Kammok Mantis UL Hammock Overview

Backside Line

For the perfect all-in-one hammock equipment, the Kammok Mantis UL ran away with our hearts, providing a snug and high-quality expertise at (practically) 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 satisfying.

The function choice is strong and nicely thought-out, with aspect 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 doubtless will probably 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, though that is the costliest equipment in our lineup of tenting hammocks.

Consolation

The very first thing you discover in regards to the Mantis UL is simply how good it feels, and that feeling carried by means of your complete expertise. All the pieces is packaged in a remarkably small, silnylon (siliconized nylon) drybag with a intelligent stake storage pocket on the skin 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 snug, 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 evening’s sleep achievable no matter their peak. One standout function was the softness of the material; it was luxuriously easy and offered the perfect hand-feel of any hammock within the lineup.

Options

In case you’re on the lookout for a completely featured hammock equipment, the Mantis UL supplies generously. The inside pockets are among the greatest we’ve seen; with one on both sides, it’s simple to stash a telephone, headlamp, or gloves. The bug web is absolutely detachable but additionally has toggles for tying both aspect again, so lounging from both path is simpler. 

The function that provides most to livability is the inclusion of aspect pulls to assist preserve the bug netting away from the face; the Mantis UL does an important job with these. There are 4 aspect pulls that connect with hooks to loops on the perimeters, but additionally embrace a size of shock wire hooked up to LineLoc changes for simple 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 top aspect pulls connect to the bug web, getting out and in of the hammock requires ducking below the nonetheless tensioned netting. 

On a extra disappointing word, the zipper ends in the course of the hammock physique on either side. This allows a completely detachable bug web, however we want the ends had been on the head or foot of the hammock physique like different designs we’ve seen. The good thing about zippers terminating on the head or foot ends means they received’t abruptly cease in the course of the hammock when making an attempt to zip the bug netting.

The tarp can 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 observe we discovered we hardly ever needed to take the time to really coil up every wire and stuff it within the pocket, so these went largely unappreciated. Nonetheless, the inclusion of LineLocs on every nook and heart meant that tensioning the tarp was simple and painless. 

The inclusion of a middle wire is unquestionably 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 secure sufficient for many climate. The tarp attaches to timber 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 simple course of and are clear favorites of the kits we examined. We thought that the form and dimension of the tarp was excellent, and we wouldn’t have any problem using out a storm on this equipment.

A unfavourable level is the included stakes. At first look they seem like DAC aluminum V stakes, however they’re lighter and, to our shock, bent in smooth soil on the primary take a look at 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 arms merely illuminated the issue extra: these stakes should 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 must be giant sufficient to accommodate any third-party stakes you would possibly change the included stakes with.

Weight

For an all-in-one equipment, the Mantis UL is surprisingly light-weight for the options it presents. 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, wonderful tarp with good protection, side-pulls, tons of guylines, good suspension, and even six stakes. The truth that it packs so nicely into the included bag and manages to ship high quality options at that weight is de facto exceptional. 

Different hammock kits are capable of get lighter, however they’re not as nicely balanced or as snug. You may get decrease weights by assembling all of the parts your self, however that can price extra and require navigating the dizzying quantity of choices on the market. For critical hammockers, that received’t be a problem, however for individuals beginning off who simply desire a good weight at a good worth, the Mantis UL presents fairly good worth in a light-weight bundle.

Ease of Use

With so many options, the Mantis UL can get sophisticated, however it does an important job making each step of the best way simple. Organising the tarp is straightforward with fantastic hooks and LineLoc changes, and the aspect pulls work the identical manner. The tarp’s included LineLocs additionally make setup a snap.

We’re solely docking factors for 2 causes. First, the zipper stops midway by means of the hammock physique, and second, the bug web stays tensioned by the aspect pulls when unzipped. The zipper stopping midway by means of the hammock physique is annoying when making an attempt to completely zip up the hammock in a single lengthy movement like many different fashions assist you to do.

The aspect pulls connecting to the bug web implies that getting out and in of the hammock will necessitate ducking below the netting every time if the aspect 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 needs to dive into hammock tenting with a full equipment and know that each part is top quality and comfy (except the stakes.)

Its asking worth is a bit steep at first look, however assembling a comparable equipment from high-quality parts by yourself would price an analogous quantity.. You may positively get lighter, and you’ll positively get cheaper, however Kammok has managed to discover a candy spot for all of the parts right here that we predict make for a compelling bundle.

What Different Hammocks Ought to You Think about?

Beneath are some comparable choices to the Mantis UL. For much more choices, try our full Information to the Greatest Hammocks for extra of our favorites.

Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip Overview: If the thought of an all-in-one hammock equipment is interesting however the worth of the Mantis UL continues to be a bit excessive, then Hennessey makes the perfect entry-level hammock equipment. It’s not going to be as snug or present the identical climate safety, however it’s made from high quality parts that ought to final a very long time, and it comes at an important worth. Hennessey charges their customary hammocks for heights as much as 6 ft. We predict that’s a bit beneficiant, so in the event you’re on the sting we’d advocate bumping as much as the XL dimension.

Warbonnet Blackbird Overview: For our favourite standalone hammock, the Warbonnet Blackbird does loads 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 perfect standalone hammock to start out with, even when it does command a premium worth.