Hennessy hammock?

G

Grover6

Joined
Mar 28, 2009
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Does anyone have any experience with the Hennessy hammock?

I have been looking at them and like the idea of going this route for camping, and also for an emergency shelter system.

It looks great and I like the idea of being off the ground, maybe I'm just getting old, but sleeping on the ground in a tent doesn't appeal to me like it used to. Plus I think the hammock is lighter and smaller than most tents that I would need to be comfortable. I'm 6'2" , 230.

Anyway, any help is appreciated.
 
I don't have a Hennessy, but people on lightweight backpacking forums adore them.

Not having used one, I can't speak to it, but I do have ENO's single person hammock. It is light weight, more comfortable than a pad (IMO), takes up much less space compared to a tent, and you don't have to worry about waterproofing the ground if it rains. Hammocks are the way to go :thumbup:
 
Grover6 said:
Does anyone have any experience with the Hennessy hammock?

I have been looking at them and like the idea of going this route for camping, and also for an emergency shelter system.

It looks great and I like the idea of being off the ground, maybe I'm just getting old, but sleeping on the ground in a tent doesn't appeal to me like it used to. Plus I think the hammock is lighter and smaller than most tents that I would need to be comfortable. I'm 6'2" , 230.

Anyway, any help is appreciated.
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I haven't used mine yet i got the Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe Asym. We are about the same size so it you got one i would suggest the Deluxe. There is a whole forum dedicated to hammocks you can look for. The Hennessy seems like one of the best values due to it containing the rainfly.
Mosquito hammock and Warbonnet hammock are two other companies to consider. Most people love hammock camping as it tends to be more comfortable. Also you don't have to worry about looking for a perfectly flat place.
 
A friend of mine that I hike with has one and loves it - it's light weight, comfortable, keeps you off the ground, keeps the bugs away, etc. His only complaint is that it can get very cold, even with a pad under him. We were camping in the mountains two weeks ago, and while I was in my tent sweating my ass off, he was outside shivering. I had stripped right down to my base layer and opened my sleeping bag up just to stay cool. He was in the hammock wearing all his layers and had his mummy bag zipped tight, but still cold. Just something to consider.

Also, I would recommend purchasing a larger tarp to use with it. The one it comes with is very minimalist.
 
A few guys and instructors from my W&S school have them and love them. I will probably get one eventually.
 
I'm personally not a fan of the hennessey - the bottom opening is a pain in the neck, and Tom Hennessey, the owner of the company, has tried to use patents to strong arm competitors out of the market, even when he is patenting ideas that have been around much longer than he has been making hammocks.


For a much better option, I love my Warbonnet Blackbird. It has a zipper opening, so you can get in the side, and you are able to reach out of the hammock to get things out of your pack or even set up your stove and make breakfast without leaving your bed. The Blackbird is also available with a dual layer bottom, so you can put a sleeping pad between the layers for under insulation.

http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.net


I am a VERY active hammock camper (haven't slept in a tent in a LONG time), so would be happy to try to answer any questions you have. There are also OUTSTANDING resources at Just Jeff's website, and hammock forums:

http://tothewoods.net/HammockCamping.html

http://www.hammockforums.net

a few shots of my setup(s):


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Nice hammock pics! Great, that is just one more thing on my list of stuff to get that is already a mile long
 
I have an expedition asym. Before I purchased it I had had no experience with hammock camping, I found that the hammock was not quite as comfortable as I had hoped however that being said I found it a lot better than sleeping on the ground (even with a thermarest).

I will second what someone said earlier about hammocks getting cold, putting a mat inside the hammock is a must in my opinion (plus it stops the mozzies getting you from underneath).

Overall I am happy with the hammock and can't see myself going back to tent/tarp camping. The combination of weight/size/comfort makes it a worthwhile purchase in my opinion.

Here is my setup with the hex fly...

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NothingCoherent said:
His only complaint is that it can get very cold, even with a pad under him. We were camping in the mountains two weeks ago, and while I was in my tent sweating my ass off, he was outside shivering.
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As demonstrated by the pictures I posted, a hammock doesn't have to be cold. With the right pad, something to keep your shoulders insulated, you can be quite warm. Either an extra wide pad, like the exped downmat dlx, or something to insulate your shoulders, like a Speer segmented pad extender, or a down underquilt, like seen in some of my pictures above, can keep you plenty warm.

I've hammocked down to around 10F, and been toasty warm. I know guys who have been far below 0F and also been warm. It takes a bit more skill and knowledge than in a tent but is 100% doable.
 
Thanks guys,

I guess I would like to know what the essentials are when buying a hammock, and whether they all come with the must haves or are they accessories. Obviously the rain fly and some sort of bottom insulation are needed. I live in Canada just east of the Rocky Mountains, so even in the summer it will be cool at night.

Also, are their items that you guys have bought and then found that they were unnecessary?

Thanks
 
Just to add my input, for what its worth

i researched what hammock would be my best option and ended with a Warbonnet Blackbird 1.7 double layer. Im around 250 lbs, 6'2'' and this hammock is the best thing that could happen to me when out in the wild.

