REVIEW: Kammok Mantis hammock
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- I had an opportunity to try out my new Kammok Mantis hammock during my Super Cub camping trip at Ratcliff Lake. This system is excellent, and it packs down into its own captive drybag that measures 8" long and 6" diameter, and it weighs only 2 pounds 12 ounces. So, it's very motorcycle-friendly. It comes complete with everything you need for a warm-weather sleep system:
- hammock with a built-in bug net,
- rain cover (tarp with an integrated ridgeline and guy-out lines),
- tree straps,
- and stakes for the guy lines.
I am very impressed with the hammock so far. It has plenty of room for someone under 6' tall to sleep comfortably in a diagonal-lay in either direction (left or right). There are side "wings" that have storage pockets to hold small items, and there are multiple tie-down loops placed strategically around the perimeter for attaching other accessories. It also comes with an integrated, structural ridgeline that sets the "sag" of the hammock, and it also suspends the bug net far above your head to give extra room.
However, I'm not very impressed with the Python 10' tree straps that came with the kit because they are very stretchy. I had to adjust my clip points 3 times over about 12 hours because the hammock kept sagging too low and was nearly touching the ground. This was the first use of these straps, so perhaps they will finish stretching and work better on the next outing. If not, then they go to the junk pile, and I'll just use better straps from another one of my hammock kits.
Kammok Mantis tent:
kammok.com/pro...
Kammok Puffin pillow:
kammok.com/pro...
ENKEEO 2-in-1 Camping Lantern Bug Zapper Tent Light:
www.amazon.com...
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QM
quasimotard@gmail.com
#kammok #supercub #motocamping
Great walk through! I have set this hammock up several times. I think the reason why your hammock kept sliding is because of how far apart those trees are. What I mean is... the closer the trees are, your straps have more a 45 degree pitch. The straps bite better on the tree and doesn’t slip. I got the Mantis Ul, so the straps are different, but I do use the python as tree straps. Also had to ditch the tarp. Too small!! I got the Nemo 12x12 Bugout shelter. Sooooo good!!!
Thanks for the feedback! The Mantis is a good, fair weather hammock for my kit, and I've addressed some of its shortcomings. I replaced the Python straps with some Amsteel tree straps and homemade Amsteel UCR's from other kits, and that resolved the stretch issue. The trees in this outing were quite far apart (~24-26 feet), but I still experienced lots of stretch even in normal 15-20' hangs, so the Pythons had to go. You hit the second issue square on the head... the Mantis fly/tarp is too small for rain, and the line locks are a joke. You can watch a catastrophic failure of the tarp in my video here: ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html . The heavy storm winds allowed the tarp to slack and shift to open the foot of the hammock in that storm, so I was quite drenched. To be fair, most hammock gear would fail under those conditions, but that event really highlighted the deficiencies of the Mantis kit as it's delivered "out of the box". Cheers! 👍 --QM
@@QuasiMotard Had same issue in Charles Deam Wilderness last week. Matter of fact, bought Kammok's Kuhli Pro tarp this week and received it today. IT IS A MAJOR UPGRADE! I've been using the Mantis now for almost a year, absolutely love it. However the biggest issue for me is the tarp cordage. Numerous times in wind, especially last week, had about 35 mph winds, didn't have the stakes cemented in with rocks, and big wind gust completely uprooted the states, bad news for me, since I was near a briar bush, and had a tough time, in the wind with the tarp tangled in the bush, and the knotless system quickly turned into a knotted mess. The gripe I have is the cordage will get all twisted up in the stuff sack if you don't tie them down beforehand. I got tired of it. The Kuhli pro provides pockets to stuff the cordage in, which is a HUGE value add. Not sure why Kammok doesn't add this feature on their base Kuhli tarp that comes with the Mantis. One key point I learned from last week's experience. There are storm configurations for this tarp and the Pro version. Had I know that, would have been very helpful against the wind and horizontal rain. Oh well, big part, is always learning, and that I did. It really is a great hammock tent and love the 3-1 system. While all my other hiking hangers are messing with tying knots and added weight and volume, I pull this badboy out and set it up within minutes.
The Kammok Kuhli Pro is the way to go! Just as good as the Nemo tarp.
@@coachwidereceivers557 Thanks for the tip! I will check out that tarp because I really like the Mantis... it's just the tarp that is a big letdown. I had a catastrophic failure of the tarp and lines in a nasty thunderstorm in Oklahoma. You can watch that fiasco here if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html . After that trip, I had to re-rig all of the tarp lines with Zing-it and small Nite-Ize Figure-9's for the locks.
I recently got the Kammok Sunda 2 as an early project backer, and that is a very nice system. It's bulkier and heavier than the Mantis, but it seems to be nearly bulletproof. The tarp is integrated into the hammock/tent body, so it's very waterproof. I will be taking the Sunda 2 on my 9200+ mile trip around the country on my Super Cub this July for the Scooter Cannonball Run. We plan to motocamp over 90% of the trip, so I'll be putting the Sunda through lots of abuse... we'll see how it holds up! Cheers! 👍 --QM
I've had the same problem with stretch in the straps. Debating adding a whoppie sling so at least adjustability is easier.
Thanks for the feedback! I ditched those Python straps after this trip and replaced them with a set of Sierra Madre Research Talon straps (cinch buckle style): sierramadreresearch.com/collections/hammock-accessories/products/talon-suspension . The Talon straps consume roughly the same space in the pack, but they are lighter and MUCH stronger than the Pythons. They're made from flat Amsteel/Dyneema strap, so they have virtually zero stretch.
