Dutchware Chameleon Hammock Assessment | 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 glorious livability. We examined the usual hammock physique paired with an upgraded symmetrical bug internet 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 received in any hammock.

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

We discovered only a few complaints when testing within the forests of Minnesota. We want it had inside pockets as customary, 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 superb stability for options and luxury that ought to enchantment to many. It’s a bit an excessive amount of of a jack-of-all-trades choice to earn our prime advice, however we all know that gained’t deter the individuals who fall in love with all the options of this glorious hammock.

Consolation

The very best testing anecdote to share in regards to the Chameleon is that when our 5’9” tester laid in it for the primary time, their response was, “That is extra comfy than my new mattress.” No doubt, the Chameleon provides prime notch consolation. Each one in all our testers thought it carried out glorious in that class. The beneficiant dimensions are among the many largest we examined, enabling a pleasant, diagonal sleeping place. Curiously, once we measured the ridgeline size, we discovered it to be slightly longer than the said 83% size of the hammock physique, coming in at round 86%. We gained’t argue with the outcomes; that is clearly a successful technique for Dutchware.

When testing this mannequin within the forests of Minnesota, we stored coming again to lounge in it, having fun with the smooth cloth and particularly the spreader bar on the bug internet. A spreader bar is a semi-flexible rod that attaches to a sleeve within the bug internet and pulls open the netting to extend inside area. We’ll focus on 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 strong as effectively. With that massive spreader bar, we didn’t wrestle with mesh netting getting within the face or discovering place; every thing simply labored effectively.

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 from, though the Dutchware web site does make it as easy as doable. 

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 internet utilizing single layer Hexon 1.0 cloth, and it will likely 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, strong prime cowl, two enormous facet pockets, plus a peak shelf, and it’ll nonetheless solely be 33.3 ounces. Dutchware isn’t the one firm that provides customization, however they do supply 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, however it does strike a stability of what we predict most individuals are in search of in a premium hammock. That features a symmetrical bug internet with a spreader bar and a single layer physique. The spreader bar is a singular design in three tent-pole-like sections. Though it’s positively light-weight it additionally feels slightly bit cumbersome. To be able to insert it into the bug internet, 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 will 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 enormously 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 facet pulls with a really intelligent LineLoc design that works rather well. Due to how efficient the spreader bar is, these aren’t strictly obligatory, however for a light-weight setup with out the spreader bar utilizing an asymmetrical bug internet, the facet pulls would make an enormous 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 further twine 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 mild, so it’s simpler to inform which one to drag. They’re additionally grippy with out being too lengthy and dangly. The detachable bug internet makes use of a toothy zipper as a substitute of a coil zipper for improved sturdiness and ease of zipping. We expect that is particularly essential for environments with quite a lot 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 for the reason that level of the Chameleon is to present add-ons for the options you need, however inside pockets make such an enormous enchancment to livability that we miss them. Plus, add-on pockets value extra and weigh extra.

Weight

Because of the light-weight supplies and high quality development, the Chameleon is true 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 will 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 internet and spreader bar, is an effective center floor for individuals who need to prioritize consolation slightly extra.

Ease of Use

With two fastened loops, good {hardware}, and a easy design, the Chameleon makes setup simple. The toothy zipper specifically even makes altering the bug internet 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 onerous to discover a extra versatile and full package deal than what the Chameleon provides. At first look it’s simply an ordinary hammock, however the extra we used it, the extra we realized how adaptable and effectively thought out the design is. Hats off to Dutchware for making one thing so good. Within the configuration we’ve got, it finally ends up being a little bit of a jack-of-all-trades possibility, however we predict it may very well be a grasp of practically any class we wished, from light-weight to heavy winter adventures.

The Chameleon is ideal for somebody who needs one hammock that may do all of it by swapping out equipment to suit totally different environments. That may positively come at a price; the mannequin we’ve got specced was the most costly in our lineup, and add-on value will increase shortly. If you already know what sort 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 fashion.

Total, some folks may favor 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 well worth the funding.

What Different Hammocks Ought to You Take into account?

See our different favourite hammocks in our information to the very best tenting hammocks of the 12 months.

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

Hammock Gear Circadian Professional Assessment: 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 completely detachable bug internet and plenty of customization choices. If the texture of the Circadian Professional is extra interesting, we predict it’s a good selection too, even when the Chameleon is a greater normal advice.