Dutchware Chameleon Hammock Evaluate | CleverHiker

Backside Line

Dutchware has one thing particular with the Chameleon, providing by far essentially the most customizable and versatile hammock design out of any of the prime fashions we examined. It receives prime marks in consolation and options, whereas sustaining high quality development and wonderful livability. We examined the usual hammock physique paired with an upgraded symmetrical bug web that features a spreader bar to carry the mesh away from the top space. When utilizing the spreader bar, we had been wowed by how spacious the inside was, resulting in the most effective nights of sleep we acquired in any hammock.

All of that reward does include a value, a literal one. The Chameleon is a system price investing in, however it would actually be an funding. It’s costly for a single hammock, however it will possibly adapt to many alternative hammock wants with the ecosystem of add-ons. Regardless of the value, it might be extra reasonably priced in the long term to have one versatile hammock reasonably than a number of specialised ones. For individuals who just like the modular thought, we predict that the Chameleon is a purchase order they received’t remorse.

We discovered only a few complaints when testing within the forests of Minnesota. We want it had inside pockets as normal, however like many issues, they arrive as an additional add-on. Though the spreader bar is very nice, it’s a bit cumbersome to insert, however this isn’t a dealbreaker. That’s about all of the negatives we are able to consider for the Chameleon; it manages to strike a wonderful steadiness for options and luxury that ought to attraction to many. It’s a bit an excessive amount of of a jack-of-all-trades choice to earn our prime suggestion, however we all know that received’t deter the individuals who fall in love with all the options of this wonderful hammock.

Consolation

One of the best testing anecdote to share concerning the Chameleon is that when our 5’9” tester laid in it for the primary time, their response was, “That is extra snug than my new mattress.” Surely, the Chameleon provides prime notch consolation. Each certainly one of our testers thought it carried out wonderful in that class. The beneficiant dimensions are among the many largest we examined, enabling a pleasant, diagonal sleeping place. Curiously, after we measured the ridgeline size, we discovered it to be just a little longer than the said 83% size of the hammock physique, coming in at round 86%. We received’t argue with the outcomes; that is clearly a profitable technique for Dutchware.

When testing this mannequin within the forests of Minnesota, we saved coming again to lounge in it, having fun with the comfortable cloth and particularly the spreader bar on the bug web. A spreader bar is a semi-flexible rod that attaches to a sleeve within the bug web and pulls open the netting to extend inside area. We’ll talk about this extra within the options part, however suffice to say the spreader bar opened up an enormous quantity of inside livability, each when totally zipped and partially unzipped. In a single day consolation remained stable as nicely. With that vast spreader bar, we didn’t battle with mesh netting getting within the face or discovering an excellent place; all the pieces simply labored nicely.

Options

Dutchware notes that the Chameleon was designed from the bottom as much as rethink conventional hammocks and create a modular, versatile system. That completely exhibits. We had hassle deciding on which configuration to check as a result of there’s a dizzying array of choices to pick out from, though the Dutchware web site does make it as simple as attainable. 

The Chameleon is appropriately named; with practically any criticism or lacking function we discovered, the Chameleon can merely change its sample, and a barely totally different hammock for barely totally different wants seems.

Strip the Chameleon again to a light-weight backpacking setup with an asymmetrical bug web utilizing single layer Hexon 1.0 cloth, and it is going to be a scant 15.7 ounces. Load it up with options to be the final word winter tenting setup with a double layer of Hexon, stable prime cowl, two big aspect pockets, plus a peak shelf, and it’ll nonetheless solely be 33.3 ounces. Dutchware isn’t the one firm that gives customization, however they do provide it at a extra detailed stage with extra choices.

The mannequin that we examined isn’t the lightest weight or essentially the most feature-rich, but it surely does strike a steadiness of what we predict most individuals are in search of in a premium hammock. That features a symmetrical bug web with a spreader bar and a single layer physique. The spreader bar is a novel design in three tent-pole-like sections. Though it’s positively light-weight it additionally feels just a little bit cumbersome. In an effort to insert it into the bug web, you need to put each ends into every sleeve of the netting whereas it’s disconnected after which join two of the components collectively. We wish to see this design improved to at least one the place the rod could be inserted from one finish after which closed with a snap, however this present design is okay. 

