NEWS – My son goes to a rustic camp each summer. The first year, he took note from the experienced camp counselors: Trade your bunk for a hammock.
After that, he’s been on a quest for the best hammock so he can sleep under stars swinging from two trees, instead of on a bunk bed shared with another squirming, snoring teenager.
At first, we bought him an expensive camping hammock, complete with a mosquito net. He deemed it too fancy. Too bulky. And too hard to get back into its case for those overnight canoe trips or a spontaneous afternoon lounging by the lake.
The next year, we purchased what he affectionately calls his “hippie hammock,” woven and brightly colored. But it was too hot for summer nights in Indiana. And it’s relatively heavy.
But the third try’s a charm. And kind of a surprise. The simplest, cheapest hammock was deemed “perfect.”
It’s Decathlon’s basic 1-person hammock for a whopping $14.99, available in green or blue.
Lightweight at only 14.6 ounces, it even comes with a carrying case and buckles/ropes. We recommend getting separate heavy-duty hammock straps with carabiners for easier set-up and clean-up.
The carrying case is big enough that it easily holds the rolled-up hammock, as well as the separate straps we bought.
I love that it’s machine washable.
In an earlier article, I wrote about Decathlon, the giant sporting goods store that recently opened in the United States. Decathlon offers free shipping on purchases over $30 and free returns.
