The "ultralight hammock tent" marketing category is the wild west of trail gear. Brands will quote a hammock body weight, leave the bug net off the spec sheet, mention the fly "sold separately" in 8-point font, and call the whole thing sub-3 lbs. Then you do the math when you're actually packing for a trip and realize the complete system is closer to 6.
If you're trying to keep your full hammock-tent system under 5 lbs trail weight — meaning hammock body + bug net + rain fly + suspension + stuff sack, everything you actually need to camp — your real options are a lot narrower than the marketing implies.
This guide walks through the actual weight math for the most-recommended hammock tent systems, what hits sub-5 honestly, what doesn't, and the trade-offs you're making for every ounce.
What "trail weight" actually means for hammock tents
Before we talk specifics, two terms to lock down:
Packed weight = everything in the manufacturer's box. Includes the stuff sack, suspension, sometimes optional accessories you don't need on every trip. Useful for shipping, not for trail decisions.
Trail weight = what you carry. Hammock body + bug net (built-in or attached) + rain fly + suspension (straps, whoopie slings, carabiners) + stuff sack. Excludes optional accessories like underquilts and pads (those are separate sleep-system items, not the shelter itself).
Almost every weight comparison you'll see online uses one or the other inconsistently. We'll stick to trail weight throughout because that's what your back feels.
The 5 lb (2.27 kg) mark is the practical line for most ultralight thru-hikers and weekend backpackers. Anything heavier and you start questioning whether the hammock weight savings vs. a 2-3 lb ground tent are real. Sub-5 is where hammock systems start winning on weight again.
What actually hits under 5 lbs (the honest list)
These are real, complete systems — not body-only weights:
1. Hawk Nest V.3 (standard) — 3 lbs 4 oz
- Hammock body: 1 lb 5 oz
- Integrated bug net + zipper: 6 oz
- Asymmetric rain fly + guylines + stakes: 14 oz
- Suspension straps + whoopie slings + ridgeline: 7 oz
- Stuff sack: 4 oz
Trail weight: 3 lbs 4 oz. Capacity 500 lbs. Fits up to 6'4". Built-in pad pocket. Side-zip entry.
Spec call-out: the V.3 sits at the lighter end of the integrated category — it's not the lightest individual component anywhere, but everything ships in one system that hits 3 lbs 4 oz with bug net and rain fly included.
2. Hawk Nest V.3 (with waterproof bottom upgrade) — ~4 lbs
Same system, swap the standard bottom fabric for the silnylon waterproof bottom upgrade. Adds ~12 oz. Worth it for buggy / wet regions where you want the bottom to act as a backup waterproof layer when on the ground in bivy mode.
Trail weight: ~4 lbs. Still well under 5.
3. Hennessy Hyperlite Asym Zip — 1 lb 14 oz (hammock + bug net + fly)
The Hyperlite is the genuine ultralight Hennessy. Trail weight: 1 lb 14 oz including everything. The catch: 200 lb rated capacity, 6'0" max height, bottom-velcro entry, smaller fly footprint, lighter fabrics that show wear faster.
If you're under 180 lbs, under 6'0", and an experienced hammock camper who knows what you're trading off, this is the lightest credible hammock tent system on the market. For most people, the weight savings come with trade-offs that don't pencil out.
4. Warbonnet Eldorado — ~3 lbs 8 oz (full system with Superfly tarp)
The Eldorado is a single-layer ridge-pole hammock with a separate bug net and the optional Superfly tarp. Full trail weight as a 3-season setup runs about 3 lbs 8 oz. 350 lb capacity, fits up to 6'2". Modular — you can drop the bug net for shoulder-season trips and shave ~6 oz.
A favorite among long-distance hikers because the modularity lets you adjust to conditions. Trade-off: it's a modular system, not an integrated one, so setup is more component-juggling than a single-pull pitch.
5. Dutchware Chameleon (standard fabrics) — ~3 lbs (without tarp)
The Chameleon is a fully customizable platform — pick your hammock fabric, your end-channel style, your bug net (or skip it). Base configurations land around 3 lbs without a fly. With a typical 12 oz fly that's a 3 lbs 12 oz system. Capacity 350-400 lbs depending on fabric choice. Highly hackable but requires knowing what you want before ordering.
What doesn't actually hit sub-5 (despite the marketing)
These show up on "best ultralight hammock tent" lists but don't honestly clear the 5 lb mark once you count everything:
Tentsile Connect (and most Tentsile models) — These are trampoline-style 3-anchor systems, not gathered-end hammocks. The Connect alone is 6+ lbs before you add the inner mesh and rain fly. Cool concept, not even close to sub-5.
ENO DoubleNest + ProFly setup — Marketed as the ultralight backpacker's pick. Math: DoubleNest is 1 lb 3 oz, ProFly is 1 lb 6 oz, atlas straps are 11 oz, Guardian bug net is 1 lb 4 oz. Trail weight: 4 lbs 8 oz. It barely squeaks under 5, but it's a modular system with four separate pieces and the lightest possible everything. Most ENO setups in the wild are heavier.
Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock — Spreader-bar design, all-in-one with bug net and fly. Trail weight ~4 lbs 9 oz. Barely under 5 BUT spreader-bar hammocks are unstable in wind and don't pack to backpack-friendly cross-sections. Worth knowing about but not a thru-hiker pick.
