The ENO Junglelink is our favorite complete shelter system for good reason: it's got everything you need to pick up and go right out of the box, plus, it's lightweight and stuffs easily into a water-resistant storage bag that occupies far less space than a tent inside your backpack. That makes it just as easy to carry as it is to set up once you land at camp — a rare find.
The Junglelink design includes an extended 10-foot hammock body length as well as a spacious, almost 5-foot wide interior to accommodate most body shapes and sizes, and those who prefer to sleep on their backs, sides, or in a full starfish position. The Helios suspension straps are unique among shelter systems, utilizing a fully customizable hanging strategy so that you can select the best position for you individually, rather than among pre-fabricated locations built into the webbing.
Once tucked inside, we really appreciated the soft, lightweight, and relatively breathable 40-denier NewWave nylon hammock material. It offers a touch of stretch to increase overall comfort when resting directly against the skin. The super light spreader bar dials up the comfort factor as well, keeping the but net canopy from touching your face while you sleep at night. Overall, the soft material, spacious interior, and microtune suspension strap adjustment system deliver a uniquely supportive and cozy hang, resulting in no body aches or pains, even after extended use.
The Junglelink is remarkably intuitive in design. It is the only shelter system that we've ever been able to hang with all of its components in place, without the use of manufacturer instructions. This headache-free assembly is just one of the reasons that we can't stop singing the praises of this complete shelter system. The Helios suspension straps are shorter, thinner, and have a different fastening system than other ENO straps we've tested; however, they allow plenty of space for slinging trees large and small with a fastening bar that's easy to slot into place.
The design also includes an integrated structural ridgeline, which is just a fancy way of saying a separate cord extends the length of the hammock, holding the netting up above your head. The ridgeline provides enough structure for a person to sit inside the hammock without fabric drooping down to cling to their face or body. An additional spreader bar can also be integrated to enhance that structure, ensuring any potential frustrations from these fabrics lingering too close for comfort are eliminated.
Hanging the hammock is a breeze. The Helios suspension straps require no knots for setup and adjust easily into position. Just slide ENO's microtune adjustment system to customize the setting to each person's preference. This is quite different than what's typically seen on hammock strap systems that usually have twelve preset inch-long sections for people to choose from. The Junglelink is one of our favorite shelter systems thanks to this smart, simple, easy-to-implement design. It's one of the few we've tried that wouldn't bum us out to set up several times throughout an extended trip in the backcountry.
The Junglelink design features double-stitched waterproof seams that performed well during our simulated rain testing. That careful construction, combined with a 70-denier ripstop nylon DryFly rain tarp, results in a spacious, sturdy, well-protected footprint over the more narrow hammock canopy within.
The hammock itself is constructed from a sturdy 40-denier NewWave nylon, which increases its strength for heavy use without adding extra weight. And, aluminum stakes are up to a backcountry challenge, proving durable even in granite landscapes.
A note on rain protection: while the rainfly practically doubles the width of coverage you'll enjoy against the elements while tucked into the hammock, it's important to note that it is unlikely to be a protective solution for your backpack or gear on the ground below. Those items could still experience exposure from the sides and below. Consider a pack-specific rain cover to help prevent moisture from entering your pack, whether on your back or sitting on the ground during a storm.
While the designers at ENO clearly tried to reinforce the construction of the Junglelink design without adding extra weight to the system, we couldn't help but notice how susceptible the guy line attachment points on the DryFly rain tarp could be to failure. Although we didn't experience any issues during testing, our testers pointed out the potential hazard, noting just one gnarly windstorm might be all it would take to rip the fabric and render the tarp useless until repaired. On the flip side, such sacrifices in durability allow ENO to achieve a lightweight design that's highly packable for extended jaunts into the mountains. So, it's a tradeoff many will be willing to take, although we'd still advise taking some precautions if winds pick up.
The Junglelink takes ENO's classic Junglenest hammock and transforms it into one complete suspended shelter system with all the bells and whistles. ENO included an integrated bug net constructed from SkyWeave Lite Mesh along with dual zippers so you can zip yourself inside the hammock at dawn and dusk, while also offering the option to unzip and sit comfortably without the netting at less buggy times of day.
Should skies go dark, this sleep system includes a durable 70-denier ripstop nylon DryFly rain tarp that actually does the job promised, thanks to its extended dimensions that reach well beyond the outer edges of the hammock itself. An 8-point guy line system holds the sizeable tarp at an extended distance while simultaneously preventing any water from creeping inside. And, its reflective cord is a helpful visual marker for days when you may be returning to camp after dark. Finally, a couple of pockets are a nice addition inside the tent canopy, making it easy to store essential items like a smartphone, headlamp, or toothbrush nearby.
While the integrated bug net mesh is perfect for preventing bugs from entering the hammock canopy, we couldn't help but notice mosquitoes still biting our skin when we were in contact with it for too long (something particularly hard to control when asleep). The easiest solution we found is to place a foam pad underneath our body before hopping inside our sleeping bag to prevent our arms from inadvertently making contact with the mesh.
Another concern is the 8-point guy line system. Although this is one of the best ways we've seen any shelter system anchored, we are not confident it can withstand extreme conditions. If you expect heavy winds, you will want to take care when, where, and how you string it up. Caveats aside, this is hands down one of our favorite shelter systems thanks to its easy, high-performance, and versatile design.
Although it is one of the heaviest shelter systems we've tested, the Junglelink is also the only shelter system to include all necessary accessories for setup at the time of purchase. This includes the six tent stakes essential for holding the fly in place during afternoon showers. The design also includes an oversized water-resistant storage bag, which will keep your shelter dry inside your pack, should you have to power through inclement weather on your journey. Once again, for many, the tradeoffs will be a no-brainer.
The Junglelink includes Helios suspension straps, which are the lightest in ENO's vast assortment of available strap options, constructed from Silverlite cord that achieves strength without bumping up the weight. ENO also included a featherlight spreader bar created using Green Anodization to provide extra comfort inside the canopy without adding ounces and bulk to the final package. For an easy and comfortable night's sleep, including all the essentials and even a few bonus extras, we think this shelter is well worth a little extra weight.
The Junglelink hammock shelter system is worth every bit of the investment required. Its headache-free, intuitive setup is reason alone to select this system over other similar models that may save you a bit of money to start, but leave you scratching your head while trying to set up once you reach camp. Among its great performance features are its spacious interior, integrated bug net, functional DryFly rain tarp, and included tent stakes. This shelter system delivers optimal comfort and convenience for exploring the great outdoors.
If you like the sounds of the ENO Junglelink but are seeking an even lighter backcountry shelter system, take a look at the Warbonnet Original Blackbird. It sheds over 10 ounces for a complete shelter, comparatively, although that does not include the tent stakes you'll need to pick up for the fly. The Warbonnet Ridgerunner is of similar weight but much narrower in fit, while the lightest shelter system overall is the Kammok Mantis, although it does not perform quite so well in other ways. If you're after something simple to string up at camp, the Kammok Roo Double is our favorite lightweight backcountry model for basic use, and the Wise Owl Outfitters Kit is our favorite affordable hammock, which even includes suspension straps for a great budget price.
