Product Description
The Montem Fly Napple and Chill Hammock is a mass-market open style, gathered-end hammock. It’s real differentiator (besides the colorful pineapple pattern) is it’s single-panel construction of diamond ripstop 75D nylon and high-quality 12Kn wiregate carabiners. It has a 500 lbs (227 kg) weight limit, which is pretty high compared to most brands.
The Thicc Hammock Straps (yes, it’s spelled with two “c’s”) are garden variety, daisy-chain straps made from polyester with a seatbelt style weave. Super thick and durable, the straps mimic the looping pattern on the ENO Slap Straps and have a long lead from the first loop, perfect for thick trees. The straps are longer than most (12 feet!) and have high-visibility stitching.
The Sneaky Snuggler Puffy Camping Blanket is a synthetic-filled quilt without zipper, snaps, or cinch cords, so it can lay flat. It’s puffy and quilted with a contrasting color along the edge. The blanket stuffs into an included sack.
Specs
Fly Napple and Chill Hammock
- Dimensions: 110 × 55 in (280 × 140 cm)
- Material: 75D diamond ripstop nylon
- Weight: 14 oz (397 g)
- Capacity: 500 lbs (227 kg)
- MSRP: US$40
Thicc Hammock Straps
- Capacity: 1,500 lbs (680 kg)
- Dimensions: 12 ft × 1 in (3.7 m × 2.5 cm)
- Weight 9.6 oz (272 g)
- MSRP: US$24
Sneaky Snuggler Puffy Camping Blanket
- Dimensions: 54 × 80 in (137 × 203 cm)
- Weight:
- Fill: Polyester batting
- Rating: 40°F (4°C)
- MSRP: US$90
- Manufacturer: Montem Outdoor Gear
Thoughts
The hammock pattern definitely has it’s own jive, but it’s not a style that particular appeals to me. I love pineapple, of course, just not against a black backdrop. For some reason, it reminded me of a campy velvet Elvis painting. That said, I think patterned hammocks can be a lot more fun than solid colors at times, so it’s nice there are options out there, eh? The end loops are also typical nylon rope, tied into a mess at each end. I found the knots were somewhat loose, but just about exactly what I have found is common with hammocks like this. I recommend checking the knots and tightening them, or do what I did: re-tie them into a single loop so the fabric runs freely.
While the hammock is a little shorter than the “ideal” 10 foot (3 m) length, the single panel construction and good proportions make this hammock feel more roomy than expected. I think that also has to do with the way I re-tied the end loops so the fabric wasn’t as bunched in the ends. Which reminds me: be sure to always check the hammock suspension prior to use to make sure the knots are secure and the wear is low.
It’s too bad the hammock doesn’t come bundled with the suspension. That’s a knock down for my review, but I’m glad Montem has some nice daisy chain straps available separately. Combined the price isn’t horrible, and still less than most big box brands, so the overall value is still good. It’s more that Montem makes you work a little extra to get the straps, which in my opinion, are critical components to the hammock.
The straps themselves are fine. They are part of the “table stakes” that are becoming more common with every hammock coming out of China these days. They are thick, built with a seatbelt style weave, and include high-visibility stitching. The thick straps are super durable, but become thick to pack. I found that coiling them around my hand was the best way and kept things compact enough to fit back into the stuff sack. These are solid, workhorse straps, but nothing to write home about.
The Sneaky Snuggler Puffy Camping Blanket is a bit of a mix. For hammock camping, it’s been okay for summer use. It’s rated at only 40°F, which is okay even for a fall chill, but the lack of a foot box, snaps, or closure of any kind make this a hard sell outside of family getaways or sleepovers. It’s puffy, but in my experience, synthetic doesn’t rebound as well overtime when packed, so I recommend using a large storage bag to keep this blanket’s loft high for as long as possible. I think the price is a little high for the simple construction and build. I like using synthetic quilts when I camp with my kids because they are easy to wash and I don’t mind as much when they get thrown around and played in. The Sneaky Snuggler was perfect for those trips this summer.
| Criteria | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension and Anchor System | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | The straps are sold separately, but are high-quality. The carabiners are also high-quality and have a high weight rating. |
| Construction and Craftsmanship | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | Mass-market construction. Good craftsmanship; straight, even stitching; reinforced; quality materials. Some stray threads. |
| Modularity | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | Open hammocks have great modularity. |
| Aesthetics | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | I wish there were more color or pattern options. The black pineapple is a niche pattern in my mind. |
| Price and Value | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | Offshore production and low prices makes this a cost-effective option, even when you bundle the hammock and strap together. |
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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