Backside Line
For the most effective all-in-one hammock equipment, the Kammok Mantis UL ran away with our hearts, providing a snug and high-quality expertise at (almost) each alternative. It combines a snug, 10 foot hammock with tons of considerate options and a full protection hex tarp that may be a dream to arrange.
Throughout testing in Minnesota, we discovered the Mantis UL to be the one hammock equipment we reached for many. All through all elements of our testing course of it delivered on the basics whereas providing a premium expertise that made hammocking merely fulfilling.
The function choice is powerful and effectively thought-out, with facet pulls, LineLocs, inside pockets, and extra small touches that made it clear it was designed by individuals who liked hammocking. We appreciated that stakes had been included however discovered they had been of low high quality and possibly can be the very first thing that wants changing. That didn’t detract an excessive amount of from the general worth, which we consider stays excessive, as a result of high quality of parts delivered, despite the fact that that is the most costly equipment in our lineup of tenting hammocks.
Fast Specs
Kammok Mantis UL
Finest All-In-One Package
CleverHiker Score:
4.6/5.0
Value:
$299
Measured Weight:
1 lb. 2.5 oz.(hammock physique), 39 oz (hammock, tarp, suspension, stakes)
Weight Restrict:
300 lb
Dimensions:
10 ft x 4.7 ft
Professionals
- Comfy
- High quality supplies
- Light-weight for a equipment
Cons
- Poor high quality stakes
- Complicated zipper design
Consolation
The very first thing you discover concerning the Mantis UL is simply how good it feels, and that feeling carried by way of your complete expertise. Every little thing is packaged in a remarkably small, silnylon (siliconized nylon) drybag with a intelligent stake storage pocket on the surface that retains your stakes from getting the remainder of the parts soiled. Opening up the drybag, there are sections to maintain the hammock physique and tarp separate, which is one other considerate contact.
Testers of various heights disagreed on the consolation of the Mantis UL. Our 5’11” tester discovered it fairly comfy, whereas our 5’9” and 5’5” testers discovered it to be solely common. Consolation is very subjective, however we’re assured sufficient within the Mantis UL to say most customers ought to discover a good night time’s sleep achievable no matter their top. One standout function was the softness of the material; it was luxuriously clean and supplied the most effective hand-feel of any hammock within the lineup.
Options
For those who’re in search of a totally featured hammock equipment, the Mantis UL gives generously. The inside pockets are a number of the finest we’ve seen; with one on both sides, it’s straightforward to stash a telephone, headlamp, or gloves. The bug internet is absolutely detachable but in addition has toggles for tying both facet again, so lounging from both path is simpler.
The function that provides most to livability is the inclusion of facet pulls to assist maintain the bug netting away from the face; the Mantis UL does a terrific job with these. There are 4 facet pulls that connect with hooks to loops on the edges, but in addition embody a size of shock wire hooked up to LineLoc changes for straightforward tensioning. That is simply our favourite implementation of side-pulls in your complete lineup. A tradeoff with this design is that as a result of the pinnacle facet pulls connect to the bug internet, getting out and in of the hammock requires ducking underneath the nonetheless tensioned netting.
On a extra disappointing notice, the zipper ends in the course of the hammock physique on either side. This allows a totally detachable bug internet, however we want the ends had been on the head or foot of the hammock physique like different designs we’ve seen. The advantage of zippers terminating on the head or foot ends means they gained’t abruptly cease in the course of the hammock when making an attempt to zip the bug netting.
The tarp can also be stuffed with options. There are six hooked up cords that every have their very own pocket on the top of the tarp to maintain issues from getting tangled. In follow we discovered we not often wished to take the time to really coil up every wire and stuff it within the pocket, so these went largely unappreciated. Nevertheless, the inclusion of LineLocs on every nook and heart meant that tensioning the tarp was straightforward and painless.
The inclusion of a middle wire is certainly useful for stability in wind, however we additionally discovered this was a function we didn’t want since a correctly tensioned hex tarp with simply 4 corners is steady sufficient for many climate. The tarp attaches to bushes independently of the hammock and with none knots. A small hook just like the one used for the side-pulls and LineLocs make this a straightforward course of and are clear favorites of the kits we examined. We thought that the form and measurement of the tarp was good, and we wouldn’t have any situation driving out a storm on this equipment.
