Grand Trunk Air Bivy Review

The Bottom Line

With a great combination of comfort, ease of use, and price, the Grand Trunk Air Bivy is an attractive option for those who prefer the convenience of an all-in-one kit. We tested it throughout the pine forests of Minnesota during the spring months and managed to sleep.

Although the kit doesn’t come with a setup, we found the included tarp to be of high quality. Not many budget taps have a hex shape, and LineLocs are included in the mounting brackets making setup quick and easy. The rest of the experience was great, with the hammock featuring our favorite streaming bars lending a ton of interior space.

The worst we encountered was a lack of ridgeline and a poorly designed gear structure. The ridgeline problem can be minimized by careful hanging. The gear loft has very little support, which leads to wear and tear. Overall, however, the Air Bivy is an outstanding option for budget-conscious campers looking to buy a hammock and tarp together.

For a broader look at the market – including other kits and standalone hammocks – check out our gear guide to the best camping hammocks.

How We Tested

We tested the Grand Trunk Air Bivy during springtime in Minnesota. We camped in pine forests all over the country, trying out seasonal melts to test comfort, features, ease of use, and more. We set up and packed the hammock and tarp, knew all the features, and weighed all the parts (both separately and together) on our scale.

Comfort

In terms of comfort, the Air Bivy is on par with many other 10.5-foot, collapsible hammocks. Sleeping in the woods of Minnesota in the spring, we had no trouble getting a good night’s sleep. For reference, our tester is about 5’11”, which is close to the top end of a 10.5 foot long hammock.

That said, we had the most notable, biggest complaints regarding gear height. With whatever weight is on it, the loft sinks down into the sleeping area. Additionally, because it’s just a flat piece of mesh with no edges, things slide out easily if you accidentally bump them. In the end, it was so frustrating that we avoided using it altogether.

Aside from the gear loft, we found the lack of a structural ridgeline to be a downside. Usually made of a strong rope tied to the end of the hammock, the lines are designed to prevent the body of the hammock from stretching too far in length, which can lead to a “peapod” effect when inside. This helps take some of the structural load out of the hammock fabric, resulting in a more comfortable feel. We definitely missed having one with the Air Bivy – we should have been more careful setting it up to ensure a good snug fit.

Features

Since this is a hammock-and-tarp kit, there are a few extra features at work. All adjustable cable ties have LineLoc buckets for easy tightening, making laying down easy. These ropes are a good length and have plastic hooks on the end to go around trees or other natural features if the ground is too hard or rocky to get stuck.

Most cheap hammock kits use square tarps to keep costs down, but Grand Trunk opted for a hex-shaped design that shaves weight while increasing coverage. The tarp itself is made of 20-denier silnylon that strikes a good balance between weight and durability.

The body of the hammock has a built-in, no-see-um bug net that opens with a zipper on one side. The net is held away from the inside with two stream bars around the head and feet of the handle, and a strong rope running to the trees. The system works very well, creating an open and comfortable interior (except for the above mentioned gear area).

Weight

At 3 pounds, 5 ounces for the hammock body and tarp, the Air Bivy isn’t winning any weight awards but is completely reasonable for its size and level of comfort. The body alone weighs 2 pounds, 2 ounces, and the tarp is 1 pound, 3 ounces. The Grand Trunk offers basic daisy chain ropes for another 12 ounces, or you can use regular webbing and a Becket hitch (included carabiners make this easy).

Ease of use

With a basic and straightforward design, the Air Bivy is easy to use. From the included LineLoc tensioners to the smooth zippers and sturdy spreader bars, nothing about the setup — except for the gear height — was frustrating. That said, the system doesn’t include a plot line, so you’ll want to be careful to dial in the correct hang angle.

Should You Buy a Grand Trunk Air Bivy?

If you’re new to hammocking and looking for quality kit that won’t break the bank, we wholeheartedly recommend the Air Bivy. While it doesn’t nail everything, it gets enough right to keep most campers and backpackers happy for many seasons. The value proposition here is great, and we applaud Grand Trunk for making a product that’s high-quality, reasonably lightweight, and affordable.

If you’re a seasoned hammock enthusiast looking to upgrade, this probably isn’t for you. There are plenty of lightweight, feature-rich options available if you can spend a little more. Alternatively, if you don’t mind buying a tarp separately, combining your setup comes with clear performance benefits, too – you can customize each part to suit your preferences.

What other hammocks should you consider?

If the Air Bivy isn’t right for your needs, check out the alternatives below. If not, our guide to the best hammocks gear covers the full gamut.

Onewind Storm Review: If you don’t mind buying a tarp separately, you can put together a cheap, easy, and comfortable kit with the Tempest as your base. The Tempest features a structural lining, a stuff sack that doubles as an interior pocket, and a bug net that can be hidden away when not in use.

Kammok Mantis UL Review: If the idea of ​​a kit includes all the appeal and you don’t mind spending money for improved performance, the Mantis UL is outstanding. With our favorite hammock fabric and excellent quality, the mantis was a quick winner. It is much lighter than the Air Bivy and comfortable to launch.

Hennessy Expedition Zip Review: The Expedition may be the best option for those who are not efficient in their gear. It features a durable 70D fabric and is lighter than the Air Bivy at 2 pounds 11.9 ounces. However, the Air Bivy gets limited in usability and comfort, which is a very important consideration for most campers.