The Ultimate Hammock Gear Review

Travis GneitingAdventure, First Look, Reviews Leave a Comment

We have been using hammocks and shelters as well as under and over quilts from Hammock Gear for the last few months. This is our honest overview of their products, our experiences with them to help you make an educated decision if the cost is worth it for your next hammock and shelter purchase.

Hammock Gear Hammock Reviews

Hammock Gear sells two types of hammocks, one with a zip-on bug net and another without.  I have found myself getting a little confused on their website because they offer so many different combinations of hammocks, sizes, and configurations.  Here are the main hammocks to consider when purchasing from Hammock Gear.

Hammock Gear Circadian Pro (24.08 Ounces) $160

The Circadian Pro hammock is the same as the Circadian hammock except that the bug net is completely removable. There are many additional options for color stitching and straps that are worth checking out the Hammock Gear website to see what is in stock. The Circadian is a symmetrical hammock that is 11 feet long. It has plenty of room for a 6ft person to lay comfortably in. It’s constructed with a hexagonal ripstop for minimal stretch and rated up to 350 pounds. It has a rolled hem and a full 360 zipper for the bug net. It packs extremely well with the stuff sleave and attached carabiners.

  •  Width – 58 inches
  •  Length – 11 ft (132 inches)
  •  Fabric – Nylon Single Layer (40 denier or 70 denier)
  •  Weight Limit – 350 lbs. (40 denier)
  •  Weight Limit – 500 lbs. (70 denier)

Hammock Gear Circadian (19.66 Ounces) $130

The Circadian hammock is very similar to the Circadian Pro except that the bug net is not completely removable. The bug net will zip off down to one end and can be stuffed using the sleeve. Much like the Pro the Circadian is a symmetrical hammock that holds up to 350 pounds. It also packs very small in the attached stuff sack.

  • Width – 58 inches
  •  Length – 11 ft (132 inches)
  •  Fabric – Nylon Single Layer (40 denier or 70 denier)
  •  Weight Limit – 350 lbs. (40 denier)
  •  Weight Limit – 500 lbs. (70 denier)

Hammock Gear Standard Hammock (13.36 Ounces) $60

The Standard Hammock is an 11-foot symmetrical hammock made of single-layer nylon fabric. It is rated for weights up to 350 lbs. There is a standard rolled hem with four-pack hooks for attaching or connecting and stabilizing an under the quilt.  Included are carabiners at each end and a detachable double-ended stuff sack for easy storage. The main difference from the other hammocks is that it dose not have a bug net to attach, but can use the bottom entry bug net with it.

The Standard Hammock Specifications
Width – 58 inches

  •  Length – 11 ft (132 inches)
  •  Fabric – Nylon Single Layer (40 denier)
  •  Fabric – Nylon Single Layer (70 denier)
  •  Weight Limit – 350 lbs. (40 denier)
  •  Weight Limit – 500 lbs. (70 denier)

Hammock Gear Bug Net Review

A hammock bug net is designed to keep the bugs and flies off of you while you are relaxing in your hammock. They are small stitched netting that allows airflow but keep out even small mosquitos. 

Hammock Gear offers two completely different types of bug nets.  A zip-on bug net and a bottom-entry bug net.  The zip-on bug net that is included with the Circadian hammock is my preferred.  With the zip-on bug net there is less material and entering and exiting the hammock is much easier with the zip-on bug net. There is something to be said about the simplicity of a bottom entry bug net and not having to worry about zipping it up and creating a hole when attaching the zipper. Additionally, the bottom entry bug net can be used with other brands of hammocks if you already own one.  The bottom entry hammock measures 120” long and 50” deep making it nice and oversized to easily fit over an 11-foot hammock, and weighs just 6.5 oz with the stuff sack.

Both bug nets offered from hammock gear require the use of a ridgeline.  A ridgeline is a lightweight cord that is stretched above the head over the hammock.  This helps to keep the bug net from sagging and potentially getting damaged.  Ridgelines come with the kits or can be purchased separately for around $8.00 USD directly from Hammockgear.com. A ridgeline is also a good idea for attaching other accessories to hold gear like the Mesh Ridgeline Loft or your phone with the Hangtime hook.

