Hammock advice

Tankerwolf

Tankerwolf

Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
1,217
So I have the itch to try swinging again. I looked a while back and learned a few things. I would like to hear some opinions / advice on hammock camping from some of you that have some experience.

-I know you need a rain fly and I was looking at the eno, Hennessy, or just getting a 10x12 BCUSA tarp. The larger ones being better as my son could huddle up under as well.
-Under quilt for cooler weather, I have an self inflating mat from tent camping. That should be ok right?
-I know I need some type of straps because just the cord is bad for the trees. Seems like there are a lot of options for straps now.
- Hammocks.......... I really like the Hennessy Survivor in woodland or multicam but the price is high. Looks like it comes with everything though. Eno doublenest was the other option and piece together the rest (bug net, fly, etc...)
Bear butt hammocks get great reviews for the price but it looks like most of the reviews are paid reviews. Great price though. Warbonnet blackbird was another. Not sure which way to go.

Any advice or recommendations for a noob?

$$ range is under $500 total and its GA weather / bugs.

Thanks.
 
I'd go with the henessy, bottom entry asym as the way they build the mesh into the hammock is great for bug resistance.

I strongly prefer a blow up pad to a self-inflating one so that you can blow it up 50-75% and let it hug you. Something like the Big Agnes Air Core. I use a Nemo Astro but that's mainly because I got a great price on it.

I don't really understand the Survivor, it seems to be much more expensive than other models just for the camo pattern? The Expedition and Safari are the models that use thicker nylon and the Jungle ones are double-layered.

The Ultralight Backpacker Asym Classic is the ideal Henessy imo with the Expedition Asym Classic as the more rugged, lower cost, higher weight alternative were I not planning to do long backpacking trips with it.

I prefer the larger rainfly as it creates something of a vestibule space to store gear and prepare meals, etc.

Underquilts are very serious pieces of gear and I see no need for them unless you're doing a true alpine/arctic expedition. Getting creative with an undercover, emergency space blanket and dry leaves/brush is the way to go. I also strongly recommend quilts over bags in general for camping/backpacking and encourage you to look into JacksRBetter Top and Multi-function quilts.

Personally I only use my hammock for warm weather camping so take what I say about insulation (and everything else, because who am I but some random internet stranger) with a grain of salt.
 
I also recommend you take a look at the hammocks made by the JRB guys, although I have no personal experience with them I've heard good things.

They have a combo deal right now, $553 for a sweet hammock, tarp and quilt.
 
Before you spend your money, I would recommend reading about some of the hammock innovations that have happened in the past few years. A lot has happened. Off the top of my head I can think of "Diamond Ripstop". It's about 30% stronger than conventional ripstop.

All things hammock here: www.hammockforums.net

First off, Enos aren't crappy per-say, but they aren't remotely innovative compared to other designs on offer these days. Hennessy's designs are good, but he skimps on materials. His hammocks are also on the small side. I'd recommend checking out Warbonnet and Dream Hammock. Those guys have been refining their designs for a long time.
 
How tall are you? I ask because some hammocks, especially hennessy get real rough on taller guys.

Lots of options out there, straps are easy just anything over an inch (25mm) and polyester. No nylon. Its just bad news when wet.

You will likely be fine with the insulation you have, and can add some bits and pieces over time, especially if you are still going to ground camp ever, its not really worth going all in. The pad will work for you.

There are a lot of cottage makers now, Warbonnet is the biggest probably, but you won't go wrong with any of the hammockforums supporting makers. There are a lot of good options around, I'd avoid Eno, they don't offer anything that a cottage guy can do for much cheaper, and way more customized.

focus on a good tarp (go big), and a hammock that does what you want, and you should be able to hold well within your budget. Work on your insulation as you go, as I said, what you have now will likely be enough, and you'll get a better idea of what you need as you go. Insulation is very personal, so I hesitate to give too much advice.
 
I go back and forth between tent and hammock when backpacking, and use a Hennessy Expedition Asym Zip. It's a good hammock for my needs, but hammocks are a very personal type of choice and the downside is you won't really know what you like until you try. One thing I do recommend is a larger tarp, because your gear will be outside it's nice to keep your pack under cover if it gets wet, and also nice to have a larger covered area outside of the hammock. I use a standard Thermarest with a Big Agnes down bag (trying to use the same gear for tent and hammock) but I can definitely see the advantage of a quilt system.
 
