"Weight (advertised): 36oz
Weight (tested): 37oz
Price: $99 (REI)
Weight limit: 250lbs
URL: www.hennesseyhamock.com
I love this hammock. It has become my shelter of choice!
Design: Very sturdy and quality construction. The sleeping area is solid nylon fabric - no catching on stuff like a net hammock, and protects agains rain. No-seum net full length protects well, and is supported by a line along the length of the hammock - this makes a great gear loft. I hung my glasses, book, a light, socks, and the storage bag (using as a gear storage) on it with plenty of room. The entrance is in the bottom, which seems od, but it works. You sit in it like sitting in a chair, then pull you legs in. Then your body weight holds it closed - along with a couple of pieces of velcro to make sure you don't roll out at night.
Sleeping: Because the bottom stakes out with two cords- there is no problem with flipping, and you can sleep on your side. I slept better in this hammock than I ever did on a therma rest!
Tarp: comes with a diamond shaped tarp 10' long, and 6' at the wide point. It covers the entire sleeping area. In good weather it can be left off or pitched one end up, in bad wether it can be pitched very low to prevent water getting in. After setting up the hammock, you can also tie both hammock side cords to one side, and use the underside of the tarp as a covered shelter to cook, eat, etc. until bed time.
Variations: I also have set it up as a bivy, using my treking poles to support the net/tarp when trees aren't available. In cold weather there are instructions to make a heat reflector using a space blanket and shock cords, but I've found this to be very impractical. Instead I use a 3.5oz car shade sun-reflector as a sleeping pad with the shiny side up.
Benifits: No longer need a level ground for a pitch, nor do you need a sleeping pad or ground cloth. Besides weighing less than a bivy tent, this means you save 1-2 more lbs based on what type pad you use. No waking up at night slidding down to the bottom of your tent when you can't find a level spot. No more finding those mystery roots and rocks after you go to bed. No more condensation problems. No more water comming in through the floor of your tent in the rain.
Disadvantages: You can't bring all your gear in like a tent, but what I do is either put my pack under the center of the hammock with the cover on, or strap the pack to a tree with the cover on.
Other info: Tom Hennessey is now making an ultralight version that costs $149, has a weight limit of 200lbs, and will be available in spring. He also has tarp options, and a nylon webbing strap to prevent tree damage for the "Tree Huggers". Oh yess, ther is also a two person version, a tropical jungle version, and superlight racer versions can be custom ordered.
Final reccomendation: Go get one now! I forsee this being the wave of the future."
"Hennessey Hammock
At first I was rather skeptical of a backpacking hammock, having tried the net types in the Army I found them uncomfortable and too cold. My first 5 nights in the Hennessey Hammock were delightful, most relaxing nights of sleep I have had in the backcountry in many years. This along with ease of use, lightweight, and great workmanship will place this item on the top of my list of favorites.
Use of the hammock was so quick and simple that on some rest breaks I would set it up to really relax. On one evening I made camp late and even without the perfect pitch I was still comfortable all night. I did add a couple tent stakes to help with keeping the side tied out, I didn’t like to look for rocks to tie off to.
This shelter is lightweight, at 2 ¼ pounds it beats every tent I have owned. I was able to leave my sleeping pad at home to save additional weight.
When looking at the web site I couldn’t get a feel for how the hammock was made. So when I found out REI carried them I ran right over to see it. Everything about this hammock is quality.
The only down fall I found with the Hennessey was the reflector. I made one following the instruction on the web site, but on the second night of use it tore in half, making it useless. The remainder of the nights, with the temperature dropping in to the 40’s, I was just as comfortable as the first night. This lead me to believe the reflector would only be necessary on nights colder then 40 degrees. I would like to see Hennessey manufacture a sturdier reflector as an included accessory.
I don’t feel there is a better hammock out there. I can’t wait to see the double model Hennessey is working on and neither can my wife.
www.hennessyhammock.com"
"I recently heard of this product and jumped to get a hold of one. I long ago had an old Vietnam era hammock that I really loved and hated. This new product really sounded a bit too good to be true. Trust me on this ... it is wonderful. First of all it is a hammock and not a tent ... so the gear stays outside. But it's eveything they claim it to be on their website. Used it twice so far and its wonderful to plop into camp ... not have to worry about roots, rocks, level ground ... any of that ... just find a couple trees ... tie it up, hang your pack and you're home. Imagine getting into your shelter in a rain storm ... not having to wait for a lull in the rain so you don't flood the tent as you're trying to get in. Imagine waking up with no stiffness from that little rock or root you couldn't find when you went to sleep ... but found you later ... about 3:00 am.