I also have a set of shorter UCR's (universal constrictor rope, similar to whoopie slings) and Dyneema tree straps that I built for another ultralight hammock setup. You can find more information on the UCR's here if you're interested: ruclips.net/video/W-_qsRXXLsU/видео.html , or ruclips.net/video/ryrXxv7XuBU/видео.html . I pack those whenever I really need to save weight. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM
Never had a problem with sagging with my python straps. 235 lbs.
been to ratcliff lake, gotta watch out for Bigfoot there. , he'll sneak right into your camp at night.
Would a side sleeper rest easy ,and flatish in this?
That's a great question! It all depends if you can get a good diagonal-lay with enough angle to flatten out. If you're under 5' 10", then I'd say yes. I'm 5' 7" and I can sleep on my side comfortably with a slight bend in my knees. Taller people probably woudn't be able to stretch diagonally enough to flatten-out.
If you're a tall person and want a REALLY comfortable flat-lay hammock, then you might look at the Sierra Madre Research Ninox FlatLay hammock: sierramadreresearch.com/pages/ninox-flatlay-hammock . The entire kit with the tarp and other stuff gets expensive, but it's an amazing sleep system. I have a dual-layer Ninox that's amazing. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM
Would you recommend this set up or their double roo with the dragonfly net?
Great question! I prefer jungle hammocks with built-in nets because they require less setup time and fiddling with equipment. I live in the south where biting insects are a constant, so it's rare for me to not need the bug net.
The rain fly for this Mantis hammock has been improved since the version that I have, so it reportedly works better than this original tarp. Watch this video for an example of the tarp failure: ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html (skip to 4m 25s).
The Mantis is a superb motocamping hammock. It's lightweight and very compact, so it can stow almost anywhere... panniers, back seat, backpack, under a scooter seat, etc. However, I'm not a fan of the included Python 10 straps that are included in this kit. I upgraded mine to stronger Dyneema straps that don't stretch. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM
If the hammock is sagging why not just connect on a different loop closer to the tree on the strap?
The straps were already stretched tight because of the hammock's integrated ridgeline. The Python straps have too much stretch in them for long hangs. I have replaced them with some adjustable Amsteel suspension, and it works much better. The hammock itself doesn't stretch very much, so I'm pleased with it for fair weather outings. The rain fly (tarp) doesn't work well in inclement weather, so that's a limiting factor for 3-season use ( ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html ). Cheers! 👍 --QM
Researching these types of hammocks and someone vent fact that the fly barely covers the ants so if it was raining and it was coming in potentially get in or what your under quilt would you agree?
The Kammok's rain fly is decent, but it doesn't offer a lot of extra coverage for rain storms. The biggest problem that I've had with the fly is with the weak line locks... they loosen up in the rain and wind, so the tarp shifts and allows rain to come in at the ends. See this video for an extreme example: ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html
Otherwise, the hammock has performed very well and I'm pleased with it. I upgraded the tree straps to something that's less stretchy. I also carry several small Nite-Ize Figure-9 carabiners to use as line locks for the tarp adjusters. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM
@@QuasiMotard cool thank you. This is all new to me and I wanna do motorcycle camping but the options are overwhelming and I do not know which is the best hammock or tree hammock. 😵💫
There might be an issue with your method with the sagging issue. Any luck rectifying that?
Thanks for watching! I'm not a fan of the Kammok Python straps because they are very stretchy; I have two sets of them, and both exhibit the same sag/stretch problem. I have replaced those straps with the Sierra Madre Research Talon straps that are constructed from AmSteel... they don't stretch at all... very consistent and predicable hangs every time. You can see a brief overview in a recent video that I posted here: ruclips.net/video/NjwKSry7N2s/видео.html . Cheers! 😉👍 --QM
Where’s your light/bug zapper from?
I ordered that from Amazon, but it doesn't seem to be available anymore: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071J43PRT . That product page does have several other suggested items that are similar, though. Cheers! 👍 --QM
Is this a good hammock system for backpacking?
I haven't used this system for backpacking, but that is its original purpose. The pack size and weight is very good for its feature set. There are certainly lighter, more expensive units on the market, but this is a good all-in-one solution for under $225. Winter insulation will be necessary for the colder months, and the included straps (Talon 10') aren't the best, but those are easy items to remedy.
However, the Mantis doesn't fare well in high winds or heavy rains. You can watch my next review of the Mantis before a huge storm here: ruclips.net/video/OAgUY3tgy0U/видео.html , and then during a severe thunderstorm when the tarp and lines failed: ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html . I have since replaced the stretchy straps with some Amsteel whoopie-slings, and I keep a set of 6 Nite-Ize quick-tensioners to supplement the weak factory line locks. Cheers! 😉👍 --QM
do mosquitos bite through the bottom of the hammock?
I haven't noticed any problem with bite-thru, but I usually have an insulated sleeping pad or underquilt beneath me. The insulation probably prevents most of that possibility. The hammock is only a single layer, so I guess that determined bloodsuckers could bite through it. I also use a pair of extra thin nylon socks to close up those holes near the ends of the hammock near the ridgeline to prevent critters from getting in there. 👍 --QM
Is it a symmetrical lay?
Yes, the hammock has a symmetric cut. I forgot to state that specifically in the video, but near the end I mentioned that I slept both directions without any issues. You can check out two more recent videos of mine with this hammock. This one is a more detailed view ruclips.net/video/OAgUY3tgy0U/видео.html , and the next video is later that night when I was clobbered by a severe thunderstorm ruclips.net/video/ryCHfZdFNGE/видео.html . The tarp failed under the high winds and rain, so I'm not sure how well it will work under less severe rain conditions. Cheers! 👍 --QM