Hennessey Hammocks

“Because of a lot of factors I thought a hammock might be more suitable for me then sleeping on the ground (arthritis and a slipped disc). I have researched Hennessey Hammocks about as much as I can on net, but I'm wondering if any of you have any experience with them pro or con.”

“i have one - its great if its not cold or rainy or terribly windy - very comfy to sleep in - never wake up with aches and pains - its cool falling asleep in the cozy swinging cocoon - though if you get motion sickeness you migt not want to go this route

use a foam pad to insulate warmth

its sucks in the rain”

“My Hennessy hammock is fine in the rain, unless it's raining sideways. My limit for the Hennessy Hammock is about 40 degrees. I use a RidgeRest pad with mine.”

“You might try to sleep transversely in a regular hammock to see if you like it first.

Twinks is right. As with any hammock tent, rain will sheet and wick along the ropes into the tent - unless modifications are made.”

“I have been comfortable in mine down to the upper 20s. I have had no problems with using the hammock in rain.”

“Let me clarify.

When I say it sucks in the rain it's because you have no protection except that from inside the Hammock. So - it sucks to try and cook or change or just remain holed up for any lenght of time.

So a solution - carry a tarp. Then you get heavy again.”

“A 6x8 silnylon tarp only weighs about 7-8 oz. Hammocks aren't that much lighter than one-person tents, so I've always seen them as a comfort thing, not a weight-saving thing.”

“well - they are definately comfy - and entertaining too - plus - on a nice night - you can watch the stars pass through the night...oh - you can also see bears that are prowling around your camp cause some GENIUS WHO CLAIMS TO BE YOUR FRIEND throws food until your hammock”

“i picked it all up


:D”

“I have a Hennessy bought from BBinkley, along with a SilNylon 10x10 tarp. I have not tested it on the trail yet, but I have used in the back yard twice in about 40 degrees & I was warm..... It was awesome as far as comfort, almost as good as my home bed, slept like a baby...
I could see if the weather was wicked cr@ppy you may have some troubles or incoviences.....”

“I use an old rain fly from an old tent as added protection if wind driven rain. Light rain has never been a problem. I have awaken to 8 inches of snow and been comfy all night. I have rigged a large truck windshield protector with shock cord under the outside of the Hammock on cold nights (under 40) that works really well. Taking the advice on the hennesy site to be sure that you have dead air space between you and the reflector is good.
Comfort is for sure well worth some of those aggravations. I have slept in it using my trekking poles to hold center rope up and slept on the ground. Moderately successfully. Windshield pad is better than nothing then. But sure not like getting in the sling...”

“Sounds like it's not always a bad thing to get your A$$ in a sling. I am considering on using it on a planned thru hike of the AT in '05. I have this year to research and try out gear, learn new skills and get in better shape. Figure I'd best get started on the planning now 'cuz time has a way of catching up. Does the idea of a thru hike alter anyone's opinions?”

“Hennessey vs. solo tent - well my hammock sure is a smaller package than my Eureka Gossamer -- no poles. One minute of reclining in the hammock will sell you on the comfort of the Hennessey design. I never cooked in my ground-bound tents, even when it was raining, but I sure have hated putting tents with muddy bottoms back in the stuff sack. Not a problem with the hammock.

Snake Eyes, I can get you in touch with Mark, who gave the AT talk the other night. I'm sure he would be more than happy to have a sit down with you at some point and talk about thru hiking and gear choices. He turned full tilt ultralight and trimmed his load to 25 lbs. as of his JMT hike last summer. He started the AT at 65 lbs, admitting he was ill prepared. Finished about 50 lbs and set out to learn the ultralight method. Let me know if you want to set something up or get a contact number.”

“BTW, Sgt. Rock has described on his website how he stayed dry in his Hennessey during a horrendous storm (the effects of a nearby hurricane, I believe) while on Army field maneuvers. That seems to be quite a testament to the hammocks.”

“Having hiked a bunch on the AT I could wholeheartedly recommend getting a hammock. It's not always easy to find an uncrowded flat spot to set a tent up on... a hammock along the AT can be set up just about anywhere. Well... at least it can be set up just about anywhere on the portions of the AT towards the south I have hiked. Cold weather can be a problem, but if you can sew an underquilt makes a world of difference and really isn't a hard project to do. Friend of mine with little to no sewing experience made hastily made this underquilt in about 2.5 hours in an attempt to get an underquilt made before a winter hike so he could try out his hammock. Used some uncoated 1.1oz with plain ole quilting batting from Wal Mart.

1lb underquilt”

“Pekka,

Yeah, getting me in touch with Mark would be great. I'm going to be spending a lot of weekends on that side of the state anyway since I'll be helping my daughter with the home renovation.

