iSpecle Camping Hammock
Product Description
The iSpecle Camping Hammock is a jungle-style hammock with an integrated, zippered bug net that uses very thin tent poles to quickly and efficiently pop-up the bug netting above the hammock. The ends are gathered with simple rope loops and a large stuff sack is sewn on one side. The hammock body is made from a single piece of fabric. A zipper is attached to one side and runs along the edge. The poles are permanently attached inside reinforced channels.
The hammock can be flipped over and used in a netless mode without any damage to the netting or hoops.
Overall Impressions and Updates
Have you ever used one of those windshield sun screens for your car made from wire hoops? The iSpecle hammock works much the same way, only the wire is only a half hoop. Still, by twisting the wires, the “hoop” collapses and can slide easily into the stuff sack, just like the sun screen. The great thing about the wire “hoops” is that setup is quick and easy. No additional guy lines are necessary and the interior space is large and open. The concept is solid, but I do have a few misgivings about the design.
First, at just 9 feet long, the hammock is a bit short. This makes it a little difficult to lay diagonally unless the hammock is hung at a fairly shallow angle, and even then, my feet were pretty tight against the side. For this reason, I would only recommend the hammock for anyone less than six feet tall.
Second, the zipper is also a little short, opening only the area between the poles and just up on one side. This constricted the opening for a me and made me worry about potential long-term damage due to the stress points.
Last of all, the straps were pretty short. At just over six feet long, that’s about half the length of most typical strap systems. In my area, finding small enough diameter trees that were close enough together was a bit of a chore. To test this hammock in the field, I had to use different suspension in order to make use of the straps. That said, the straps are well-made and use thick seatbelt-style webbing with reinforced loops. If they were only longer, they would have more utility.
Recommendations and Review
I would recommend this as a youth hammock, perfect for scouting events or those just experimenting with hammock camping. The integrated bug netting design with the wire “hoops” is a great idea and it makes it perfect for those who want a no-hassle hammock set-up.
I appreciate that the hammock came bundled with straps and carabiners, but I would recommend that you use some extender rope or strap to make use of the stock straps.
| Criteria | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension and Anchor System | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | The included strap set and carabiners are solid, but the straps are short. |
| Construction and Craftsmanship | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | Mass-market construction, some loose threads. Unfinished interior. |
| Modularity | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | The ability to set up quickly and easily and even flip the hammock to “open” mode makes it very versatile. |
| Aesthetics | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | Available in a single-color. |
| Price and Value | ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ | Value-priced jungle hammock. Imported. |
- Manufacturer: iSpecle, made in China
- MSRP: $67
Available Features/Specifications
Features
- 12-month warranty
- Comes complete with integrated bug netting, strap set, and carabiners
- Convenient side stuff sack
Specifications
- Hammock: 70D taffeta nylon – 110 × 56 in (279.4 × 142.24 cm)
- 1 in × 79 in polyester webbing straps with 10 loops
- Steel carabiners
- Capacity: 440 lbs (200 kg)
Weight
- Hammock: 21.5 oz (609 g)
- Straps: 6 oz (166 g)
- Carabiners: 4.5 oz (126 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.
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