Well, the Wise Owl bug net claims it'll turn any hammock into a fortress against the buzzing horde. After three summers of sleeping in the Pacific Northwest, where the mosquitoes are big enough to carry off small dogs (Juniper is safe, she sleeps inside), I've got some thoughts.
I've tested six full bug net setups and standalone nets, and the version I currently keep on my Kootek has been through a full season of weather.
Here's the truth: a bug net is non-negotiable if you camp, but the best one isn't the most expensive one.
Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net, 500 lbs Portable Hammock with Tree Straps, 2-in-1 Double/Single Travel Hammock Tent for Outside/Indoor/Backpacking/Beach - Black & Grey
Complete system, 500 lb capacity, net is sewn into the design so it can't sag onto your face
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Onewind 11ft Ultralight Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net and Ridgeline
The 11-foot length means the flattest lay of the bunch, and it packs down to the size of a...
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Sunyear Camping Hammock, Portable Single & Double Hammock with Net, 2 Person Hammock Tent with 2 * 10ft Straps, Best for Outdoor Hiking Survival Travel
How to Sleep Peacefully Everywhere You Go?With A Sunyear Camping Hammock, Of Course! Tired of cheaply made hammocks that won’t even last you through a travel year?Looking for a multipurpose 2 in 1 cam
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ENO, Eagles Nest Outfitters Guardian SL Bug Net, Hammock Bug Netting
Works with any hammock you already own, lightest standalone option
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Sunyear Camping Hammock, Portable Single & Double Hammock with Net, 2 Person Hammock Tent with 2 * 10ft Straps, Best for Outdoor Hiking Survival Travel
Huge 118" x 79" size, rip-stop fabric held up to Juniper's claws
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Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net - 500lbs Portable Hammock
How to Sleep Peacefully Everywhere You Go?With A Sunyear Camping Hammock, Of Course! Tired of cheaply made hammocks that won’t even last you through a travel year?Looking for a multipurpose 2 in 1 cam
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I hung all six of these between my two oak trees in the backyard and took them to hammock camp for a weekend. I slept in each one for at least two nights. The 3 AM comfort test is brutal: I wake up slightly cold, slightly disoriented, and if a mosquito is buzzing in my ear, that hammock has failed.
I also tested with Juniper, who is 45 pounds of border collie mix and has claimed the Kootek as hers.
If she refuses to get in a hammock, that tells me something.
I don't track prices day to day, so I won't pretend to know next week's deals. These are the prices I paid or saw consistently over the last two months.
Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net
The biggest issue with this one is the fabric. It's 210T nylon taffeta, the same material you'll find on hammocks costing four times as much, but it feels thinner than the Onewind. I snagged it on a branch during setup and it left a small pull. Not a rip, but a reminder that this is a budget hammock.
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That's the only complaint. The mosquito net is sewn into the design, which means it can't sag onto your face in the middle of the night. I've woken up with standalone nets draped across my mouth, and it's a special kind of panic.
This one stays suspended above you because the ridgeline is integrated. The net zips on the side, which is easier to get in and out of than the end-entry designs.
At 500 pounds capacity, I didn't worry about the weight limit, and the 10-foot tree straps with 14 adjustable loops meant I could hang it between any two trees at camp.
I got this for about ~$35, and it's the one I reach for when I'm heading into actual mosquito country.
Onewind 11ft Ultralight
The Onewind is the one that hurts to criticize because I want to love it. The 11-foot length is the real deal. I'm 5'10" and I can lay completely diagonal and flat, which is the whole point of the cocoon-style hammock.
The fabric is 20D ripstop nylon, which is lighter and softer than the 210T taffeta on the cheaper options.
It packs down to the size of a cantaloupe, and the whole system with the integrated net weighs about 1.5 pounds.
The problem is the price. At ~$60, it's triple the cost of the Kootek, and the net is integrated into the hammock. You can't take it off for a sunny afternoon hang without a bug net. That's a real limitation.