Hammock Gear Tarp Review

Hammock Gear offers two different types of tarps Dyneema® (aka Cuben Fiber) and Silpoly (Silicone impregnated polyester). 

Hammock Gear Dyneema® Tarps

Hammock Gear Dyneema® tarps are very high-tech, tough, waterproof, and expensive. They come in four different options.

1. Hammock Gear Fiber Hex Tarp Review (5.14 Ounces) $300 USD

The Fiber Hex Tarp comes in an 11 foot or 12-foot option.

  • .50 oz/yd² for Green Dyneema® Composite
  • .60 oz/yd² for Camo Dyneema® Composite
  • 8′ 6″ wide at the widest point
  • Available in ridgeline lengths of 10, 11, or 12 feet
  • No sewn ridgeline means no seal sealing required…ever.
  • All guy line reinforcements are bonded and sewn for maximum strength.
Hammock Gear Fiber Hex Tarp

2. Hammock Gear Fiber Standard Tarp with Doors Review (7.28 Ounces) $350 USD

The Fiber Standard Tarp comes in an 11 foot or 12 foot option.

  • .50 oz/yd² for Green Dyneema® Composite
  • .60 oz/yd² for Camo Dyneema® Composite
  • 8′ 6″ wide at the widest point
  • Available in ridgeline lengths of 10, 11, or 12 feet
  • No sewn ridgeline means no seal sealing required…ever.
  • All guy line reinforcements are bonded and sewn for maximum strength.
Hammock Gear Fiber Standard Tarp with Doors

3. Hammock Gear Fiber Palace Tarp Review (9.14 Ounces) $500

The Fiber Palace Tarp comes in an 11 foot or 12-foot option.

  • .50 oz/yd² for Green Dyneema® Composite
  • .60 oz/yd² for Camo Dyneema® Composite
  • 10′ 4″ wide at the widest point
  • Available in ridgeline lengths of 10, 11, or 12 feet
  • No sewn ridgeline means no seal sealing required…ever.
  • All guy line reinforcements are bonded and sewn for maximum strength.
Hammock Gear Fiber Palace Tarp

4. Hammock Gear Fiber Flat Hammock Tarp (9.36 Ounces) $340

The Fiber Flat Tarp comes in an 11 foot or 12-foot option.

  • Size = 11′ long x 8′ 6″ wide -or- 12′ long x 8′ 6″ wide
  • .50 oz/yd² for Green Dyneema® Composite
  • .60 oz/yd² for Camo Dyneema® Composite
  • Weight for Green 11′ x 8’6″ = Approximately 9.36 ounces (265 grams)
  • Weight for Green 12′ x 8’6″ = Approximately 10.02 ounces (284 grams)
  • No sewn ridgeline means no seal sealing required…ever.
  • All guy line reinforcements are bonded and sewn for maximum strength.
Hammock Gear Fiber Flat Tarp

Hammock Gear Sil-Poly Tarps

Sil-Poly tarps are less expensive yet equally as water-resistant as Dyneema® tarps. They are much better than the woven blue tarps you are used to seeing from your local hardware store. The Sil-Poly tarps have silicone impregnated into them polyester for a weather-resistant strong fabric. The Hammock Gear Sil-Poly comes in three shapes with 11 or 12-foot lengths.

Hammock Gear The Quest Tarp Review (12.38 Ounces) $99 USD

The Hammock Gear Quest Tarp is an 11-foot hexagonal tarp that weighs 13.32 oz or 377.61 grams. It is made with the same Sil-Poly as the Journey Tarp and the Trek. The main difference is that it is a hexagonal shape whereas the Journey is a rectangle with doors and the Trek is a rectangle tarp. 

