Onewind Tempest Hammock Review

Bottom Line

There are few hammocks that can come close to the value offered by the Onewind Tempest, delivering a supremely comfortable experience combined with a plethora of features in a decidedly budget but still quality package. It rated as one of the most comfortable out of all the hammocks we tested, with dimensions that matched or exceeded everything else, delivering comfortable sleep at night and enjoyable relaxation during the day.

The quality of stitching and materials is much better than other budget hammocks, but it is definitely still a step down compared to more premium options. We think the Tempest is perfect for budget-conscious folks who are just getting into camping hammocks but still want a good experience outdoors. It’s not a good pick for a more experienced backpacker looking for the lightest weight option or for a committed hammocker ready to invest in a premium experience tailored to their needs. But for a second hammock so a friend can join a last-minute adventure? Perfect. We might just keep two on hand.

How We Tested

We tested the Tempest in some of our favorite hammocking spots in Minnesota. We appreciated its adjustable ridgeline, semi-removable bug net, side-pulls, and clever ridgeline pocket. The Tempest made us just want to stay cozy and enjoy nature all afternoon.

Comfort

The strongest feature of the Tempest is its comfort, offering a generous 11 feet of length and 5.3 feet of width The Tempest matches the dimensions of the larger hammocks in our lineup and delivers a surprisingly comfortable experience considering its affordability.  An adjustable ridgeline dials in that perfect curve, and a soft 40D nylon fabric further improves its comfort. We came away seriously impressed with the quality of relaxation and sleep we managed to get while testing this in the forests of Minnesota.

Two of our testers rated it as the most comfortable they tested, and crucially it fit our 5’11” tester well, making it a good pick for taller people. Part of the success here is due to the adjustable ridgeline, which is a unique feature among the models we tested. Most ridgelines on hammocks are fixed, with manufacturers targeting an 83% ratio of ridgeline length to hammock length as the sweet spot. We’ll discuss the ridgeline more in the features section but suffice it to say that for comfort, being able to dial in your perfect length is a nice touch.

When relaxing in the Tempest on a chilly fall day, the generous interior space meant we could shift around in our quilt and keep comfortable easily, and the removable bug net allowed for a bit more freeing feeling when lounging. All of this is in light of the value this model offers, which makes it all the more impressive; there’s no hammock we tested that has as high of a price-to-comfort ratio as the Tempest.

Features

For a more affordable model, the Tempest continued to impress us with the amount of features offered in the places that counted. Most importantly for interior livability, the combination underquilt hooks and side pulls give a lot more space to the interior. Shock cord and stakes are included as well, which  completes the out-of-box experience. These aren’t our favorite implementation of side pulls since the shock cord doesn’t have any cord locks for adjustability, but the included stakes are ones we’re familiar with and are of decent quality, if a bit overkill in size.

The lack of interior pockets was initially a disappointment, but the Tempest has a clever way of offering interior storage. The included storage bag has two velcro loops on the side, and it turns into a horizontal ridgeline pocket when paired with the two included prusik knot loops. It’s not as convenient as a dedicated ridgeline organizer with vertical pockets, but it’s better than nothing and was perfectly fine for storing our headlamp and phone when sleeping.

Many manufacturers offer adjustable ridgelines as an add-on option, but the inclusion of one as standard here is interesting. On one hand, it’s nice to see adjustability. On the other hand, we think that most people would rather have a fixed ridgeline at that 83% sweet spot of line length to overall hammock length to make things simpler, especially if adjustability comes with a higher price tag. 

There’s a reason adjustable lines aren’t standard even on premium hammocks; they’re usually an advanced feature for users who want an additional level of control over their setup. For most ridgelines, 83% of the length of the body is the sweet spot for comfort, which would correspond to 112 inches for an 11 foot length. However, the minimum length on this ridgeline is 112 inches, which means experimenting with a more aggressive curve isn’t possible, only less aggressive curves. 

Another side-effect of this adjustable ridgeline is that the bug netting is tensioned fully only when at that minimum length. At longer ridgeline lengths, the curve isn’t deep enough to fully tension the bug netting, leading to it drooping into the head area, even when using the side-pulls. Since we think the most comfortable curve is at that 83% sweet spot, we don’t think this is a big issue, but one worth mentioning. What we would like to see is some way of keeping the tail end of the ridgeline from hanging into the main body of the hammock. There’s an attached prusik loop that can be used for this, but ultimately doesn’t work that well.

