Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter XT Hammock

Grand Trunk Skeeter Beeter XT Hammock

 

I've been using the Skeeter Beeter Pro for over 3 years now, and the elastic mosquito net hangers finally ripped out of the net itself. My review of the SB Pro, and Grand Trunk's customer service response to the failure is here: Skeeter Beeter Pro. I'm still using the patched Pro for nights spent in my hammock hut, but I can tell it won't last much longer. I've given the new Pro to hubby, and have been using the XT for myself on backpacking trips.

Features

• Knotless Cordlock System makes it super easy to hang
• Double-sided zipper for easy entry and exit
• Black No-See-Um nylon mosquito/bug netting
• Soft, breathable and fast drying
• Flip over and use it as a regular single hammock
• Triple-lock stitched seams for extra strength

 Tech Specs

• Material: parachute nylon
• Unfolded Dimensions: 10’6” x 5’
• Lounging Capacity: 1 person
• Weight Capacity: 400 lbs / 181 kgs
• Weight: 34 oz

Included Items

• 2 nautical grade carabiners
• 2 aluminum spreader bars
• stuff sack for stress-free travel

On The Trail:

The XT is the same size as the Pro, but 1 oz lighter. I also shed another 77 grams by ditching the stock  continuous loop line and beefy carabiners and switching out the Atlas straps to Wildhorn Litespeed cinch buckle straps and Dyneema continuous loops. The new, separated bug net hanging system is 100% better than the Pro's continuous shock cord. The new system has lovely little line locks and nice cordage, and I added mini biners to making hanging it even easier. I love the sturdier bug net, the bug net spreader bars, and the little storage area in the center top of the net. The storage area is a great idea, but it needs some work to be fully functional - there's really nothing supporting it besides tension on the bug net, and once you settle into the hammock with correct sag, any tension on the storage area is gone. I've found it can hold my phone, but nothing else with any reliability. The aluminum bug net spreader bars are a pain to insert into their sleeves the first few times - once the the sleeves stretch out some, they're much better, but still fiddly.

Things I Love: 

•  It's still the same spacious abode
• The ease of setup
• The new and improved bug net with spreader bars
• The idea of the bug net loft
• The lighter weight
  

Things That Need Help:

• The spreader bar sleeves need either additional elastic or pull tabs
• The bug net loft needs some way to tension it to make it truly functional
• The provided carabiners are total overkill and unnecessary weight
• I really, REALLY wish it had interior pockets
  

Overall impression:

The XT is a decided upgrade from the Pro, but it's not without its own issues. The spreader bar sleeves need either elastic ends on the closed side, or pull tabs on the insertion end, and the bug net loft either needs a way to tension it separately, or maybe elastic on both ends to support it and make it functional. Even so, it still sleeps well and its hard to beat the price for a 10.5' hammock with a built-in bug net. For anyone needing an easy-to-setup, integrated bug net, full-sized hammock without having to shell out a ton of money to a cottage vendor, the XT is a great choice. I hope to get another 3+ years out of this one, too.

I will be updating this review as I get more time in it and see how it holds up.