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The most popular styles of hammock on the market are made of parachute nylon, a slightly stretchy and durable material, and of the parachute hammocks we tested none were as light as the ENO Pronest, at 13 ounces. While durable, it is not as spacious or comfortable as the double hammocks, so larger sleepers may want to upgrade to the ENO DoubleNest for more space. The Pronest comes with high quality aluminum carabiners and packs to a very compact 4" by 4" pouch. While we gave the Top Pick award for best ultralight hammock to the Grand Trunk Nano 7, the Pronest is a less expensive, close runner-up.
REASONS TO BUY
Light weight
Durable
Compact
REASONS TO AVOID
Small and uncomfortable
Discontinued
As of November 2016, the ProNest has been discontinued. When we contacted ENO, they recommended checking out their TechNest or Sub7 models. While these hammocks don't replace the model we tested here, ENO suggests checking them out if you are looking for a lightweight hammock alternative to the ProNest.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The ENO Pronest has the distinction of being the lightest parachute nylon hammock in our test. Those who prefer this fabric and who want to limit ounces in their pack will come to appreciate the Pronest's compact size and light weight, however, we feel the miniscule space it provides limits its comfort, and we wouldn't recommend this product to larger campers.
Performance Comparison
The Grand Trunk Nano (left) and ENO Pronest (right) are the two ultralight single hammock competitors. They are both small and light enough to be added to a pack without much thought.
Credit: Greg Davis
Comfort
The comfort of the ENO Pronest is comparable to other singles in the same light weight category; not particularly great. While comfort is subjective, we found that most testers could nap or spend an occasional night in this hammock, but an extended trip with multiple nights in it would not be ideal. Finding a good angle and hang without the feet falling out was often a challenge.
Weight
At 13oz, this hammock is the lightest parachute nylon version tested. However, we feel that the extra weight savings are not worth the drastic cuts to the size of the hammock, as there are diminishing returns. For a handful of ounces more, an upgrade can be made to the Grand Trunk Single, which is the most spacious single hammock we tested. That being said, for those looking for an extremely compact and lightweight hammock for ultralight backpacking, this is the best parachute nylon option on the market.
The ENO Pronest (left) is lighter, though it does not compress as small as the ENO SingleNest (center). The Grand Trunk Single (right) is the heaviest and bulkiest of the Single Parachute Hammocks tested but it is also the most spacious and comfortable.
Credit: Greg Davis
Versatility
This hammock was the most useful when tested as a 'napper' or after very long days when sleeping in a smaller space was not as much of a problem. It is extremely versatile in the sense that, at roughly the size of a softball, it can be taken along on any day hike or traveling adventure. However as a camping hammock, it is not as versatile, and those in areas with bug problems or colder weather will find inadequate protection from nature.
Protection/Durability
Like all parachute nylon hammocks, the Pronest is wonderfully durable and the fabric protects fairly well from wind and light mist. Unless the camper is very small, there is a likelihood that feet or shoulders will be exposed and even a small breeze can be felt without a sleeping bag. The narrow build also means that there is insufficient space for much more than a summer bag and simple sleeping pad.
Ease of Set-up
The ENO Pronest comes equipped with high quality aluminum wire gate carabiners in place of cord at the gather points.
Credit: Greg Davis
ENO includes light weight aluminum carabiners with each hammock, however no straps are included. While the Slap Strap set is a great upgrade, a camper investing in a 13 ounce hammock will likely want to get thinner nylon straps or webbing elsewhere, as the Slap Straps weigh almost the weight of the hammock itself. So make note that an additional suspension system needs to be purchased, and this will add cost and weight to the overall set-up. Shorter hammocks can set up between trees that are closer together, and the Pronest is the shortest single we tried, at 8 feet long.
Best Applications
This hammock is designed for ultralight backpackers looking to bivy in warm weather. It excels in situations where every ounce counts and the gear must be durable.
Value
While the Grand Trunk Nano 7, our Top Pick ultralight hammock, was far lighter, the ENO Pronest comes at an attractive price of $64.95. This is comparable to other parachute nylon hammocks on the market that are not marketed as ultralight.
Conclusion
Even as subjective a merit as comfort can be, we feel that the ENO Pronest was not a very comfortable hammock nor light enough to beat the Grand Trunk Nano 7 for our Top Pick ultralight option. A great middle-of-the-road hammock, it doesn't stand out in any application but is decent enough at everything to be considered by those looking to have the lightest, most durable gear available.