Baseline

  • 73 inches

Ridgeline Length

  • 132 inches (11 ft)
  • 144 inches (12 ft)

Width

  • 114 inches (measured from middle of baseline)

Tie outs

  • 2 ridgeline
  • 4 perimeter

Weight

  • 12.38 ounces (11 ft)
  • 13.64 ounces (12 ft)

Fabric

  • 20 denier silpoly (1.1oz/yd²)
  • 1500 mm head pressure
Hammock Gear The Quest Tarp

Hammock Gear The Journey Tarp Review (16.37 Ounces) $130 USD

The Hammock Gear Journey Tarp comes in an 11 foot or 12-foot length. It’s designed as a rectangle tarp with the addition of doors. This helps keep the elements and bugs out as opposed to the Trek Tarp or the Quest Tarp that do not have doors.  The Journey tarp is made of the same Sil-Poly ripstop polyester fabric (20D) that the Quest and Trek tarps are made of. It also features D-RIngs for tie-outs or upgrades to the LineLoc3 tension for knot-free tie-outs. Note, that the guidelines are not included with the tarps so you will need to purchase them separately. 

Baseline Length

  • 73 inches (11ft & 12ft)

Ridgeline Length

  • 132 inches (11 ft)
  • 144 inches (12 ft)

Total Width

  • 114 inches (measured from middle of baseline)

Tie outs

  • 4 corners
  • 2 center
  • 4 doors
  • 2 ridgeline
  • 4 panel pullouts (spaced 78″ apart to accommodate both bridge and gathered end hammocks)

Weight

  • 16.37 ounces (11 ft)
  • 17.54 ounces (12 ft)

Fabric

  1. 20 denier silpoly (1.1oz/yd²)
  2. 1500 mm head pressure
Hammock Gear The Journey Tarp

Hammock Gear The Trek Tarp Review (16.52 ounces) $130 USD

The Trek hammock tarp is a rectangle 11 x 9’6” or 12’ x 9.6” wide and its weight is 16.52 ounces, comes in 11 foot and 12-foot lengths. It works great for a hammock tarp or ground tarp. Included silicone impregnated ripstop polyester fabric to keep you dry and pack down small. There are 14 points for tie-outs and 2 ridge-line tie-outs. They come with a stuff sack and seam sealer.

  • Size = 11′ long x 9′ 6″ wide -or- 12′ long x 9′ 6″ wide
  • Material = 20D Silpoly (silicone impregnated polyester)
  • Color = Copper Brown or Dark Olive Green
  • Weight for 11′ x 9’6″ = Approximately 16.52 ounces (468 grams)
  • Weight for 12′ x 9’6″ = Approximately 17.88 ounces (507 grams)
Hammock Gear The Trek Tarp

Hammock Gear Insulation

Hammock Gear offers both Top Quilts and Under Hammock Quilts in Premium Down, or economy synthetic materials. Both are designed to be comfortable in hammocks or on the ground. All quilts are made in the USA. 

Hammock Gear Top Quilt

There are many additional options for the tops quilts, it actually makes it hard to narrow down exactly what size, fill and shape you might want. A few customers have managed this by purchasing multiple quilts. They offer zipper or sewn foot boxes for the burrow or top quilts, various temperature ratings, long standard, and short lengths, two widths, and even overfill options of 1 to 4 ounces. The Hammock Gear top quilts are designed to be used in hammocks and on the ground. The burrow has both vertical and horizontal baffles to keep the 

What is the difference between the Hammock Gear Premium and Economy Top Quilt?

Premium Top Quilt (14.82 ounces) $240 USD

Hammock Gear Top Quilts are designed to be warm, ultralight, and durable. Only high-quality goose down is used with an overfill for premium loft and warmth. The Premium top quilt is made with 10 deniers ripstop nylon treated with DWR coating. There are two options for an 850 or 950 down fill.

Premium Top Quilt

Economy Top Quilt (17.67 ounces) $170 USD

Hammock Gear economy quilt is designed to be ultralight at a value price by using less expensive materials instead of the premium burrow. Don’t let the name “Economy” fool you. This top quilt is still filled with 800 down and made with a 20 denier nylon taffeta fabric with Nikwax DWR coating. 

