I’ve never owned a hammock. I may have tried getting into one of those huge canvas numbers in a friend’s backyard as a kid. But after failing miserably at it (as in, unable to get in or get comfortable), I never gave them a second thought.
Hammocks have come a long way since then, especially for campers and outdoor enthusiasts. These days, for some car campers a hammock is one of those little extras they won’t leave home without.
If you’re like me – a hammock novice, that is – you might be wondering what all the hype is about. I was, too. Until the family and I received a hammock from the lovely people at Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) and took it out for a test run.
Our camping adventures having ended for the season, and our backyard in remodeling disarray, we took to our cabin in Yosemite to hang up our hammock. Here were my initial big concerns, and our findings for each.
What exactly are we testing?
We tested out ENO’s DoubleNest Hammock, which can easily support two or more people (up to 400 pounds). It’s fairly lightweight at 19 ounces and comes complete with an attached compression stuff sack the size of a grapefruit. The fabric is a comfortable, breathable, fast-drying nylon. Along with the DoubleNest, we tested the Atlas Suspension Straps (which are actually sold separately).
The manufacturer suggests that both the DoubleNest and the Atlas Suspension Straps can be used for car camping and backpacking, not to mention the backyard or park.
How difficult will it be to hang this thing up and take it down?
Unless it’s furniture from IKEA, I’m not always the best at product assembly. So I was a little wary of setting up our hammock. Lucky for me, the hubby and The Big Explorer (whose 9 ½) were game. It took less than five minutes, which included reading the instructions while setting the hammock up.
If you’re interested, here’s a peek at how set up works:
Taking the hammock and straps down was even quicker. I’m also happy to report that the hammock does fit back into the stuff sack without too much struggle. Putting the straps back into their sack takes a little more effort, but nothing insurmountable.
How comfortable is it, really?
Remember my past failures at getting into a hammock (or staying in one, for that matter)? ENO has erased those fears. I followed the simple instructions to sit down, then swivel and all went perfectly. Each of us got out in the reverse order and was successful without a single mishap.
We quickly realized that if we wanted to keep the hammock clean, we shouldn’t wear shoes – or if we do, we need to dangle our feet out over the edge of the hammock. There were moments when I felt a little too much swinging was happening for my stomach’s sake, but those were mostly caused by the kiddos.
Once we were successfully in the hammock and settled (not swinging or fidgeting, that is), it was blissfully comfortable. As in, we-didn’t-want-to-get-up-ever-again comfortable. I’d have to give it a “two thumbs up” for comfort.
What will actually use the hammock for?
When I think hammocks, I think relaxation. But there’s plenty else you can do in a hammock. Like read a good book under the trees. Or act silly, giggle or hide out from siblings. And don’t forget stargazing!
Is it worth the cost?
Now on to the most important consideration (at least for us): Cost. The DoubleNest Hammock retails for $69.99, the Atlas Suspension Straps for $29.99 a pair, for a total of about $100.
If you’re a family that camps regularly, you probably already have all the basic equipment you need. Which makes the $100 for this hammock a nice treat for your future camping adventures – one you will undoubtedly make good use of.
But what if you’re like us and only go camping a few times a year? Honestly, we’d consider buying an EMO hammock a splurge. That said, this hammock doesn’t have to wait for a camping trip to be put to use. It can also be used in the backyard. It also makes a perfect addition to your holiday wish list!
You can check out more about the DoubleNest Hammock and all the other products ENO offers here.
Note: We received a ENO DoubleNest Hammock and Atlas Suspension Straps to field test in exchange for providing my honest review with you. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.