I live in Montréal, Canada.. most of my last expedition were near the Mauricie National Park and I slept in the blackbird at around -11 deg celcius with nothing more than a few layers of clothing, a cheapo blue foam from walmart and my sleeping bag (-5). I think you will be ok this summer in Canada with way less gear..

What would I change if i could start over.. ditch the blue foam for an under-quilt.. take less space in my pack (a big plus for my Maxpedition Vulture II) and would do a better isolating job.

Nothing i bought was unnecessary.. since there were only the hammock, 2 carabineers (1100 lbs) from the same web site.. and I first used a crappy 10x8 poly tarp at around 14$.. did a great job but its too heavy and once again take room in my backpack.. will definitly order my superfly really soon (and a door kit till the next fall/winter) [I use a 65$ silnylon 9,5 x 7,5 from MEC.ca that weight a feather and pack the size of my mug of coffee]

Never been THAT comfy in the wild.. like most hanger.. I'll never go back to the ground
 
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I was just out in my Hennessy expedition this weekend. The main thing Hennessy has going for it is its wide distribution and as has been stated it has all the elements in one package. However, the tarp that comes with it in the standard form (i.e. most distributors) is a touch on the small side. I prefer to use a 12' x 10' tarp for full coverage and then some and that extra room gives me plenty place to put all my gear under. I don't find it particularly cold. It was in it at 31 degrees F on Friday night. Under colder conditions then you want to increase the insulation under you, i.e. double pad the bottom rather than bulk up on your bag.

The bottom entry is a bit of a pain and means you have to do a lot of shuffling around inside once you get in to position your pad under you and then get into a sleeping bag. That inevitably causes you to produce a few curses, but this usually takes about 45 s or so when you get in. After you are settled then all is well. A lot of people make a big deal about this and cite it as a reason why you should go with a top loading model. It sort of like the equivalent of saying you shouldn't buy an RC-4 because it takes 5 minutes to thread the paracord through the sheath to make a belt loop.

I think it is a good system, and particularly a good system for new comers to hammocks because everything is all put together for you and basically all you do is tie two knots and you are good to go. The expedition models are also easy to find in a variety of places. There are also places that will mod the Henessey's to a side entry but I'd probably go for a new hammock instead of that route.
 
I don't have a Hennessy but I do have a Clarke North American and I can't say enough good things about it. I am 6'3" and 320lbs, and I can sleep comfortably and even toss and turn with total safety and comfort. The whole thing packs up in it's own pocket and takes up less space than most compact sleeping bags. Set up and take down are super fast. One of the features I like about the Clarke is it has pockets along the underside that can hold a lot of gear or can be used to stuff with insulating materials on cold outings.
Either way I think you will be happy with any good quality hammock, they are the best way to camp IMHO.
 
i have a bad hip ... so my hennesy was my best choice due to the door where i can pull myself out of ... i find most other hammocks harder to deal with ... after this season im going to send it in for a zipper mod. just to hang out and cook and loading. so far i dig it... i even toss it up out back and over look my garden. i have a feeling after this year there will be some more upgrades to my hammock but i definatly like it over a tent. i still have a couple tents for camping with others or when situations call for it. but for me its light , its fast it keeps me dry ... and i can have it up in under 10 mins.

not every one can sleep in one , and it took me a while to get used to sleeping in it... but its pretty comfy so far... and it makes me feel better then any bivy i have owned....
 
I'll second the Clark North American.I'm 6'3 260 and some of the best sleeps I've ever had were in that hammock.I've used the same one for 3 full years with minimal fuss and great comfort.I got started with a Hammock bliss and worked my way up to the clark.I got my brother-in-law a hammock bliss for Christmas.he's hooked now.we camped out this weekend in them.
 
i was given a lightweight camping hammock for my birthday this year and can't wait to give it a try.... inspiring pics in this thread...
 
Gover, I'd check and make sure you are allowed to hang a hammock if you are camping in a park, I'm thinking that a hammock might be a good option for those random summer snowstorms!
 
I want to get into backcountry hiking, for 1 or 2 nights at most, and want to have a nice lightweight shelter system. I have done one winter backpack trip, where I slept in a tent with 2 other people. It was around -12 celsius overnight. While I was ok for warmth, I was uncomfortable to the point that I only slept for a couple of hours, and that seriously reduces the enjoyment of the trip.

I have also looked at small tents for backpacking, and from what I have seen I would need a double tent to have enough room to even lay down. Not to mention the whole finding a flat spot to set up on.

Anyway, I am pretty sure I will pick up a hammock, I like the whole setup. I also like it as a, emergency shelter system. Seems easier and faster to set up than a tent in a hurry or the dark.

The Warbonnet is a nice system. I especially like the larger fly and door option, but like everything there are a tonne of options out there once you actually start looking. I am gonna check out the Clarke models as well.

On a slightly different topic, do any of you have any experience with the Eberlestock packs? I was looking at both the Kifaru Zulu, and the Eberlestock Terminator. After some comparisons I think I like the Terminator better. It is bigger than the Zulu, and is less money, and I like the layout better. I also think it will be big enough for what I want to do for trips (overnight to 2 night max), plus I have a local dealer who carries them.

Thanks for all the help.
 
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