I just came back from Bolivia where I lost my little green hammock to a friend that could live another moment until he owned one. So, he winds up with an early birthday present and I order another. REI use to carry them but apparent having a brain misfire ... don't have any or have any on order. Not to worry you can order directly from Hennessy. If you haven't gathered by now ... I think this is the greatest 2.25 lbs to come into the world in a long time. I'm going to order a spare so that if anything happens to my new one ... I'll have it ready. FANTASTIC!"
"I have been sleeping in hammocks for a while. Usually just carried a yard-hammock with the sticks at each end an threw a tarp over a string in case it rained. It was a lot to carry though so I bough one of these. The only problem was that every time I went on a trip one of my friends ended up wanting to use it. So I bought another one. Have used it now about 10 times and am highly satisfied and impressed with the workmanship. The only problem is that it is a pain (in the winter) getting into a sleeping bag and on top of a sleeping mat (for warmth) while flopping around in the hammock. But after this is over with it is the most comfortable nights sleep you can have in the middle of the forest."
"Well after reading all the glowing reviews, I feel a little guilty. All in all I didn't like the hammock and in fact gave it to a friend to try who also doesn't like it either.
The concept is sound, so sound, I intend to try to make one myself next winter. The problem was design. As a big guy (6'8"), this hammock was way to light duty for a guy like me. Nevertheless the price being very reasonable, I decided to give it a try.
Setup was pretty quick, but I found the rain fly was a little small. Sure enough the first night it rained, it rained in the tent quite bad. Repeated adjustments in the middle of the night had little effect. Fine for light downpour, a disaster for a wicked storm.
Entry into the tent was difficult. I found it impossible to get into this tent, without destroying my bedding. The entrance is located underneath, so you must move your bedding, slidein and then completely rearrange your bedding underneath you. this was awkward at best and very time consuming. I was a very unhappy camper by the time I managed to get my bag and pad arranged.
Good points:
- the ridgeline allowed for hanging stuff.
- the comfort was great, once you managed to get everything arranged.
Bad points:
- hard to get in.
- rain fly worthless
- a bigger/heavier duty version is a must for bigger guys.
- hated the opening underneath.
- for the net on top (ability to view the stars, etc.) to be nice, a method to roll the rainfly back on before bed or in case of weather a must."
"I have slept in my hammock in about all conditions now. In the pouring rain I have been dry as a bone. Light weight. In the cold I have been warm without even using a sunshade or pad underneath me. It's the most comfortable thing I have slept in. I took both of my tents and this is all I use now. I highly recommend it."
"I used a number of Hennessy Hammocks on my most recent expedition out west, the American Frontiers public lands journey. (www.americanfrontiers.net) We traveled from Glacier National Park to the High Uintas and I used a Hennessy Hammock at least half the time.
Of the several I tried, I found the Ultralite Backpacker A-Sym to be the best compromise between a tent and a tarp. There are a number of advantages that it has over both, I think. It’s much lighter than any tent out there, and unlike a tarp it keeps out all no-see-ums. I also like that it keeps me completely off the ground. I have set this up 6 feet in the air between two trees, just for kicks.
I have only a few complaints about the system. I found that when there was a stiff wind and rain, some would get under the rain fly. This is a problem on some tents too. As a taller guy (6’4”) I was also a little cramped. I found all of the other hammocks accounted for this, though. I particularly liked the Expedition and Safari."
"BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD ..... REALLY. It does take a little getting used to. After figuring out how to hang it and get into it, it's a piece of cake. I've never had as good a nights sleep as the nights I've spent in my Hennessy. I believe they have a money-back guarantee, not that you'd ever need it."
"Great way to sleep one you get used to it. The only problem I had was that we were camping in very cold weather, for which a hammock does not seem well-suited. It is very comfortable, spacious, and most of all, lightwieght. However, at night it was 20 degress with a stiff breeze which made the tent less than comfortable. I'm sure that during another other season, this would be the perfect shelter."
"I have recently begun to have problems with my shoulders, especially when sleeping on the ground. I am in my 30th year of backpacking and not close to stopping. I heard about this hammock and researched it. I got one, and it IS the most comfortable sleep I have ever had in the woods. It is lightweight, sturdy, and well constructed. I think it will last as long as any Sierra Designs tent I have ever had. This is my new home away from home. I like the challenge of being innovative with the difference between a hammock and a tent. I think hennessy has over priced the insulation system, but I intent to make my own. Get one - is my advice."