Most "ultralight" hammocks from generic Amazon brands — Spec sheets will say 1.5 lbs for the hammock body and ignore the bug net and fly entirely. Add the actual accessories and you're at 5.5-6.5 lbs.
What you're trading for sub-5 lb
Every gram saved comes from somewhere. The honest trade-off list:
Fabric durability. Sub-5 systems use 30D-50D ripstop on the hammock body (vs. 70D on heavier systems). 30D snags faster on branches, wears through faster at suspension points, and degrades faster in UV. Hyperlite category gear typically has a useful life of 100-150 nights vs. 300+ for heavier fabric.
Weight capacity. The Hyperlite category (sub-2 lb) is rated 200 lbs. Mid-weight (2-3 lb) is rated 300-400. Heavier (3+ lb) is rated 500+. If you're under 180 lbs and pack light, you have options. If you're 6'2" / 210 lbs with a 40 lb pack, the math says no to sub-2 lb hammocks regardless of marketing.
Rain fly coverage. Lighter flies are smaller. Smaller flies mean wind-driven rain reaches the hammock body. In real storms, the gap between a 7.5 ft asymmetric fly and a 10 ft full-coverage fly is the gap between dry and wet. Most sub-5 systems use the smaller fly to hit weight; some, like the Warbonnet Superfly, are bigger and cost weight.
Bug net mesh quality. Standard mosquito mesh weighs less than no-see-um mesh. Sub-5 systems often use standard mesh by default. If you camp anywhere with biting midges (Eastern Canada, Florida, the Boundary Waters) and your bug net is standard mesh, you'll regret the ounce savings.
Suspension hardware. Webbing straps are heavier than whoopie slings + tree-hugger straps. Carabiners are heavier than continuous loops + toggles. Going from 8 oz of suspension to 3 oz means using lighter hardware that's fiddlier to set up and harder to adjust under tension.
Read the full breakdown of hammock tent backpacking tips →
Real-world weight comparison: equivalent ground tents
For context, here's what 5 lbs gets you in the ground tent world (trail weight, with footprint):
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL1: 2 lbs 11 oz
- Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 1P: 2 lbs
- Zpacks Plex Solo: 13.9 oz (DCF, single-wall, $769)
- MSR Hubba NX 1: 2 lbs 7 oz
The hammock tent system has to compete with sub-2 lb ground tents now. The hammock-system advantage isn't weight anymore — it's comfort, sleep quality, and ground-condition independence. If pure weight is your only criterion, ground tents win. If you sleep better hung and value being able to camp on rocks/slopes/wet ground, hammock tents are still the right call.
Our take: the V.3 sweet spot
We make the Hawk Nest V.3 because we wanted a hammock tent system that hit the under-5 mark without compromising the things that actually matter long-term — capacity, build quality, durability, and weatherproofing.
At 3 lbs 4 oz standard / ~4 lbs with the waterproof bottom upgrade, the V.3 sits at the practical sweet spot: - 500 lb capacity (vs. 200 for Hyperlite category) - Fits up to 6'4" (vs. 6'0" for most ultralight options) - No-see-um mesh standard (no upgrade required) - Integrated bug net + rain fly + freestanding ground mode in one system - Lifetime warranty upgrade available (~not standard at this weight class~) - $159 USD pre-order pricing (vs. $269+ for Hyperlite)
If you're a 6'2", 200 lb thru-hiker who prefers an integrated system you can pitch in 60 seconds, this is the highest-confidence sub-5 purchase. If you're a 5'10", 160 lb minimalist who wants the absolute lightest possible weight and you're willing to handle a modular setup with multiple components, the Hennessy Hyperlite or a custom Dutchware Chameleon configuration may serve you better.
There's no single "best" — there's only the system that matches your weight, your height, your trips, and your patience for setup.
Read our packing guide for full pre-trip weight optimization →
TL;DR — honest sub-5 lb hammock tent shortlist
| System | Trail weight | Capacity | Max height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawk Nest V.3 standard | 3 lbs 4 oz | 500 lbs | 6'4" | Best balance of weight + capacity + features |
| Hawk Nest V.3 (waterproof bottom) | ~4 lbs | 500 lbs | 6'4" | All-season system |
| Hennessy Hyperlite Asym Zip | 1 lb 14 oz | 200 lbs | 6'0" | Lightest credible, smaller capacity |
| Warbonnet Eldorado + Superfly | ~3 lbs 8 oz | 350 lbs | 6'2" | Modular, hiker favorite |
| Dutchware Chameleon (custom) | ~3-3.75 lbs | 350-400 lbs | 6'2" | Most customizable |
| ENO DoubleNest + ProFly + Guardian | 4 lbs 8 oz | 400 lbs | 6'1" | Modular ENO system |
Final note from the workshop
We've been making hammock tents for years and chasing the weight number is genuinely a game we've thought about hard. The honest answer is that most sub-2 lb hammock systems are buying their weight savings with capacity, durability, or comfort trade-offs that most campers feel after a few months. The V.3 hits 3 lbs 4 oz without those trade-offs, which is why we land there.
If you're sub-180 lbs and you're an experienced ultralight backpacker counting every gram, the Hyperlite category is a real option and we'd never tell you to skip it. For everyone else — most backpackers, most weekend campers, most beginners — the 3-4 lb sweet spot is where the math actually works long-term.