DeoreDX,

I was wondering about excessive ventilation on my poor old butt (not that it doesn't suck wind anyway). That 1 lb quilt sounds pretty functional. Not sure about my sewing skills, but I sure sutured a lot of drunks while in the services if those skills will do.

You folks are great. I'm beginning to suspect this website may have something to do with hiking...not that any of my posts would be an indicator.”

“Kindly remove that last "s" from the word services. Thank you.”

“Clark jungle hammocks? The deluxe looks like it could provide everything and not too heavy.”

“ohhh - a through hike? yeah - i'd probably go with the hammock and find some sort of super light tarp to use wth it”

“I love my Hennesy, and I use an 8x10 tarp instead of the rainfly it came with. It is still under three pounds, and totally dry in all conditions, even flooding of a foot deep! I figure out where I'm putting the hammock, then set up the tarp just above using a separate rope. I then have a dry place to cook, etc, before hanging the hammock for bedtime. I used carabiners in combination with the straps provided to make a quick-release system for hanging the hammock. It allows me to take down the hammock in 30 seconds, including folding and storing. I use the same closed-cell foam pad under me that I would in a tent.”

“I camped with my Hennessy at Savage Gulf this past winter at 24 degrees and I was snug as the proverbial bug in a rug. I too have the pleasure of arthur's constant company along with pinched nerves in my neck, so sleeping on the ground is not an option. I will find a way to make the hammock comfortable in any situation. I have endured torrential downpours with considerable wind and have stayed compleatly dry. StoveStomper can confirm that from our last AT outing.”

“BTW, I think I saw on a post somewhere that you work for Mr. Sam. Me too, for a couple of years, until I rebelled against all forms of work last May. What do you do?”

“I will be running the receiving dept. starting Tuesday.”

“Just no manners.”

“FG--how do you stay warm at below 0(C) temps? are you a warm sleeper anyway?

Slugman-i gotta know...what is your setup with the biners? is it the same(with the 'figure eight' tieoff) except with a biner added inbetween rope & treeband? Someone else was using climbing gear as a quick & easy hanging method. sounded interesting, but too expensive and heavy.”

“Receiving 'eh? Good folks to know if you want to get your shipments when they come in. I used to run a vision center. It was always important to be nice to the warehouse folks.”

“Clark jungle hammocks?

I've had one since the mid 90's and it's held up great - very rugged. Much more so than the Hennessy. I take my junglehammock climbing, but I wouldn't trust the Hennessy to survive that kind of abuse. I think the junglehammock probably isn't quite as comfortable as the Hennesy because you don't sleep at an angle. But I still find it infinitely preferable to sleeping on the ground. One advantage the junglehammock has over the Hennessy is that it's a true two-point attachment, whereas the hennessy has those silly lateral lines, making it 4 point attachment. Another is that the junglehammock has storage pockets underneath the floor of the hammock. Stuff those with clothing, and you have an effective uncompressed insulating layer beneath you. Also, the junglehammock doesn't have the gimmicky bottom entry design of the hennessy, so it's much more convenient to rig a gear hammock (just a cheapy net hammock) under the hammock tent for easy in-tent access to your gear. That keeps your gear out of the elements as well. Of course, the jungle hammock is heavier I beleive, but that's how you pay for its solid construction.

I like the idea of using biners for quick disconnects. I have rope clamps and screw links on my junglehammock to provide quick setup, adjustability and to divert rain water away from the tent.

But if you're a hard-core hammocker, there's no substitute for a treeboat. They're popular among researchers doing research in rain forests because they actually do keep you dry, and they're comparatively roomy. They're comfortable, too. But they're the heaviest, and expensive, so you don't find the lightweights in this forum using them on the trail.

Oh, and that stupid strap that comes with the hennessy that's supposed to protect the tree is just a waste. If rope will damage a tree - DON'T TIE INTO IT!”

“I was leaning heavily in the Jungle Hammock direction, but needed to hear from someone with experience. I'm always a little suspect of reviews on a company's website. I may just order it today because this winter's starting to get me down.

Thanks to all.”

“I haven't used a underquilt or anything else under the hennessy to keep warm, but I hear it is quite effective. In colder temps, I use a cheap truck windshield reflector and a 3/4 length z-rest. I generally use my sleeping bag unzipped as a quilt. The reflector is wide enough to wrap up along my sides to stay between my arms and the hammock nylon. You will soon know it if you shift off the reflector or pad. I’ll tuck the sleeping bag around my arms too.

