Gear Review: Kammock Hammock & Evo ProNest

Hanging Around with the ProNest and ROO 

Kammock (orange) and ProNest (blue) hang side by side

Hammocks have been on my radar for a little while now, but not always for camping. About 15 years ago I got a mexican style one as a gift and hung it on my front porch which faced west for lovely sunset views and general relaxing in warm weather. Eventually I moved to a less-hospitable place for a hammock, but never forgot at how wonderful a near-weightless nap can be. Fast forward a few years and hammocks became a popular trend on the backpacking scene with a number of options, including Hennessy, Clark and Warbonnet hammocks including fly for rain, bug nest, stogage underneath and more. And now, hammocks are back on the rise with brands like Eno & Kammock made for general use and relaxing while car camping, backpacking, climbing and whatever your outdoor pursuit preference.

Over the course of the summer, I had to chance to test out two hammocks, an Eno ProNest, and a Kammock Roo.

Kammock's Roo
Weight: 24oz
Size: 5'7 x 10'
Fabric: "Lunar Wave", Smooth, textured weave, has a bit of shine
Packing: Packs into it's own pocket/compression sack
Price: $99.00
Straps: Sold separately (more on that below)

Likes: Overall, I like the Roo very much for what I bought it for, casual hanging around for 2 people, on day hikes, backpacks, or just a day at the local park. This may be considered a single hammock for large or tall people, but for two smaller sized people like me and my BF, this is a great fit. But you pay for the extra fabric in weight: the Roo weighs about 2x the as much as the ProNest. However it's larger in all dimensions. Kammock only has one size, so if larger is better, than this may be a good fit for you. I like the feel of the fabric, different from the Enos as it has a textured, diamond weave. Its very comfy overall with plenty of extra fabric to wrap myself in or cooler days. It also works great if you lie on it width-wise, using it as a swing. The Carabiners are rather large on this hammock, which are attached to dyneema slings, one on each end.

What I don't like: Stuff pocket/compression sack. While its nice to be able to make it smaller by compressing it, the straps and buckles add unwanted weight and bulk.

Do-gooder effect: With every Roo purchase, Kammock & their partners Malaria No More provides Malaria treatment for 5 kids in Africa. Also, their unbleached paper product tags are have wildflower seeds in them that should sprout when you plant them in soil.

If and extra 2.25 lbs in your pack (including straps) makes you gasp with horror, read below for a lighter option.

Loving the Roo

Kammock's Roo is long and wide, great for couples or tall folks

Roo's diamond weave fabric

ENO ProNest
Weight: 12.8oz
Size: 4.6' x 8'
Fabric: Smooth, has a bit of shine
Packing: Packs into it's own pocket with drawstring
Price: $64.95
Straps: Sold separately (more on that below)

The ProNest is a better choice for smaller individuals or the lighter-weight backpacker/hammock lover who want to travel with a sub-2 lb hammock/strap system. The important details here are the lighter weight of the hammock parts and less fabric overall bring it to 1/2 the weight of the Roo. The size is truely a one-person hammock, so this won't do if you're trying to squeeze in two. The set up is very similar to the Roo, with 1 lighter, aluminum carabiner on each ends and a no-fuss pocket to stuff it into, helping with the lower overall weight.

Eno's ProNest is great for small individuals and weight-conscious relaxers.

Hammock Strap Options
For both models, the straps are sold separately. The nice thing about that is you can buy a ProNest Hammock, but use the Kammock Straps, as they all work interchangeably.

Kammock's Python Tree Straps
Weight: 12 oz
Size: 10' x .75"
Fabric: Silver UVA treated polyester
Weight bearing: 500lbs (250 each)
Cost: $29.00

While both strap systems are easy to use, but I like the way these are made (which may happen to add weight and strength). The strap is made of two dyneema webbing straps sewn together as small points (they call this tubular webbing), allowing for many loops to clip into (vs extra loops sewn into each strap). It does make for a bulkier strap, but I also think it makes for more clipping options, 18 in all, and adds strength. It also has reflective strip sewn in, a nice thing at night when you're wandering back from the privy. Overall this is the heavier strap system by 4oz, they are a bit longer as well.

Roo's Clip system and built-in dyneema slings

Eno's Slap Strap Pro
Weight: 8 oz
Size: 9.4' x .75"
Fabric: Black, UVA treated Nylon
Weight bearing: 400 lbs
Cost: $24.95

I haven't experienced any problems with these in the short time I've used them, but there are many complaints online about nylon stretch with longer durations, so that the hammock needs adjustment overnight or after long periods of use. So this is something to consider when buying straps, as you may find yourself waking up very hanging low to the ground. These are 2 ft longer than the original Slap Straps, a big improvement on length, and the strap stuff sac is very simple and low weight with just a drawstring closure. Overall the straps are lighter 4 oz lighter, $5 cheaper, a few inches shorter, and are rated 100 lbs lower than the Pythons.

Perfect Combo?
Depends on what floats your boat...combination and weights:

Eno ProNest + SlapStraps Pro = 1.25 lbs.
If you're looking for a inexpensive system, a snug fit, and the lightest system between the two, this might be the best bet, though complaints about the straps linger online.

Eno ProNest + Kammock Python Straps = 1.55 lbs. 
Maybe a better choice for lightweight hammock lovers (due to the strap)

Kammock Roo + SlapStraps Pro = 2.0 lbs.
For a larger hammock with lighter, yet stretchy straps.

Kammock Roo + Kammock Python Straps = 2.25 lbs
For a larger hammock and longer straps that no one complains about.

One more: Eno also makes a DoubleNest, which is just a hair shy less in weight than the Roo at 22 oz and one foot wider at 6.6' x 9.8' for only $69.95. While I haven't tried it, it sounds like it might be the best double hammock option of all.

Both hammocks were bough with the reviewer's own money. We are not endorsed in any way by either Kammock or Eno.