Hennessy Hammock

F

Foilist

Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
3,863
Anyone else use one of these? I just used one for the first time on a four day trip in NH, and it was awesome! I had none of the typical sore and stiff spots I get when waking up after a night on the ground. The thing can be deployed and taken down fast and its packed size is about that of a bread loaf. Also, no poles! For bottom insulation I used a large car windshield sun reflector, which worked very well and was far less heavy and bulky than a Thermarest pad.

I can't stop raving about this thing!:thumbup:
 
Explorer Ultralight Zip. Here it is slung at Ethan Becker's place. From here in, it's tents only when I have to.

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I use a Clark Camo North American. I just flat got converted to Hammock camping a few years back. Not that I don't still use tarps cause they come in a very close second.
 
Nice...lets see somemore pics of Set-ups ! I have been wanting to try this out but haven't had the chance to get a good hammock ! Not meaning to hi-jack the thread but whats a good basic hammock set-up ?
 
coaldigger, you can get in really cheap or spend a whole bunch. Some of the Eno Hammocks don't deflate your wallet too much. On the other hand, a Warbonnet will set you back a couple of bills or more.
I chose Hennessy for several reasons. One was a reputation for quality. Another was inclusion--you get everything you need to hammock camp in warm weather (hammock, bug net, tarp, straps). Finally, Hennessy ran a buy-one-get-one-free deal near Xmas last year, and I wanted to get a hammock for my young son as well. If you want more information than you can handle, try reading over at hammockforums.net
 
Hammock Forums will devour your time and money as much as BF if you aren't carefull!

I got my lightly used Hennessy Expedition Asym. for $100 bucks from someone on a motorcycle forum. New they go for $150. Eventually I may trade up for Hennessy's Explorer model which is bigger. I am just at the height limit for the Exped.

I think I am mostly done using tents, unless I absolutely cannot hang.
 
My son, who absolutely loves his Hennessy got his out and set it up on the front porch today so he could read in it. I think he is trying to tell me something ;) There are always a couple slap straps on the porch so he can hang when he wants to. :D

We love ours and never use a tent unless there are no trees for the hammocks.

huauqui
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Set one up at a friend's place, who has a rainforest in his backyard. Works well, just make sure to bring insulation.

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I've had warbonnet lust for a while now. Problem is, everywhere that I tend to backpack isn't guaranteed to have trees. I'll be spending a week in August above tree line in the Sierras. Really can't figure out how a hammock would work with that location.
 
I have a Hennessy and use it on kayak trips where space and weight is limited. I like it, can't say I love it though. You can set up a tent away from any possible widow makers above, not always the case when you hang between two trees surrounded by other trees:D
 
I've got a Clark NX250 in camo with the fly for their 2-man hammock & whoopie slings. I spent more than I'm willing to admit on it, but I got everything I wanted in one foul swoop. I love it. I'm a big boy so the 250 is about my only option for a tent hammock & I don't wake up sore or tired like I do on the ground. The camo's pretty good too. Last fall, a buddy & I were camping in the Linville gorge & a train of college kids came through our site. Pretty sure they were lookin' for our spot & planned on makin' it their own. Well the only "colors" in our site were his tent. Standing 10' away from my Clark, they couldn't tell it was there. Heard one of 'em say this as I walked over to it to get my stogies out. Pretty sure they thought we were mercs hiding out in the gorge. Said they'd never seen a cammy hammock like mine before.:D
 
Love my Hennessy enough that I bought another for my son when he got straight A's. I bought the largest they make which should cover like 7 feet and 300 pounds. Im no where near that, but my idea is bigger is better lol. Just set ours up this week for a little over night so my son could say he used his.

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I wish I slept on my back so I could use a hammock. I'm a stomach/side sleeper. Those just don't work out for me. Any suggestions other than become a back sleeper?
 
I loved mine when I could use it. I got an expedition. The weight limit, however, is 250 pounds, and I've since gained some weight... so I need to work on that a bit before I can put the hammock to use again
 
Hey Guys..

I've been using my Hennessy Explorer with the larger Hex tarp going on 4 or 5 seasons now and I simply won't sleep in anything else.. It's eith my hammock or my Gortex Bivy on the ground..

There simply is no other hammock like the Hennessy..

I bought a DD hammock in the spring and I disliked it even Before I had it out of the stuff bag... I set it up, checked it out, and although nicely made, it simply doesn't compare to the Hennessy..

I prefer the birth canal entry. Zippers are fine and I may have mine modded with zippers,, however have found that those little zipper handles can be a Bitch to find at night.

If you were ever panicked and needed to get out of it lickity split, it wouldn't be fun.

Another thing I found that my son opened my eyes to.. If the zipper handles were ever moved to the opposite end, such as a prank,, you'll be the entertainment for awhile,, unless you are limber and can turn around inside the hammock.. I've tried,, it can be done,, but isn't fun...

With my Hennessy and the birth canal entry,, I simply push a foot through and I'm out...

The only drawback I can see is Not having the ability to put a sleeping pad underneath you , something Hennessy could easily fix by putting a second layer and splitting it in the same place as the birth canal...

If it were me,, I'd buy another Hennessy in a Heartbeat with ZERO Hesitation..

We own 2 now ,and Explorer and an Expedition and will be getting more...

Make sure you get the large Hex tarp.. The smaller tarp is OK for when there is no rain expected, but too small in my opinion for any type of weather..

My only gripe with my Hennesy is that the snake skins, when using the larger Hex tarp are a little on the tight side, and takes too much fussing to get on..
I'd like to see a larger set of skins with draw cords at the ends..

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
absolut247 said:
I wish I slept on my back so I could use a hammock. I'm a stomach/side sleeper. Those just don't work out for me. Any suggestions other than become a back sleeper?
Click to expand...
Many hammocks allow side and stomach sleeping.

For instance the Clark Jungle Hammock
[youtube]Jq2sMWPjQZg[/youtube]
 
absolut247 said:
I wish I slept on my back so I could use a hammock. I'm a stomach/side sleeper. Those just don't work out for me. Any suggestions other than become a back sleeper?
Click to expand...

I am also a stomach/side sleeper, and did just fine in my maiden voyage with the Hennessy. If you hang it with the right tension and lie in it diagonally (it is designed to be used this way), you can lie flat and sleep comfortably on either side.

Also, the sleeping position you favor in a bed won't necessarily be the same in a camping hammock.
 
Foilist said:
I am also a stomach/side sleeper, and did just fine in my maiden voyage with the Hennessy. If you hang it with the right tension and lie in it diagonally (it is designed to be used this way), you can lie flat and sleep comfortably on either side.
Click to expand...

I thought that was the purpose of the Asym cut. It lays relatively flat if you adjust to the right angle inside the hammock.
I use a sleeping pad in mine (zip model) and lie on my side just fine. I can sleep standing up in a rain storm though, so position isn't as important to me.

+1 on the Hex tarp. That's what's shown in the pic above. I believe you gain a pound, but it's worth it in inclement weather.
 
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