"This is the end of the 3rd season that I have used my Hennessy Ultralight Backpacker A-Sym. I weigh 155# and am 5' 9" and have about 40 years behind me camping, mostly wilderness backpacking. The hammock has performed as advertised and I have been very pleased with its performance. The fly system with the A-sym series is quite adequate for any downpour. I have used it primarily for packing into high mountain fly-fishing lakes and for kayak trips. While kayaking on the central BC coast. Hammocks were the only way we could establish comfortable campsites. Most of the sites there were impossible for tenting due to steep terrain and thick brush.
As others have alluded cold weather camping in hammocks is particularly challenging, especially if you're a "restless popsicle" as I am. I have found 2 strategies that work well. The simplest was to use a large Thermarest pad. If backpacking, though, the weight is prohibitive and then I dropped to my Prolite 4. Once the temperature approaches freezing, this began to fail as I rolled around and off pad and touched sides of hammock radiating precious body heat. This brings me to strategy 2 which entails making a Primaloft underpad held under the hammock by Hennessy's "Undercover". Forget his foam underpad that comes with this as it has insufficient R factor to be useful. The underpad system allows the occupant to thrash around with no concern of hitting cold spots. With 2.5" of loft in the primaloft underpad, I've gone well below freezing and been warm. Despite the good coverage offered by the A-sym canopies, I'd recommend using the oversize Hex fly in Sil-nylon. This makes a very roomy dry spot for sitting and cooking, especially when conditions deteriorate."
"I was sorely disappointed with my deluxe A-sym. Got soaked in a rainstorm. The fly was completely worthless. Pitched it tight, but in a heavy rain the precip came right through it. The kicker is the bottom of the hammock/tent is waterproof so the water pooled up inside! To top it off the seam between the fly and hammock ripped ON THE SECOND DAY OF USE! Upside is the company is offering me a complete refund. BTW I am 6'4" 205 lbs."
"This is a damned clever bit of kit. There is a definite knack to setting it up, a couple of hours putting it up, getting for a nap and taking it down again is a must for the new user.
Pluses are light weight, really comfortable, fully bug proof, great view from in bed if you are someplace scenic and the sliding pocket on the ridge line is inspired, tho I use a clothes peg to keep it where I want it.
The down side is you really need to get out to get dressed, and it's easiest to get into your sleeping bag, then into the hammock rather than the other way around. All your gear has to stay outside too. I usually put my pack underneath and use the open top as a kick off to keep my sleeping bag clean as I enter and exit.
The fly seems to work ok, but I always carry a milspec shelter tarp as well that gets used for cooking/extra weather protection etc. Between the Henny, the tarp and nice long piece of para cord the shelter possibilities and configerations are endless.
But by far the best trick is a complete and utter indifference to the state of the ground, all you need are 2 good tie off points between 10 and 30 feet apart (extra rope needed for the latter, tho not as much as you would think) and you are sorted. One of my best camps was on the slope of a gully you couldnt walk up without pulling yourself from tree to tree.
Not really a cold weather tool, heat loss through the bottom is large and while this can be beaten by using the smallest therm-a-rest, it means one more thing to carry and they are a bit of a pain to position correctly. A silver windscreen heat shield is good, but is also prone to condensation and resultant dampish bag. One possibility I'm going to explore is a thin foam sleeping mat cut to fit. Finally, those hopelessly uncomfortable foam pads might have use!
To sum up: Very very clever and quite comfortable once you get used to them and the fact it's a hammock, not a tent. For the same weight carried, I can either take my tent and therm-a-rest or the Henny and a week's marching rations..."
"I had used the Ultralite Backpacker A-Sym (1 lb 15 oz) for a couple of years, but just gave it to my son when the new Hyperlight came out (1 lb 8 oz). I bought that in May 2006 along with the larger snakeskins (stuff sack) and I'm still delighted.
I'm a 50 year old grandma, 5 ft 3 in, and weigh 120, so I'm super-comfortable in my nest. I could use a smaller one, but I digress. I'm a lazy, ultra-lightweight minimalist backpacker and I don't like putting up tents or taking them down. With this hammock I can string it up in the rain in about two minutes, without letting it touch the ground.
You string it up, then push back each snakeskin and stake out the rain fly, then the hammock. Your backpack can be hung underneath the rainfly by hooking it to the ridgeline. It's a good place to put it while you get organized and do your camp chores: boil water, start meal, filter water, eat, change and clean up, and bear bag all your "smellies". >^,^<
Then to get in easily and be toasty and comfortable, I put a tyvek ground sheet underneath, set up my cheap aluminum bivvy sack with my flannel sleeping bag inside. I take off my boots and hang them over the ridge line under the rain fly as I step into the sleeping bag. Then I sit inside the hammock while already in my sleeping bag, with the bag arranged the way I want it. I've already put my night gear in a fanny pack over the ridgeline inside, along with my hoody and my extra clothes in a stuff sack.
