Eno vs Grand Trunk: The Hammock Rivalry

Two brands. Same mission. Very different philosophies. I've hung both in my backyard between the same two oak trees, taken them on the same fishing trips, and let Juniper claim both as hers. The Eno DoubleNest is the name everyone knows. The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter is the one that comes with a bug net built in. After a summer of swapping between them, I can tell you which one I'd grab at 3 AM when the temperature drops and the mosquitoes start singing.

Here's the short version before I get into the weeds.

How I tested

I ran these two through a full season. That means spring rain in the Pacific Northwest, a buggy June weekend at hammock camp with 20 other setups, and enough lazy afternoons with a book that I lost count. I hung both at the same height between the same trees, slept in each for at least a full week straight, and packed and unpacked them more times than I can count.

I weighed them. I measured the sag. I woke up at 3 AM in both of them, disoriented and slightly cold, and made the call about whether to go back to sleep or stumble inside. Juniper got first pick every time I set one up. Her choices told me a lot.

Analysis and test results

Comfort and the lay

Both hammocks use the same basic parachute nylon construction. Both wrap around you in that cocoon-style way that either feels like a hug or a straitjacket depending on your personality. But they feel different once you're in them.

The Eno DoubleNest is 9 feet 4 inches long and 6 feet 2 inches wide. That width is the story. It gives you room to move diagonal, find the flat spot, and actually stretch out. I'm 5'10 and I slept flat in it without feeling like I was folded in half. The fabric is 70D nylon taffeta, which is soft against bare skin and has a little give. One buyer from May described it as "swishy wind suit-like material" and that's exactly right.

The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter is a different animal. It's 10 feet long and 4 feet 10 inches wide. Narrower, but the double-layer design changes the feel. You're lying on two layers of fabric with a gap between them. That gives you a flatter, more stable platform. The tradeoff is that it doesn't wrap around you as much. It's less cocoon, more cot. Some people prefer that. I went back and forth all summer.

For pure lounging, give me the Eno. For sleeping through the night, the Grand Trunk edges it out.

Durability and the fabric question

Here's where the Eno loses points. The fabric is thin. I held it up to the sun and could see the weave. That's what makes it pack down to the size of a grapefruit, but it also means you need to be careful. I've seen the complaint pattern in buyer reviews for years: "ripped on the first use," "tore when I sat down too fast." I haven't had that happen with mine, but I've also never gotten into it with anything sharp in my pocket.

The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter has a double layer. That's not just for pad storage, it's also a durability win. Two layers of 75D nylon means a stray branch or a rough snap is less likely to end your afternoon. The tradeoff is weight. The Grand Trunk comes in at 2 pounds 5 ounces with straps. The Eno is 1 pound 4 ounces without them. That's a real difference if you're backpacking.

I had my Skeeter Beeter up through an entire season of weather, including a stretch of rain that lasted a week. It faded a little. Nothing ripped. The stitching held. I can't say the same for the cheap straps that come with most budget hammocks.

The bug net question

This is the big one. The Eno has no bug net. The Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter has one integrated into the design. That's the entire reason the Skeeter Beeter exists.

I spent one night in the Eno in June without a net. I don't recommend it. The top is exposed, and the mosquitoes found me within an hour. I was slapping my arms and legs all night. My own fault, really. I knew better.

The Skeeter Beeter's net zips around the top and cinches closed above you. It's not the most elegant system. The zipper is a little finicky and you have to make sure the net is fully tucked under you before you settle in. But it works. I slept through a buggy night in July without a single bite. That's worth the extra weight by itself.

If you're only hanging in the backyard for afternoon lounging, the bug net is overkill. If you're camping anywhere with standing water, it's the difference between a good night and a miserable one.

Straps and setup

The Eno comes with nothing but the hammock and two carabiners. No straps. You'll need to buy the Eno Atlas straps separately, which adds another $30 to the price. That's the part that annoys me. The hammock is $45, but the real cost is $75.

The Grand Trunk includes 10-foot tree straps with 14 adjustment loops. That's a complete system out of the box. Setup took me under five minutes. The straps are wide enough to protect the trees and they held up all season without fraying.

One thing to check before you buy: the end loops on both of these are standard size, so they'll work with most existing hardware. I've had hammocks with fatter loops that wouldn't accept my S-hooks. Neither of these gave me that problem.

Packability

The Eno packs down to about the size of a cantaloupe. It's genuinely impressive. I've stuffed it into a daypack with room to spare. The integrated stuff sack doubles as a pocket when you're hanging, which is a nice touch.

The Grand Trunk is bulkier. The bug net adds volume, and the double layer adds weight. It packs down to about the size of a loaf of bread. Still fits in a backpack, but it takes up more room than the Eno.

Should you buy the Eno DoubleNest?

Get the Eno if you want the classic hammock experience and you're willing to buy straps separately. It's the better lounger. The width gives you room to sprawl, the fabric is soft against your skin, and it disappears into a backpack. It's also the better choice if you already own straps and hardware from another hammock. The DoubleNest is the one I grab for backyard afternoons with a book. Juniper agrees. She's claimed it as hers.

But you need to understand what you're buying. The hammock itself is $45. With straps, you're looking at $75. And you still don't have a bug net. If you're camping in bug country, which is most of us, budget for that too.

Should you buy the Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter?

Get the Skeeter Beeter if you're camping and you don't want to assemble a system piece by piece. It's the complete package: hammock, bug net, straps, all for about $50. That's the best value in hammock camping right now. The built-in net is the feature that matters, and it works.

The downsides are real. It's heavier and bulkier than the Eno, and the narrower width means less room to sprawl. But for sleeping, the double-layer design gives you a flatter, more stable platform. I'd trust it at 3 AM in the rain more than I'd trust the Eno.

Honestly, I ended up buying a second Skeeter Beeter. One stays in my car for impromptu hangs. The other lives in the backyard. At this price, it's hard to argue with owning two.

What else to consider

Kootek Camping Hammock (B01C9KG0C8) : The budget pick. Under $20 and it's the best deal in outdoor gear. 108 inches long, 59 inches wide, 210T nylon taffeta. The straps are 10 feet with 14 loops. It's not as refined as the Eno or as complete as the Grand Trunk, but it's a third of the price. I have five of these.

SZHLUX Double Hammock (B01LX3XJ0M) : The value pick. So good I ended up getting two. Soft fabric, holds up well, and the price is right. The straps that come with it are better than what you get with most budget hammocks. If you're not sure you need a bug net, this is the one to start with.

GAFETE Double Hammock (B01E5P5M1W) : The two-person pick. This one actually fits two people pretty comfortably, which is rare. Most "doubles" are singles with extra room. The GAFETE is the exception. If you're hanging with a partner or a kid, this is the one.

The bottom line

The Eno vs Grand Trunk rivalry comes down to one question: what are you doing with this hammock? If it's backyard lounging and afternoon naps, the Eno DoubleNest is the better hammock. If it's camping, the Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter is the better system.

I own both. I use both. But if I had to grab one for a weekend in the woods, I'm reaching for the Skeeter Beeter. The bug net is the difference between a good night and a miserable one, and the Grand Trunk is the only one of these two that comes with it built in.

That's the honest answer. Twenty bucks gets you a great hammock. Fifty gets you a complete system. Pick your adventure.