Grand Trunk Nano 7 Review

The Grand Trunk Nano 7 was one of the lightest hammocks we reviewed, at only 7.5 ounces. Made from rip-stop nylon, we genuinely liked this compact piece of equipment and recommend it to backpackers who are looking for the lightest gear possible.

Performance Comparison

The Nano 7 was among the lightest models in our review. It wasn't the most comfortable due to it's small size and thin fabric, but we still were able to get pretty cozy, all things considered. For highly weight-conscious backpackers this is a great option.

Photo: Penney Garrett

Comfort

Comfort is one of the places this hammock couldn't help but fall short of the rest of the pack. While it is a highly subjective matter, we did not enjoy spending nights in this hammock. By design, it is very thin and narrow, which helps shed weight. That said, after a hard day of hiking or travel almost any hammock is "comfortable enough," and when shaving ounces counts, the Grand Trunk Nano 7 may be worth it. Campers over 6 feet tall may find their feet falling off the side when sleeping at a diagonal, which is the most comfortable and appropriate way to sleep in a hammock.

The narrow design and thin fabric of the Nano 7 meant this model scored lowest for comfort, but it's still not an uncomfortable hang! Sleeping the entire night or multiple nights may not be pleasant for everyone, but if you're concerned with weight this is a great option at a decent price.

Photo: Joel Peach

Weight

There is a reason why rip-stop nylon is found so often in lightweight backpacking gear. Whether a tent, backpack, or a sleeping bag, the low weight, thin material is ideal for the rigors of life in the outdoors. In addition to the material, the Nano 7 weighs so little because of a few key features that stand out from other lightweight hammocks. Instead of being designed with excess cord at the ends, the Nano 7 has wiregate carabiners passed through the gathered fabric, which reduces weight and bulk.

One of the tenets we found with hammock camping is that a good hammock doesn't so much answer the question "Why bring it?" but more appropriately answers "Why not bring it?" Being able to squirrel the hammock away in a back pocket or the lid of a backpack means that there is almost no inappropriate time to bring the Nano 7 along.

At only 7.5 ounces, the Nano 7 was the third lightest hammock we tested and is ideal for ultralight setups.

Photo: Penney Garrett

Ease of Set-up

The Nano 7 doesn't come with a suspension system, so even though set up is as simple as clipping carabiners into an anchor, without knowing what that anchor will be for you, it's hard to properly judge how easy the whole process will end up being. Because this hammock is not particularly long, it can sometimes be challenging to find good anchors when everything available is far apart. It's not a bad idea with this hammock to bring long, adaptable suspension system, which of course will add weight to your final package.

Hanging up a hammock isn't rocket science, but this set up doesn't help you out too much either.

Photo: Joel Peach

Durability and Protection

A plastic spoon is a fine instrument until it comes time to scoop out some very frozen ice cream. In the same sense, the Nano 7 does the job of a light and compact travel hammock extremely well, but if used incorrectly or in the wrong setting, you may be on the receiving end of some woes. Despite multiple nights in varying conditions, we were unable to find flaws in the construction, seams, or stitching, and though heavy use will inevitably cause a few tears or runs in any fabric, we were very satisfied with the performance of the rip-stop nylon build.

Wind is an issue when lounging or sleeping in the Nano 7, as a 4-foot-wide hammock is difficult to wrap around yourself. Without a pad or a sleeping bag, an average-sized person could cocoon decently enough to avoid harsh sunlight or a gentle breeze for a short period of time. However, rain and a cold night mean that there is not much in between you and the elements. Overall, the Nano 7 offers fine protection for summer or fair weather but is lousy in a storm or poor conditions.

The Nano 7 has incredibly thin fabric - great for ultralight backpacking, but definitely requiring proper care over the long haul.

Photo: Penney Garrett

Versatility

The versatility of the Nano 7 is not nearly what it is with the ultra-durable, highly comfortable parachute nylon double hammocks. When cutting weight down to a minimum, there are going to be losses in other areas, and in this case, the limited size and lower weight capacity of 300 pounds mean that, barring fairly small couples that don't mind being very close together, this is a one-person hammock. In addition, the thinner material, though plenty durable for a mature backpacker, is not a great piece of gear to let kids play in. However, an ultralight hammock also isn't meant to be the most versatile thing in the world. It's meant to serve a particular purpose, and the Nano 7 serves that purpose quite well.

We wouldn't call the Nano 7 particularly versatile by itself, but if all you need for happiness is a space to hang with your sleeping pad and bag, then this model is as versatile as you need it to be and as light as a cloud.

Photo: Penney Garrett

Value

The Nano 7 is moderately priced, though it's not going to be for everyone. However, those looking to shave every ounce off of a heavy pack or jam a fun accessory into a carry-on will appreciate the small size and minuscule weight.

Conclusion