How to make a hammock in the wild
We recently headed to Scotland for a few days of hiking, fresh air and time outdoors. While we were there, we decided to brush up on our camping 101 skills. First lesson: how to make a hammock from scratch. Turns out, you don't need much. Two solid trees, a piece of fabric, some rope and a little knowledge of knots. Our friend showed us how to put it all together and find ourselves a comfortable spot between the trees. Here's how it's done.
What You Need
- A strong cotton canvas or piece of fabric, approximately 3 × 1.5 metres
- Two lengths of static, low-stretch rope, around 4–5 metres each
- Two wide tree-protection straps
- Two healthy trees
- A little patience
A word on materials: Not every piece of fabric will do. Use a strong, tightly woven cloth with a known load rating suitable for supporting a person. Purpose-made hammock fabric is the safest option. An old bedsheet might look the part, but isn't designed to hold your weight. The same goes for rope. Use equipment rated for human suspension, not ordinary washing line or decorative cord.
1. Find the Right Trees
Before you start tying knots, take a good look around.
You want two healthy, mature trees, roughly 4–5 metres apart. Look for solid trunks, preferably at least 20 cm in diameter, with no obvious signs of rot, damage or loose bark. Check above for dead branches too. Nobody wants to wake up underneath one.
Avoid young trees and delicate bark. A hammock puts considerable sideways force on its anchors, especially when someone climbs in.
The ground underneath should be reasonably flat and free of sharp rocks. You won't be sleeping on it, but it's worth considering where you'll land if something goes wrong.
2. Prepare the Fabric
Lay your fabric out flat and find the middle of each short end.
To make a gathered-end hammock, bring the fabric together across its width at both ends, forming two tight bundles. The idea is to gather the material evenly so your weight will be distributed across the hammock rather than concentrated on one narrow section.
This is where the construction matters. Simply tying a knot in the end of a random piece of cloth isn't a reliable way to support a person. The fabric, gathering method and attachment must all be compatible and rated for the intended load.
For a DIY setup, use a proven gathered-end attachment system designed for the fabric you've chosen.
3. Learn Your Knots
A few good knots are worth knowing, whether you're making a hammock, pitching a tarp or securing equipment around camp.
The bowline creates a fixed loop that won't tighten under load. It's one of the most useful knots to learn, although it isn't suitable for every hammock suspension system.
The round turn and two half hitches is useful for securing rope around an object and is relatively easy to untie afterwards.
The figure-eight follow-through creates a secure loop when tied and dressed correctly with suitable rope.
Practise these at home before heading into the woods. A knot that looks right isn't necessarily tied correctly.
For your hammock, follow the attachment and knot instructions specified for your load-rated suspension system. Not every familiar camping knot is appropriate for supporting body weight.
4. Protect the Trees
One thing that is often overlooked is the damage a thin rope can do to a tree.
When loaded, rope can dig into the bark and damage the living tissue underneath. Use wide tree straps, ideally around 25–40 mm or wider, to spread the pressure over a larger surface.
Wrap the straps flat around the trunks without twisting them. Attach the suspension ropes to the straps using their intended connections.
Never hammer nails into the tree or leave permanent attachments behind. The idea is to enjoy the woods without leaving evidence that you've been there.
5. Get the Height and Angle Right
This is where a lot of homemade hammocks go wrong.
Pulling the hammock completely tight might seem sensible, but it actually increases the force on the trees and suspension considerably.
Instead, aim for a suspension angle of approximately 30 degrees below horizontal. The hammock should form a relaxed curve rather than a straight line.
Adjust the attachment height so that, once occupied, the lowest point of the hammock is only about 30 cm above the ground. Keep it low for the first test.
Before climbing in, inspect every connection, check for slipping and test the setup gradually with weight while keeping your feet on the ground. If you are uncertain about the fabric, knots or suspension, don't use it.
6. The Trick to Getting Comfortable
Most people climb into a hammock and lie straight down the middle. That's usually when they discover that their body has taken on the shape of a banana.
Try lying slightly diagonally instead.
By shifting your head towards one side and your feet towards the other, you can create a flatter sleeping position. It's a small adjustment that makes a considerable difference, especially if you're planning to stay for more than twenty minutes.
Don't forget that air circulates underneath you. Even on a reasonably warm day, your back can get cold surprisingly quickly. A sleeping mat or underquilt helps if you're staying overnight.
7. Leave Nothing Behind
Once you've found the right spot and got everything set up, there isn't much left to do.
Read a book. Have a coffee. Watch the trees move around for a while. An afternoon in the woods doesn't need a particularly ambitious programme.
When it's time to leave, take down the ropes and straps, shake out the fabric and pack everything away. Check the trees for any signs of damage.
A hammock made from fabric and rope is about as simple as camping furniture gets. Provided you've used the right materials and secured everything properly, it can also be one of the most comfortable places to spend a few hours.
Just don't forget where you left your boots.
