There are a lot of things to do with a hammock amongst the spirit of summer, warm nights and the abundance of vitamin D these days. With the official start of summer, enjoy this gallery of visual appeal and wish yourself into a distant fantasy-land of hammocks and bliss with these seven reasons.
Whether your location features a beach, forest, city or some other expanse your squad stumbled upon, if you can find two solid objects to strap up a hammock... You're in business. Hanging in the social and literal senses.
There are plenty of models and brands that make quality hiking hammocks, and most all of them weigh under three pounds! My hammock, featured here, is an Eno double nest (for two people) and I take it with me on hikes or to campus frequently. It's smaller than a chair, cot, and sleeping pad... Not to mention, way more comfortable!
Hammocks aren't restricted to hanging on trees alone. I've set up shop on balconies, garage doors, rooftops, bedrooms, and plenty of other creative places. Bottom line, you don't need to live somewhere where there's lots of trees to give yourself an awesome setup.
Maybe it's the impossibility of personal space in a hammock, or the comfort of its fibers stretched and morphed around your body that makes it perfect for cuddling. Either way, if you have a significant other or friends who lack a personal bubble, it's well worth the extra $30-$50 upgrade for a two-person hammock. Shout-out to my friends Cole and Kendall in this pic.
Friends make everything better. And when all your friends have hammocks you practically have a portable living room to pack around and squad up whenever the occasion calls for it. Even Costco sells sturdy, inexpensive hammocks this time of year – so what's your excuse?
There's something oddly soothing and satisfying about feeling the momentum of gravity propelling you from one side to the next with no effort required. Regardless, it's consistent and therapeutic.
And the last reason you should DEFINITELY buy a hiking hammock... Spending quality time in the great outdoors. I've seen them used as blankets, sails, and even lifelines. They're good for sleeping in, sitting in, or hanging upside down.
Hammocks are good for anything.
