Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

Having just moved up from Chicago to a dry cabin in a bog in Fairbanks Alaska, I desperately needed a way to spend time outdoors without using copious amounts of DEET, or slapping away at jurassic-scale mosquitoes. This hammock returned my ability to sleep outdoors, and read in a completely peaceful environ... once I stopped laughing at the droves of mosquitoes trying to get in the mesh anyway.

I've also teamed this up with a Snakeskin setup from the manufacturers website and that's an invaluable component in keeping the hammock from getting tangled up in its self.

My first trip out to camp on gravel bars in the Tanana was an amazing success, when I didn't have to do any ground clearing and I could sleep well above the rose bushes. In the morning the tent shed moisture and dew quickly having never saturated by pressing against the ground all night. it packs up in a minute with some practice and stuffs easily into a small stuff sack.

I couldn't recommend this more highly for people that want an easy camping experience and if you're ok with sleeping in hammocks I've gotten some of the best sleep in my life in this thing sleeping flat across the asymmetrical bottom. I can see where sleeping in the tent would be uncomfortable if you're over 5'8" or stockier but it fit my frame fine. And I can definitively report that it's capable of supporting ~300lbs of swaying weight all night long - as my friend and his girlfriend so generously demonstrated for all of us.

This hammock is not sound proof unfortunately.

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

I once used this for 30 days straight, and found it extremely comfortable. I've used this in the tropics and in three-season weather. However, without an insulating pad, you will get chilly. Even in the tropics, where I slept with a silk sleep sack, I ended up having to use a pad, which isn't comfortable b/c the pad slips out from underneath you. I therefore purchased the winterized add-on, which works for warmth, but then adds bulk and the entire thing can no longer can be stored in its original bag or use the snake-skin add on. So, the hammock is not a perfect solution for everything, but I like it for solo trips. I also would absolutely use it in the tropical forest when there are nasty snakes, etc or muddy ground.

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

Couldn't wait to try out my new hammock. Went camping with my kids. They got the tent, and I got the hammock. Still getting used to it, but I had better sleeping nights than I ever did in a tent. I'm a big guy, so it took some getting used to. Found I had to wrestle to get the right position, but once I did, goodnight. The third night out, we had a great thunder and lightning storm. I stayed bone dry while swinging gently in the wind. I tried using a 20 inch inflatable pad, but there was just not enough room in there for it, my bag, and me. Plan on getting a lot of use out of it. I would recommend this product to anyone.

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

ok ive had my hennessy for 4years plus and for any gearhead the first time you see one you have to have it! i lived in the USVI and slept on a lot of beaches with this thing great for hot and DRY!!! nights. the rain fly they send with it just isnt big enough so you will need to upgrade or as i have just use a tarp. It is light and easy to set up , well built nice product but, wait for it... now the bad if you are not a back sleeper it isnt comfertable i could sleep in it in the islands cause i was 24 & drunk everynight! lol all the weight you save i found didnt add up to as much as you would think i had to carry more dry bags cause unlike a tent you cant bring everything in side if it rains, and a heavier sleeping bag cause you will get cold if its not a crazy hot night. to be perfectley honest i havent used mine in years cause it isnt as great to sleep in as u think sure its nice to take a nap and read in but not a true nights sleep after 12mi day. I have allways said i will keep it in my car so on roadtrips at rest areas you can go 10ft deep in the woods and no one would know you are there catch a quick nap but i just use my other normal $25 hammock for that. all in all i say 50/50 im sure for some people its great and i cant bring myself to sell mine cause its just kind of kool but i will say ive let people use it and all have said they perfer a tent and a sleeping pad

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

First-time user this last weekend. I bought the Ultralight Asym for myself and later purchased the Scout for my 16 year old son. I support almost all of the positives mentioned by others, great weight, durable material, fascinating design, low weight, low impact on the environment, withstands weather wonderfully, etc. I've had three back surgeries and the sleep position and comfort level is great for the back.

The biggest negative for me, one I haven't heard from others: acid reflux problems. When I sleep in this hammock, with my feet and hips raised, which is where you'll inevitably end up, I get acid reflux issues (you'll already know what it is if you have it). Not bad, but enough to wake me up every couple of hours. I'll admit I'm normally a side sleeper and it is possible to sleep on your side in this hammock, but keep in mind you'll be in a ball at the bottom of the hammock on your side, sort of a forced fetal position. Trying to hike yourself up to where your head is consistently above your feet is futile. Your centered-weight will always distribute to the bottom.

