Hammocks

If you're the beachy type, you might own a beach blanket, a sun shade, and a couple of hammocks. The Shadeeco system combines all four in one kit, that can be carried in a custom-designed backpack.

We've seen quite a few portable, free-standing hammocks lately, but Pondell's QNUX distinguishes itself in a rather interesting way. The whole thing packs down into a tube-like carrying case, which also serves as part of the hammock.

We've seen tents that set up in a few different ways, but the Swiss Army-like Beluga from Qaou takes it to the next level. It serves six different roles, before even counting its ability to connect with others to create multi-person super-tents.

Kammok thoroughly rethinks its Sunda tent/hammock into the new Sunda 2.0. The 2.0 brings a new integrated fly and external pole system that lets users scoop up the ground tent and strap it to a pair of trees in under a minute.

Two years ago, Crua Outdoors introduced a Koala hammock able to work as a lie-flat lounge, suspended shelter and zero-gravity chair. The new, improved Koala V2 is now headed to crowdfunding, bringing refinements like a two-person version.

We've seen hammock stands before, but it's a different ballgame when the hammock is actually a large triangular tent for three people. Tentsile's new stand weighs nearly 100 lb and stretches out more than 15 feet to hold its tree tents above ground.

Hammocks combined with tents are certainly growing in popularity as a sound sleeping solution for folks headed outdoors, and Canadian startup Opeongo is now throwing another lightweight and versatile option into the mix with its Aerial A1.

Inflation, tension and compression come together to create the new Exod Home, a tent unlike any other. The French-designed Home leaps up into the trees when you tire of the ground, adapting to the environment to shelter you in comfort.

Derek Tillotson has come up with a new tent hammock design that offers a flat platform for sleeping and resting.

Lately we're seeing some imaginative ways to let hammocks stand on their own. The aptly named Hang Solo is the latest of these to cross our desk, and uses a lightweight frame to suspend one's existing hammock in just about any location.

At just over two pounds, the Mantis UL all-in-one hammock tent is certainly among the lighter sleeping solutions for campers, and promising simple setup and supreme strength, should make for some peaceful slumber above the ground and under the stars.​

Earlier this year, Tentsile introduced its smallest, lightest tree tent to date, the all-new UNA. We recently spent a night tree-camping in the UNA in the superlative California redwoods. We hung out and slept until the beating sun and rustling of neighboring campers woke us up – here's how it went.