What hammock?

runningboar

runningboar

Joined
May 27, 2006
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I have been thinking more and more about trying one of the new breeds of hammock. The advantages are obvious, off the ground, comfort, cool in the summer, light weight.

I have been looking hard at the hennessys but don't want to invest that much cash in something I don't know if I will like, I have never even layed in a hammock. I have a 10x12 siltarp so I am not looking for one with the shelter built in, just good quality, as cheap and light as possible, suggestions?
 
look up how to make a test hammock out of a sheet or something on google. it just takes a sheet or peice of fabric and some strong cordage (like 550) and a few minutes to put it together.

a good way to see if you like to sleep in a hammock for a night or two in your back yard.
 
I am going to rummage around in the house and see if I can come up with the stuff to try this out. If I can stand it, it seems like a great light weight option. Chris
 
Hey Guys..

RB..

I'll also suggest getting a Cheapo hammock and giving it a try..

I'm for sure going to get a Hennesy...

They are the Bomb and better than a Bivy bag...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
I have the Byer of Maine Moskito Traveler:

http://www.byerofmaine.com/amazonas-traveller.htm

It's held up surprisingly well for about 3 years now. It's about 40 bucks though, so you probably will want to wait 'till you've tried out the home made one. I'm going to try out one of the Hennessey hammocks once this wears out. There's one that's a little shorter that's only 70 or 80 bucks that I think would work well for me since I'm not too tall.
 
I'm a big fan of the Hennesey. Definitely worth the money.

imrisk.com is a good one. He's quite the scientist about all of his projects! He's made dozens of hammocks. You can read about all of it on his site.

Also look at http://speerhammocks.com/ for kits to make your own, a book, or to buy one commercially.
 
Man, I'm glad to see that someone started this thread. I was just looking at Hennessey's myself. What are the pros and cons of hammocks, and especially the Henessey's?

Lagarto
 
I have the Hennesey. I can't think of any cons off the top of my head. The pros are lightweight, pretty good coverage under the tarp from the weather. I haven't used it in extermemly wet weather but it has been my method of camping now for a while instead of a tent. Very well built and designed. I have used it down to just above freezing with a ultra light matress inside the hammock and it works great. I have the snakeskins which is also a pretty neat little addition that works pretty good. Overall I give it a big thumbs up. While I have a Hennesey I would also look over the Speer hammocks as well.

KR
 
Hey Guys..

KR1...

A few questions for you....

What do the snakeskins do ??

you basically pack the hammock in the snake skin ??

More importantly..

Where do you put all of your $hit while your in the hammock..

Lets say you've got a pack,,where do yuo put it if it's raining ??

A seperate gear hammock would be sweet...Either that or someting like a 12 foot hammock with gear storage at one end would be nice...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
 
Normark said:
Hey Guys..

KR1...

A few questions for you....

What do the snakeskins do ??

you basically pack the hammock in the snake skin ??
Click to expand...

Yep, they just slide in. Its pretty cool storage system.


Normark said:
More importantly..

Where do you put all of your $hit while your in the hammock..

Lets say you've got a pack,,where do yuo put it if it's raining ??
Click to expand...
You can place all the stuff under the hammock because it has a tarp over the hammock. I also carry a small tarp 8.5x11 that I can wrap or put up if its really lousy out. It allows me to cook without being in the weather. Its kind of a nylon so it doesn't weigh very much at all.

Normark said:
A seperate gear hammock would be sweet...Either that or someting like a 12 foot hammock with gear storage at one end would be nice...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST
Click to expand...
 
I use my Hennessy Hammock a lot and have had it for several years. I have used it on the ground as a bivy too.

They make a larger rainfly that you can buy instead of the standard fly. Usually I just setup my siltarp or poncho if I need to, but like someone said you can keep your gear under your hammock (effective in a mild to moderate rain but a real downpour needs more coverage than the regular rainfly for gear).

A plain old hammock is nice, but bugs are too big a problem where I am to sleep without netting at night.
 
If you can't manage a Hennessy to see if you like the idea, there are plenty of inexpensive hammocks out there. But I can't point you in another direction than paracord to strongly, I don't think anyone wants to hear the Raven in the swamp story again. :P Get some 1" webbing, it's stronger than any rope for the bulk, if you go slow you can almost use it as a tow strap, and it is less likely to tear into a tree like rope can.
 
I've never used a hammock (bad back) but wouldn't a large, contractor garbage bag cover the pack completely?

Doc
 
Hey Guys...

Thanks for the info...

Ok I get ya on where the gear goes....
A Small hammock for just your crap would be Great!!

If I don't have a place for my gear I usually just strap it to a tree and put something over it..

Thanks,,will have to give it a shot..

I've got an old jungle hammock somewhere..will try and dig it out tomorrow...

Thanks

Eric
O/ST
 
I have an ultra light Travel Hammock like the one pictured in the Campmor link somewhere above. I used it on my last trip last year. I had a poncho strung above it and I had a scrap of moquito netting that I used to cover my head. Turned out that the netting wasn't needed to protect against bugs, but instead helped hold in precious little heat. The breeze never really quit, and temps had gotten colder than we anticipated over night. I was in a summer 'patrol' bag on a Z Rest in the hammock, and I was still chilly. halfway through the night I retrieved my poncho liner from my backpack and wrapped it around my bag as best as possible. That helped a lot, but I was still chilly at times.

Lessons learned: Take a better, heavier bag (I usually do, but this time I thought I'd try my super-duper discount $25 ultra-compact ninja bag :rolleyes: ), and rig the poncho lower and closer to the hammock so as to help block wind better.

All things considered, it was a fun trip. The hammock was nifty and all, but not the most comfy for me for all night. Perhaps I am too accustomed to sleeping on the ground. I'll give the hammock another shot sometime this year.
 
lagarto said:
Man, I'm glad to see that someone started this thread. I was just looking at Hennessey's myself. What are the pros and cons of hammocks, and especially the Henessey's?

Lagarto
Click to expand...

I can only comment on hammocks in general since I don't have a Hennessey, but here are a couple of thoughts. . .

Pros:
1. Light weight. You don't have to carry poles, and you can get by with fewer or no stakes.
2. Off the ground.
3. Fast set up and take down. . . I have carabiners attached to the end loops on mine, so I just tie my ropes up and clip on the hammock. . . only takes a minute or two.
Cons:
1. Heat loss through the bottom. When you sleep on the ground you usually have a sleeping pad which insulates you. In a hammock you just have air circulating under you. This is great if it's hot, but it can get really chilly in the spring or fall. Some people use a sleeping mat in the hammock. I've tried it and will certainly be doing so from now on if it's going to be chilly out.
2. Some people just can't sleep comfortably in one. A Brazilian style hammock helps because you lay flatter. . . I can sleep on my side or even on my stomach in mine.
3. I haven't seen a good light weight one that will hold two people. And it's a bit of a challenge for two people to be comfortable even in some of the bigger ones that I've tried. I guess this could be a pro for some guys who just want to get out for a bit on their own. . . ;)

Those are just my quick thoughts. . . If I think of anything else major I'll add it later.
 
Warmth is a big issue in hammocks. It's the biggest downside. You need to use a pad under you. It doesn't matter how thick of a sleeping bag you have -- it gets compressed under you and leaves you cold.

Hammocks are way more comfortable than being on the ground. So of you're totally into it and want to be in a hammock below 40 degrees (F) you need to use at least one pad.

or you go deluxe and get one of these:

http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List_files/Under%20Quilt.htm

It's a quilt that goes under your hammock so it doesn't get compressed. Scroll down and look at the pictures. I have one and it's great!
 
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