The quality of the bug netting is a step down from our more premium picks, but unlike other budget hammocks, this netting is fine enough to be considered noseeum netting; we’d feel confident using it in the buggiest of conditions. It’s important to note that it’s not fully removable, just stashable, but unfortunately there’s no end pocket to stuff the netting in to keep it out of the way. However, the included ridgeline pocket could be used for this, so it’s yet another minor nitpick. 

While we weren’t focused on hammocks that included suspension options, the Tempest does include straps, and they’re good enough to bear mentioning. While definitely not lightweight, they forgo a more standard daisy chain and carabiner approach and instead use a buckle system that works surprisingly well. This makes them infinitely adjustable and surprisingly easy to use. When testing overnight, the buckles were solid, and we didn’t slip at all. If you want to remove them to use a different suspension option, the buckles are easily removable to leave two fixed loops.

Weight

At 21 ounces, the Tempest is a little on the heavier side, and it’s here that the budget nature begins to show a bit. Other hammocks of similar dimensions can shave a few ounces off that weight, although the Tempest also includes more features. We wouldn’t hesitate to throw the Tempest in our backpacks for a multi-day adventure, and its weight is understandable considering the value it offers. However, it’s not going to be our pick for a lightweight focused design.

Ease of Use

The included buckles and straps make setup easy. With just a tug, you can smoothly raise or lower either side. The side pulls connect directly to the hammock body, so getting in and out isn’t encumbered by the netting. The only thing that doesn’t make all of this seamless is the adjustable ridgeline, since it requires a bit of user decision at first. Once that is set to the shortest length – if you want to hit that recommended 83% sweet spot – things are easy once again.

Should You Buy the Onewind Tempest?

Out of any hammock in our lineup, the Tempest delivers on value. It offers an incredible amount of features, comfort, and quality for the price. It feels like the perfect starting point – and even perhaps endgame – for anyone looking to get into hammock camping but feeling intimidated by the high prices. 

When researching hammocks we found numerous no-name options promising high quality products for rock-bottom prices. We feel more confident recommending Onewind over these, because they’ve been around for a while, and they don’t seem like a company that will disappear anytime soon. They have a dedicated online storefront and seem to be legitimately offering a quality product at a good price. While the quality isn’t quite on par with more established brands, it’s more than acceptable. We’d just recommend a bit more care be taken to ensure a long lifespan.

While we think that the Tempest could be a great option for beginners, it also makes sense as a second hammock for someone more serious who wants to take friends out sometimes but doesn’t want to drop the same type of money as they did on their premium setup. When paired with a set of whoopie sling suspension and a hex tarp – both products Onewind offers – it comes surprisingly close to other affordable all-in-one kit options. Additionally, it’s more fully featured and more comfortable than those options. It’s a shame Onewind doesn’t offer a kit with those two options because it would make for a killer all-in-one deal to get people started hammocking with very little friction.

What Other Hammocks Should You Consider?

Warbonnet Blackbird Review: If the idea of hammock camping appeals to you but you wish the Tempest was a bit lighter and higher quality, the Warbonnet Blackbird is the best option on the market right now. Supremely lightweight with a great storage shelf, good side-pull points, and all constructed from quality materials. The slightly smaller dimensions mean it’s not quite as comfortable as the Tempest. We think the comfort is quite reasonable for people up to 6 feet and worth the tradeoff for the low weight and good features. It commands a premium, but for anyone serious about lightweight hammock camping, it’s the best out there.

Dream Hammocks Darien Review: For the same dimensions as the Tempest but with an overall higher quality build and lower weight, the Darien sets the bar for supreme comfort in a lightweight package. It does come with some tradeoffs in features compared to the Tempest, notably with a one-sided bug net, no pockets, fixed ridgeline, and non-stashable bug net. However all of these are a bit besides the point since the Darien is meant to be a more straightforward and lightweight design. We overall think the Darien is worth the premium for serious backpackers and should last a long time.