I’m about to say something unusual for someone who sells hammocks: the DutchWare Chameleon is a better hammock than ours. There. Said it.
It’s one of the most loved hammocks out there, and rightly so. But for most people hanging in Europe it’s still the wrong buy — and I’m going to show you exactly why, with honest maths instead of a sales pitch.
Why the Chameleon is so good
- It’s modular. You build your own: you choose the fabric and weight class (Hexon 1.0 up to 1.6, single or double layer), symmetric or asymmetric bug net, a spreader bar, pockets. It grows with you — add parts whenever you like.
- That genius netting system. A patent-pending zipper all the way around lets you run top entry, bottom entry, no net at all, or flip it and lie the other way. Few hammocks are this flexible.
- Roomy and flat. 11 feet (~335 cm) long, 145 cm wide. Genuinely comfortable to actually sleep in.
- Seriously light in trim mode. The body alone can come in around 445 g.
- Build quality from a respected American cottage maker. This is craftsmanship.
All of that is true. If you’re a gear nerd who wants to build your dream system, the Chameleon is hard to beat. But.
The catch (there’s more than one)
- The price you see is just the body. $152 sounds reasonable — but it isn’t a finished hammock. The suspension is sold separately. No tarp is included. The honest comparison point is the “Complete Chameleon Package” at $450 (down from $558): body + net + suspension + tarp.
- And then European reality kicks in. An American cottage maker means international shipping (~$55), import VAT on the goods plus shipping (roughly 20–25% depending on your country), and a customs handling fee from the carrier on top. A complete package lands at around €540 at your door. (An estimate — the dollar rate and fees vary, but not in your favour.)
- It’s made to order. Expect weeks of waiting. And if something’s wrong? You’re posting it back to Pennsylvania.
- The à la carte build is confusing if you just want to hang and sleep. It’s easy to order the wrong part and only realise it once you’re out in the woods.
Where Momo Jord comes in
We’ve never tried to own the top segment. We build the best hammock for the mid-range and the beginner — the one you actually use, not the one you’re too precious about.
Our Momo Jord Hammock costs €149, and everything is included: daisy-chain suspension, carabiners and a built-in bug net. Nothing to order separately, nothing to figure out. Made in Sweden, shipped from within the EU — no customs, no dollar exchange rate, no week-long wait for a parcel from the other side of the Atlantic. A fun detail: ours is 350 cm long — actually a touch longer than the Chameleon’s 335. Size isn’t why you buy a Chameleon. You buy it for the build.
The numbers, side by side
| DutchWare Chameleon (complete) | Momo Jord Hammock | |
|---|---|---|
| Price, delivered to Europe | ~€540 (Complete Package) | €149 |
| Body only | $152 (~€140) + shipping, VAT & customs | – (everything included) |
| Suspension | Sold separately | Included (daisy chain + carabiners) |
| Tarp | Sold separately | Add-on (Asym Tarp €69) |
| Bug net | Modular, on/off | Built-in, stowable |
| Length | ~335 cm | 350 cm |
| Delivery | Made in the USA, weeks + customs | Shipped from the EU, no customs |
| Best for | The gear nerd building a dream system | Most people who just want to hang and sleep |
People google “dutchware europe” — for a reason
One of the most common searches around the Chameleon is exactly how to get hold of one on this side of the Atlantic without customs hassle. The short answer: there’s no really smooth EU route. And that’s a big part of the point of buying within Europe instead — you skip the whole thing.
The verdict
Are you a gear nerd with a budget who wants to build your perfect system? Buy the Chameleon. All credit — it’s fantastic, and you’ll love it.
Want to hang comfortably out in the forest without earning a PhD in hammock economics and customs rules? Momo Jord, for about a quarter of the price, delivered without the hassle.
The Chameleon is a Ferrari. We build the estate car you actually drive — to work, to the mountains and to the lake. Prefer an all-in-one classic to compare with? Read Hennessy Hammock vs Momo Jord.
