Kammok Mantis UL Hammock Evaluate

Backside Line

For the very best all-in-one hammock equipment, the Kammok Mantis UL ran away with our hearts, providing a cushty and high-quality expertise at (practically) each alternative. It combines a cushty, 10 foot hammock with tons of considerate options and a full protection hex tarp that may be a dream to arrange.

Throughout testing in Minnesota, we discovered the Mantis UL to be the one hammock equipment we reached for many. All through all elements of our testing course of it delivered on the basics whereas providing a premium expertise that made hammocking merely fulfilling.

The function choice is powerful and nicely thought-out, with aspect pulls, LineLocs, inside pockets, and extra small touches that made it clear it was designed by individuals who cherished hammocking. We appreciated that stakes have been included however discovered they have been of low high quality and doubtless will likely be the very first thing that wants changing. That didn’t detract an excessive amount of from the general worth, which we consider stays excessive, because of the high quality of parts delivered, despite the fact that that is the most costly equipment in our lineup of tenting hammocks.

Consolation

The very first thing you discover concerning the Mantis UL is simply how good it feels, and that feeling carried by your complete expertise. The whole lot is packaged in a remarkably small, silnylon (siliconized nylon) drybag with a intelligent stake storage pocket on the surface that retains your stakes from getting the remainder of the parts soiled. Opening up the drybag, there are sections to maintain the hammock physique and tarp separate, which is one other considerate contact.

Testers of various heights disagreed on the consolation of the Mantis UL. Our 5’11” tester discovered it fairly snug, whereas our 5’9” and 5’5” testers discovered it to be solely common. Consolation is extremely subjective, however we’re assured sufficient within the Mantis UL to say most customers ought to discover a good night time’s sleep achievable no matter their top. One standout function was the softness of the material; it was luxuriously easy and offered the very best hand-feel of any hammock within the lineup.

Options

Should you’re on the lookout for a completely featured hammock equipment, the Mantis UL gives generously. The inside pockets are a number of the finest we’ve seen; with one on both sides, it’s simple to stash a telephone, headlamp, or gloves. The bug web is totally detachable but in addition has toggles for tying both aspect again, so lounging from both course is simpler. 

The function that provides most to livability is the inclusion of aspect pulls to assist maintain the bug netting away from the face; the Mantis UL does an important job with these. There are 4 aspect pulls that connect with hooks to loops on the perimeters, but in addition embrace a size of shock twine connected to LineLoc changes for straightforward tensioning. That is simply our favourite implementation of side-pulls in your complete lineup. A tradeoff with this design is that as a result of the pinnacle aspect pulls connect to the bug web, getting out and in of the hammock requires ducking beneath the nonetheless tensioned netting. 

On a extra disappointing notice, the zipper ends in the course of the hammock physique on each side. This permits a completely detachable bug web, however we want the ends have been on the head or foot of the hammock physique like different designs we’ve seen. The good thing about zippers terminating on the head or foot ends means they received’t abruptly cease in the course of the hammock when making an attempt to zip the bug netting.

The tarp can also be stuffed with options. There are six connected cords that every have their very own pocket on the tip of the tarp to maintain issues from getting tangled.  In observe we discovered we not often needed to take the time to really coil up every twine and stuff it within the pocket, so these went largely unappreciated. Nevertheless, the inclusion of LineLocs on every nook and middle meant that tensioning the tarp was simple and painless. 

The inclusion of a middle twine is unquestionably useful for stability in wind, however we additionally discovered this was a function we didn’t want since a correctly tensioned hex tarp with simply 4 corners is steady sufficient for many climate. The tarp attaches to timber independently of the hammock and with none knots. A small hook just like the one used for the side-pulls and LineLocs make this a simple course of and are clear favorites of the kits we examined. We thought that the form and dimension of the tarp was good, and we wouldn’t have any challenge using out a storm on this equipment.

A unfavorable level is the included stakes. At first look they seem like DAC aluminum V stakes, however they’re lighter and, to our shock, bent in comfortable soil on the primary take a look at run! Though we have been capable of bend them again into form simply sufficient, the truth that we have been capable of repair the bend with two palms merely illuminated the issue extra: these stakes aren’t sturdy. With cautious use they may final a very long time, however they’re in all probability the one a part of your complete equipment that doesn’t encourage confidence.

The included stake pocket on the bag is an excellent contact that we want extra merchandise had, and it ought to be massive sufficient to accommodate any third-party stakes you may exchange the included stakes with.

Weight

For an all-in-one equipment, the Mantis UL is surprisingly light-weight for the options it presents. At 39 ounces, which isn’t a lot heavier than a few of our single hammocks, it manages so as to add a cushty hammock physique, wonderful tarp with good protection, side-pulls, tons of guylines, good suspension, and even six stakes. The truth that it packs so nicely into the included bag and manages to ship high quality options at that weight is actually exceptional. 

Different hammock kits are capable of get lighter, however they’re not as nicely balanced or as snug. You will get decrease weights by assembling all of the parts your self, however that can price extra and require navigating the dizzying quantity of choices on the market. For severe hammockers, that received’t be a difficulty, however for folks beginning off who simply desire a good weight at a good value, the Mantis UL presents fairly good worth in a light-weight bundle.

Ease of Use

With so many options, the Mantis UL can get difficult, nevertheless it does an important job making each step of the best way simple. Organising the tarp is straightforward with fantastic hooks and LineLoc changes, and the aspect pulls work the identical method. The tarp’s included LineLocs additionally make setup a snap.

We’re solely docking factors for 2 causes. First, the zipper stops midway by the hammock physique, and second, the bug web stays tensioned by the aspect pulls when unzipped. The zipper stopping midway by the hammock physique is annoying when making an attempt to totally zip up the hammock in a single lengthy movement like many different fashions mean you can do.

The aspect pulls connecting to the bug web implies that getting out and in of the hammock will necessitate ducking beneath the netting every time if the aspect pulls are tensioned. These are minor points that we didn’t discover a lot after getting used to them, however they nonetheless bear mentioning.

Ought to You Purchase the Kammok Mantis UL Hammock?

The Mantis UL is a superb product for somebody who needs to dive into hammock tenting with a full equipment and know that each part is top quality and cozy (apart from the stakes.)

Its asking value is a bit steep at first look, however assembling a comparable equipment from high-quality parts by yourself would price the same quantity.. You’ll be able to undoubtedly get lighter, and you’ll undoubtedly get cheaper, however Kammok has managed to discover a candy spot for all of the parts right here that we expect make for a compelling bundle.

What Different Hammocks Ought to You Contemplate?

Beneath are some comparable choices to the Mantis UL. For much more choices, try our full Information to the Finest Hammocks for extra of our favorites.

Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip Evaluate: If the thought of an all-in-one hammock equipment is interesting however the value of the Mantis UL continues to be a bit excessive, then Hennessey makes the very best entry-level hammock equipment. It’s not going to be as snug or present the identical climate safety, nevertheless it’s fabricated from high quality parts that ought to final a very long time, and it comes at an important value. Hennessey charges their customary hammocks for heights as much as 6 toes. We predict that’s a bit beneficiant, so should you’re on the sting we’d suggest bumping as much as the XL dimension.

Warbonnet Blackbird Evaluate: For our favourite standalone hammock, the Warbonnet Blackbird does quite a bit to face out whereas being the lightest hammock in our lineup. If the considered assembling all of the parts isn’t intimidating, the Blackbird is the very best standalone hammock to begin with, even when it does command a premium value.