Dutchware Chameleon Hammock Evaluation | CleverHiker

Backside Line

Dutchware has one thing particular with the Chameleon, providing by far probably the most customizable and versatile hammock design out of any of the high fashions we examined. It receives high marks in consolation and options, whereas sustaining high quality development and glorious livability. We examined the usual hammock physique paired with an upgraded symmetrical bug internet that features a spreader bar to carry the mesh away from the pinnacle space. When utilizing the spreader bar, we have been wowed by how spacious the inside was, resulting in among the finest nights of sleep we received in any hammock.

All of that reward does include a price, a literal one. The Chameleon is a system price investing in, however it’s going to actually be an funding. It’s costly for a single hammock, however it could adapt to many alternative hammock wants with the ecosystem of add-ons. Regardless of the value, it may very well be extra inexpensive in the long term to have one versatile hammock relatively than a number of specialised ones. For individuals who just like the modular thought, we predict that the Chameleon is a purchase order they received’t remorse.

We discovered only a few complaints when testing within the forests of Minnesota. We want it had inside pockets as normal, however like many issues, they arrive as an additional add-on. Though the spreader bar is very nice, it’s a bit cumbersome to insert, however this isn’t a dealbreaker. That’s about all of the negatives we are able to consider for the Chameleon; it manages to strike a superb stability for options and luxury that ought to enchantment to many. It’s a bit an excessive amount of of a jack-of-all-trades choice to earn our high suggestion, however we all know that received’t deter the individuals who fall in love with all the options of this glorious hammock.

Consolation

One of the best testing anecdote to share concerning the Chameleon is that when our 5’9” tester laid in it for the primary time, their response was, “That is extra snug than my new mattress.” Unquestionably, the Chameleon presents high notch consolation. Each one in all our testers thought it carried out glorious in that class. The beneficiant dimensions are among the many largest we examined, enabling a pleasant, diagonal sleeping place. Curiously, after we measured the ridgeline size, we discovered it to be just a little longer than the said 83% size of the hammock physique, coming in at round 86%. We received’t argue with the outcomes; that is clearly a profitable technique for Dutchware.

When testing this mannequin within the forests of Minnesota, we saved coming again to lounge in it, having fun with the comfortable cloth and particularly the spreader bar on the bug internet. A spreader bar is a semi-flexible rod that attaches to a sleeve within the bug internet and pulls open the netting to extend inside house. We’ll focus on this extra within the options part, however suffice to say the spreader bar opened up an enormous quantity of inside livability, each when totally zipped and partially unzipped. In a single day consolation remained strong as properly. With that vast spreader bar, we didn’t battle with mesh netting getting within the face or discovering a very good place; every part simply labored properly.

Options

Dutchware notes that the Chameleon was designed from the bottom as much as rethink conventional hammocks and create a modular, versatile system. That completely reveals. We had hassle deciding on which configuration to check as a result of there’s a dizzying array of choices to pick from, though the Dutchware web site does make it as simple as potential. 

The Chameleon is appropriately named; with practically any criticism or lacking function we discovered, the Chameleon can merely change its sample, and a barely completely different hammock for barely completely different wants seems.

Strip the Chameleon again to a light-weight backpacking setup with an asymmetrical bug internet utilizing single layer Hexon 1.0 cloth, and will probably be a scant 15.7 ounces. Load it up with options to be the final word winter tenting setup with a double layer of Hexon, strong high cowl, two large aspect pockets, plus a peak shelf, and it’ll nonetheless solely be 33.3 ounces. Dutchware isn’t the one firm that provides customization, however they do supply it at a extra detailed degree with extra choices.

The mannequin that we examined isn’t the lightest weight or probably the most feature-rich, nevertheless it does strike a stability of what we predict most individuals are searching for in a premium hammock. That features a symmetrical bug internet with a spreader bar and a single layer physique. The spreader bar is a novel design in three tent-pole-like sections. Though it’s positively light-weight it additionally feels just a little bit cumbersome. To be able to insert it into the bug internet, it’s important to put each ends into every sleeve of the netting whereas it’s disconnected after which join two of the elements collectively. We want to see this design improved to 1 the place the rod could be inserted from one finish after which closed with a snap, however this present design is ok. 