You then lay down and bring in your feet. Within seconds I am laying with my head on my pillow (clothing stuff sack), my headlamp on, and a good book waiting to lull me to sleep. It's so comfortable that I don't read for long. Everything I need is hanging conveniently on the ridge line. If I feel the need I can unhook my backpack and bring it inside, too.
I just took it on a three day hike on the Loyalsock Trail and a two day hike on the Pinchot Trail in Pennsylvania. It rained, poured, gusted, and thundered a little. I routinely cooked under the rainfly, then battened down the sides tighter than normal in case of gusts, and climbed in to relax, get warm, and sleep.
You do have to learn how to set the rainfly for various weather conditions (just like a tent), and you need to arrange something between yourself and the outside of the hammock to cut down on heat transfer (just like the ground in your tent). You can use a thermarest, and when I do that I have already stuffed it in between the sleeping bag and the bivvy sack, before getting into the hammock.
I have used the hammock down to 30 degrees, and just keep that cheap bivvy sack and my 3/4 length thermarest for use around my 30 degree sleeping bag for cold, windy nights.
As long as there are trees in Pennsylvania, this is the shelter of choice for me, unless the sherpa wants to bring a cozy couples tent for other outdoor activities--like playing cards in the rain, etc. >^,^<"
"I think this tent is really an acquired taste. I used it every single night from the start of June until the end of August this summer in the ADK working as a guide for a scout camp. Here are my impressions:
Ease of use/setup. You can really get this thing setup in 3minutes or less. If you can tie a knot you can set it up. It isn't that complex. The only issue is if you are expecting a double whammy in the weather. The hammock holds up fine to wind, and holds up fine to rain. But when you get gusty winds and hard rain, you need to make sure you set the hammock up just right, specifically regarding which direction the flanks are facing. After taking it out a few times you get used to knowing when and how to set it up.
Unbeatable comfort. Super light. I just carry this 2lb hammock and not the 4lb tent, the 1lb thermarest, and the thermarest trekker lounge. This replaces them all. Its beautiful. Best sleep you'll ever get out on a trail. Honestly.
Climate dependent. I've used this in cold weather. Down to about 20 degrees. I had a good sleeping bag and i lined the hammock with an emergency blanket. It may not be the best solution due to having to get outside to get changed and stuff, and staying situated in the hammock is hard. But it can work.
The Rain fly. Here is where most people complain, but when you've set it up over a hundred times already you start to figure out how it should be setup. Don't read the instructions on how to do it cause they're wrong. What you gotta do is have it taunt and very much asymmetrical. It's all dependent on the wind. You pull one side really low and leave the other side high. Then the wind does the rest for you. It's really tricky to get it right, and you'll need twine or paracord to do it right. It works out with practice and I have NEVER gotten wet in my hammock and I've seen some massive storms. I have never used a tarp or replacement fly.
Overall, great investment. Best comfort and weight you'll ever see. I'll never pick any tent over this in the warmer months of the year."
"I love hammocks. I used them all the time - in the backyard, at the park, at the beach, camping, wherever I can. I bought the Hennessy Hammock ultralite Explorer A-Sym. I really wanted to love this hammock. But, unfortunately, I didn't. I didn't buy this for the weight, as I am not a ultralight backpacker. REI didn't carry the Explorer deluxe at the time, so I picked this one up. I bought it as, what I thought would be, a fun 1 person shelter. Well, I'm not sold on hammock backpacking - at least with this hammock.
Positives: very easy to set up, immediate comfort, can set it up anywhere there's two trees in the right proximity.
Negatives: Could never find the diagonal "sweet spot" one was supposed to find; with the netting right above my face, I felt quite boxed in; I give up with the underneath insulation, every idea I had didn't quite work; ultralight tarp noisy & stretches in rain; brown color really tends to feel ugly after awhile
The bottom line is that anytime I backpack now, I take a small, lightweight hammock with me and string it up for breaks or after I set up my tent for the day. Like I said, I'm not an ultralight backpacker so it's no big deal. (I use and external & I lift weights at the gym.) All in all the Hennessy Hammock is a pretty good product, just didn't suit me. Maybe it will be THE perfect "tent" for you."