Fortunately, the beneficiant size greater than makes up for this cumbersomeness. As a result of it’s so extensive, the livability of the within space is vastly improved, and the spreader bar retains the bug netting away from the top space very successfully throughout overnights. To assist much more with that problem, Dutchware additionally consists of aspect pulls with a really intelligent LineLoc design that works very well. Due to how efficient the spreader bar is, these aren’t strictly vital, however for a light-weight setup with out the spreader bar utilizing an asymmetrical bug web, the aspect pulls would make a giant distinction.

Different options on our mannequin embody a wide selection of rings and below quilt hooks alongside the perimeter and inside of the hammock physique. These rings can be utilized for attaching accent pockets that Dutchware sells or stringing up additional wire to hold glasses, headlamps, or different small gear objects.

The zipper pulls are additionally a spotlight; the inside ones are darkish, and the outside are gentle, so it’s simpler to inform which one to tug. They’re additionally grippy with out being too lengthy and dangly. The detachable bug web makes use of a toothy zipper as an alternative of a coil zipper for improved sturdiness and ease of zipping. We predict that is particularly vital for environments with a number of sand because it makes cleansing the zippers simpler.

One factor we miss is the inclusion of normal inside pockets. It’s an comprehensible omission because the level of the Chameleon is to provide add-ons for the options you need, however inside pockets make such a giant enchancment to livability that we miss them. Plus, add-on pockets value extra and weigh extra.

Weight

As a result of light-weight supplies and high quality development, the Chameleon is correct in the course of the pack with a measured weight of 21.6 ounces, together with the spreader bar. As we famous earlier, the Chameleon could be specced down to fifteen.7 ounces, so it may be a compelling possibility for light-weight backpackers. The configuration that we examined, with the symmetrical bug web and spreader bar, is an efficient center floor for individuals who wish to prioritize consolation just a little extra.

Ease of Use

With two fastened loops, good {hardware}, and a easy design, the Chameleon makes setup simple. The toothy zipper particularly even makes altering the bug web a breeze. Our one criticism is with the spreader bar, which is hard to insert and take away; it’s one snag in an in any other case clean expertise.

Ought to You Purchase the Dutchware Chameleon Hammock?

It’s exhausting to discover a extra versatile and full bundle than what the Chameleon provides. At first look it’s simply a normal hammock, however the extra we used it, the extra we realized how adaptable and nicely thought out the design is. Hats off to Dutchware for making one thing so good. Within the configuration now we have, it finally ends up being a little bit of a jack-of-all-trades possibility, however we predict it might be a grasp of practically any class we wished, from light-weight to heavy winter adventures.

The Chameleon is ideal for somebody who desires one hammock that may do all of it by swapping out equipment to suit totally different environments. That can positively come at a value; the mannequin now we have specced was the costliest in our lineup, and add-on value will increase shortly. If what kind of hammocking you need, it can save you cash and weight by going with an alternative choice, however then you definately’re restricted on flexibility in case your adventures require a special model.

Total, some individuals may want specialised particular person hammocks, and others may desire a do-everything mannequin; for that, the Chameleon is unmatched. If the ecosystem of add-ons is interesting, the Chameleon is definitely worth the funding.

What Different Hammocks Ought to You Take into account?

See our different favourite hammocks in our information to the most effective tenting hammocks of the yr.

Warbonnet Blackbird Evaluate: For the most effective light-weight hammock, we predict the Blackbird is the most effective on the market. Coming in at a scant 15.7 ounces but retaining good consolation and helpful options, it’s our prime choose for backpacking. The Blackbird is an efficient funding for somebody who is aware of they prioritize weight.

Hammock Gear Circadian Professional Evaluate: For the same idea to the Chameleon with a number of much less choices, Hammock Gear has one thing particular with the Circadian Professional. It’s additionally a modular and adaptable hammock with a totally detachable bug web and lots of customization choices. If the texture of the Circadian Professional is extra interesting, we predict it’s a sensible choice too, even when the Chameleon is a greater normal suggestion.