Hammocks for the trail?

“While I was out and was talking with HOI he got my interested in using Hammocks. I have starting checking websites but I havent found much. Im about to google it but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Is there anything particualr I do or dont want in a hammock?

When HOI gets back from the trail Im gonna find out which one it is he has and chat with him too but in the mean time any suggestions are greatly appreciated :)

Links would be great also if you have any.”

“get a Hennessy. you won't be disappointed. i even sleep in mine in the middle of winter now.”

“HOI has a Hennessy Hammock.

Here's all the Hennessy threads

Here's all the hammock threads

Have fun!”

“The best thing to do is just bypass the lowend ones and just go straight to the Hennesey. I've used a few and the Hennesey will be next and last. Some of the cheaper Byers of Maine frankly suck. I bought one of the Byers that has the net and everything on it for $40 and the damn thing can't be strung tight enough that you don't end up either ON the ground or 1' from the ground. Even for a slight 140 guy.

I've seen Henneseys on E Bay dirt cheap and new ones for like $80.”

“I bought a Byers and when I got into it, two of the support lines broke immediately.”

“You get what you pay for. Try www.junglehammock.com as an alternative to the hennessy. I've had my original junglehammock since 1994 or 1995; I've put it through serious use and abuse; it's still in good shape. My hennessey wouldn't survive what my junglehammock did. Really, it depends on what you want out of a hammock tent.”

“The Jungle hammock weighs about twice as much as the hennessey I have, which is the regular A-sym. I love my hammock, and would go no other route.”

“I bought one on a trip to Canada about 25-30 years ago when I was in Boy Scouts and still use it. Contrary to the picture, I've never slept overnight in it, but it sure is comfy after a long day on the trail. Rolls up into a softball-size ball...

”

“Thanks everyone, Checking all the links out now :)”

“Hennesey. I love it. I use it for warmer weather, strictly. Mostly cause I'm still not educated enough to use it in the cold weather...

Ductape - How ya doing?
I know the cold-weather hammock thing has been discussed on the board. But, I don't feel like searching and your post reminded me that I wanted to hear how some of you get around the cold back and behind... What REALLY works?”

“Aside from the Hennessey, there are people who swear by the Speer and the Clark.

One thing about all the hammocks - but especially the Hennesseys with the fairly small tarps - is that they are not idiot proof. I can set up a tent absent mindedly and a bit carelessly and not get wet in a fairly nasty rain storm. Hammocks require more care. I've got myself soaked with a fairly minor bit of carelessness and have run into people who had the same thing happen to them.”

“Just bought a Clark. Used it twice. If you read the directions and practice a couple times. it works well. 2lbs. and wow can you break it down fast!”

“I got a call at 8pm the other night from Mr Hennessey...he couldn't remember if he gave me the snake skins i payed for at Trail Days. I told him he had, we had a nice conversation, and said he'd see me at next years trail days. How's that for customer service.”

“Hennesseys are great. I started with the A-sym and moved up now to the ultralight. I used to freeze my butt off in anything below 60 degrees (I know, I'm a wuss), but now I use a thermarest prolite 3 under my bag and have been comfortable to around 35 degrees with a 25 degree bag.”

“I have a Blueridge bivy hammock($180)that I use occasionally. Broke the aluminum spreader bar on my first trip. They're nice for hot weather & generally uncomfortable in cold.

Mine had a rain fly that velcro attached but water still gets in those windy stormy nights. I like off-season hiking/camping so I see a bunch of that weather.

I like to bring my gear inside the tent with me but can't bring much in a hammock. Kind of hard to find under a foot of drifted snow. Critters can play havoc with it too. They generally leave all my tents alone, other than sniffing, which I find annoying as I'm a light sleeper.”

“I'm back from the trail early :( with a sore knee. Several other links for info:
yahoo hammock camping group
Whiteblaze has a hammocking section
SGT Rock's site has a lot of info on hammocks also as well as a section in the forum about hammocks”

“Thanks for the Links HOI! I hope your knee starts feeling better soon. It was nice meeeting you last weekend :)”

“I've heard only good things about Hennesy and that's probably the one I would buy if my budget allows...

I've slept in hammocks a few times and it was very comfortable. Capn' bobo had given me a cheapy hammock to use in Ecuador and I did notice the thing had to be re-tied every night, because I was almost touching ground by morning. I'm thinking it was probably the one Nigey mentioned above.”

“I like to bring my gear inside the tent with me but can't bring much in a hammock.

You need a daisy loop chain on the underside of the hammock, and biners for your gear so you can keep your crap off the ground and relatively dry, depending on the size of your fly.”

“So Mutt, how big is an ideal fly?
;p”

“btw the hammock I use these days is a Hennessy Explorer Deluxe A-sym
last edited: 9/09/05 1:41:39 PM”

“Yeah HOI, That is the one I am looking at. Sadly due to my weight the other ones just wont work for me, Which makes sense cause I can find the other ones all day long on Ebay for cheap but the Explorer deluxe is a Minimum $139 buy it now from what I have seen, still a good price I just dont currently have the cash LOL.

Thanks for the Links, The Yahoo group has had some good info on what I have read so far.”

“I'm old, stubborn & set in my ways. Like my stuff "INside" the tent with me.”