When I first saw the ENO JungleNest in August of last year, I was impressed in many ways. In fact, I was preparing to do a hammock demo at a local outdoor retailer when I saw it on the shelf, and I got permission from the owner to use the JungleNest in my demo instead of the gear I brought. The hammock has been popular enough to make it tough to get, so when I was next in the store, I picked one up myself and I’ve been enjoying it ever since.
In my first look, I nailed down most of the details of the hammock, so I don’t want to repeat myself too much here, only to recap and give you my impressions, now that I’ve had a chance to take the JungleNest on a few trips and measure it on my scale.
ENO JungleNest Hammock Details
| What they say | What I say | |
| Dimensions | 112 x 57 in (284.5 x 145 cm) | 106 x 54 in (269 x 137 cm) |
| Weight | 27 oz (765.4 g) | 25.5 oz (723 g) |
| Capacity | 400 lbs (181.4 kg) | — |
Manufacturer: Eagles Nest Outfitters Inc., made in China.
Listed Features
- MSRP: $99.95
- 210D Nylon Taffeta Ripstop body fabric
- No-see-um bug netting
- Full-length zipper on one side
- Included, non-integrated ridge line with prussic knots
- Two aluminum wire gate carabiners
Quick Overview
The JungleNest differs from ENO’s other hammocks in a few key ways: a hammock body without lateral seams; an integrated, zippered bug net; and lightweight, ripstop fabric. It’s a hammock built with a primary purpose: camping. Sure, regular ENO hammocks can be taken camping, but having the integrated netting makes it faster, easier, and a little more convenient. The lightweight fabric also makes the whole kit save weight compared with pairing an ENO DoubleNest and Guardian Bug Net. To compare, my ENO DoubleNest weighs 494 g (17.4 oz) plus the Guardian at 454 g (16 oz) for a total of 948 g (33.5 oz), roughly 225 (8 oz) heavier than the JungleNest. Even more weight can be saved by removing the stuff sack or even just the compression strap and hardware, opting for lighter options.
The JungleNest packs down to be just slightly bigger than the DoubleNest, and thanks to the standard ENO compression strap, the bundle becomes a nice bowling ball for your pack.
The JungleNest comes out slightly smaller according to my measurements than what is listed, but it’s not too noticeable because of the simple, gathered-end design (e.g., no length is lost due to a constrained gathered design).The overall size feels just about right for my height (70 in/179 cm), but keep in mind that comfort based on size is very subjective.
The full-length zipper has double pulls on each end. Glow-in-the-dark zipper pulls are featured on the inside. Because the bug net is not fixed to an internal, structural ridge line, I can reach my arm around the bug net to make adjustments to the outside of the hammock (such as moving an under quilt).
I really like the bug net pull outs that are accessible from the inside. It not only makes adjustments easy, but I’ve found that I only need to hook up one side (the head end) to work. Granted, it reduces the overall head space inside the hammock, but when I am laying down, I really only need head room above my head. The netting floats above my feet without touching anything, so it works fine. It doesn’t save a lot of weight to remove the shock cord, but it’s just a mod for a simpler set up. In fact, you don’t even really need to set up the ridge line to make the bug net work. I just clip the bug net pull out to the hammock suspension and call it good.
The bug net is actually a little narrower than the hammock body, but not by much (my measurement puts it at 6 inches/15 cm). This means flipping the hammock upside down to get to “nettles” mode will work, but since the hammock has the full-length zipper, it is also possible to unzip the netting and just pull it off to one side. You could Sew a few pull tabs as an aftermarket mod to tie off the bug net.
The inner pocket is where the included ridge line is stored, but I found it a perfect size for my iPhone 6. There is also a handy pocket on the inside of the large stuff sack. Since it is outside the bug net, it’s not as useful when you’re all zipped up, so I haven’t used it as much.
Recommendations
One of the trips where I took the JungleNest was to one of my favorite secluded trails in Southern Utah. The canyon overlook is a perfect place for hammocks, in a location that is nearly inhospitable to tents. I had the JungleNest perched just a few feet away from a breathtaking view. It was absolutely incredible.
As I mentioned in my first look, pitching the JungleNest demands a little more expertise than just throw-and-go. A proper sag improves the lay and helps with the roominess of the bug net and provides a better diagonal lay.
After several nights sleeping in the JungleNest, I can attest that the stretch in the nylon is low, likely due to the ripstop and denier. I didn’t notice any barreling or “memory” issues with the fabric itself.
One of the first mods I did on the hammock was to modify the stock suspension. I do this in part to test other suspension systems, but also to allow me to measure and inspect the hammock. There’s nothing wrong with the stock suspension system, and when paired with a strap system, the JungleNest is ready to hang.
One downside to this style of Jungle Hammock is that the bug net has a tendency to sag in your face. This can be really problematic in buggy areas where biting insects will be able to bite through the netting. Using a side pull-out, roughly where your shoulder is located, will provide enough clearance for full top protection.
At US$100, the JungleNest is the most expensive entry-level Jungle Hammock. I wouldn’t consider it a top-tier design, in terms of total features or lowest weight, yet it has enough features and usability to be practical for any camping adventure. The bug net pull-outs are arguably the least complicated design of all the entry-level designs. In terms of size, it matches more closely with the more affordable Byer of Main Moskito Kakoon hammock, although the JungleNest has a more durable bug netting and a higher overall build quality.
The fabric isn’t as rugged as the rest of the ENO line, so I wouldn’t put it through the kind of abuse that I would with my Skeeter Beeter or No-See-Um No More, with their tough nylon taffeta (parachute nylon) fabric. I’m thinking this will be a great hammock for my new Boy Scout son who is a little more responsible. The hammock’s set-up is simple enough that he can pitch it without much worry.
The only thing really missing (besides webbing straps and a suspension line) is a matching tarp. This is common with most Jungle Hammocks, except for the all-in-one models, as most folks are content to get the right tarp to suit their needs.
Comparison of Entry-Level Jungle Hammocks
| Hammock | MSRP | Weight | Dimensions | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENO JungleNest | US$99.95 | 27 oz (765.4 g) | 112 x 57 in (284.5 x 145 cm) | 400 lbs (181.4 kg) |
| Hammock Bliss No-See-Um No More | US$89.95 | 28 oz (737 g) | 118 x 59 in (300 x 150 cm) | 350 lbs (159 kg) |
| Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter | US$79.99 | 30 oz (850.5 g) | 126 x 60 in (320 x 152.4 cm) | 400 lbs (181.4 kg) |
| Byer of Main Moskito Kakoon | US$54.95 | 26 oz (737 g) | 107 x 54 in (272 x 137 cm) | 250 lbs (113.4 kg) |
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