Hammock camping has evolved far beyond the days of just hanging a piece of parachute fabric between two trees. For many outdoor enthusiasts, the lay-flat hammock has become the golden standard. If you've ditched the banana pitch for a lay-flat hammock. You may struggle to find a hammock stand that works for your rig. Most traditional hammock stands mirror the curve of a standard hammock, leaving us lay-flat hammock users out to dry.
Why Lay-Flat Hammocks Need a Different Stand
Traditional hammocks are designed to hang with a natural curve, forming the familiar "banana" shape. Most hammock stands are specifically built to support this design, with anchor points held up by curved arms or even Y-shaped extensions. While these configurations work for traditional hammocks, lay-flat designs—like bridge hammocks and models such as the Haven Tent—require a different setup. Otherwise, the flat sleeping surface ends up pressing against the curved supports of standard hammock stands, leading to discomfort and instability.
Lay-flat hammocks offer great comfort, but using them with traditional stands is like fitting a round peg in a square hole—it simply doesn’t work. As the leader in lay flat hammock technology (yep, Haven Tents is now a tech company), we have struggled to find a solution. While we've discovered a few temporary solutions (linked below), none have fully met our standards in resolving the issue.
Despite the challenges, we’re always striving for a perfect fit. That brings us to an important question: what should you look for in a lay-flat hammock stand?
Key Features for a Lay-Flat Hammock Stand
When searching for a stand that supports lay-flat hammocks, here are some crucial features to consider:
- Break the curve: Unlike traditional hammocks that are built around a curve, lay-flat hammocks require a stand that allows a user to do... well, just that, lay (or lie) flat! You’ll want a stand that provides extra clearance for your head and feet, as these are the two areas most likely to come into contact with a traditional stand’s supports.
- Extra strength for low hang angles: Some bridge hammocks require a very shallow hang angle. The hammock suspension is pulled very tight to decrease the sag. Pulling the suspension tight will put an exponentially greater load on the hammock, straps, and the stand. So make sure the stand can handle it. See this hang angle calculator from the Ultimate Hang. Note, this is not as important for the Haven Tent which still functions with a deeper hang angle.
- Make way for spreader bars: Most lay-flat hammocks use spreader bars to keep the sleeping platform level and open, a compatible stand needs to accommodate the extra width. Spreader bars are normally located at the end of the hammock, which can sometimes bump up against the legs of the stands.
- Is it wide enough?: Make sure your hammock fits the stand in question. The Haven Tent and traditional bridge hammocks can be on the longer side from end to end.
- Room for the fly: Last but not least, you need to make sure you have room for your rainfly. Will it go above or below the ridgepole of the stand, and where will you anchor it too?
Meet the Turtle Dog Stand
For years, the go-to solution for lay-flat hammock enthusiasts has been the Turtle Dog Stand—a DIY tripod setup that provides the space for most lay-flat hammocks. Using simple materials like wooden poles and metal piping, hammock campers have relied on this homemade design to bridge the gap between comfort and versatility. Here is the best DIY video we could find on making your own.
While the Turtle Dog Stand is effective, it does present some challenges: its bulkiness, time-consuming setup, and lack of convenience compared to purpose-built solutions.
That’s where the Haven Stand by YOBOGear comes in. We’ve refined the core concept of the Turtle Dog Stand to offer a stand that is not only lightweight and quick to set up but also specifically designed for lay-flat hammocks like the Haven Tent. Say goodbye to DIY hassles and hello to effortless comfort and freedom to hammock anywhere.
Introducing the Haven Stand by YOBOGear: A Solution for Lay-Flat Hammocks
We've partnered with YOBOGear, an industry leader in hammock stands to develop this solution for lay-flat hammocks. While not the only option, it "stands out" (pun intended) with its patent pending design tailored for bridge-style hammocks and lay-flat tree tents like the Haven Tent. It's like the Turtle Dog stand, just perfected. Here's why we love it:
- Quick and Easy Setup: Designed to set up in seconds, the Haven Stand offers adjustable height and anchor points that align perfectly with the flat lay structure, ensuring comfort and stability.
- Fixed Ridgepole: Unlike DIY turtle dog stands, the Ridgepole of the Haven Stand is fixed in place. Creating a more cohesive and balanced structure. Having the whole stand in one piece also makes it easier to reposition once it is set up.
- Portability and Durability: Built with high-quality materials (6000 series aluminum), it’s both lightweight and durable, making it a versatile option for beach trips, backyards, and campsites where trees aren’t available.
Other Options for Lay-Flat Hammock Stands
While the Haven Stand by YOBOGear has become our favorite solution, there are a few other stands on the market designed with bridge hammocks in mind. When exploring other options, be sure to look for:
- Bare Bones XL: This is a hitch-mounted stand that works for most lay-flat hammocks. Look into the specs to make sure it is wide enough for your hammock and will not bump into the spreader bars. This stand accommodates all versions of the Haven Tent system.
- Tensa4 Hammock Stand: Requires guyed-out support.
- YOBOGear Cricket Hammock Stand: Lightweight but expensive and complicated.
- ENO Nomad: Inexpensive Turtle Dog stand but too small for most lay-flat hammocks and even large gathered-end hammocks.
Finding the Right Stand for Your Lay-Flat Hammock
Choosing the right stand for a lay-flat hammock is essential for a comfortable and safe hammock experience. Traditional stands fall short because they’re built for the classic curved hammocks. Instead, look for stands designed with a flat lay in mind, offering adjustable height, sturdy construction, and compatibility with spreader bars and suspension systems.
The Haven Stand by YOBOGear is one such option, bringing flexibility and freedom to lay-flat hammock camping. We normally aim for trees but having a stand opens up new possibilities for hammock camping wherever you go. One thing I've noticed since I've started using a stand is the VIEW we get when we're away from the trees. If you like HAMMOCKS and SPACE, you may need a stand!
