Hammock Gear Circadian Hammock Review

Overview

The Circadian is Hammock Gear’s original netted camping hammock — an 11-foot, single-layer, gathered-end design with a fully integrated zip bug net sewn permanently into the body. It’s built for backpackers who want a simple, no-fuss hammock setup (versus the modular, removable-net Circadian Pro) and who value a soft, low-stretch fabric and generous lay-flat dimensions over shaving every last gram.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	655 g (23.1 oz)
Total length	11 ft (132 in)
Fabric width	58 in
Functional/usable length	9 ft
Weight rating	350 lbs
Body fabric	40D nylon diamond ripstop, single layer
Bug net mesh	Nylon, 0.67 oz/sq yd
Zipper	#5 YKK, 4 double-pull sliders
Construction	Rolled hems, quadruple-stitched suspension channels
Made in	Columbus, Ohio, USA

Performance

Lay and comfort. The 11-foot symmetrical gathered-end cut is long enough that a 6-foot user can lay on a diagonal without feeling squeezed. The Circadian is a symmetrical hammock that is 11 feet long, with plenty of room for a 6ft person to lay comfortably in. The 40D diamond ripstop is described by the manufacturer as woven to feel soft against skin rather than plasticky, and the proprietary material features a unique hexagonal ripstop that minimizes stretch to maximize your ability to lay flat, similar to your bed. That low-stretch behavior matters more than raw denier here — it’s the difference between a hammock that cradles you into a taco and one that lets you actually lie flat on the diagonal.

Bug net. Unlike the Circadian Pro, this net is sewn in for good, not zip-off. The zip-on style used here is generally preferred over bottom-entry designs because there’s less material and it’s easier to get in and out. The trade-off is that you lose the option to strip the net for a solid winter top cover — that flexibility is reserved for the Pro model. Reviewers of the Pro variant did flag one shared quirk worth knowing about: a noted gripe with the zippers is that they end in the middle of the hammock body rather than at the head or foot end, which some found an odd design choice, though it doesn’t affect the fixed-net Circadian’s day-to-day use the way it does the Pro’s remove/reinstall routine.

Build quality. Construction details point to a hammock meant to be used hard for years, not babied. Finished with rolled hems on all four sides, suspension channels are quadruple stitched for added durability. Broader testing of the Circadian family backs this up: craftsmanship is top-notch, and all of the materials and components are confidence-inspiring and built to last. I’d treat that as a strong proxy for this model, since it shares fabric and stitching specs with the tested Pro version, though I haven’t seen dedicated long-term durability data specifically on the base Circadian.

Packability. The double-ended stuff sack setup is a small thing that makes a real difference at camp. The entire hammock stows in a double-ended stuff sack, making setup and tear down quick, clean, and incredibly convenient. At 655g for the hammock alone, it sits in the “comfort-oriented ultralight” bracket — noticeably lighter than double-layer or Dyneema-reinforced options, but not chasing the sub-400g weights of stripped-down single-layer hammocks from cottage makers focused purely on grams.

Where it sits in the lineup. It’s worth being clear-eyed that most of the detailed third-party testing out there (CleverHiker, GearChase) covers the Circadian Pro — the 12-foot, removable-net, optionally double-layer sibling — not this exact single-layer, fixed-net Circadian. The fabric, stitching, and general comfort character carry over, but if you’re deciding between the two, know that the standard Circadian is the simpler, lighter, less fussy option, while the Pro adds modularity at a weight and price premium.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Soft-handling, low-stretch 40D ripstop that lays flatter than typical hammock nylon
• Generous 11-ft length and 58-in width for side-to-side comfort at a 6-ft-plus user height
• Integrated zip bug net is simpler to live with than bottom-entry designs
• Rolled hems and quadruple-stitched suspension channels for long-term durability
• Double-ended stuff sack makes setup/teardown genuinely fast
• Made in Ohio, USA — supports domestic cottage manufacturing

Cons

• Fixed bug net means no winter solid-cover conversion — you’re locked into 3-season use unless you buy the Pro
• Zipper terminates mid-body rather than at an end, a quirk carried over from the Pro design
• At 655g it’s not the lightest single-layer hammock on the market if grams are your priority
• Single layer means no built-in pad-stability sleeve; you’ll want a separate underquilt or careful pad management in colder conditions

Who Should Buy This

This is the right call for a backpacker who wants a comfortable, durable, USA-made hammock for 3-season use and doesn’t need the modularity of a removable bug net or double-layer winter setup. If you’re tall, side-sleep, or just want room to sprawl diagonally, the 11-ft length and 58-in width deliver that without pushing into Pro-level bulk or price. Winter hammock campers or anyone wanting to swap between bug net and solid cover should look at the Circadian Pro instead.

Verdict

The Circadian delivers on Hammock Gear’s core promise — a soft-handed, low-stretch fabric and generous dimensions in a straightforward, well-built package — without the added complexity or weight of its Pro sibling. It’s not the lightest hammock out there, and the fixed bug net limits its seasonal range, but for 3-season backpackers who want comfort and durability over minimalism, it’s a solid 7.8/10.