Ultimate Hammocks – The Ultimate Hammock V2
Product Description
The Ultimate Hammock (no affiliation with yours truly) came out with a bang earlier this year when they launched their Ultimate Hammock Strap—a woven daisy-chain-style hammock strap. Ultimate Hammocks (I’m going with UH for short) has since released a few hammock models, both “single” and “double” sizes, and just recently the V2, which is an updated “double” hammock with an improved stuff sack.
The fabric is a generic crinkle taffeta nylon, commonly referred to as “parachute nylon” in the hammock market. In many respects, the UH V2 is very comparable to the popular ENO Double hammock, but the V2 us much longer, so you can lay diagonally and flatter much easier.
The stuff sack is tall and narrow (11 × 4.5 in / 28 × 11 cm), much like a Nalgene water bottle. On the bottom of the sack, they left a loop on the compression strap so you can attach a carabiner and clip the hammock to a pack. This section is also reinforced so there is less worry about tearing the sack open when hiking down the trail.
Overall Impressions and Updates
I really like that some brands, including UH, are making their hammocks longer than the competition (for reference, the ENO Single and Double hammocks are both 112 in/284.5 cm long, compared with UH V2 at 124 in/198 cm). I find these longer hammocks more comfortable because it is easier to lay diagonally, which flattens out your body more across the fabric. The UH V2 also features the whistle buckle, which I’ve seen now in a few hammocks. It’s an interesting accessory that adds some usefulness to the hammock. The other element that I like on this hammock is the webbing end loops. Not only do they take up less space and bulk, the two ends can be attached to the carabiner to open up the end of the hammock to reduce the hard edge on a hammock.
I don’t really care much for the three fabric panels, but that isn’t unique to UH. The stitching is exactly like those you’ll find from most “parachute nylon” hammocks. The thick thread and triple stitching, while durable and strong, is not very comfortable to lay across because it creates a stiff edge running the length of the hammock. Outside of a few color variations, I don’t find the three panels very useful.
The UH V2 stuff sack has an interesting long and narrow design, which when combined with the compression strap, often results in a lopsided shape. I don’t care much for the compression straps: there are no keeper loops so the strap can easily slip off and not much space is saved when compressed. The resulting “cannon ball” makes an awkward shape when packing. The ENO hammock has popularized the compression strap, but of all the brands that use it, I think only Kammok has done it in a way that works.
Honestly, I was hoping for a little more from Ultimate Hammocks, just based on their amazing strap. Maybe a nicer fabric with a diamond ripstop weave or wild colors or patterns. The hammock is right on par with ENO, but does edge out in my opinion based on the longer size, webbing end loops, and whistle buckle. UH also sells direct, so at times I’ve seen sale prices that make the hammock a great deal.
Recommendations and Review
| Criteria | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension and Anchor System | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | The included carabiners are a nice touch, but without the webbing straps or suspension, it’s only half a hammock. |
| Construction and Craftsmanship | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | The hammock is on par with all “parachute nylon” hammocks coming out of China and Indonesia. Strong and robust. |
| Modularity | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | The basic open hammock is the beginning of any modular hammock system. |
| Aesthetics | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | Nothing really outstanding in terms of color and patterns. |
| Price and Value | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | On par with the competition. |
- Manufacturer: Ultimate Hammocks, made in China
- MSRP: US$69
Available Features/Specifications
Features
- Attached stuff sack with compression strap with whistle buckle
- 3-panel hammock with various color combinations
- Easy-to-use wire-gate carabiners
- 2-year warranty
Specifications
- 0.5 in (1.25 cm) “seatbelt” style polyester webbing end loops
- Climbing-rated aluminum wire-gate carabiners
- Hammock: 124 × 78 in (315 × 198 cm)
- Weight Capacity: 400 lbs (181 kg)
Weight
- Hammock: 20.5 oz (583 g)
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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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