Grand Trunk Ultralight Review
Our Rating: 4.3/5
When you are ready to go camping, but you want to travel light, a great option is the Grand Trunk UltraLight Hammock. It is constructed of durable polyester that is comfortable for extended nights under the stars, or a quick nap on the trail. It packs down only 12 ounces so that you can take it anywhere.
It is an easy to hang hammock with included “S” hooks, plus it is mildew resistant with a quick dry design that can be quickly thrown into the washing machine. It is an excellent choice when you are heading out on your next hike or camping trip for an easy way to get a little sleep along the way.
Key Features
- Measures 9 1/2 feet long by 4 1/2 feet wide, only weighs 12 ounces and can support up to 200 pounds.
- Constructed of polyester taffeta with triple-stitched seams that increase its durability
- Is mildew resistant and machine washable
- Includes an attached stuff sack for easy storage
- Comes with a manufacturer’s two-year warranty
Category Scores
PROs
- Very light, affordable, and easy to hang and pack
- Comfortable and lightweight, plus the stuff sack is sewn to hammock
CONs
- Does not come with straps, and the “S” hooks are heavy
- Has a cheap and short suspension, material is thin
Hands-on Review
With the weight of a bottle of beer, the Grand Trunk Ultralight is a lightweight and affordable travel hammock that is super easy to put up, and it is very portable. It is constructed of durable polyester taffeta that is machine washable and mildew resistant.
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Many find it is much more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, and you know you are securely attached with strong “S” hooks and triple-stitched seams. It measures out to 9 ½ feet long and 4 ½ feet wide, and it can hold up to 200 pounds.
Comfort
The Grand Trunk Ultralight is ideal if you are camping in a warm and dry location. It has a length of 9 ½ feet, so it is long enough to suit an average camper, but it only measures 4 ½ feet wide, so it might be a little narrow for some people’s comfort.
The polyester isn’t the most comfortable fabric, but if you are on a budget, it works well. Reviewers have reported preferring sleeping in the Grand Trunk Ultralight over a sleeping bag on the ground stating that if you sleep in it diagonally, you will have a perfect fit.
If you are dressed appropriately, you will find that the hammock and a Mylar blanket are enough for temperatures in the low 50s. Also, if you find yourself in a light rain, just use a waterproofing spray and wrap yourself up well to stay dry.
Weight
This is an awesome, well-made lightweight hammock that only weighs twelve ounces including the “S” clips. That is the same weight as a bottle of beer, and it packs down smaller than a football.
To bring the weight down further, you can find a lighter alternative to the Grand Trunks “S” hooks; which weigh an ounce each. There are some available from competitors companies, as well as Grand Trunk, but you will find that they are significantly smaller.
The suspension system does add some weight to the hammock making the overall total weight come in at 16 ounces, which is still not a heavy weight for a great lightweight hammock.
Versatility
The Grand Trunk Ultralight is best when used for camping trips in the warm season. It can be taken on any trip where you have the ability to anchor it to something. It’s perfect for camping, day hikes, rock climbing, and any trip where you know you will have downtime.
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If it is buggy or there is poor weather, it is not an excellent choice, nor is it good for more than one person. It is also not good to use with a sleeping bag, and larger campers may feel cramped. You can also use it for midday naps or just as a place to sit up off the ground.
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Ease of Set Up
The Grand Trunk Ultralight hammock is very easy to set up. The polyester hammock is 114″ long and 54″ wide and weighs 12 ounces, which includes the two “S” hooks. The hammock’s suspension involves two ropes, with one on each side, with two knots that are tied into them.
You will find that in most setup situations, the cordelette will be too short, so it will be necessary to purchase additional accessories to create a sling or suspension system to hang the hammock.
There are a couple of options that will give you more length for anchors that are farther apart. These options are a little more involved and require a few accessories.
One route is to purchase a pair of tree straps, or thick rope will work as well. You will have about six feet of the strap with a loop on the end that will attach to the “S” hook on the hammock rope.
Another option is to purchase about 50’ of Paracord, cut it half, tie knots approximately six inches apart to make a loop, and then pass the rope end through the loop.
The stuff sack is a great addition that works as a pocket when the hammock is hanging and then as a storage bag when you are carrying it. It can fit inside a Nalgene bottle; it is so compact. The small size of the hammock also makes it easy to fit a wide variety of branches and anchors widening your choice of anchors.
Durability
The Grand Trunk Ultralight has a very robust design for the price. It may seem a little flimsy at first, but it is a sturdy hammock that easily holds an average-sized camper without showing signs of wear. If you are just starting out with hammock camping, this is a great option, to begin with, and it is very easy to set up with the right hardware.
