The team over at Amok have made some impressive upgrades to their hammock, the Draumr, and I wanted to highlight what’s notable in this third generation model. Besides my own at-home testing, I recently spent a week at summer camp with the Draumr 3.0 and I thought for this review I’d share a lot of photos to highlight the changes.
- Manufacturer: Amok Equipment AS, made in Vietnam
- MSRP: US$399 (hammock + tarp)
Available Features/Specifications
Features
- 1-person, perpendicular-aligned hammock
- Head-to-foot flat lay, with the ability for stomach and side sleeping positions
- 14 × 6.5 in (111.72 ×17.78 cm) stuff sack with carry handle and daisy chain clip loops
- Removable bug netting
- Internal storage pockets
- Water bottle pocket
- Integrated tree strap and suspension system with easy-to-connect carabiner design and quick-adjusting cinch buckles
- Adjustable bed can transform into a lounge chair
Specifications
- 1 in (2.5 cm) “seatbelt” style polyester webbing straps
- Stainless steel D-rings
- 22 kN carabiners
- 330 lbs (150 kg) rated weight capacity
Weight
- Hammock: 47 oz (1337 g)
- Tarp: 23 oz (658 g)
- Stakes: 2.7 oz (79 g)
Product Description
The overall design and function of the Draumr remains the same from the first version. I recommend that you check out my review of the Draumr for details on the hammock.
Overal Impressions and Updates
Amok switched suppliers and moved manufacturing from China to Vietnam for v3 and the difference is noticeable. Everything about v3 is imbued with quality and élan. I was already impressed with the build quality on the first version, but this newer model goes even further. First, the sewing and finish work is impeccable. The trim and finish is flawless, with perfect stitching throughout and subtle build changes make this an impressive hammock. When I get in this hammock, I feel like I’m in a futuristic hover car. In fact, the look reminds me a lot of the Aptera car prototypes.
The fabric, trim, and accessories are noticeably improved. The webbing, for example, uses a much more robust “seatbelt” quality. The mini cord locks on the stuff sacks have been replaced with larger, more usable versions. The tarp stuff sack has a unique cord lock with opposing tension and a hook on the top.
A lot of folks will be happy to know that the tarp has been enlarged, with an extra pull-out added over the head and foot end for additional coverage. The 8-sided tarp can be pitched to close off the sides a little. Amok is careful to point out that the tarp is not designed for extreme storms since the sides are open. However, buying a door kit from a cottage hammock vendor would be enough to change that variable.
The set-up is simplified by eliminating the center carabiner clip. While I liked the v1 design, v3 works just as fluidly but eliminates some weight and possible confusion. The cinch buckles have a high shine, but what’s really noticeable on them is the addition of a water barrier. Amok has added an ingenious foam divider that surrounds the buckle, thus preventing water from running down into the hammock. Pull tabs have also been added to make releasing the cinch buckle much easier.
The pad sleeve has been dramatically improved with a more secure pocket for large and medium-sized pads. A zipper on the head end securely encloses the sleeve and prevents the pad from popping out accidentally.
The bottle storage pocket has been enlarged and can hold bigger containers.
The bug net storage pocket has switched from a hook-and-loop enclosure to an easy-to-use snap system. I really like this improvement because it is faster and easier to secure the netting when not in use. Inside the bug net, there are two adjustments to tighten the netting. A clip on the inside allows me to hang a light or other item inside. There is also the addition of a shock cord to pull the head end up and away from my head.
Recommendations and Review
Set-up and Usage Tips
- Fully inflate the pad. As is mentioned on the Amok website and in my review, the Draumr will not work without a special type of sleeping pad. I used an Exped SynMat and found that I had to inflate it to the maximum to get enough rigidity in the hammock. With a slightly under inflated pad, I was bending backward more.
- Tuck top insulation behind the webbing. I learned quickly that I had to move my sleeping bag out of the way when I got into the Draumr, otherwise I spent time doing a caterpillar crawl trying to pull it out from under me. I found that it was easier to tuck my sleeping bag behind the adjustable webbing on the inside of the hammock so I could get in without issue. On that note, I recommend using a sleeping bag in quilt mode, with the bag unzipped down to the foot box. Since the pad is keeping you warm below, there is little reason to wrap the sleeping bag beneath you.
- Keep the bug net packed until you get in. If you leave the bug net unzipped but out, it is really easy to sit on it when you get in, which can lead to damage. The bug net is so easy to zip in, that I recommend keeping it stowed in the pocket until you get in.
- Make sure the hammock is centered and level. Because you lay perpendicular to the suspension, it is more important that this hammock is hung level and centered, otherwise you will roll to one side.
- This hammock is great for short hangs. Because of its smaller footprint, you can hang this hammock in narrower areas than most traditional hammocks. Like all camping situations, the tarp is the real limiting factor. I found the minimum distance to hang the hammock with a tarp is about 9 ft (274 cm). The tarp ridgeline is 104 inches (8.6 ft/264 cm).
Trade-offs
- There is no getting around that it is a little awkward getting in to this hammock. Amok recommends folding the foot end back and sitting in, but with a fully-inflated pad, I found this difficult. I often hop in from the side, or straddle the foot end and use the ridge line to pull myself into position. I’ve also resorted to climbing in head first. Whatever works!
- The tarp stuff sack is a tight fit. I wish it were a little bigger so stuffing was quicker.
- I wish Amok had stuck with the v1 tarp tensioners. The new triangle design works and is very secure, but I can’t use them effectively when I need to pitch the tarp ends closer to the ground. In my testing, I only used the built-in cord locks a few times, resorting to knots most of the time. The v1 tensioners could adjust the cordage all the way to the end of the tarp ends. Admittedly, the disadvantage to the v1 tarp tensioners is that they can slip, depending on the size of the line. These new tensioners are lighter and don’t slip. The issue is just that I can’t get them to adjust the line for shorter lengths.
- This hammock has a deep sag, so you need to hang the anchor points a little higher than normal. In my testing, short hangs between 9 and 10 feet worked best, and I was still hanging the suspension over my head. Trees that are further apart would require hanging even higher, but this is difficult.
Suspension and Anchor System
The integrated strap suspension system makes this one of the easiest hammocks to set up and use. This is how I believe cinch buckle systems should be used with hammocks because it eliminates any user-error in the set-up process. The quick-release tabs make the cinch buckles even more usable.
The instructions say to use a 30-degree hang angle, but in reality, this hammock has a much deeper sag requirement, roughly 45 degrees. The integrated ridge line prevents you from pulling the hammock too taut, but I don’t recommend pulling the suspension too tight because it puts more stress on all the components.
Modularity
Like most camping hammocks with integrated bug netting and other features, the modular options can be limited. The Draumr does have built-in ability to pull up the head and and create a chair-style lounger. The removable bug netting is also a nice feature. However, I wouldn’t use this hammock for roughhousing or casual lounging. I think it works best for camping.
Price and Value
I think this hammock is definitely worth the price. The construction and craftsmanship alone are top-tier, but the design and sleep style really make this a stand-out product. The real downside is that this hammock has a hidden cost: the necessity of a big sleeping pad. For folks who already own an appropriate pad, this won’t be a problem, but if you are starting from scratch, expect to pay another $175. Amok says that some low-cost inflatable pool pads will work. I have yet to test this, but if it is true, this would dramatically reduce the overall cost.
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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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