Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter Review

Hammock camping is a great way to experience the outdoors in a totally new way, and the Grand Trunk Ultralight Starter can help make that a reality for not a lot of cash. Weighing only 14 ounces with the included carabiners, this hammock is also a viable option for ultralight backpackers, though many may prefer something slightly larger or more technical.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Ultralight Starter is 8 feet, 9 inches long by 4 feet, 8 inches wide, which is larger than any of the other ultralight hammocks we tested. If you've been doing your hammock research, you'll realize that larger hammocks nearly always supply more comfort, and this was indeed the case with the Ultralight Starter. Because its size falls in the mid-range of end-gathered hammocks we tested, it's unsurprising that the comfort ranks there as well. The King Rhombic RipStop fabric was quite soft and comfortable — a noticeable improvement from the previous slippery fabric of the older versions.

Weight

As the name implies, the Ultralight Starter is a very lightweight hammock, weighing just 14.6 ounces, including the relatively heavy nautical grade carabiners. Those alone weigh 3 ounces! Swapping them out for lighter carabiners can make this already lightweight hammock even more competitive. While some of the other ultralight models are half the weight or less, we feel the value of the Ultralight Starter helps offset the small amount of additional weight. It also has 6 to 7 inches more width than the other ultralight hammocks in our test, giving it an edge in the comfort department.

Ease of Set Up

The Ultralight Starter does not come with a suspension system, so that's something you'll need to purchase from Grand Trunk or elsewhere. As with most basic end-gathered hammocks with a carabiner on either end, the overall ease of setup will depend on the suspension system you ultimately decide to use, but with your average trunk straps, the Ultralight Starter goes up in no time. When it's time to take it down, it stuffs easily into the attached stuff sack.

Durability and Protection

As an ultralight hammock, this model doesn't give a ton of extra protection, as you would expect. It is wider than all the other ultralight hammocks we tested, so the sides can offer some additional security, but not much. And while we were much happier with the new ripstop fabric and triple-stitched ends, the side seams were just one lonely line of stitching, making us wonder about the lifespan of such a design.

Versatility

The Ultralight Starter is at home on ultralight backpacking trips and as part of a campsite during warm seasons. Without the addition of bug netting and a tarp, it is not a great hammock for bugs or severe weather, but these can easily be added on after the fact from many manufacturers.

With low weight and low price, and larger size than many ultralight hammocks, the Ultralight Starter is a legitimately viable option as a budget overnight hammock as long as you aren't expecting the comfort of expedition models. It can also easily be used as a simple sit and chill hammock that you bring with you to the park or a friend's barbeque.

Value

The Grand Trunk Ultralight is an incredible value. With such a modest price and low weight, there is little reason not to take this product along on the next backpacking or camping trip simply to try it out. Do remember, however, that suspension isn't included.

Conclusion

A skeptic can try out basic hammock camping with very little investment by trying out the Ultralight Starter. And with such a low price, it's less of a big deal to later upgrade or replace this hammock with a more serious and protective option if you plan to sleep out in varied weather. However, upgrading won't make this one obsolete - keep the Ultralight Starter around for backyard lounging, an easy extra camp chair, or as a gear sling to hold your pack while you're sleeping in something else.