Best Hammock Awards Released by OutdoorGearLab.com

April 19, 2014 - PRLog -- OutdoorGearlab, a widely respected website that specializes in thorough comparison reviews of outdoor gear, recently updated the hammock review for 2014 with an emphasis on camping specific products. This review expands on the previous review, which only compared a few models and was mostly focused on models best for travel. In this new review, twelve popular and top-selling products were selected, and then were brought on camping and backpacking trips around the desert of the southwest, Joshua Tree National Park, and through Yosemite National Park. The lead tester, Greg Davis, set each one up, took each one down, slept in them all, and scored each model on comfort, weight, protection and durability, ease of set-up, and versatility. He analyzed which versions are best for lounging at camp and which models make for comfortable and protective backcountry set-ups. After careful evaluation, Davis selected four winners, including Editors' Choice, a best value winner, and two for specific applications.

Read the full comparison review here:

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hammock-Reviews

And the winners are:

Warbonnet Blackbird: Editors' Choice Winner

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hammock-Reviews/Warbonnet-Blackbird

The Warbonnet Blackbird receives props from Davis for being the most comfortable for backcountry camping. It has many luxury features such as a double floor to keep a sleeping pad in place, a storage shelf, an asymmetrical design with a footbox, and an included bug net. This product also comes with many purchase options to allow for customized performance. It can be purchased with two different fabric thicknesses, with or without the double floor, and with different set-up accessories. A lighter fabric can be selected by a weight concious backpacker, and the thicker material can be chosen by the customer who wants the most durable and long-lasting product available. Davis concludes that this is the most comfortable choice for extended backpacking trips.

Grand Trunk Ultralight: Best Buy Winner

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hammock-Reviews/Grand-Trunk-Ultralight

For around $20, this product is an excellent value for a customer new to camping in a hammock and who would like to try it out with minimal investment. An introductory model made of polyester, and that only weighs 12 ounces, Davis notes that this is the perfect product for a shopper on a budget and also works well for just lounging around camp or in the backyard. Davis does not think the Grand Trunk Ultralight is comfortable for more than one night in a row, but it is adequate for one night or an afternoon.

Grand Trunk Double: Top Pick Winner for Best Double

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hammock-Reviews/Grand-Trunk-Double

Davis states that many users will enjoy the roominess of double sized models. The spaciousness allows for the camper to cocoon into the material and feel protected, and also easily fits a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Davis found that no double models comfortably sleep two people, but two can easily sit and lounge in one. He found the Grand Trunk Double to be excellent for sleeping, lounging, or sharing with a friend for a short while. Out of three tested double-sized models, the favorite was the Grand Trunk Double, which is made from slightly stretchy parachute nylon, has a low weight, and comes with accessory cord and carabiners included.

Grand Trunk Nano 7: Top Pick Winner for Ultralight Backpacking

http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Hammock-Reviews/Grand-Trunk-Nano-7

Many backpackers choose a hammock because it is comfortable, provides a unique three-hundred- and -sixty degree view, and reduces pack weight and bulk. For backpackers especially concerned with weight, there are several ultralight models, the Grand Trunk Nano 7 being the lightest in Davis's test. At only seven ounces, this model is extremely light, compacts to the size of a baseball, and very easy to bring along on a fast trip. Davis notes that it lacks the comfort of the backcountry oriented products, but for the weight conscious consumer, it can't be beat.

The complete review provides details on twelve tested models and compares the price versus value for each one. The review is complemented with a buying advice article that explains in detail how to choose the most appropriate product for camping and what important factors should be considered. In this article, Davis also offers tips on how to most comfortably set-up and sleep in a product of this type. He explains why a customer would want to trade in a traditional tent for this type of unique sleeping experience on his or her next backpacking trip.

OutdoorGearLab, LLC is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The company's mission is to solve purchasing decisions by creating the world’s best outdoor gear reviews, using comparison as a secret ingredient. The website, www.outdoorgearlab.com, is a free resource for outdoors enthusiasts who frequently engage in activities such as hiking, backpacking, climbing, biking, skiing, running, and camping. The team performs rigorous head-to-head tests of gear and apparel in different categories and publishes the results in comprehensive reviews illustrated with photos. Each product is scored across a range of weighted categories relevant to its use, competing products are then ranked, and awards are given to the highest scoring and top-performing models.