I used a old US Army jungle hammock for years it was heavy but worked well, finally ponied up for a Hennesy and really like it. Much better coverage from stormy weather with the asym cover. The Eno's kind of suck I've had friends with those and I wasn't impressed. At least with the Hennesy you can move around and don't have to sleep like your a banana. There are a few others that are well liked by one of my friends, its made in ireland and I can't think of the name. He swears by it though and it can be used on the ground if no trees around.
 
Thank you all for the responses and links. I am 5'11" so it looks like the shorter ones are out for comfort.
Right now I'm leaning towards the warbonnet xlc w/ whoopee straps and a BCUSA 10'x12' tarp.
Part of me wants to grab the bear butt $35 hammock to see if I even like swinging. I am 100% a stomach sleeper at home and I don't believe you can do that in a hammock correct?
The survivor is most likely more expensive because of the camo. While I no longer have the need to stay hidden in the woods, I do have a soft spot for camo. (especially woodland pattern)
HH does have a deal right now that I get a kids hammock free if I buy one of theirs. So the survivor + one for my son for roughly $340 doesn't sound bad.
Not sure how I feel about the bottom entry though. Never tried it but just seems like a side zip would be easier.
 
Hennessey Hammocks are nice but pricy - take a gander at DD Hammocks. I bought a DD hammock and a DD tarp years ago and have used them HARD. Theyve held up just fine.
 
I'm 6'4" and I have an explorer deluxe and I've got plenty of room, I've slept in my son's Moskito Kakoon and that's smaller and was still comfortable, I've been in a couple 11' hammocks too and I can get pretty flat I them if you want to sleep flat. I've tried to maintain my ground equipment and use in the hammock and while it works for me and my son it doesn't work for my daughter. As I said it works for me but it is at a weight penalty, that's up to you to decide if you want the weight penalty. Hennessy has weight limits so depending on how much you weigh there are only a few option for you if you're close to 250lb. Warbonnet is another great option.

If you go with the Hennessy and don't expect to be below mid 20s the supershelter can be a great option as long as you swap out the emergency blanket with a SOL one so it lasts longer and packs better and then you just need a decent 3 season top quilt, upgrade the stock fly to the sylnylon hex or monsoon/typhoon and you're in under $500 and you can handle temps from 25F up and under 5lbs for shelter and sleep system. You can also go the Potomac quilt from arrowhead equipment and be just over or maybe even a hair under depending one the top quilt and you'll want bigger tree straps too
 
I'm 5'10, and I fit well enough in my hennesy explorer, so you should be fine, I don't know if the survivor is smaller. Some people do find they can stomach sleep in a good asym hammock, but others find that they sleep as well as at home, just on their back.
If you go for the warbonnet, you will have no trouble getting most of what you put in, back on it used. They are popular for a reason.

If you want to go with an open hammock, look at "fronkey" style bug nets. a lot of folks love them, you may find it works well for you, and helps with that budget factor. If you go with a netless hammock and fronkey from dutchware that gives you lots of room to explore and see what you like.
 
TheMadIndian said:
I'm 6'4" and I have an explorer deluxe and I've got plenty of room, I've slept in my son's Moskito Kakoon and that's smaller and was still comfortable, I've been in a couple 11' hammocks too and I can get pretty flat I them if you want to sleep flat.
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Im likewise 6.4. - it can be a problem for tall people to find light weight gear that works. Surprisingly, the DD hammock fits me.

Years ago, when I switched from tent to using a hammock, I was advised to sleep with feet slightly elevated i.e. 'foot end' of hammock tied higher.
I thought it nuts, but it actually works. The DD system does not let you sleep 'flat' though....nor is that called for IMO. Horses for courses and all that.
 
gadgetgeek said:
I'm 5'10, and I fit well enough in my hennesy explorer, so you should be fine, I don't know if the survivor is smaller. Some people do find they can stomach sleep in a good asym hammock, but others find that they sleep as well as at home, just on their back.
If you go for the warbonnet, you will have no trouble getting most of what you put in, back on it used. They are popular for a reason.

If you want to go with an open hammock, look at "fronkey" style bug nets. a lot of folks love them, you may find it works well for you, and helps with that budget factor. If you go with a netless hammock and fronkey from dutchware that gives you lots of room to explore and see what you like.
Click to expand...

I was going to mention that but every time I look at Dutch's $38 netless I always end up at $127 after I set options :D
 
He'll do that to ya, but man its good lookin gear. He doesn't mess around with R/D and what he rates his gear to.
 
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