Polyester is not as strong as parachute nylon, the most common material used in making hammocks, so many have questioned how the Grand Trunk Ultralight would hold up with extended use. Despite those concerns, the polyester has been found to be very sturdy, and the triple stitching does hold up well. After continued use, there were some signs of fraying on the stitching at each gathering point, but the hammock strength itself was not affected, and the product continued to perform well.
The hang lines and “S” hooks are also very sturdy even though the “S” hooks do not have gates. This has concerned some users who believed that the hammock would easily come off the rope. This has not been the case as even the weight of the light hammock is enough to make sure it continues to hang. If this does become an issue, it is possible to replace the “S” hooks with carabiners or use Paracord strap to help with setup.
Even though it is durable, it is a thin ultralight hammock, so you do need to make sure to take care of it. Many people have gotten many years of use out of their hammocks. If you can protect it from fires and sharp objects, you should be okay.
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Best Applications
The Grand Trunk Ultralight is a great hammock for anyone interested in getting a taste for hammocks on hikes and camping trips or a camper or hiker on a budget. It is affordable, lightweight, and very compact.
If you are a camper or hiker on a budget that prefers a simple setup, this is a great option as long as your plan on using it in warmer weather. You also need to make sure you don’t expect rain, and that you will be camping or hiking where there are trees.
Technical Specifications
| Best Use | Casual |
|---|---|
| Unfolded Dimensions | 114 x 54 inches |
| Folded Dimensions | 9 x 7 inches |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 250 pounds |
| Material(s) | Parachute nylon |
| Weight | 12 ounces |
Value
Grand Trunk has produced a great value hammock for the price. It does have some limitations in size; however, we believe it is more than worth the great price with its compact and lightweight design. Whether you are on a budget or would like to take it on your next camping trip and just try it out for fun, it is a steal for around $20.
Alternatives
BEST DOUBLE HAMMOCK
ENO DoubleNest
The Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest is a great compact and lightweight hammock that is a comfortable hammock for two people. It has an integrated compression strap and lightweight aluminum carabiners that easily fit inside the stuff sack.
This is a great option for those that need more room than a single hammock. The DoubleNest is made of parachute nylon and weighs 20 ounces. It measures 6′ 2″ wide, so it gives you plenty of space and comfort. The materials work well in rough conditions, but some users have found a few small tears after a few uses.
The DoubleNest can safely hold up to 400 pounds, and it features 70D high tenacity breathable nylon taffeta, plus stitching that is triple interlocking. However, you need to purchase the hammock suspension straps separately. It is lightweight and easy to carry. It is compact enough to easily place into the attached stuff sack which makes it approximately the size of a grapefruit.
It also has an easy setup with the included aluminum wiregate carabiners and nautical grade line lets you safely secure the hammock poles, boat masts, and trees. Like the Grand Trunk Ultralite, the DoubleNest is perfect for camping, hiking, traveling, boating, or relaxing in the backyard.
BEST ULTRALIGHT HAMMOCK
Grand Trunk Nano 7
The Grand Trunk Nano 7 is another lightweight and easy-to-store and carry hammock. This is a great ultralight set-up that weighs a mere 7 ounces and packs up into the size of a baseball. It includes light wire-gate carabiners, and it is a great addition to camping or backpacking trips when you have little space, and you don’t want to add to the weight of your gear.
This is also a pretty durable hammock under all types of conditions, and it can be used out in the woods on a camping trip or for when you want to relax in the backyard.
The Grand Trunk Nano 7 is the lightest hammock on today’s market, but it is still durable with a 300-pound weight capacity, and it is constructed with Ripstop nylon construction that has triple-stitched seams on all its weight-bearing points. It also comes with two lightweight carabiners to make hanging the hammock a breeze. Like the Grand Trunk Ultralight, the Grand Trunk Nano 7 is ideal for long hikes, camping, or just relaxing in your backyard.
BEST STORMPROOF HAMMOCK
Hennessy Expedition Asym
The Hennessy Expedition Asym is one of the few models that come with both an integrated bug net and a rain fly. This makes the Hennessey Expedition Asym incredibly versatile. It is also heavier than the other models, and it has fewer features.
It is made of 210D nylon which is a very burly fabric and contributes to its 41-ounce weight, so it is a lot heavier than the Grand Trunk Ultralight. If you are headed out to a wetter climate for camping, the Hennessy Expedition Asym is not only very durable but has the included rain fly to keep you dry.
This extra stormproof feature adds a lot to the comfort of the Hennessy Expedition Asym, but its asymmetrical design also makes it extremely comfortable to sleep in. It has the same guy lines as the Warbonnet Blackbird, but it does not have the foot box. It also features a zippered bug net that has the unique quality of being able to pull it away from the field of view so you can look up at the nighttime sky.