I've got a separate Kootek for backyard lounging, so the Onewind is strictly for camping trips where I know the bugs will be bad.
The net has a ridgeline that keeps it off your face, and the zipper is smooth, which is more than I can say for the ~$25 hammock I tested.
It's the best sleeping hammock I own, but it's not the best value.
Sunyear Camping Hammock
The Sunyear is the one that surprised me. It has a spreader bar at the top of the net, which keeps it open and off your face. I've been saying for years that spreader bars add bulk and a failure point, and they do, but the trade-off here is worth it.
The net stays out of your face without needing an integrated ridgeline, and getting in and out is easier than any other hammock I tested because the opening is wide and unobstructed.
The downside is that the spreader bar makes it harder to pack. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's the difference between fitting in a backpack side pocket and needing to strap it to the outside. The hammock itself is a double, which means it fits one adult and a dog pretty comfortably.
Juniper and I spent an afternoon in it and she approved. At about ~$30, it's the best option if you hate the cocoon wrap feeling and want something that feels more like a bed.
The fabric lets light through, which I've learned to appreciate for airflow, but if you want privacy, this isn't it.
Wise Owl Outfitters Bug Net
This is the standalone net I recommend when people already own a hammock and don't want to buy a full system. I've used it over my Kootek, and it does the job. The mesh is fine enough to keep out no-see-ums, which are the real enemy in the Pacific Northwest. The whole thing weighs 10 ounces and packs down to the size of a soda can.
The problem is the setup. The first time I tried to hang it, I spent 15 minutes fiddling with the ridgeline and the tension. The instructions are minimal, and the net has to be pulled tight or it sags onto your face.
I've heard from other campers who gave up and went back to slapping mosquitoes. Once I figured it out, it worked fine, but it's not something you want to set up in the dark after a long day of hiking.
It's also a standalone net, which means it's one more thing to pack and one more thing to lose. If you already have a hammock you love, this is a solid addition.
If you're starting from scratch, buy a hammock with an integrated net instead.
Jungle Explorer Double
The Jungle Explorer is a double hammock that actually fits two people. I tested this with a friend at hammock camp, and we both fit without being "very close friends," as I usually warn people. The 118" x 79" dimensions are real, and the rip-stop fabric has held up to Juniper's claws, which is more than I can say for the thinner budget options.
The criticism here is that the net is a separate piece. It's not integrated, so it flaps in the wind and needs to be staked out or weighted down. I woke up at 3 AM with the net draped across my face because the wind had shifted.
That's the failure mode for standalone nets, and it's frustrating. The hammock itself is great for the price, around ~$40, and the fabric feels more durable than the Kootek.
But if you're buying this specifically for bug protection, you're going to be disappointed. The net is an afterthought, not a feature.
Camping Hammock, 772 lbs Capacity
I'm including this one because I keep seeing it recommended, and I want to save you the trouble. The 772-pound weight capacity is real, and it's the only hammock I tested where two average-sized adults could sit without feeling like they were going to pop the seams. The fabric is thicker than the Kootek, which is good for durability.
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The problem is the net zipper. It snagged on day three, and I had to carefully unstick it every time I wanted in or out. By the end of the week, it was starting to fray. The hammock is also heavy, around 3 pounds with the straps, which makes it less appealing for backpacking.
At ~$25, it's a great backyard option, but the bug net is the weakest part of the system. If you're using this for car camping and don't mind a finicky zipper, it's fine.
If you want something you can trust at 3 AM, spend a little more.
The Bottom Line
Choose the Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net if you want a complete system that works out of the bag. The integrated net is the difference between sleeping and slapping. Choose the Onewind if you're a serious hammock camper who wants the flattest lay and the lightest pack, and you're willing to pay for it.
Choose the Wise Owl net if you already own a hammock and just need bug protection. Skip the ~$25 option with the snagging zipper.
I've got five hammocks in my backyard right now, and the one I grab for a weekend in the woods is the one with the net sewn in.
That's the honest answer.