Economy Top Quilt

Hammock Gear Bottom Under Quilt

Hammock Gear offers both a premium and economy under quilts in two different styles.  The Phoenix and the Incubator.  A longer and shorter option for weight savings.  Much like the top quilts the under quilt has less expensive (about $50 cheaper) economy versions that are still amazing down filled under quilts with a 20 denier nylon as opposed to a 10 denier ripstop nylon fabric. The under quilts come with a cotton storage bag to prevent packing of the compressed down. They also include a compression sack for packing the pads down to a small footprint of about 4.5 liters depending on the fill and size options.

Premium Under Quilt

Premium Incubator (15.76 Ounces) $250 USD

The premium Incubator comes in a wide variety of temperature ratings, sizes for both standard, short and long as well as fill power from 850 and 950. Hammock gear also allows you to overfill the incubator with additional down fill up to 4 ounces.

Premium Incubator
Premium Phoenix (11.46 Ounces) $220 USD

The Premium Phoenix is very similar to the Premium incubator however it is a shorter length and there are no options for length. You still have the option to increase the temperature rating or add an overfill to the under-quilt.

Premium Phoenix

Economy Under Quilt

Economy Incubator (18.86 Ounces) $180 USD

The economy incubator has all the same options as the premium under quilts for temperature, length, and overfill. However, the only down option is for 800.

Economy Incubator
Economy Phoenix (13.78 Ounces) $170

The Economy Phoenix is just like the Premium Phoenix; just a shorter version of the Incubator and a value price.

Economy Phoenix

What is the difference between the Hammock Gear Phenix and Incubator under the quilt?

The main difference between the Phoenix and the Incubator is the length.  The Phoenix is a ¾ length under quilt that is extremely lightweight for the maximum for the minimalist.  While the Incubator is a full coverage under quilt that weighs 2.32 ounces more than the Phoenix and costs $30 more.

What is the difference between the Hammock Gear Premium and Economy Under Quilt?

The main difference is that the premium uses a 10 denier ripstop nylon fabric with DWR coating while the economy under pad using a 20 denier nylon taffeta fabric with DWR coating. Additionally, the economy under quilt is filled with 800 down while the premium is filled with the option of 850 or 950 down. The premium comes with 14 exterior color options and 5 inner shell options. The Economy comes in 5 outer shell options and 3 inner shell options.

Hammock Gear Kits Reviewed

If you are considering putting together a hammock kit for backpacking you really need to look at the kits offered by Hammock gear. They offer a one-stop shopping experience to purchase everything needed to start your hammock camping kit with the option of adding insulation from the top quilt and under quilts with a substantial saving over purchasing each piece individually. 

The two kits offer a hammock, hammock straps, bug net, stakes, rain fly.

Premium Kits (33.00 Ounces without insulation) $400 USD

The WanderLuxe premium kit is the lightest insulated hammock kit currently on the market and offers made-in-the-USA insulation, Dyneema shelter, and the Circadian hammock that includes a bug net and tree straps. You can save about 25% when purchasing the entire kit over each item separately.

  • Bug Net Hammock
  • Ultralight Hammock Suspension: Continuous Loops, Ridgeline, Carabiners, Ultralight Daisy Chain tree straps
  • 11’ Dyneema® Fiber Hex Tarp: Knotless hardware and color coded guyline for effortless setup
  • Titanium Hook Stakes (4)
  • Dyneema® Stake Sack
  • Stuff Sack for storing everything together in one convenient place

RETAIL: $533.95

KIT PRICE: $399.99 (25% discount)

TOTAL WEIGHT: 33 oz / 2.05 lbs

OPTION TO ADD STANDARD INSULATION

  • Premium Burrow Standard Length and Width 20 degree comfort rating: Moroccan Blue Outer Shell & Black Inner Shell
  • Premium Incubator Standard Length 20 degree comfort rating: Moroccan Blue Outer Shell & Black Inner Shell
  • Each quilt ships with a FREE individual storage sack and stuff sack

