even though they are going to be a little bit more expensive.
Size
You’re also going to want a hammock bug net that’s big enough to accommodate your needs. Hammock camping is often thought of as an escape for solo adventurers, but that’s not always the case – sometimes a friend or significant other will be joining you as well with their own hammock. In situations like these, wouldn’t it be nice to have a bug net that’s big enough to encase your double hammock, or your two individual hammocks?
Though a bit harder to find, large hammock bug nets are out there, and they tend to be my go-to option. After all, even if you don’t need to fit more than one person inside of it, there’s no harm in going a bit bigger anyway. And in case you do need to squeeze in another person, you’ve already got the gear necessary to do so. As always, weight is a factor that drives many backpackers away from this method, but I don’t mind adding a couple extra ounces to my pack for this convenience.
Fit
Ideally, when you set up your hammock, bug net, rain tarp, and underquilt, you’ll have a bit of space around your sleeping area. Most products are good about staying where they need to be (assuming they were put together properly), but sometimes you’ll get a bad apple in the mix. With bug nets in particular, you run the risk of the mesh sinking down onto your head over time, which would be unpleasant to say the least.
Best Hammock Bug Net Reviews
ENO Guardian Hammock Bug Net
ENO is one of the most popular camping hammock brands out there, so I’m sure many of you already have a hammock made by them, or have at least perused their selection of gear. And this ENO bug net certainly lives up to the brand name.
Before I say too much more, though, I do want to share that this bug net is only compatible with other ENO hammocks. So, unless you have a hammock made by them already, or were planning on getting one, feel free to skip over this review down to the next product.
What I love about this net is the 360 degree coverage that it provides. Honestly, don’t underestimate the power of mosquitos…depending on where you’re camping, if you don’t thoroughly protect your backside, you’re in for a miserable night. Having all around protection is a requirement for a bug net, in my opinion.
The dual set of doors are really nice to have, and the zippers on them seem to be fairly decent. There’s also a ridgeline construction and spreader bar built in to help create more space inside of the bug net, keeping it from sinking close to your body.
Pros:
– Weight is under a pound
– 360 degree protection
– Dual set of doors
– Spacious design
Cons:
– Only compatible with other ENO hammocks
– A bit fragile
Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock Bug Net
I’ve talked about Wise Owl Outfitters before in a couple of my other articles related to hammocking. And I have to say, for an off brand (though they are gaining in popularity), I’ve always been impressed with their quality. Which works well for people like us because that means you still get the high end craftsmanship you’d find in an ENO or Kammock product, but at close to half the price. Pretty neat, huh?
The mesh holes are so small that not even the smallest fruit fly would be able to find a way inside. This is precisely what you want to look for in a bug net, especially if you find yourself in a swampy area that’s prone to insect life. However, just because the mesh is so tiny doesn’t mean you’ll be unable to see the stars, giving you the perfect blend of functionality and entertainment.
Overall, it’s a pretty lightweight net, and it packs down small as well. Stuffing it in your backpack won’t be an issue, and when it does come time to use it, you’ll enjoy the double sided zipper that splits the mesh right down the middle.
Pros:
– Ultra fine mesh
– Lightweight and portable
– Cost effective
– Full coverage
– Great zippers
Cons:
– The netting does tend to snag easily
Bear Butt Hammock Bug Net
There are a few things that I like about this hammock mosquito net, aside from the amusing brand name. Like the product created by Wise Owl Outfitters, this is another affordable option, if you’re not the type who gravitates toward the well known name brands.
The bug net relies on a series of clips to keep it in place, allowing it to hang a fair distance above your head as long as you tied your knots properly. While you’ll have plenty of head room, my only complaint is that there isn’t a method to keep the netting at a distance on either side (for example, some products have a horizontal spreader bar).
