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Hammocks in the test: hanging out properly

2022-03-27T12:23:48.124Z


Feel like relaxing? Or even a night in the open air? We tested six hammocks and revealed the differences.


Enlarge image

Could be worse: Enjoying a winter day at the beach in a hammock

Photo:

Gerd Blank

When I imagine two trees with a hammock stretched between them, a little vacation begins in my head.

There is probably no other travel accessory that gives me more relaxation.

That's why I presented a hammock here some time ago that I had with me in my mobile home at the time.

I got a lot of letters from it.

Apparently I'm not alone in my preference.

Many campers, hikers and day trippers see the hammock as an important item to take with them.

Some, like me, use it to relax, others use it as a substitute for a tent or a place to sleep if they want to travel light.

But not every mat is equally suitable for every purpose.

This brief overview of current models names the advantages and disadvantages and shows differences in material, size and suspension.

I got into it properly:

Sea to Summit Hammock Set Pro (RRP 80 euros):


The mat from the outback with a special suspension

Hamaka Hyperlight (RRP 139 euros):


Lightweight with perspective

Amazonas Adventure Hero XXL (RRP 139 euros):


Tent replacement with insect protection and lying comfort

Monkey Swing (RRP 29 euros):


Inexpensive hanging out.

Cocoon Travel Hammock Single (RRP 30 euros):


Small pack size, big fun

Ticket to the Moon Pro Hammock (RRP 140 euros):


A mat to cuddle with

This is how we tested

Processing and material:

How good is the processing?

Structure:

how fast does the mat hang?

Usage:

How comfortable is it?

Value for money :

is it worth buying?

Sea to Summit Hammock Set Pro:

Hook it in first, then unhook it

Packed in the compression bag, the Sea to Summit hammock looks almost like a small sleeping bag.

The suspension goes through the closure flap of the bag, so you don't lose it.

However, there is no storage bag on the side in which you can pack a smartphone, glasses, book or drink.

The tear-resistant nylon fabric (70D) is relatively opaque, you can only see the contours in strong light.

The material is robust and stable.

I had the mat hanging outside for a few days in varying weather conditions.

Not really a problem, but at some point the fabric felt a bit brittle.

On the other hand, I really like the suspension that comes with it.

The manufacturer calls it the »Quick Connect System«: there are special steel buckles at the ends of the mat, into which the steel hooks of the straps are hung.

The length of the strap can be adjusted on the hook.

The narrow straps are stable and take up hardly any space when rolled up.

The mat weighs around 500 grams and can withstand a weight of up to 180 kilograms.

The manufacturer also sent me the Hammock Tarp for testing.

This is a large nylon tarpaulin, which is attached to the mat with straps and serves as sun protection or a roof.

When packed, the tarp takes up even less space than the mat.

It is a useful addition, especially if you are traveling in the south and cannot always find a shady spot.

If you spend the night in the forest, the fabric roof protects against falling things (or excretions).

While the hammock is available in different colors, the tarp is only available in turquoise.

Pegs are not included, I used small branches to attach the tarp guy lines.

Conclusion

The Hammock Set Pro

is a nice all-round hammock with a very good suspension.

In combination with a tarp, it is also suitable for overnight stays.

Hamaka Hyperlight: Hammock for shadow players

The Hamaka hammock packs even smaller and – as the name suggests – is very light at 320 grams.

And that includes the suspension, which consists of continuously adjustable cords.

Instead of a carabiner, a so-called shackle is used: a short cord with a stable knot at one end and an eyelet at the other end.

I like this band system, but you have to get used to it first.

When packing the mat, you have to be careful not to accidentally lose the shackle.

The nylon cloth is so thin that the contours of the person lying in it can be seen relatively clearly in the light.

But the material is more stable than it appears at first glance.

I like that the mat is made from one piece of fabric and is therefore not disturbingly close.

However, I wouldn't want to spend a night in it, the material is too slippery for that.

During the day it doesn't bother me: I enjoyed reading Hyperlight or spending my lunch break in it.

Conclusion

The Hamaka Hyperlight is lightweight and packs small.

This makes them a good companion on excursions.

When not in use, it can be easily stowed away.

Amazonas Adventure Hero XXL: The mat for adventurers

With this mat you can almost save the tent thanks to several extras.

The Adventure Hero is ideal for hikes with overnight stops.

A net protects against insects.

It is firmly attached to the cloth and can be opened and closed with a zipper.

The small mesh pocket on the upper retaining cord is practical.

The generous lying surface offers plenty of space, the fabric is soft.

On the underside there is a slot for a sleeping pad.

This ensures more warmth on the buttocks and again significantly increases the lying comfort.

The construction is a bit cumbersome, since the net is stabilized with a strap and two small poles.

The hammock weighs around 550 grams. A suspension is not included in the package, you have to buy it separately.

For the test, the manufacturer included the »Adventure Rope« cord attachment.

