Grand Trunk Nano 7 Review

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

Performance Comparison

It's easy to choose to bring the ultralight Nano 7 anywhere from picnics to extended backpacking trips.

Photo: Adam Paashaus

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. It is very narrow, only 3 feet, 11 inches, which helps shed weight but reduces your ability to maneuver your body on the diagonal and achieve a flatter position. That said, after a hard day of hiking or travel, almost any hammock is "comfortable enough," and when shaving ounces counts, the Nano 7 may be worth it.

The narrow width limits your ability to get nice and flat but the Nano 7 still provides a comfortable spot to read or nap.

Photo: Adam and Elizabeth Paashaus

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 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.

This hammock is so small and light that it can easily be stuffed in a pocket or even just clipped to the outside of your pack.

Photo: Adam and Elizabeth Paashaus

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 and the carabiners are attached to the ends of the fabric rather than extending out further with a piece of cord, 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.

The lack of cord through the gathered end means less weight but it also shortens the overall span of the hammock.

Photo: Adam and Elizabeth Paashaus

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 an almost 4-foot-wide hammock is difficult to wrap around yourself and any breeze will be felt through the thin fabric.

No hammocks that we have tested do a whole lot to block the wind beneath you but some, like the Nano 7, are so thin that you want to give them extra care.

Photo: Adam and Elizabeth Paashaus

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. 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.

A narrow hammock won't give you space to hang out with a friend or maybe not even sleep overnight but we still had enough space to relax lying down as well as sitting up to read.

Photo: Adam and Elizabeth Paashaus

Value

The Nano 7 is not the least expensive option out there but for those looking to bring along a hammock for added comfort on a backpacking trip without piling too many ounces into the pack, it is worth its price.

Conclusion

If you are one of those hikers or bikers that cut your toothbrush in half and have a spreadsheet with the weight of every article in your backpack, this might be the right hammock for you. For the rest of us, the Nano 7 is an amazingly light piece of niche gear that can add a lot of fun to anything from a day hike to an extended expedition. However, for serious weather and cozier lounging, you may want to upgrade to a larger model or add accessories.

The Nano 7's best use, based on feedback from our testers, is as an added luxury to any pack for a minimal weight impact. A 1-pound hammock can easily get cut from the kit but for less than half that weight, maybe you will bring along this model for comfortable lounging at camp and during breaks.

Photo: Adam and Elizabeth Paashaus