Thin fabric, good sleep: my six nights in a hammock
5.7.2023
Translation: Katherine Martin
Hovering between two trees, gently swaying in the wind, falling into a blissful slumber – that’s my dream of spending a night under the stars. It’s a dream I’ve never been able to fulfil – until now. And it’s all thanks to the Eno Sub6 hammock.
A seven-day kayak tour of a Swedish archipelago. That’s seven days of beautiful, forest-covered islands, a whole lot of water – and a ton of mosquitoes and ants.
The trip came about as part of my training to become an outdoor guide, the week of kayaking forming the final module of my qualification. By the time it was over, I’d have spent a total of almost 30 days and nights in the open air – in the mountains, by rivers, in the snow and rain. And all with no tent. This time, I was due to sleep both on and by the sea.
We – a group of 22 outdoor- and sports enthusiasts – wanted to paddle through the Östergötland Archipelago from one island to another, always setting up camp for the night in a new place. With this in mind, I brought along as little equipment as possible. After all, everything we needed for those seven days, including food and water, had to be able to fit inside the kayaks.
Having a hammock to hand seemed like sheer luxury. On my previous multi-day trips, I’d almost always had to leave my hammocks behind. They were either too heavy, too bulky or too uncomfortable. Stumbling across Eagle Nest Outfitters’ Eno Sub6 hammock on a visit to the Outdoor by ISPO exhibition, the product seemed not to have these drawbacks. There was only one thing for it: it had to come to Sweden with me.
Source: Siri Schubert
Small, light yet strong enough to take my weight
At 165 grammes, the Eno Sub6 hammock is extremely lightweight. The integrated stuff sack means it can be stored in a compact way. I also brought along an Eno Helios suspension system an Eno Guardian SL mosquito net. After all, I didn’t fancy being tortured all night by the bloodthirsty pests that hang around near water.
Source: Siri Schubert
However, I wasn’t entirely convinced that the thin, lightweight fabric of the hammock, so delicate to the touch, could hold me up. The manufacturer, on the other hand, says the Eno Sub6 is suitable for people weighing up to 136 kilogrammes. That’s well over double my weight. At 270 centimetres long and 120 centimetres wide, it’s spacious and allows you to sleep diagonally.
When we arrived on the island on the first evening, everybody on the course rushed out to find a suitable place to sleep. I had a precise idea of what I wanted: somewhere close to the water, with two sturdy trees about 4 to 6 metres apart. I soon found what I was looking for and set about hanging up my bed.
Unpacking the straps, I was hit by a moment of shock. Where in the world were all the carabiners? After all, most suspension systems need them for connecting the hammock to the straps. Then came the aha moment – aluminium toggles and tightly woven loops keep the connection in place. I was able to hang the bed in a matter of minutes and saved myself the weight of the extra carabiners.
Source: Siri Schubert
Another feature I’m a big fan of is the suspension system. It can be adjusted with just a simple pull on the Dyneema cords (a high-performance material also used in helicopter ropes and climbing gear). This way, you can adjust the height and tension to your needs. Just don’t tie the cords too tightly – otherwise they’ll be really difficult to open again.
Hopping in to give it a trial run confirms the hammock is stable and very spacious. The thing I particularly love is that the set-up isn’t a drawn-out process – which is more than can be said for a lot of other hammocks. When the fabric stretches, many hammocks quickly take on a strong banana shape. I find that uncomfortable. Because of the 30D Diamond Ripstop nylon, the Eno Sub6 doesn’t warp as much, and holds its shape well – at least at my weight.
Protective mosquito net with a very small entrance
Before nightfall on day one, I set up the mosquito net, which goes over the hammock like a cover. Again, I was met with some well-conceived details. The net’s upper suspension cord is integrated and can be easily attached to the hammock’s suspension system. This way, the net is kept far enough away from your head and body, while even mosquitoes with long proboscises have no chance.
Source: Siri Schubert
In my view, the zip door is far too small. With a bit of wriggling around, it’s only just enough for me (164 centimetres tall) to get in without contorting my body too dramatically. Someone with longer legs, however, might find climbing into the hammock and under the net challenging.
Source: Siri Schubert
Extra insulation improves comfort
My first night was a success, and I woke up refreshed, with no tightness in my muscles. The nights that followed, which were a little windier, were pleasant too. As is the case when sleeping in any hammock, the wind was a bit nippy when coming up from below. That’s why I popped a sleeping mat into the hammock – the Therm-a-Rest Z-lite Sol, to be exact. Unlike with more expensive, usually heavier hammocks, there’s no slide-in compartment for the sleeping mat. Despite this, the mat didn’t slip out from under me during the night. I brought the Therm-a-Rest Vesper UL quilt along with me as a blanket, which I’ll review another time. Using the sleeping mat and quilt, I slept really comfortably despite the wind, high humidity and cool evening temperatures.
Source: Claudio Ferrari
As the Eno Sup6 and suspension system are extremely lightweight and easy to transport and install, it’s also suitable for shorter trips, be it when kayaking or hiking. I also see a benefit for families with children. While the parents unpack the picnic, the little ones can relax on the hammock.
I, for one, slept really well on my kayaking trip. On the final evening, I found a particularly beautiful place to sleep. From my cocoon among the trees, I looked out over the smoothly polished rocks and out to sea.
Floating between sleep and wakefulness, I thought about my eventful week – the wind and the waves between the islands, learning and cooking together with my group, the nighttime kayaking sessions. There was also the lovely award ceremony, where two fellow course participants (who’d also completed their final module) and I were presented with our outdoor guide certificates. It was the last of the many nights I’d spent outdoors during the course. The gentle sway of the hammock reminded me of a lot of things that had been in motion during that time, but it still gave me a sense of safety and security.
Header image: Claudio Ferrari
Siri Schubert
Senior Editor
Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.chResearch diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.
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