RETAIL: $1083.85

KIT PRICE: $799.99 (26% discount)

TOTAL WEIGHT: 74.5 oz / 4.64 lbs 

Economy Kits (40.00 Ounces) $230 USD

The Wanderlust is the best-selling hammock sleep system for backpacking and camping. It offers some really good products, especially when purchasing the add-on insulation for a great price-saving 30% over buying them individually. Included is the following:

  • Zippered Bug Net Hammock  
  • Ultralight Hammock Suspension: Continuous Loops, Ridgeline, Carabiners, Ultralight Daisy Chain tree straps
  • Quest Tarp: Knotless hardware and color coded guyline for effortless setup
  • Aluminum Y-Stakes (4)
  • Matching Stake Sack
  • Stuff Sack for storing all this gear in one convenient place

RETAIL: $321.94

KIT PRICE: $229.99 (28% discount)

TOTAL WEIGHT: 40 oz / 2.5 lbs

This kit with the hammock, tarp, bug net, hanging system stakes, and a stuff sack is all made with top-of-the-line gear in a 2.5 pound package has been our go-to camping set-up for lightweight. The addition of the insulation makes this a great 3 season setup for anyone looking for a lightweight option for through hikes and section hikes as well.

OPTION TO ADD STANDARD INSULATION

  • Economy Burrow Standard Length and Width 20 degree comfort rating: Moroccan Blue Outer Shell & Black Inner Shell
  • Economy Incubator Standard Length 20 degree comfort rating: Moroccan Blue Outer Shell & Black Inner Shell
  • Each quilt ships with a FREE individual storage sack and stuff sack

RETAIL: $711.84

KIT PRICE: $499.99 (30% discount)

TOTAL WEIGHT: 88 oz / 5.5 lbs

My Experience and Conclusion

I have been using the economy kit with the added under the quilt and top quilt for a few months now. I have used at least a dozen hammocks in the past as well as many under and over quilts. When unboxing the Hammock Gear kit, it’s evident that using top quality, and in the case of the Wonderluxe you could argue the best quality materials that are available. The insulation of the Wonderlust kit even though it is called their “Economy” version is still very high quality ripstop and down fill. I prefer down over synthetic sleeping bags as well as quilts and under quilts. The weight to warmth ratio is well worth the cost. Additionally, I really like the feel and comfort of down. The hammock is well constructed with the effort put into the details of a zipper bug net, guild lines, and hammock cords, and carabiners. Do people often ask if sleeping in a hammock is comfortable? My reply is always if you have a good set up it’s more comfortable than sleeping on the ground. It was surprising how well the under and over quilts keep you warm during the night and the option to adjust the under quilt to allow for more or less airflow makes it a better option than sleeping in a sleeping bag in a hammock where you slide around all night and are usually half way in and half way out of.

When comparing my hammock gear side by side with other hammock gear sleeping gear I reach for the Hammock Gear every time. I feel that quality and weight reduction are the smart choice for me on any adventure. I was never caught in a storm in the hammock while I was testing it out but used the shelter tarp for shade many times. You will grow to love the color-coded guidelines and small carabiners that make the setup a lot easier.

It’s a little overwhelming when you first unpack all the items, but it’s very intuitive how everything works together. I start by hanging the hammock and making sure the budget guideline is attached properly. Next, I attach the under the quilt and adjust the draft collar with the cinch to regulate the temperature. Then I toss the top quilt into the hammock. Finally, I throw the top tarp over the hammock and attach the guidelines and pullouts.

Packing the hammock also feels like there can be a lot of parts. Hammock Gear provides individual bags for each item. There are compression sacks for the quilts. The entire kit packs down into just a few liters of space and about 4.6 pounds.

Overall, a hammock kit from Hammock Gear is an investment. If you are looking for a lightweight option that is more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, that offers warmth and protection from the elements, then be sure to check out the offerings from Hammock Gear from the link below. The link is an affiliate link that we get a small commission from and helps us to continue producing free content for you.

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