At 5.4 ounces, this wisp of a hammock is so airy you forget it’s there.
Invert a swath of mosquito netting, and then lie down. That is close to the experience you’ll get using Sea to Summit’s Ultralight Hammock.
Editor’s note: In May of 2017, Sea to Summit switched to a more dense fabric which increased the weight from 4.9 ounces to 5.4 ounces.
But the swoop of see-through fabric is strong. It supports up to 300 pounds and provides a comfortable base for what the company calls the lightest hammock in the world.
It comes to market next month for $90. We took a few weeks to test the Ultralight Hammock this winter for a review.
Review: Sea To Summit Ultralight Hammock
The secret to this ultralight hammock is in its monofilament nylon fabric. As stated, the net-like material weighs a scant 5.4 ounces. That is less than a couple energy bars.
There is a light rip-stop grid. It feels soft in the hand, though crinkly, too, like a wedding veil.
A small stuff sack is built into one end. The hammock pulls out of there, unfurling to take form and offering attachment points on either side. The stuff sack can detach if needed, and together the bundle weighs just 5.9 ounces.
Sleep Test: ‘World’s Lightest Hammock’
We strung up the system near Lake Superior last month for a snooze. The winter wind cut straight through the hammock.
Indeed, the company touts unusual breathability from the nylon it employs. In summer, it would breathe well on a muggy night.
Sea to Summit also makes a hammock-specific bug net, tarp, and gear sling, though, we haven’t tested them yet.
This hammock is akin to a bivy sack, as it’s built for the ounce-counting user who treks deep into the backcountry.
In a backpack, the hammock takes up very little space and packs down to the size of a beer can. Its weight is inconsequential. We love the idea of employing this hammock for thru-hikes where all gear is edited down to its most minimal.
When unfurled, the hammock is 8.5 feet long and 4 feet across.
That translates to a comfortable sleep for anyone under about 5-foot-10. Our taller testers found this model quite cramped as they are used to the standard 9-foot or longer (and wider) hammock models.
Hammock Setup & Suspension
Sea to Summit sells a strap suspension system, including tree protectors and straps, for hanging the hammock.
The straps are bulkier than the hammock itself, and adding them pushes the total weight to 1 pound, 5.9 ounces, which is still very reasonable for a hammock camper.
The pair of 5-foot-long, 1.5-inch-wide tree protectors weigh 4.5 ounces each. They wrap around trees and connect to the suspension system via steel buckles.
Main suspension comes from a set of 10-foot-long (0.5-inch-wide) webbing straps; each weighs 3.5 oz. Steel buckles on each side connect to the tree protectors and to the hammock.
The webbing is threaded through the buckle, similar to a backpack strap, making it easily adjustable. The suspension system took a couple minutes to learn. Once figured out, it was intuitive and easy to adjust the tension of the hammock.
Like many hammocks, the stuff sack is attached. This one is located at one end of the hammock, which is a smart design feature.
It makes setup easier and helps keep your hammock off the ground because you can attach one end and then just pull the hammock out of the sack to the other tree.
The suspension is sold separately from the hammock and costs about $45. If you want a super-light system you could opt to use the Ultralight Hammock with lighter carabiner or cord suspension from other brands.
One note: Sea to Summit makes its suspension to pair with its hammocks. It won’t work with other hammocks because of the unique buckles.
Bottom Line
We’re excited to see brands utilizing new, lightweight fabric in hammock designs. Sea to Summit’s Ultralight Hammock stands out as a solid lightweight option for those who need the lightest gear out there.
The suspension is unique, tree-friendly, and easy to adjust. However, it’s a couple ounces too heavy for the extreme-ultralight crowd.
The hammock, tree protectors, and suspension come to market next month for $90, $20, and $25 respectively ($135 for the whole kit).
–See all the details on using Sea to Summit’s Ultralight Hammock.
