By Jeff Fabiszewski – Wilderness First Responder | Backcountry Chef | Hammock-Camper Dad
I bought the ENO JungleNest Hammock with the idea that it would be my ultralight bug-proof escape for humid Florida nights. Thinking this will be ideal for kayak trips, river hammocking, or just backyard relaxing after long days training Scouts. But, as any outdoor parent will tell you, good gear doesn’t stay yours for long.
Once my son got a taste of swinging between trees, nestled under the HouseFly Rain Tarp with the Blaze Underquilt wrapped around him like a cocoon, I pretty much lost ownership. Now, it’s his favorite sleep system for everything from swamp-side overnights to cool-weather campouts with his scouting friends. And honestly…I can’t blame him.
Why It’s a Perfect Setup for Florida Scouts
Florida camping means one thing above all else: bugs and humidity. The JungleNest handles both flawlessly. Its integrated bug net zips tight and gives full coverage against mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and anything else buzzing through the palmettos. Meanwhile, the breathable hammock body keeps airflow steady, which is critical on hot, sticky nights when a tent feels like a greenhouse.
My son swears by the comfort. The hammock’s integrated structural ridgeline keeps a consistent sag every time. There’s no guesswork, no frustration. Setup is simple and repeatable, which is exactly what young Scouts and exhausted adults need when setting up in low light or at a crowded campsite.
The HouseFly Tarp: His Backcountry Fortress
Paired with the HouseFly Rain Tarp, he gets full storm protection. The overlapping doors close off each end like a mini bivy shelter, keeping out sideways rain, wind, and even light spray when camping along open coastal areas or lakefronts. It’s big enough to create a dry space underneath for gear, but still easy for him to pitch solo using simple guy-outs and a ridgeline.
I’ve watched him string it up in under 5 minutes flat. No adult help, no instructions. There is only the muscle memory of a scout who knows his setup. That’s exactly the kind of self-sufficiency you hope to see in a young outdoorsman.
Blaze Underquilt: For Those Rare Cold Snaps
Florida doesn’t get cold often, but when it does, it bites. Enter the ENO Blaze Underquilt. My son clips it beneath the JungleNest, and the difference is immediate. No more waking up chilled from convective heat loss, even when the temps drop into the high 30s. It hangs perfectly under the hammock without sagging or pressing too tightly, and it compresses small enough to fit easily in his pack for cool-season trips.
The Blaze gives him that toasty insulation without needing a pad. Which, let’s be real, a pad rarely stays in place in a hammock anyway. It always moves up the side.
Final Thoughts: Bug-Free, Scout-Tested, Dad-Approved
Between the JungleNest, the HouseFly, and the Blaze underquilt, my son now has what amounts to a modular backcountry sleep system that adapts to whatever Florida (or occasional cold snap) throws at him. It’s lightweight, fully enclosed, and incredibly comfortable. This is an ideal solution for Scouts who are hammock-curious or ready to ditch the tent.
I may have lost the setup, but I gained a quiet pride watching him take ownership of it. He is off in the wilderness stringing it up under oaks at Scout camp, kicking back on barrier islands during sailing trips, and enjoying bug-free sleep while others wrestle with zippers and floor condensation. That’s the reward of good gear and good training: independence, comfort, and a love of the outdoors.
If you’re a Scout dad like me, just know if you buy one for yourself… you maybe giving it to your kid soon.
— Jeff
Liquid Rhythm Adventures' Journal 