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Yukon Outfitters Freedom Hammock Review

yukon-outfitters-patriot-hammock-hung

I’ve been waiting a while to get my reviews for Yukon Outfitter hammock gear published because I really wanted to give them some extended use. The reason? Over the past several months, Yukon Outfitter’s hammocks and tarps have been regular and popular features on discounts sites like Woot. The prices are unbeatable, but some people have questioned their quality. Are they just cheap “beginner” hammocks, or are they worthy competitors to the established brands like ENO, Grand Trunk, and Ticket to the Moon?

A little background on Yukon Outfitters

Yukon Outfitters has been in the outdoor gear market for some time, but has wanted to expand their hammock product line in recent years. Like some brands, they started off with some copy-cat designs, but they’ve had a keen interest in breaking out with their own distinctive products. In fact, they reached out to me this past year to do some pro-bono consulting on best practices, trends, and even to brainstorm ideas.

What’s unique about Yukon Outfitters is that they are not just a product reseller, they own and operate production facilities in both China and the USA. This allows them to have complete control over their production and supply chain, which allows them to be more competitive with quality and price. Their goal is to produce both high-quality and value-priced gear. I’ve been impressed with how the have taken my recommendations into practice, while balancing their internal goals of value and quality. This has led them to produce and use new fabrics, change their production patterns, and introduce new products.

One new product that I’ve been very impressed with is the Freedom Hammock, so named because it is their first made in the USA hammock.

Yukon Outfitters Freedom Ultralight Hammock

Available Features/Specifications

Features

  • MIL-SPEC nylon fabric
  • DWR, water repellent finish
  • UN military grade woodland camouflage pattern
  • Seamless design (one panel of fabric)
  • Made in the USA

Specifications

  • 119×60 in (302×152 cm). Made with 1 panel of fabric
  • 500 lbs (227 kg) rated weight capacity

Weight

  • 15.5 oz (440 g)

Product Description

The Freedom Hammock is among the first of many new hammocks from Yukon Outfitters that is completely produced in the USA. The fabric was custom designed from YO and has several interesting features: military-spec, high-tensile strength, DWR treatment, and a unique camouflage design. What I really like about the design is the single panel hammock body. Without the seams from multiple panels, there are no tight points and you can use the entirety of the hammock to lay in. The ends of the hammock are gathered together with sewn webbing loops, which reduces how much the sides curl into a ball at the end, which in turn relaxes the long sides and prevents the bucket seat phenomenon common with some hammock. This curling effect can promote shoulder strain and also make it harder to lay flat on the diagonal. Neither of these are issues withe the YO Freedom hammock.

The hammock is about as wide as you can go with a single panel design, and is about as long as most parachute nylon hammocks on the market, so it is within the range of most “Double” hammocks you’ll find.

The hammock comes with a stuff sack, sewn on one side.

Recommendations and Review

The Freedom Hammock was a bit of a surprise. I knew that YO was working on some new hammocks, but when the Freedom came out, it was a leap beyond what I was expecting. The fabric, in spite of its “mil-spec” description, is comfortable and soft. Much of this is due to the single-panel design, which is honestly one of my favorite features of any hammock as it vastly improves comfort and usability. It is a notable departure from the common parachute nylon hammocks on the market.

In general, camouflage fabrics tend to be more expensive than plain weave and colors. The YO Freedom hammock is no exception. It’s plain-weave cousins are much less expensive, but even then, the Freedom is aggressively priced for a hammock of its size, quality, low weight, and USA manufacture (as of this writing, the hammock was discounted to $40).

Quick Comparison Chart

To be fair, this chart is based on listed features found on the manufacturer’s website, not on my own measurements.

Hammock Weight Dimensions Fabric Panels Capacity MSRP
YO Freedom v2 Ultralight 14.2 oz (403 g) 119×60 in (302×152 cm) 1 500 lbs (227 kg) $79.99
ENO CamoNest XL 19 oz (538 g) 112×74 (284×188 cm) 3 400 lbs (181 kg) $94.95
Grand Trunk Double 28 oz (538 g) 126×78 (320×198 cm) 3 400 lbs (181 kg) $69.99

Quality and Craftsmanship

Having used the Freedom on multiple trips, I can attest that it holds up to its description of durability. It is the highest quality you can expect for a recreational hammock, which rivals any of the other manufactured brands on the market. I can recommend it at the highest level.

