ENO DayLoft Review

The ENO Dayloft is a unique hammock that takes advantage of high-performance materials to create a cool, comfortable chill space close to home. Its weight and bulk limit its versatility, making it a less ideal choice for campers. But its easy setup and loungey design make it the perfect choice for the backyard. And while its suspension straps are sold separately, we found it to be compatible with most straps available for purchase today, making it an easy choice if you are ready to swap out what you may already have available at home.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Dayloft is constructed from high-quality 100% recycled polyester along with a 3D-contoured shape that maximizes comfort through perfect suspension. The perforated fabric is soft next to the skin and increases airflow to keep you cool on hot summer days. The hammock measures 6 feet, 3 inches long and almost 4 feet wide. When combined with its substantial aluminum spreader bars, this provides ample space for up to two adults (up to a maximum of 400 pounds).

Thoughtful details such as an oversized cargo pocket sewn into the side of the hammock, complete with a divider to hold your favorite beverage upright while also making space for your book or a few snacks, mean creature comforts are easily accessible once tucked in. Overall, we have no complaints to report after indulging in lengthy test naps with the DayLoft. All testers pointed to its spaciousness and the softness and flexibility of the polyester fabric as the hallmarks of this lounger, making it a particularly pleasant option, leaving you feeling like you're being rocked in a suspended, breathable cot.

Ease of Set Up

While the Dayloft has a simple and user-friendly setup, it does take a little muscle to get the spreader bars settled into place. But overall, our team felt assembly was relatively easy. The hammock arrives mostly ready to go. Simply fit together the spreader bars before sliding them into their sleeves (sewn sections of fabric located on the underside of the hammock). If you face any resistance at this stage, don't hesitate to increase the pressure. Our smaller-sized female testers had no problem running through this process, once we determined a bit more muscle was required to squeeze them into the fittings (as we tended to start with a lighter touch at the onset of each test).

Once the spreader bars are in place, your hammock has enough structure to hang from the stainless steel carabiners using whichever suspension straps you choose. Overall, the setup took a mere 6 minutes from start to finish, removing the hammock from the perforated storage bag and turning it into a fully functional hang.

We found it easiest to place the hammock on the ground during assembly. This offered a bit more leverage when trying to squeeze the poles into place (an easy way to dial up the required "muscle"). The other caveat with the Dayloft is that you will need to buy a separate set of suspension straps if you do not already have a pair available. The good news is that the Dayloft is compatible with any ENO suspension straps or stand, so you have the freedom to choose. The bad news: it's an added cost. We like the ENO Atlas XL straps, and found them a perfect fit for setting up the Dayloft in the backyard.

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Durability and Protection

Although the substantial aluminum spreader bars with double-wall construction, bomber steel carabiners, and reinforced stitching along the entire exterior of the Dayloft inspire a ton of confidence in its overall durability, we can't help but wonder exactly how long the soft, perforated fabric will last. When we performed our tree bark tests, the perforated fabric began to fray immediately; therefore, we recommend purchasing straps that allow the hammock to hang free of any interaction with trees. If hanging the hammock from trees rather than a stand, it will also be important to select trees positioned far enough apart from others to avoid friction and snagging with the material.

The perforated fabric used for the majority of the Dayloft design appears to be stronger than that used for its predecessor, the Skyloft. Its maximum weight allowance has now jumped from 250 pounds to 400 pounds, and of course, we had to test that! It does the job as promised, holding up to two loungers comfortably, if you can remain under that total weight. And while we have confidence that the Dayloft is constructed from premium materials built specifically for year-round use, for the longest lifespan, we still think it wise to store your hammock in a dry, cool place, out of direct UV light, which can damage the fabric over time.

Versatility

The Dayloft is a fairly niche design, built with an overall weight and bulk more appropriate to backyard siestas or short jaunts from the car than backcountry expeditions. That said, its simple design and steel carabiner attachments make it easy to use with the majority of suspension straps out there. And the mesh storage bag included with the purchase does make it easy to store and transport. So we can also imagine this would be an easy option to carry down to your local park for a relaxing afternoon picnic.

Although the Dayloft is certainly wide enough to accommodate foam pads and under quilts, we ultimately docked its versatility score for its heavier weight and restrictive yet comfort-centered design, as it is those traits that will likely keep it close to home.

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Weight

The Dayloft is one of the heaviest hammocks that we tested. Weighing in at over 10 pounds for just the hammock and spreader poles (straps not included), this is not a model built for backcountry use. That being said, the hammock only measures 33 inches long x 9 inches wide when packed and comes with a perforated storage bag with a thick, over-the-shoulder strap that makes it super easy to carry the package over short distances.

A heavy weight and awkward size may limit its versatility more broadly, but the Dayloft is an ideal fit for home use. It's spacious, durable, and super comfortable, with enough space for up to two people at a time.

Should You Buy the ENO Dayloft?

While the Dayloft is significantly more expensive than other hammocks in our review, including its predecessor, the Skyloft, it is a worthy investment for those looking to cozy up in their backyard with something that won't feel overly hot or restrictive. The sturdy design includes double-wall aluminum spreader bars along with indestructible steel carabiners and reinforced fabric to protect the soft and cozy perforated polyester at the hammock's center, all to ensure many successful summer seasons of use. However, we still recommend taking care to protect the DayLoft from snags and the damage of harmful UV rays when not in use.

What Other Hammocks Should You Consider?

While the Dayloft hammock features a niche design that's perfect for maximizing comfort during backyard siestas, a more portable option, like the Kammok Roo Double, may be easier to toss in a bag when heading to the park, beach, or campsite. The Roo Double is our favorite hammock for the backcountry thanks to its lightweight, noticeably soft material and stress-free setup process. If you don't have any trees or poles available in your backyard to support your hammock dreams, our favorite freestanding option is the Vivere Double Cotton with Stand. Another easy choice for everyday use is the ENO DoubleNest, our favorite double.