If it is cold enough that I need both the reflector and pad, I usually have my Golite Coal along. I put the Coal under my feet for insulation there. You can also stuff any excess clothes around you for extra insulation. When sleeping, I normally only wear a long sleeve polypro, undies, socks, and a fleece hat.

What I would really like to try is a DAM and a real quilt like a Nunatak Arc Alpinist. I think that setup, supplemented by select clothing, would keep me super comfortable into the single digits, maybe even 0F. Or maybe I just need to buy/make an underquilt.”

“The Ultra Deluxe Jungle Hammock by Clark. No problem practicing when it arrives, must have 500 to 1000 trees in my yard.

Thanks again for all your help.

/s/ The Eye of the Snake”

“Helinka, I am a warm sleeper. I wear fleece socks, leggings, jacket and balaclava to bed in cold weather, and I also suspend an MPI all-weather blanket (11 oz.) beneath the hammock to reflect my body heat. I use a 20-degree down bag draped over me like a quilt. I have used a ThermARest 3/4 Ultralite sleeping pad in the past but will probably go to high density foam pad due to slippage issues. My backside got cold at 14 degrees F (and 25 mph wind) the first time I tried the hammock in very cold weather but that was because of condensation caused by an experimental pad that I (mis)used. If it is windy. I would also set up a siltarp on the windward side of the hammock. I would not hesitate to use my current setup anywhere in the 'teens (F).”

“i love my hammock, but i'm such a cold sleeper that i end up taking all my soft gear in with me, for extra warmth. i like the idea of pockets under the hammock that could be filled and would function as a insul layer. but could i actually bring myself to deface my beloved hennessey?”

“You need an air space between your hammock and the insulating layer. No need to deface your hammock. Simply suspend your insulating layer from the guyouts.”

“yeah. but i'm such a klutz i'd probably wreck it getting out of the hammock for my midnite potty run. better to sew pockets i think.”

“Those look like fun, but I have a hard time sleeping on my back. Too bad, cause sleeping on hard surfaces isn't much better. I usually go to sleep on my right side, then who knows end up elsewhere through out the night.”

“I find it quite easy to sleep on my side in the hennessey. It has an asymetrical cut. So when you lay at a diagonal in it, you are basically laying flat. I don't like to lay on my back the whole night either, and that is not a limitation of the hennessey. Next time you are hiking with someone who has one, I definitely recommend giving it a test spin.”

“anyone got any kind of hammock for sale....or give away(ahem)...just dont want to pay $165 for one when ive never even tried one...i would be more concerned with the moisture rather than comfort...most everyone seems to agree that comfort isnt really an issue...”

“howdy.. been a long time.. next time we hike somewhere.. I'll let you try mine out.. if you fel like doing a lil shrpa work!.. hehe... just kidding..

How's ATL area?”

“eh its not bad...well not bad for typical atlanta anyway...still waiting on the 3-4 billion dollar sewer to be finished...and everyday i thank god that i dont have to commute for more than 15 mins...got all the shootings and whatnot of everyday life spalshed on the news...hawks and thrashers still suck...other than that atlanta is a GREAT PLACE TO LIVE....”

“* laughs *”

“I felt the same way so I went out and got the Byer Traveller for $19 and use a $9 bug screen and my sil-nylon tarp. It slept great at TC3 and I can't wait to use it again. Put my tent away for Spring-Fall. I only use it for winter bping now that I have a hammock.”

“shep,

if you buy one from REI and don't like it, you can take it back with no troubles. And with the 20% off members/dividend coupon it's a bit less expensive.

There's a few demo units available at Hennessey's website.

The ebay seller "auctionpreneur" had a bunch earlier in the year he was selling; I bought one from him for a decent price and passed my older one down to my son.”

“ok ok so im liking the idea of a hammock but now i ask where do you experienced hammock hangers stash your packs and or other stuff you dont want wet...i mean i know you can put it under the rainfly but what about when it really rains...ever thought about suspending it beneath rainfly above hammock or below”

“top”

“I use a small net hammock slung right underneath my hammock tent.”

“ahhh you wouldnt happen to have a pic of that contraption would you??? just trying to find out something about hammocks here....i have virtually no experience witht them as far as backcountry use...”

“I am considering a hammock too....my dilemma is changing clothes.......”

“whats that got to do with anything?? you cant wiggle around in the hammock div???”

“No, no picture. I have yet to own a digicam. However, just picture one hammock tied slightly above another hammock. You sleep in the top one, your backpack is slung in the lower one. You can reach out of your tent and access the backpack below you. If the rainfly doesn't provide enough protection, I use a poncho tucked over the backpack.(unless I have the pack cover on).”

“LOL.....ok.....I guess I could......but I wonder how easy that would be....”