The other negatives:
* getting in the hammock, then getting your bag on and adjusted is a real pain, but becomes easier with practice;
* if you have a head cover of some sort on your bag, keeping that cover adjusted in the right position (face-out or down)can be really tough.
* using a pad of any sort is a lost cause, if you move around at all in your sleep, the pad will inevitably end up on top of you
* if you like to read or have items in the hammock with you, you need to secure them to the top line in some way, you can't keep anything in the hammock with you without it ending up under you in a short time - I learned the hard way by breaking my Kindle (my own stupid fault)
* really tough to move around and readjust your bag after you're in the hammock.
* entry and exit are fun the first few times, then it becomes a bit annoying, the velcro is pretty hard on bare skin if you sleep without full cover and getting in and out of a sleeping bag, as mentioned, is tough; this would be especially tough for those of you who take several trips to evacuate during the night.
* there's both a pro and a con during long rain storms, yes, you can sit under the hammock to enjoy time with friends during a storm, but space is very limited and water will inevitably run into your space; keep in mind the hammock itself is very waterproof, we had no issues inside the hammock after multiple rain storms

I chose to "not recommend" the hammock with the following issues in mind. If you're a back sleeper, don't move much during your sleep, and don't have reflux issues, this hammock could be heaven for you.

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

I've only been able to use this once so far, and absolutely loved it!! camped on the beach, with some friends. It never got hot inside like most tents do and love the fact you can just lounge in it. I cant wait to use this in the woods, I only wish i could hold more weight so my gf could relax with me in it

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

I have used these hammocks for many years in the jungles of Panama and Honduras. Off the ground from toxic ants, snakes and other insects really helps. No flooding like tents. You need to practice and remember certain thing while setting up. Place the straps high enough on the trees or what ever you are attaching to, 6-7 feet for me. Need 15 feet apart or in between anchor points. You need to make sure the fly will not capture water and collapse sending you into the rain to fix the fly! I sleep on my sides and have no sore hips or shoulders. I am 6'4" tall and weigh 210 lbs. Robert the Explorer

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

I use this product for backpacking as well as hunting. I cant seem to sleep on the hard ground even with a good sleeping pad. I was all jazzed to get this because I love to sleep in a hammock. First time I used this in colder weather was in the fall. I wanted to see how this would do in colder temps so I took my truck and took the hammock up at about 9,000ft. I saw rain and a little snow and a whole lot of wind. I stayed dry but staying warm was a whole different story. I ended up in my truck w/ the heater on. I have a nice bag (+20*) but could not stay warm. I'm a bigger guy and i loved the concept of the underneath entry until I had to use it. Its difficult to get in and out of especially when nature calls. My sleeping bag was almost impossible to get in and out of as well as to get comfortable in The sleeping pad and solar blanket does not stay in place at all which hinders the comfort. I looked into getting a safari deluxe ( larger hammock) By Hennessy but it does not look like Hennessy makes a insulation system for that model hammock. If you plan on colder temps during use the insulation system is a must. As this is sold it maybe great for a smaller guy or someone that does not like to spend time where it gets below 50*. I like to hunt/fish/hike in the back country. so depending on the need and the person I'm not sure if I could recommend this Hammock like its sold and in cold temps definitely not without a insulation system. Looking into a different hammock, I want this to work for me. I love to hang from trees. When Its real warm!!!

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

I generally don't sleep well the first night or so on camping trips. So I tried out a hammock once and became completely hooked. I upgraded to this model a year ago after using a Byer for a few years. I live in Texas and camp year round. The fact that you can actually get cool at night is a huge perk! Remember hammocks were originally used by the Carib indians. So if camping in the tropics is your game, then you'll love this. One word of advice, treat it with permithrtn (sp?) every once in a while to discourage Mosquitos from congrating under the hammock. Most of the time I use a light blanket or sarape to keep the chill of, ponce the temperature dips below about 70 degrees F, you'll want to add a thin pad and use a real sleeping bag. I generally pitch it closer to the ground if it looks like rain or gets cooler and keep my backpack underneath. It also makes a good foot pad when you get out. Getting in and out of a mummy bag while inside requires some advanced yoga.

In the end, I sleep very soundly in my hammock...better than in my bed at home. The gentle sway rocks me right to sleep. For backpacking, having my feet slightly elevated helps my legs and feet recover from a long hike better than when I'm prone.

The single disadvantage I have is when nature calls in the middle on the night and I have to repeat certain yoga exercises to get in and out of my sleeping bag before exiting.

Comments about Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Classic Hammock:

Works best in the trees and/or large brush. Extremely comfortable. Practice in the back yard before you take this out. Youtube has lots of videos on the best way to setup. I pack the fly seperate and setup first so if its raining I have a dry area for my gear.