Fortunately, the beneficiant size greater than makes up for this cumbersomeness. As a result of it’s so large, the livability of the within space is drastically improved, and the spreader bar retains the bug netting away from the pinnacle space very successfully throughout overnights. To assist much more with that problem, Dutchware additionally consists of aspect pulls with a really intelligent LineLoc design that works very well. Due to how efficient the spreader bar is, these aren’t strictly crucial, however for a light-weight setup with out the spreader bar utilizing an asymmetrical bug internet, the aspect pulls would make an enormous distinction.

Different options on our mannequin embrace a big selection of rings and beneath quilt hooks alongside the perimeter and inside of the hammock physique. These rings can be utilized for attaching accent pockets that Dutchware sells or stringing up further twine to hold glasses, headlamps, or different small gear objects.

The zipper pulls are additionally a spotlight; the inside ones are darkish, and the outside are gentle, so it’s simpler to inform which one to drag. They’re additionally grippy with out being too lengthy and dangly. The detachable bug internet makes use of a toothy zipper as a substitute of a coil zipper for improved sturdiness and ease of zipping. We predict that is particularly vital for environments with loads of sand because it makes cleansing the zippers simpler.

One factor we miss is the inclusion of normal inside pockets. It’s an comprehensible omission for the reason that level of the Chameleon is to present add-ons for the options you need, however inside pockets make such an enormous enchancment to livability that we miss them. Plus, add-on pockets value extra and weigh extra.

Weight

As a result of light-weight supplies and high quality development, the Chameleon is true in the midst of the pack with a measured weight of 21.6 ounces, together with the spreader bar. As we famous earlier, the Chameleon could be specced down to fifteen.7 ounces, so it may be a compelling possibility for light-weight backpackers. The configuration that we examined, with the symmetrical bug internet and spreader bar, is an effective center floor for individuals who need to prioritize consolation just a little extra.

Ease of Use

With two mounted loops, good {hardware}, and a easy design, the Chameleon makes setup straightforward. The toothy zipper particularly even makes altering the bug internet a breeze. Our one criticism is with the spreader bar, which is hard to insert and take away; it’s one snag in an in any other case easy expertise.

Ought to You Purchase the Dutchware Chameleon Hammock?

It’s laborious to discover a extra versatile and full bundle than what the Chameleon presents. At first look it’s simply an ordinary hammock, however the extra we used it, the extra we realized how adaptable and properly thought out the design is. Hats off to Dutchware for making one thing so good. Within the configuration now we have, it finally ends up being a little bit of a jack-of-all-trades possibility, however we predict it may very well be a grasp of practically any class we needed, from light-weight to heavy winter adventures.

The Chameleon is ideal for somebody who needs one hammock that may do all of it by swapping out equipment to suit completely different environments. That can positively come at a price; the mannequin now we have specced was the most costly in our lineup, and add-on value will increase shortly. If you recognize what kind of hammocking you need, it can save you cash and weight by going with another choice, however you then’re restricted on flexibility in case your adventures require a distinct fashion.

General, some individuals may want specialised particular person hammocks, and others may need a do-everything mannequin; for that, the Chameleon is unmatched. If the ecosystem of add-ons is interesting, the Chameleon is well worth the funding.

What Different Hammocks Ought to You Contemplate?

See our different favourite hammocks in our information to the very best tenting hammocks of the 12 months.

Warbonnet Blackbird Evaluation: For the very best light-weight hammock, we predict the Blackbird is the very best on the market. Coming in at a scant 15.7 ounces but retaining good consolation and helpful options, it’s our high choose for backpacking. The Blackbird is an effective funding for somebody who is aware of they prioritize weight.

Hammock Gear Circadian Professional Evaluation: For the same idea to the Chameleon with a number of much less choices, Hammock Gear has one thing particular with the Circadian Professional. It’s additionally a modular and adaptable hammock with a totally detachable bug internet and plenty of customization choices. If the texture of the Circadian Professional is extra interesting, we predict it’s a good selection too, even when the Chameleon is a greater normal suggestion.