*Full disclosure*. I recently became a brand ambassador for Madera, which means I get a decent discount, and a small percentage of sales when people purchase thru my affiliate link. I receive NO product or compensation in return for reviews / promotion so this is completely unbiased. If I thought their products were inferior at all or if I could not use their products and be honest about my opinion – I would not bother to share it.
I like hammocks and usually go that route for sleeping on most camping trips, with the exception of winter time when I do like a tent and sleeping pad. I recently purchased their Original Hammock and got to try it out. For comparison, I thought I would size it up against Eno’s popular DoubleNest Hammock, which I own and use regularly. Now, this is not a true ‘apples to apples’ comparison since the Ember color hammock I purchased is not a Double model like the Eno (Madera does make ‘Double’ versions and as far as the specs, their Double models look pretty similar on paper with the Madera Double being slightly longer and wider, and just 1.4 oz heavier).
| Eno DoubleNest | Specifications |
| Weight | 19.3 oz |
| Material(s) | 70-denier nylon taffeta |
| Packed Dimensions | 4 x 5 inches |
| Unfolded Dimensions | (L x W) 9′ 4″ x 6′ |
| Sleeping Capacity | 2-person |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs |
| Madera Original Hammock | Specifications |
| Weight | 20.8 oz (double); 14.4 oz (single) |
| Material(s) | 210T High Tenacity Parachute Nylon |
| Packed Dimensions | (L x W) 7.5″ x 6″ (double); 6.5″ x 6″ (single) |
| Unfolded Dimensions | (L x W) 9′ 7″ x 6′ 7″ (double); 8′ 6″ X 4′ 7″ (single) |
| Best Use | Family/car camping & backpacking |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs |
Some background about Madera from their website:
Because it takes 2 trees to hang a hammock, Madera plants 2 trees for each hammock sold. Through our partnering with Trees for the Future, to date we have planted over 10,255 trees and counting. Together, we are improving the livelihoods of impoverished farmers by revitalizing degraded lands. Since 1989, with our partner’s (trees.org) experience in planting over 115 million trees all over the world, we have demonstrated the transformative power of trees in helping people break out of the poverty trap while also addressing the global environment. Our goal is to raise awareness about our solution to solve hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation.
Now, on to the product itself. For reference, I am big guy – 5’11” and hover between 230 and 245 pounds. I’ve always felt like the Eno DoubleNest had plenty of size length and width-wise. In fact, when I pitch it relatively flat and taut, the sides tend to fold up and cocoon around me (see below). With some slack in it, I can lay more diagonally if I wish. I expected less “room to stretch out” from this smaller single hammock, but I was surprised by how comfortable I could get.
Given the smaller footprint of fabric, The Madera definitely feels more taut against me as I sink into it, and creates a feeling more akin to laying “on top” versus lying “down into it”. This was odd to me at first but I warmed up to it quickly. Lying diagonally means my feet are at the verge of hanging off the hammock, but it is possible. I am a side sleeper and tend to flip from one side to the other throughout the night. I dislike the slumped “V” shape my body falls into when back sleeping in a hammock, with my rear end low and extremities elevated for extended periods, but this seemed much less pronounced in the smaller Madera than in myEno DoubleNest. I took The Madera on my most recent overnighter, and it worked great – I probably slept with less fuss than in previous hammock outings and saved 5 oz. of weight in my pack.
As far as durability, I have had it hung in the backyard in part shade nearly full time since I got it in Spring 2020, so several months – and it is holding up fine to rain, UV exposure, etc. It seems solidly made. My only criticism is the carabiners it shipped with were very heavy, unlike Eno’s standard lightweight ones. Madera sells lightweight ones a la carte as an option, but obviously drives up the price point when combined. If you are using this more for ‘car-camping’ versus backpacking, where the ounces really matter, then its a fantastic deal.
In conclusion, I think Madera is making a really solid hammock. For my own use, as my kids get older and we do more family camping, I will need spare hammocks for lounging anyway, so will probably be picking up one of their Double Models for the wife and use this one for kids but also my solo backpacking trips, since it is pretty lightweight.
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Out on the Trail . . . 