I Own an ENO; Should I Switch to a Lighten Up Hammock?

This is a common and excellent question for hammock enthusiasts looking to elevate their experience. The decision isn't about one brand being universally "better" than the other, but about whether your needs have evolved beyond what your ENO was designed for. ENO (Eagle's Nest Outfitters) pioneered the modern, accessible camping hammock, while Lighten Up represents a more specialized, performance-oriented evolution. Switching makes sense if your priorities have shifted from casual lounging to serious camping and backpacking.

Core Difference: Design Philosophy and Intended Use

• ENO: Built as a versatile, user-friendly lounging hammock. Its strengths are immediate comfort for short-term use, a vast ecosystem of colorful accessories, and widespread availability. It's perfect for parks, festivals, and backyard naps.
• Lighten Up: Engineered as a dedicated backpacking and overnight sleep system. Its strengths are lightweight materials, ergonomic design for extended rest, and compatibility with serious outdoor gear. It's built for the trail.

Here’s a breakdown of where a switch delivers tangible benefits and where your ENO might still suffice.

The Case for Switching: Where Lighten Up Excels

You should seriously consider switching if you identify with the following:

1. You Struggle to Sleep Comfortably Overnight in Your ENO.
This is the most compelling reason. Most standard ENO hammocks are around 9.5 feet long. For many adults, this length makes achieving a truly flat, diagonal lay—critical for spine alignment and all-night comfort—difficult or impossible. You may feel constricted or like you're sleeping in a banana.

• The Lighten Up Advantage: Lighten Up models are typically 11 feet long. This extra 18 inches is transformative, providing ample space for a proper diagonal lie, reducing shoulder squeeze, and allowing for flatter, more restful sleep. It’s the difference between a seat and a bed.

2. Backpacking Weight and Packability Matter to You.
ENO hammocks use durable but relatively heavy fabrics (like 70D nylon). Their Atlas suspension system, while convenient, is also weighty.

• The Lighten Up Advantage: Lighten Up utilizes premium, high-strength ripstop nylon in lower deniers (e.g., 20D-40D). This results in a hammock body that can weigh under 1 pound and pack down significantly smaller. For a backpacker, saving half a pound or more and considerable pack space is a major upgrade.

3. You Want a Modular, Performance-Oriented System.
ENO's ecosystem is broad but often geared toward casual use. Lighten Up’s design integrates with the specialized world of ultralight camping.

• The Lighten Up Advantage: It is designed as the core of a modular sleep system. It pairs seamlessly with technical underquilts (for bottom insulation), full-coverage tarps, and bug nets designed for long hammocks. The focus is on function and compatibility with high-performance backpacking gear.

Where Your ENO Might Still Be Perfect (Reasons Not to Switch)

Stick with your ENO if:

• Your primary use is casual lounging, day trips, festivals, or backyard relaxing. ENO is famously great for this. Its shorter length is fine for sitting and short naps.
• You love and heavily invest in the ENO accessory ecosystem (like the SkyLoft stand, ProFly, or Ember underquilt). Switching brands may make some accessories incompatible.
• The wide range of colors and immediate, no-fuss availability is important to you. ENO excels here.

Decision Framework: Is the Switch Right for You?

Ask yourself these questions:

• "Do I want to start camping overnight in my hammock, but find my ENO uncomfortable after a few hours?" → YES, switch. The length and fabric of a Lighten Up will solve this.
• "Am I getting into backpacking and need to reduce my pack weight and volume?" → YES, switch. The weight savings are substantial and meaningful.
• "Do I only use my hammock for a few hours at a time at picnics, the beach, or in my living room?" → NO, keep the ENO. It’s perfectly suited for this.
• "Am I a side sleeper or over 6 feet tall?" → YES, switch. The longer Lighten Up will provide drastically better comfort.

Making the Transition: What to Expect

If you switch, you’ll notice:

1. A Learning Curve: Achieving the perfect hang angle is more important for comfort in a longer hammock. It may take one or two tries to get it dialed in.
2. A Different Feel: The lighter fabric of a Lighten Up has a more delicate, conforming drape compared to the sturdy feel of an ENO.
3. Potential New Investment: You may want to pair it with a lightweight underquilt and tarp for a complete system, though your existing ENO straps will often work if they are long enough.

Final Verdict

You should switch from an ENO to a Lighten Up Hammock if your activities are shifting from recreational lounging to actual wilderness camping and backpacking. The investment is justified by dramatically improved sleep comfort, significant weight savings, and better integration with serious camping gear.

Think of it not as replacing a product, but as upgrading a tool for a more demanding job. Your ENO was the perfect tool for relaxation. If you're now taking on the job of sleeping comfortably in the backcountry for multiple nights, then the Lighten Up is the specialized, high-performance tool designed specifically for that task. For the aspiring hammock camper, this switch is often the single most important upgrade they can make.