Tentsile Tree Tent Giant 3-Person Hammock Review: Is This Massive Hammock Worth It?

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A hammock built for 3? Is this Tentsile hammock all it’s cracked up to be?

At Terradrift, we’re big fans of hammocks. I have one set up in my backyard pretty much all the time, as long as it’s over about 60ºF. I take one with me when I go camping and bring one on every single road trip. If I’m going to a park just to hang out for more than about 35 minutes, I’m taking a hammock.

But hammocks are best for solo hangs (unless you want to get reeeeal cozy–by which I mean get smashed together like two pieces of bread on a panini). So if you’re heading out with friends or family, you have to bring one for everyone (or everyone’s gonna fight over the one). But what if that wasn’t the case? What if you could comfortably fit three or more people on a hammock and still be able to lounge, sit up and play cards, or snack and relax? Well, Tentsile offers just that: a giant three-person hammock called the Trillium. And we got our hands on one to see if it’s all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s what we thought of the functionality, setup, comfort, and whether we think it’s worth it.

About the Tentsile Trillium

Now, like I said, this isn’t your typical hammock. For starters, it’s designed to let you lay flat (or mostly flat) without getting folded up like a burrito in fabric. This also means you can not only lay down and spread out, but it’s supportive enough for sitting upright, too. Yup, even if there are multiple people on it.

That’s because it’s designed with webbing separating the three sections, which makes semi-rigid section separators. Translation: Each of the three loungers stays in their own space. No panini smashing. And it can hold up to 880 lbs!

Another huge difference between the Tentsile and traditional hammocks? Because it’s shaped like a triangle, like all Tensile hammocks and tree tents, this one requires three trees for setup, not just two (but more on that below).

Now, we’ve tested a couple of Tentsile tree tents before, including the Connect 2-person tree tent and the Una 1-person tree tent. They each have their pros and cons. But what we like about all of them is how comfortable and durable they are. But this one in particular is extra nice for warm weather because it’s the mesh version. And while it’s designed to function more as a communal lounge space than a tent, you can purchase accessories separately to turn it into more of a tent or add it to a stack of Tentsiles! Which looks super fun and jungle-gym-y, and who doesn’t love that?!

But is all the hassle and setup and novelty worth it (and worth the price)? We’ll break down our thoughts and how it functioned to help you decide.

Features

The Tentsile Trillium is far from your everyday hammock. In fact, it has plenty of bells and whistles built in (and more you can add on).

• Holds three adults (or two adults and two kids), or however many people you can fit on before you max out at 880 lbs.
• Detachable gear hammocks under each corner for things like pillows, backpacks, and books.
• A central access hatch provides an additional entry point or access to a cooler or table underneath the hammock.
• An adjustable tensioned anti-roll underfloor strap system to keep the sections separate.
• Comes with three heavy-duty ratcheting straps and tree protector wraps.
• Can be converted into a more tent-like structure with an additional Roof Kit.
• Available in a solid floor or mesh (we tested the mesh).

Setup Process

So you know what it offers. But right off the bat, let’s be clear: this monster can be a bit tricky to set up. For starters, it’s about 17-18 pounds, making it a bit unwieldy and heavy enough you probably wouldn’t want to carry it far, especially since the bag doesn’t have a handle or carry strap. But mostly, it’s the shape of it that makes it tricky.

Setting up a triangular hammock like this one requires you to find three trees that are pretty close to perfectly spaced apart, not just in distance but in angle. We faced some difficulty finding the ideal tree arrangement during our first setup and ended up with one slightly saggier side because of it, but Tentsile offers walkthrough videos on their website to help you navigate tricky setups, so that’s something.

As for actual setup, once you do it once, it’s pretty straightforward. First we protected the trees by wrapping them (at about chest height) to prevent any damage that could be caused by the heavy webbing and ratchet straps. Next, we attached the ratchet straps to the corners of the hammock and wrapped the webbing around the three trees before threading it through the ratchets. The straps are pretty long (six meters), which providing plenty of wiggle room for tree spacing.

Start at one corner, ratchet it down, then do the same with the rest, making sure all of the watches are nice and tight and locked closed before you hop into the hammock.

Comfort and Usability

Once set up, we found the hammock to be bouncy yet firm, thanks to the dense webbing but just the right amount of give in the hammock body. It’s actually super comfy and feels like sitting or laying on a huge backyard trampoline (OK, maybe slightly less bouncy than that). The triangular design means you stay in your own section without rolling into others, thus making a human panini, which is great if you prefer a little personal space.

It’s just as comfy for napping–with or without an inflatable sleeping pad– as it is for sitting, and honestly, I look forward to sharing the experience with friends in the park or when camping or during backyard BBQs. And frankly, it’s just fun. Every time I set up the Trillium or our Connect, I feel like a kid ready to go play outside. It also attracts quite a lot of attention in public spaces given its unique design.

If you do think you’ll use it as an overnight sleeping surface while camping, you certainly can, with or without the additional roof kit. Do keep in mind that rectangular sleeping pads won’t fit super well as their corners will be duking it out at each point of the hammock, but mummy-shaped pads work better and Tentsile and Klymit even collaborated to make Tentsile-shaped sleeping pads. Pro tip: In even remotely cool weather you may want to consider an insulated pad since hammocks mean you’ll be experiencing convective heat loss from above and below.

Pros and Cons

So if we have to break it down to the nuts and bolts, what are the ups and down of the Trillium?

Pros

• Unique Design: Offers a fun setup for camping or lounging above the ground for the whole crew.
• Comfortable: Provides a flat and bouncy sleeping or lounging surface without rolling into others.
• Durable: Made from high-quality materials that withstand the elements.
• Versatile: Can be used as a hammock or tree tent via available accessory options.
• Environmental Impact: Tentsile plants 20 trees for every product sold.

Cons

• Setup Difficulty: Requires precisely spaced trees, making setup tricky.
• Weight: At 17-18 pounds, it’s not for backcountry use.
• Price: Not the cheapest hammock on the market at $399. But think of it more like a portable play place and you’re golden.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Tentsile three-person Trillium Hammock is a versatile and comfortable piece of equipment. I honestly think it’s really fun and am glad to have it in my life. That said, it’s a bit setup intensive and definitely can’t be pitched just anywhere, but it’s perfect for extended camping trips with friends or family when you can set it up once and enjoy it all weekend.

So is it right for you? Well, if the price is within your budget, you’re looking for a fun and comfy lounge space for the park, backyard, or campground, and you’re willing to do a little hunting for the perfect setup spot, then yeah, yeah, I’d say go for it. Frankly, I can’t wait to take it out again ASAP.

So head outside, lounge above the ground, and wander on.