Grand Trunk Double Review

There were several high quality double hammocks tested in our review, but we awarded our Top Pick to the Grand Trunk. Incredible durability, easy set-up, and extreme comfort defines this product, and every tester found it slept wonderfully. While the ENO DoubleNest is a bit lighter and smaller, and the Hammock Bliss Double is a touch wider, the Grand Trunk Double is the best of both worlds.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

A comfortable double hammock isn't just wide but also long, as the length adds room for feet while lying down or for a friend to sit beside you. No hammock reviewed gave as much space as the Grand Trunk Double, at 10 ft 5 in long. It is nearly as wide as the widest model, the Hammock Bliss Double, at 6 ft 5 in wide. The weight of the Grand Trunk Double is also fairly average at 20oz. Of all the doubles, this hammock sleeps the most comfortably. Even taller reviewers had no trouble lying down in this model. While we wouldn't actually recommend two people sleeping in any double hammock, a couple can very easily sit and enjoy the hammock together for a lounge session.

The size of the hammock easily worked with any sleeping pad, whether a thick inflatable version or a traditional foam model. There was enough material to wrap up in, but not so much as to get in the way. All-in-all it is a great option for either lounging or camping with low commitment and cost to the user.

Weight

There were three double hammocks we tested for this review, and while the 20oz Grand Trunk Double Parachute Hammock was the bulkiest, the included carabiner and cord meant that no more weight had to be added to set-up, what a backpacker refers to as “trail weight”. In actuality, the Grand Trunk Double is the lightest, least bulky hammock after the other doubles are stuffed with the necessary upgrades of a strap or carabiner. Those looking to save some bulk and who would be including their own unique strap/carabiner combination may prefer the ENO DoubleNest for it's compact size.

Versatility

One of the best things about the Grand Trunk Double is that it is equally at home in the backyard as in the backcountry. A family looking to have a hammock that the kids can play in can benefit from this product as well as a serious user looking for high-end camping gear. Of all the hammocks tested, this is the one we kept throwing in an overnight pack. Despite being considerably larger when packed than it's competitors the Hammock Bliss Double and ENO DoubleNest, there was always space to bring the hammock with on an adventure. In the end, the best way to tell if you like something is if it gets used, and we spent many nights in the Grand Trunk Double!

Protection/Durability

For someone looking to purchase a product that will last a long time, the Grand Trunk Double fits the bill. The durable parachute nylon has a small amount of stretch, allowing the material to give instead of tear as it encounters a sharp rock or stray branch. While testing hammocks in the desert, it was often difficult to keep them off stray brush or boulders, and we looked particularly closely at hammocks that were comfortable enough for camping to see if they stood up to reasonable wear and tear.

The longer and wider body allows extra material to be wrapped around the body, much more so than the Grand Trunk Single. While the Parachute Nylon is not insulated, a light layer against the skin in the event of a light breeze or rain can extend a nap well into more inclement weather. Before serious backcountry use we would recommend upgrading the hammock with a mosquito net and a rain fly, depending on the climate it will be used in. For quick trips in the southwest the Grand Trunk Double is more than adequate protection from the elements.

Ease of Set-up

Since it comes with a few extra carabiners and thin cord, this hammock can be used out of the package without the need to purchase straps or other accessories.

However, we always recommend using thicker webbing straps when wrapping trees. The included cord is great for extending an anchor or wrapping around a boulder or sturdy pole, but it is thin enough to damage fragile bark. When hanging on a tree we made sure to make several wraps of cord to displace the weight of the hammock onto a wider section of bark. Part of the fun of hammock camping is finding a favorite system of setting up camp, and there are great manufacturers in our Carabiner Review that can be paired with light slings or webbing to reduce impact on trees.

Best Applications

A customer who is on the fence about how they might use a hammock would benefit greatly in using the Grand Trunk Double. A great all-around hammock should be light, compact, comfortable and versatile — and this one meets all those requirements. Whether looking to investing in a new kind of adventure or simply dipping a toe in the water of hammock camping, a user will get much more than the price tag's value out of this product. Other hammocks can serve multiple uses as well, yet none of the Parachute singles or doubles were as comfortable to camp in.

Value

Of the three tested doubles, the Grand Trunk presents the best value, not to mention it comes with a decent set of cord and carabiners included. Value is also added in durability, and the strong parachute nylon means that this hammock will remain a part of your collection for years to come.

Conclusion