Dutchware Chameleon Hammock Evaluation | CleverHiker

Bottom Line

Dutchware has something special with the Chameleon, offering by far the most customizable and flexible hammock design out of any of the top models we tested. It receives top marks in comfort and features, while maintaining quality construction and excellent livability. We tested the standard hammock body paired with an upgraded symmetrical bug net that includes a spreader bar to hold the mesh away from the head area. When using the spreader bar, we were wowed by how spacious the interior was, leading to one of the best nights of sleep we got in any hammock.

All of that praise does come with a cost, a literal one. The Chameleon is a system worth investing in, but it will certainly be an investment. It’s expensive for a single hammock, but it can adapt to many different hammock needs with the ecosystem of add-ons. Despite the price, it could be more affordable in the long run to have one versatile hammock rather than multiple specialized ones. For people who like the modular idea, we think that the Chameleon is a purchase they won’t regret.

We found very few complaints when testing in the forests of Minnesota. We wish it had interior pockets as standard, but like many things, they come as an extra add-on. Although the spreader bar is really nice, it’s a bit cumbersome to insert, but this isn’t a dealbreaker. That’s about all the negatives we can think of for the Chameleon; it manages to strike an excellent balance for features and comfort that should appeal to many. It’s a bit too much of a jack-of-all-trades option to earn our top recommendation, but we know that won’t deter the people who fall in love with all of the features of this excellent hammock.

Comfort

The best testing anecdote to share about the Chameleon is that when our 5’9” tester laid in it for the first time, their response was, “This is more comfortable than my new bed.” Without a doubt, the Chameleon offers top notch comfort. Every one of our testers thought it performed excellent in that category. The generous dimensions are among the largest we tested, enabling a nice, diagonal sleeping position. Curiously, when we measured the ridgeline length, we found it to be a little longer than the stated 83% length of the hammock body, coming in at around 86%. We won’t argue with the results; this is clearly a winning strategy for Dutchware.

When testing this model in the forests of Minnesota, we kept coming back to lounge in it, enjoying the soft fabric and especially the spreader bar on the bug net. A spreader bar is a semi-flexible rod that attaches to a sleeve in the bug net and pulls open the netting to increase interior space. We’ll discuss this more in the features section, but suffice to say the spreader bar opened up a huge amount of interior livability, both when fully zipped and partially unzipped. Overnight comfort remained solid as well. With that huge spreader bar, we didn’t struggle with mesh netting getting in the face or finding a good position; everything just worked well.

Features

Dutchware notes that the Chameleon was designed from the ground up to rethink traditional hammocks and create a modular, versatile system. That absolutely shows. We had trouble selecting which configuration to test because there’s a dizzying array of options to select from, although the Dutchware website does make it as straightforward as possible. 

The Chameleon is appropriately named; with nearly any complaint or missing feature we found, the Chameleon can simply change its pattern, and a slightly different hammock for slightly different needs appears.

Strip the Chameleon back to a lightweight backpacking setup with an asymmetrical bug net using single layer Hexon 1.0 fabric, and it will be a scant 15.7 ounces. Load it up with features to be the ultimate winter camping setup with a double layer of Hexon, solid top cover, two huge side pockets, plus a peak shelf, and it’ll still only be 33.3 ounces. Dutchware isn’t the only company that offers customization, but they do offer it at a more detailed level with more options.

The model that we tested isn’t the lightest weight or the most feature-rich, but it does strike a balance of what we think most people are looking for in a premium hammock. That includes a symmetrical bug net with a spreader bar and a single layer body. The spreader bar is a unique design in three tent-pole-like sections. Although it’s definitely lightweight it also feels a little bit cumbersome. In order to insert it into the bug net, you have to put both ends into each sleeve of the netting while it is disconnected and then connect two of the parts together. We would like to see this design improved to one where the rod can be inserted from one end and then closed with a snap, but this current design is fine. 

Thankfully, the generous length more than makes up for this cumbersomeness. Because it is so wide, the livability of the inside area is greatly improved, and the spreader bar keeps the bug netting away from the head area very effectively during overnights. To help even more with that issue, Dutchware also includes side pulls with a very clever LineLoc design that works really well. Because of how effective the spreader bar is, these aren’t strictly necessary, but for a lightweight setup without the spreader bar using an asymmetrical bug net, the side pulls would make a big difference.

Other features on our model include a wide array of rings and under quilt hooks along the perimeter and interior of the hammock body. These rings can be used for attaching accessory pockets that Dutchware sells or stringing up extra cord to hang glasses, headlamps, or other small gear items.

The zipper pulls are also a highlight; the interior ones are dark, and the exterior are light, so it’s easier to tell which one to pull. They’re also grippy without being too long and dangly. The removable bug net uses a toothy zipper instead of a coil zipper for improved durability and ease of zipping. We think this is especially important for environments with a lot of sand since it makes cleaning the zippers easier.

One thing we miss is the inclusion of standard interior pockets. It’s an understandable omission since the point of the Chameleon is to give add-ons for the features you want, but interior pockets make such a big improvement to livability that we miss them. Plus, add-on pockets cost more and weigh more.

Weight

Due to the lightweight materials and quality construction, the Chameleon is right in the middle of the pack with a measured weight of 21.6 ounces, including the spreader bar. As we noted earlier, the Chameleon can be specced down to 15.7 ounces, so it can be a compelling option for lightweight backpackers. The configuration that we tested, with the symmetrical bug net and spreader bar, is a good middle ground for people who want to prioritize comfort a little more.

Ease of Use

With two fixed loops, good hardware, and a simple design, the Chameleon makes setup easy. The toothy zipper in particular even makes changing the bug net a breeze. Our one complaint is with the spreader bar, which is tricky to insert and remove; it’s one snag in an otherwise smooth experience.

Should You Buy the Dutchware Chameleon Hammock?

It’s hard to find a more versatile and complete package than what the Chameleon offers. At first glance it’s just a standard hammock, but the more we used it, the more we realized how adaptable and well thought out the design is. Hats off to Dutchware for making something so nice. In the configuration we have, it ends up being a bit of a jack-of-all-trades option, but we think it could be a master of nearly any category we wanted, from lightweight to heavy winter adventures.

The Chameleon is perfect for someone who wants one hammock that can do it all by swapping out accessories to fit different environments. That will definitely come at a cost; the model we have specced was the most expensive in our lineup, and add-on cost increases quickly. If you know what type of hammocking you want, you can save money and weight by going with another option, but then you’re limited on flexibility if your adventures require a different style.

Overall, some people might prefer specialized individual hammocks, and others might want a do-everything model; for that, the Chameleon is unmatched. If the ecosystem of add-ons is appealing, the Chameleon is worth the investment.

What Other Hammocks Should You Consider?

See our other favorite hammocks in our guide to the best camping hammocks of the year.

Warbonnet Blackbird Review: For the best lightweight hammock, we think the Blackbird is the best out there. Coming in at a scant 15.7 ounces yet retaining good comfort and useful features, it’s our top pick for backpacking. The Blackbird is a good investment for someone who knows they prioritize weight.

Hammock Gear Circadian Pro Review: For a similar concept to the Chameleon with a few less options, Hammock Gear has something special with the Circadian Pro. It’s also a modular and adaptable hammock with a fully removable bug net and many customization options. If the feel of the Circadian Pro is more appealing, we think it’s a good choice too, even if the Chameleon is a better general recommendation.