ENO Skyloft Review

The ENO Skyloft is a supremely comfortable day-use hammock with an easy setup and soft, durable fabric. Our testers found the nylon material to be soft and silky to the touch, adding a layer of comfort to its flat, lounge-ready shape. When you consider the quick setup time compared to more complicated suspension setups, the Skyloft is a top choice for those who want an easy-hanging solution for day trips. While the packaging is a bit bulkier, the hammock is still light enough to carry in a larger backpack on day hikes or overnights.

Comfort

We love a simple end-gathered hammock as much as anyone. But we learned during testing that a spreader bar and a dropped foot box give a hammock the flattest lay and, thus, the most comfortable long-term resting position possible. The Skyloft is one of only a couple of models we have tested with these features, and it impresses in our comfort ratings.

On the ground, you have to deal with lumpy spots and sloping ground that can cause you to slide off your pad – in a hammock, you fight the banana. This very particular discomfort happens when the curve of a hammock obstinately refuses to let your knees bend. Different hammocks try different strategies to overcome this issue. Some employ asymmetric designs, and others use spreader bars.

The Skyloft has slightly dropped foot and head boxes, where the fabric drapes down at both ends. That's the key element keeping your legs from bending incorrectly. Hanging in this hammock feels like being rocked in a suspended cot. The construction is a bit narrow at only three feet wide, but it is long enough for folks up to 6' 6" to get comfy easily.

A cool feature that ENO added is a “whoopie sling” style of adjustment that lets you raise your head up a bit when you're not napping. When sleeping, you want your head at the same level as your body. But a reclining position is nice if you want to see out to the side, chat with friends, or read a book. With a little practice, we learned how to work the tensioner without ever leaving the comfort of our bed – which is what laying in this hammock truly feels like. The one thing we didn't love about the Skyloft was how topsy-turvy it feels when sitting up length-wise. Sideway sitting is comfortable and stable, but when we sat up in the other direction, the hammock felt wobbly if we didn't distribute our weight correctly.

Previous Next

One bonus feature is that the stuff sack converts into a pillow. Just stuff in a jacket, and you have a comfy headrest. The stuff sack also has snaps that allow you to attach it to sewn-in webbing in the hammock to keep your pillow in place. We also appreciate the small pockets on either side of the hammock, which are perfect for a phone or sunglasses – another little touch to make kicking back in this hammock that much more convenient.

Ease of Set Up

The simplicity of the Skyloft is best suited to slinging up at the park to read a book or nap. We love it because it is simple, comfortable, and easy to use.

The aluminum spreader bar is permanently attached to the hammock, and it sets up and breaks down using a threaded shock cord, just like a tent pole. There are no adjustments to the hammock itself; just unfurl, pop your poles together, and clip the carabiners to whatever suspension straps you choose. The lightweight aluminum wire gate carabiners included with the Skyloft may appear cheap, but they are easy to use and fully support the 250-pound weight limit of this hammock.

We wish that suspension straps were included in the package, but we can appreciate the flexibility this affords you to choose your favorite style. We like the ENO Atlas XL straps, which give you more range than the standard strap. Since suspension straps are not included, we docked points off the Skyloft's total score in this metric.

Durability and Protection

While it may not shine in the lightweight department, the Skyloft fabric is impressive. When rubbed against tree bark and dragged against pavement, the material barely showed a scratch. The Skyloft is still made of lightweight nylon to keep it packable, but ENO uses a heavier denier than most camping hammocks. An additional bonus is how quickly this hammock dries out. The material got a little wet in our splash test but dried out within two minutes in the sun, which was very fast compared to others.

The only problem with the durability that we can see is the low weight limit of 250 pounds. The force put on the spreader bars limits the load capacity in this model rather than the fabrics. It is pretty easy to exceed 250 pounds if you want to sit in it with a friend, so hanging in the Skyloft will most likely be a solo activity. We scored this model a bit higher than other day-use hammocks in this metric because of its superior fabric durability, but not much higher because of its low weight limit.

We tried out the ENO Vulcan underquilt and found that the rectangular shape matches up perfectly with the shape of the Skyloft. There isn't a clear way to attach it, though. ENO's website shows underquilts attached to end-gathered models with carabiners. When we tried this on the Skyloft, the setup pulled the quilt into a narrow shape that wouldn't insulate as well as the wide rectangle we wanted. But we ended up wrapping the underquilt's shock cord around the corners of the Skyloft's bars, which worked.

Versatility

You can love a product for one particular use, even when it doesn't have a lot of versatility, and that's exactly how we feel about the ENO Skyloft. As we've mentioned, it shines with excellent comfort, a quick and fool-proof setup, and durable fabric ready for a rough lifestyle, but its weight and bulk keep it close to home.

Due to the Skyloft's low weight capacity of only 250lbs, we dropped the versatility score for this product because you may not be able to share the space with friends – which, for most folks, is the intended use for backyard hammocks.

Weight

The Skyloft is not your “throw it in the pack; I might use it” option. It tips the scales at 42 ounces for the hammock alone. It's one of the heavier options in our test and is the same weight as some shelter systems we tested, including their bug nets and rainflies.

That shouldn't sway your decision if you plan to use this in the backyard or at a BBQ. But for hikers, adding an 18.5-inch x 4.5-inch x 4.5-inch package to your 20-liter daypack will take up all the space you may want to leave for a water bottle, jacket, and other essentials. Otherwise, it's a great option to load up in the trunk for a night of car camping or on the back of your bike for a mid-day siesta.

Should You Buy the ENO Skyloft?

This model is one of the priciest in the day-use hammock category. However, it presents a strong value because its comfort is remarkably high. The absence of stress, confusion, or time that can go into tying up the suspension system is a stand-alone reason to purchase this hammock. While the straps aren't included, carabiners and structural poles are all attached, making this one of the easiest, most comfortable setups for lounging.

What Other Hammocks Should You Consider?

This hammock could be your go-to napping spot this summer, thanks to the amazing comfort that a flatter position can offer. But if you're a true backcountry sleeper looking for something with a bug net, the ENO Junglenest is a comparably comfortable, lightweight option at a similar list price. If you're looking to lounge with friends in the classic doublewide, another favorite of our testing team, the ENO Doublenest is even more affordable and spacious enough for two. Looking for other day-use options on a budget? Check out the Wise Owl Outfitters Kit or the Kootek Portable, both of which feature end-gathered designs, triple-stitched seams, and durable nylon construction.