Best Fit

Is the Freedom hammock a beginner hammock? Sure, but like any hammock, it could also be your everyday go-to hammock. It is true that we often equate low-cost with low-quality, but in this case, the tables are turned. The YO Freedom line with its made-in-the-USA production and high-quality manufacturing, it is a steal whether you find it discounted on Woot.com or at full MSRP direct from the manufacturer.

Modularity

The hammock is highly-modular, like any gathered-end, recreational hammock on the market. You can mix-and-match any number of bug nets, suspension systems, tarps, and other accessories to customize it to your liking. When I went camping and backpacking with the Freedom hammock, I often paired it with bug netting, under quilts, and tarps to suit the trip. The Freedom is perfectly sized for all off-the-shelf accessories.

Similar Products

  • Therm-a-Rest Slacker Hammock
  • Warbonnet Traveler Hammock
  • Dutchware Netless Hammock
  • DreamHammock Freebird
  • Arrowhead Hammock Single
  • ENO DoubleNest, CamoNest XL
  • Grand Trunk Double

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.

17 thoughts on “Yukon Outfitters Freedom Hammock Review”

  1. Hi Derek,

    Thanks for the review, although you’re a few days late for me (I just bought one at the Friday Woot!). It is destined to replace/supplement my son’s Yukon Outfitters Lakeside hammock, which is more of a Brazilian/Navy style with the cotton/poly bed and cotton clew.

    I also have the YO Double from a few years ago – you’re correct in that the hammock is durable, and worthy of purchase – hanging with an excellent suspension shows how worthy they really are!

    (I also ordered the No-Fluy-Zone bugnet to cover this, as the Woot! prices were excellent – hopefully it lives up to my expectations of Yukon Outfitters. I did call them about it – I was pleased to hear that it attached via hooks vs. loops, and they had a breakaway put in – this should be perfect for my ridgeline! I’m looking forward to your review too…)

    So – my question, which I think I can assume from the pictures, but it’s not crystal clear – is the hammock a channel-sewn end with a sewn loop inside, or is the end gathered a different way, ala Hennessy et al?

  2. Derek,
    When you say that ” You can mix-and-match any number of bug nets, suspension systems, tarps, and other accessories to customize it to your liking” , how can I tell what works best with the hammock I’m customizing? I mean, this hammock looks bigger than most. So what should I be looking for in these areas?

    Thank you,

    Dan

    1. I mentioned in my review the size of the hammock. It isn’t any bigger than most. Any bug net or tarp designed for hammocks will work with this hammock.

  3. Just curious, with the sewn loop, we attach a carabiner to the webbing loop? Or also use a whoopie sling? Got one today and curious how best to attach to my tree straps.

    1. You could use either. A whoopie sling could be attached on the hammock side or tarp side. Do you currently use a carabiner as part of your setup?

      1. I actually have both. I kind of like the carabiner as to me, it is a little faster, just need to get some new ones with this setup or make a couple of new whoopies.

  4. I got out for a test hang this weekend. I noticed on mine that the camp pattern was on the inside of the hammock as the stuff sack opening went that way. Also the seems were on the outside of the hammock. Is this similar to yours? I looked at it several times to see if it was just me. Almost appears to be sewn backwards.

  5. That is what I thought at first but I looked and the stuff sack is sewn so that you can not stuff things in it is the fabric is turned the other way. Hard to explain.

    1. I’ve seen that on a few hammocks. I think the stuff sack was sewn on incorrectly. Just pull the stuff sack inside out so you can use it when laying in the hammock.

  6. How would you compare this hammock with the Thermarest Slacker Single? I’ve been considering both of these and am wondering about any immediate strengths or weaknesses that stand out to you when comparing these two hammocks.

  7. I got this hammock through the recent Woot offering, and it is a very comfortable hammock. The pricing was unbeatable! I am going to remove the webbing straps at the ends and upgrade to some whoopie slings.

  8. I love mine! Tried it…sold my eno. I got the cinch buckle kit from Dutch, and a double ended bag from another vendor. I carry this everywhhere. Not sure it will replace my blackbird, but for day hikes, and napping, couldnt be more happy. And for $24? No brainer. Now we have 3 YO hammocks and 2 YO tarps. Dont come out wit anything else for a while. Cant afford it.

  9. My local outfitter here in Wear’s Valley, TN, (GSM Outfitters) just told me they are going to be carrying the Yukon Outfitter line. I am seriously excited about this. Please continue with the planned reviews, as I need the input/information.

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