Outdoors

Aerial hammock tent uses slackline suspension for a solid night's rest

Aerial hammock tent uses slackline suspension for a solid night's rest
The Aerial A1 offers above-ground camping
The Aerial A1 offers above-ground camping
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The Aerial A1 rigged up to vehicle
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The Aerial A1 rigged up to vehicle
The Aerial offers a sleeping platform measuring 203 cm (80 in) long and 69 cm (27 in) across
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The Aerial offers a sleeping platform measuring 203 cm (80 in) long and 69 cm (27 in) across
The Aerial A1 is a hammock tent that takes campers off-ground for a better night's sleep
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The Aerial A1 is a hammock tent that takes campers off-ground for a better night's sleep
The Aerial packs down to dimensions of 67 x 13 cm (28 x 5 in) and weighs a total of 2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz)
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The Aerial packs down to dimensions of 67 x 13 cm (28 x 5 in) and weighs a total of 2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz)
The Aerial A1 can hold up to 200 kg (440 lb)
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The Aerial A1 can hold up to 200 kg (440 lb)
Opeongo is offering its hammock tent via a Kickstarter campaign
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Opeongo is offering its hammock tent via a Kickstarter campaign
The Aerial A1 offers above-ground camping
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The Aerial A1 offers above-ground camping
View gallery - 7 images

Hammocks combined with tents are certainly growing in popularity as a sound sleeping solution for folks headed outdoors, and Canadian startup Opeongo is now throwing another lightweight and versatile option into the mix. The team’s Aerial A1 hammock tent is a portable shelter that can be hoisted up away from the ground at camp, with a carefully thought out suspension system promised to up the comfort factor for a night among the trees.

Like the other hammock tents we’ve looked at over the years, the single-person Aerial A1 is designed to give campers the option of sleeping away from the ground, and the cold, damp nights tossing and turning over rocks and branches that can go with it.

The tent features a single-pole design for easy set up, which is said to take around six minutes. Once assembled, the Aerial offers a sleeping platform measuring 203 cm (80 in) long and 69 cm (27 in) across, with an ability to hold up to 200 kg (440 lb).

The Aerial A1 can hold up to 200 kg (440 lb)
The Aerial A1 can hold up to 200 kg (440 lb)

The way in which Aerial differs to the other hammock tents designed to be strung up between two trees is subtle, but could make a difference to the quality of rest for campers. The system is inspired by slacklines and sees webbing straps wrapped around the tree trunk and then pulled back on both sides simultaneously, creating a four-point connection system rather than the two you might expect.

This system works with two spreader bars to create a flat and stable sleeping platform that the team likens to a “high quality cot.” The webbing also adds a little spring to absorb subtle movements and up the comfort levels a little further.

The Aerial A1 is a hammock tent that takes campers off-ground for a better night's sleep
The Aerial A1 is a hammock tent that takes campers off-ground for a better night's sleep

The Aerial packs down to dimensions of 67 x 13 cm (28 x 5 in) and weighs a total of 2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz). This makes it far from the lightest single-person sleeping solutions on the market, but for those placing a premium on comfort the extra weight may well be worth the effort.

Opeongo is offering its tent via Kickstarter, where it is looking to raise funds for production. Early pledges of CA$419 (US$300) will put you in line for one, with shipping slated for September 2020 if all goes to plan. You can check out the pitch video below.

Get off the ground with the *AERIAL A1* Tree Tent / Hammock

Source: Opeongo via Kickstarter

View gallery - 7 images
5 comments
5 comments
guzmanchinky
Maybe it's just me, but I don't sleep all that well in a tent. In the middle of the night I have to go to the bathroom and getting out and getting cold and getting bit (or letting mozzies in) wakes me all the way up. The only camping I can do and really get a good night sleep is in a van.
paul314
So do these things come with collapsible step ladders or some other way of getting in and out at height that doesn't require a gold medal in gymnastics?
billymaizear
It looks like it relies on the diameter of the trees to keep from spinning.
mediabeing
Absolutely! Give the bears in the area something to play with.
Chris Walker
@paul314 you don't need one... Those photos were done to make it look more interesting and treehouse-like... Just like a hammock shelter you should be hanging it at butt height so you can use it as a chair while you take off your shoes....

I can and have hung hammocks in odd locations but it's just not the smartest thing to do... Like a 6 foot tall boulder where I could still sit and have me feet on the rock meant I had to scale down the boulder to pee at 2am.... It's a silly thing that is an inconvenience but it makes some interesting photos.