Review - Outdoor Vitals Hammock

Outdoor Vitals is a Utah-based gear manufacturer who has come out with a selection of hammock-specific gear items. I was able to test their Solo Plus hammock, diamond tarp, and multi-function bug net over the past few weeks.

[@WanderingFromKansas]

I bought their hammock back when they only offered it in a 9-ft length. I wish I'd have known enough about hammocks then to know that this isn't long enough for a 6'2" man to get a comfortable, diagonal lay. Besides the hammock being too short, I've found their products to be a very good value, including my 6-sided, 20D tarp. I will probably add their bugnet to this setup.

[@SoutheastBackpacker]

Nice video Derek. That microphone was doing some nice work on a windy day - that hammock was flying around in the background.

[@DerekHansen]

Thanks! Yes, it does a great job. The standard audio was really choppy by comparison.

[@lanceharrison6073]

Great video! I liked your review, and yours is the only one to confirm the hammock is a single panel, unlike ENO, TTTM, et al. I read some REI reviews complaining the ENOs ripped at the seams, or elsewhere. I recently purchased your book (2nd ed.) per “shug’s” recommendation in one of his videos, and am pretty engrossed in it. Bewildering array of information. I think I’ll buy the OV kit and go from there. Can’t talk myself into the DIY parachute tablecloth hammock... 🤔

[@DerekHansen]

Thanks so much! I know, the book is a beast! But I had to add as much as I could. I hope it's helpful!

[@scottmcculloch4599]

Great review Derek. I have tent camped for 50 years and am considering trying a Hammock. Not sure the sleeping comfort, warmth.

[@DerekHansen]

Give it a try. I recommend getting a "simple" hammock at first so you can play with the lay and comfort before investing into a camping hammock. The Grand Trunk hammocks are great and a good price. Learn the basics for set up in my new book, Hammock Basics on Amazon.

[@pyromaniac1491]

Cool lightweight setup.

[@TainoXtreme]

Very good video review. Do they sell the bug net separately? How much does it cost? Thank you so much for sharing this video. God bless you.

[@DerekHansen]

Yes, the bug net is a separate purchase. Around $70.

[@douglass69]

Nice, but I'm more for a zippered bug net.

[@lilricky2515]

Nice video Derek as always. However I would like to point out that this is a Chinese made hammock, not made in the USA. The triple stitching on the hammock gives it away. Outdoor Vitals simply orders the latest in copycat hammocks. Not the ENO style, they are now going after cottage industry designs, although the Chinese copycatters still can't seem to give up the attached stuff sack since they have it on Outdoor Vitals' hammocks.

[@DerekHansen]

Sorry if I inferred the wrong thing here. I don't think I said Outdoor Vitals is USA-made, in fact, I was trying to compare them to other offshore manufacturers, the difference being that they aren't just a cheap knock-off, but actually put some thought into their gear. Yes, they are made in China, but with some class (not a copy-cat). Even the stuff sack is different (yes, it's there, but it's made much better than most).

[@lanceharrison6073]

There is a video of Tayson (Outdoor Vitals) touring the Chinese factories with whom they contract their production. OV makes no claim to being manufactured State-side.

[@Datsyzerberg]

Went to gearhackerusa.com and says IP address not found? Bummer.

[@dinner_workingsly]

I hate to yuck any yum, but you can get this exact setup on alliexpress for less than $30....it doesn’t say OV on it but it’s literally the exact same. I’d imagine OV contracted the same Chinese factory to build them, and you know how China treats intellectual property. I guess that’s the risk of outsourcing...and I don’t blame them. But....it can be had for substantially less, for the same thing.

[@Galvoflysoz]

Not to good a design for getting up to pee in the middle of the night.