The relatively expensive and continuously adjustable system is similar to that of Hamaka.

The suspension fits easily into the carrying bag, as it is quite large.

Conclusion

The mat is packed quite voluminous, the construction is demanding.

But given the extra features, that's justifiable.

Monkey Swing: Swing cheaply

You don't have to spend a lot of money if you just want to hang out.

The Monkey Swing has everything on board that you need for a short break between two trees at a low price.

The nylon cloth consists of several panels of fabric that are connected with seams that can be perceived as annoying.

The material is decent, if not top quality.

It is sturdy enough to hold people up to 180 kg in the 140 cm wide mat.

The wide and stable suspension straps have different eyelets with which the length can be varied.

The straps are attached to the mat with snap hooks.

The pack size is okay, but the bag including the straps is quite heavy at around 700 grams.

Conclusion

The Monkey Swing is too heavy for hikes, and it is not ideal for continuous use.

But if you only want to lie down in the hammock from time to time in the garden, when camping or on an excursion, you won't go wrong here.

Cocoon Travel Hammock Single

In this round, the 340 gram hammock from Cocoon has the smallest pack size.

This is also because no suspension is included.

The processing of the mat is great, the material is good.

The cloth consists of a length of fabric without any disruptive seams on the lying surface.

The light fabric is opaque, but translucent.

You lie well in it, it's even more fun to sit down and let your legs dangle over the edge.

It's a good hammock for breaks and trips, I wouldn't sleep in it.

The structure is simple, the straps are attached with carabiners.

An additional strap keeps the mat in shape and prevents it from sagging.

However, this does not allow it to be stretched so well between two trees that are far away.

The lying surface is sufficiently wide at 150 cm.

The mat can withstand loads of up to 180 kilograms without any problems.

Due to its low weight and small size, you can always have the Travel Hammock with you, for example in the trunk or in a backpack.

Conclusion

The Cocoon hammock is packed down tiny and well made.

Since the suspension is missing, the low price is put into perspective.

Ticket to the Moon Pro Hammock

The material of the Pro Hammock is perfectly processed, the fabric feels almost butter-soft with great stability.

The lying comfort is excellent, especially in summer temperatures and light clothing.

The integrated and slightly darkened mosquito protection is practical, it can be opened and closed with a full-length zipper.

If you want to lie without a net, simply turn the mat over.

The lying surface is 140 cm wide and can be loaded with up to 100 kg.

So the mat is not for heavy calibers, it's a good thing that I'm doing a little more sport right now.

The rather unusual length of more than three meters is practical.

Unfortunately, the suspension has to be purchased separately.

The manufacturer provided me with its "Lightest Straps" for the test.

Fastening is thus done quickly.

A retaining strap integrated into the mat ensures stability and prevents sagging.

A sliding pocket is attached to the band for storing personal items.

There are also a couple of loops on the mat that you can use to hang equipment or attach ropes to stabilize it so it doesn't rock too much.

Packed, the 550 gram hammock is more reminiscent of a fanny pack, the pack size is relatively large.

I found the shape very practical, because I could use the soft mat in the equally soft bag as a pillow on an excursion.

Conclusion

You can hardly lie in a hammock better or more comfortably.

Thanks to the insect protection, overnight stays are no problem.

With the relatively high price, a suspension should have been included.

Background: Product tests in the Tests department

Expand areaWhich products are reported on?

We decide for ourselves which products we report on in the test department and which we test or not. We do not receive any money or other consideration from the manufacturers for any of the test reports.

It can happen for various reasons that we do not report on products even though we have corresponding test products.

Open areaWhere do the test products come from?

Test devices and review copies of games are usually made available to us by the manufacturer free of charge for a certain period of time, sometimes even before the official release.

This allows our test reports to appear in time or close to the release of the product.


We only test pre-release versions or devices from pre-series production in special cases.

As a rule, we wait until we can get test devices or game versions that are identical to the retail versions.

In some cases, if they are already available in stores or online, we purchase test devices at our own expense.

Expand areaCan the editors keep the products?

As a rule, test devices are returned to the manufacturers after the end of the test.

The exceptions are review copies of games and long-term loans: For example, we have game consoles and smartphones in the editorial office that we are allowed to use for a longer period of time before they are returned.

For example, we can report on software updates, new accessories and new games or make long-term judgments.

Such products and review samples are often collected at the end of a year, for example, and sold at a company flea market, with the proceeds being donated to charitable causes.

In some cases, review copies are donated directly to charitable organizations.

SectionWhat's up with the affiliate ads in some articles?expand

Articles in the testing department contain so-called affiliate ads that contain links to online shops.

If a user visits one of these shops via such a link and makes a purchase there, DER SPIEGEL receives a share of the sales in the form of a commission, but never the author individually.

The ads appear in articles regardless of whether a product test is positive or negative.

You can find a detailed explanation of affiliate links by clicking on this link.

Source: spiegel

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