AMOK Draumr Hammock Kit
The AMOK Draumr Hammock fits in the hybrid hammock category: part gathered end hammock, part bridge hammock. It certainly has a stunning visual appeal.
AMOK Draumr Hammock Details
| What they say | What I say | |
| Weight | 4.37 lbs (2 kg) | 4.5 lbs (2.024 kg) (with everything) Tarp – 604 g (1.3 lbs) Stakes – 55 g (~13 g ea.) Hammock – 1,365 g (3 lbs) |
Manufacturer: Amok Equipment. Made in Norway.
Listed Features
- MSRP: US$379
- Fits up to 190 cm (6 ft 2 in)
- Integrated, zippered bug net (stows in own pocket)
- Included tarp and stakes
- Capacity: 265 lbs (120 kg)
Impressions
The Draumr hammock was certainly a show stopper at the 2014 Texas Hammock Hang—nearly everyone who stopped by the demo I set up was amazed, not only by the design, but also by the comfortable lay. For me, I was really, really impressed by the build quality and the attention to detail that the Amok crew has put into this hammock.
This hammock is one of only a few hammock kits that includes everything out of the box: hammock, bug net, tarp, suspension system, and event matching stakes. And speaking of matching, everything on the Draumr is tied together: blue guy line, blue stakes, blue fabric, blue trim. It’s quite stunning. The construction is absolutely top tier. There are even webbing flaps to protect the tree from the carabiners.
Setup on the Draumr is amazingly streamlined. I love how the team thought through all the details to get the hammock pitched. Color-coded carabiners indicate the steps taken to get the hammock up. The first carabiner (red) secures one strap to a tree, followed by the second carabiner (green). The hammock stays stowed in the stuff sack, yet everything is still connected. The final blue carabiner pulls the hammock out and finishes the first stage of the pitch. The cinch buckle system makes adjusting the straps easy along the webbing.
The included tarp is adequate—it’s a small hex tarp that has been designed to fit the shorter length of the Draumr. Everything is included to pitch the tarp, but my favorite feature are the tiny mesh stuff sacks on each tie-out point where you can store the guy line.
The Pad
Here’s the big catch on the Draumr: the hammock doesn’t work without a pad. And not just any pad; you’ve got to use a thick, firm pad to provide enough structure in the hammock for it to work. I tried using every pad I owned including closed-cell foam pads and small inflatable pads. Amok spells out explicitly what types of pads will work on their website. If you don’t already own one of these pads, you’ll have to invest in one to make this kit work.
Without the right pad, I literally bent over backwards in the hammock. With the right pad, the hammock works perfectly. I used an EXPED Synmat UL 7.
The zippered hideaway bug netting is pretty cool. It stores in a stuff sack off to one side and so it can be stowed when not needed. When bugs are a problem, it easily zips around the perimeter. There is a tab on the head end that can be guyed out to provide more head room.
Getting In, Out, and Sitting Up
Getting inside the Draumr takes practice. The demo videos make it seem pretty easy, but even with the amount of time I’ve had with the hammock, it still takes some fiddling. Demoing the hammock to new folks was also very interesting as I did my best to help position people into the hammock. Folding up the foot end really helps in getting in, as illustrated in the Amok videos.
Once inside, everyone loved the lay, and even a few played with the adjustment straps to get into a more sitting position.
Getting out is much easier, but you have be a little careful not to slide out.
Final Thoughts
The Amok Draumr hammock is one of the most thought-out, well-designed hammocks I’ve seen in a while. I love that it comes as an all-in-one-kit, but I think some folks will want a larger or more encompassing tarp for more coverage (the hammock is pretty exposed to side-sweeping drafts).
The biggest downside with this hammock is that it cannot be used without a thick pad to create the full structure. This can also make it difficult to use the hammock in hot and muggy seasons when a hammock’s superior air circulation is desired.
At 2 kg (about 4.5 lbs), it isn’t the lightest hammock on the market, but when you consider that includes hammock, tarp, stakes, and bug net, it isn’t so bad. Everything packs into a single stuff sack that is pretty easy to carry.
Disclosure of material connection: The author (Derek Hansen) was provided with a free sample from the manufacturer for testing and evaluation purposes. The comments in this post (written & spoken) are of my own opinion, which I formed after personally handling the gear. I was under no obligation to publish a review of this item.
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