A unfavourable level is the included stakes. At first look they appear like DAC aluminum V stakes, however they’re lighter and, to our shock, bent in gentle soil on the primary check run! Though we had been capable of bend them again into form simply sufficient, the truth that we had been capable of repair the bend with two palms merely illuminated the issue extra: these stakes are usually not robust. With cautious use they might final a very long time, however they’re most likely the one a part of your complete equipment that doesn’t encourage confidence.
The included stake pocket on the bag is an excellent contact that we want extra merchandise had, and it needs to be massive sufficient to accommodate any third-party stakes you may substitute the included stakes with.
Weight
For an all-in-one equipment, the Mantis UL is surprisingly light-weight for the options it gives. At 39 ounces, which isn’t a lot heavier than a few of our single hammocks, it manages so as to add a snug hammock physique, glorious tarp with good protection, side-pulls, tons of guylines, good suspension, and even six stakes. The truth that it packs so effectively into the included bag and manages to ship high quality options at that weight is actually outstanding.
Different hammock kits are capable of get lighter, however they’re not as effectively balanced or as comfy. You may get decrease weights by assembling all of the parts your self, however that may price extra and require navigating the dizzying quantity of choices on the market. For critical hammockers, that gained’t be a problem, however for folks beginning off who simply desire a good weight at a good value, the Mantis UL gives fairly good worth in a light-weight bundle.
Ease of Use
With so many options, the Mantis UL can get sophisticated, however it does a terrific job making each step of the way in which straightforward. Organising the tarp is straightforward with fantastic hooks and LineLoc changes, and the facet pulls work the identical method. The tarp’s included LineLocs additionally make setup a snap.
We’re solely docking factors for 2 causes. First, the zipper stops midway by way of the hammock physique, and second, the bug internet stays tensioned by the facet pulls when unzipped. The zipper stopping midway by way of the hammock physique is annoying when making an attempt to totally zip up the hammock in a single lengthy movement like many different fashions help you do.
The facet pulls connecting to the bug internet signifies that getting out and in of the hammock will necessitate ducking underneath the netting every time if the facet pulls are tensioned. These are minor points that we didn’t discover a lot after getting used to them, however they nonetheless bear mentioning.
Ought to You Purchase the Kammok Mantis UL Hammock?
The Mantis UL is a wonderful product for somebody who desires to dive into hammock tenting with a full equipment and know that each element is top quality and cozy (aside from the stakes.)
Its asking value is somewhat steep at first look, however assembling a comparable equipment from high-quality parts by yourself would price the same quantity.. You may undoubtedly get lighter, and you’ll undoubtedly get cheaper, however Kammok has managed to discover a candy spot for all of the parts right here that we expect make for a compelling bundle.
What Different Hammocks Ought to You Think about?
Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip Evaluation: If the concept of an all-in-one hammock equipment is interesting however the value of the Mantis UL remains to be a bit excessive, then Hennessey makes the most effective entry-level hammock equipment. It’s not going to be as comfy or present the identical climate safety, however it’s product of high quality parts that ought to final a very long time, and it comes at a terrific value. Hennessey charges their commonplace hammocks for heights as much as 6 toes. We expect that’s a bit beneficiant, so for those who’re on the sting we’d advocate bumping as much as the XL measurement.
Warbonnet Blackbird Evaluation: For our favourite standalone hammock, the Warbonnet Blackbird does so much to face out whereas being the lightest hammock in our lineup. If the considered assembling all of the parts isn’t intimidating, the Blackbird is the most effective standalone hammock to begin with, even when it does command a premium value.
Extra Photographs
The Mantis UL has tons of considerate design touches just like the mesh pockets on the corners of the bug netting. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
A considerate design function we liked was the outside pocket on the storage bag to carry tent stakes. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
The attachment factors on the tarp had been strengthened effectively and had lineloc tensioners which made adjustment a breeze. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
We liked the small hooks that made setup straightforward, particularly the rain fly. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
The stakes had been the one a part of the Mantis UL that had been sub-par in high quality. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
One of many few annoyances with the Mantis UL is the zipper that terminates in the course of the hammock physique. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
The 2 facet telephone pockets are good for telephones or headlamps. – Photograph Credit score: Taylor Passofaro (CleverHiker.com)