Considering how fine the mesh is, it does a good job of keeping the bugs out, and seems to be fairly durable as well. Coming in at 0.8 pounds, the weight is about average for a hammock bug net, if not slightly heavier than some of the more expensive brands. But if a few extra ounces doesn’t bother you too much, there are very few reasons to dislike this product overall.
Pros:
– Affordable
– Keeps bugs out
– Easy to put together
– Built in stuff sack
Cons:
– Takes awhile to setup, which is inconvenient in downpours
Mekkapro Large Hammock Bug Net
Earlier in this review, I mentioned the importance of finding a product large enough to meet your size requirements. Well, Mekkapro’s large hammock bug net should be big enough to satisfy whatever needs you might have…and then some. You’ll easily be able to fit two single hammocks inside of this mosquito netting, and have plenty of room to spare for gear storage and other necessities.
Despite the massive size, it’s actually not as heavy as you might have expected, weighing in at about 1.4 pounds. It comes with enough hooks, screws, plugs, and string to allow you to attach it just about anywhere that you’ll need protection from creepy crawlies. When you aren’t using it with your hammock, perhaps you’d like to set it up around your bed or vegetation that you want to keep bug free. It’s a really multipurpose mesh cocoon that can be used just about anywhere for anything.
Pros:
– Very large in size
– Still fairly lightweight, given the size
– Versatile design
– Multifunctional
Cons:
– Bulky
– Can be difficult to set up
Wecamture Hammock Bug Net
Are you or someone you know looking to test the water with hammock camping? Perhaps it’s something you only plan to do from time to time, or maybe you expect your child to outgrow the fad once a year or two goes by. If that’s the case, maybe you want to consider Wecamture’s hammock bug net as cheap option that will still get the job done well enough for the occasional camping trip.
Setup is simple enough – all you have to do is tie the ridgeline to the trees and attach the clips on top of the bug net to it, keeping it lifted off your face and body. Some sections will droop pretty close to you, however, which is one of the biggest gripes I have with this hammock bug net. But for a functional bug net that gets the job done splendidly for a fraction of the cost a high end brand would charge you, it really can’t be beat.
Pros:
– Affordable
– Keeps bugs of all sizes out
– Fairly easy to set up
– Dual sided diagonal zipper
Cons:
– The netting likes to droop
– Snags easily
Kammok Dragonfly Hammock Bug Net
Another big bug net, the Kammok Dragonfly is large enough for any hammock 10 feet and under…and probably a few double hammocks as well. In fact, it was specifically designed to pair with the Kammok Roo double hammock, which is sold separately. Given the giant size, you may find that the zipper hangs a little low when you’re only using it with a single hammock, but that’s not too uncommon with bug nets in general.
Overall, it’s a very easy net to hang up. There’s no need to learn any fancy knots, and the ridgeline is taut enough to hold a lantern or fan. I also appreciate the horizontal zipper, which is a more intuitive way to enter and exit the hammock. This is opposed to the vertical zipper system, which just makes less sense to me.
The no-see-um mesh is lightweight and effective, packing down to a meager 9.8 ounces. No matter where you are in the world, the local bugs won’t be able to penetrate the mesh, allowing you to stay fully protected from all angles. At the same time, the mesh is clear enough for you to see the stars on a cloudless night. While the Dragonfly might be a tad more expensive than some of the other options listed in this review, I’d say all of the features more than justify the price.
Pros:
– Lightweight
– Large enough to accommodate a double hammock
– Horizontal zipper
– Easy to set up
– Packs down well
Cons:
– Price
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Final Thoughts
When spending the night in a hammock, there’s more to think about than simple protection from the rain. Bugs are a nuisance, and can cause health problems, which is why a good hammock bug net should be on your camping checklist.
Wise Owl Outfitters stole the show on this one for us, simply because of how high quality it is for such a low price. It’s compatible with hammocks of other brands, in addition to being lightweight and portable. The mesh is so tiny that not even a gnat can squeeze through, but you’ll still be able to look out and enjoy the view around you.
