Hennessy Hammock instead of tent?

[donstrom6]

I'm building up my gear for a trip sometime this year, and while researching, found a lot of chatter on ADV about Hennessy hammocks:

http://hennessyhammock.com/index.html

Seems like there are a some pros over tents; no level ground needed (just a tree or two), no worries about wet ground or puddles, packs up very small and light...

Any Strommers have experience with the Hennessy? Read the testimonials on their website and people would rather have this than a SleepNumber bed in their home!

BTW, I will be riding/camping solo, so everything I need has to fit on my bike.

Any actual usage among the group? All comments welcome!

Thanks - Don

[chris swann]

i think they are more of a novelty item compared to a tent .

[Genocache]

looks interesting but the one thing is you got to have trees. Not to many campsites I've been in have trees to put one up.

[donstrom6]

I'd be avoiding campsites and just going stealth in state parks or whatever.

I'd make sure it would have a couple of trees around, anyhow! :D

[mikefryman]

Hennessy? is that the name of a hotel chain? I am old and have credit cards.
LOL

I don't camp any more, but I think the campsites I have seen the trees would be an issue. I like the idea and I have been known to use a shelter half and poncho to make the GI version on a "supervised camping trip" with other green clad individuals. Some Jovial individual may cut one end and you know, thud.
Mike

[2mstone]

I use something very similar when backpacking. It has a LOT of positives and a few negatives.

Positives:
Yes, you are up off the ground. Once you get used to sleeping in a hammock it is very comfy, and warmer due to being off the ground.
Mine was very easy to set up
Mine never fell down the tree, and never had rain leak in side
Small package, light, easy to pack.

Negatives:
Can't cook in the rainfly on sour days.
Extremely difficult to change clothes in the hammock
No storage room in the hammock
Sometimes the trees don't cooperate and are the wrong distance apart.

[JGL351]

I dont use the Hennessy but I have been using an enclosed hammock for adventure camping for about 40 years. They are excellent for gorilla camping, they can be set up anywhere there are two strong anchor points 15-20' apart (4-6' high) trees, fence posts, sign posts, picnic shelters, etc. I can set mine up in about 1 min. You will need an insulating back pad, I prefer the self inflating camp rest, your weight will compress your sleeping bag and the bottom of the hammock has almost not insulating qualities. I often set up a 10x12 nylon fly over the hammock and camp area, get the camo version if you want to be more stealthy, this provides more rain and sun protection, and keeps your other gear dry.
If you have not slept in a hammock before your first night will probably not be very comfortable, especially if you are not used to sleeping on your back, after a couple of nights you will either settle in and love it or you will find hammocks are not for you.
If you are in an area with no trees you can set (the one I have) up on the ground using some sticks to prop up the roof and side netting.

[Warhammer]

Lots of talk about Hennesey Hamocks over on ADVrider. They seem to have something of a cult following. Never used one myself, but I have used one of the old GI jungle hammocks. It was pretty comfy. You just have to make sure you are camping some place with enough trees (or whatever else) to hang your hammock up.

[donstrom6]

Thanks for the info so far (esp JGL). I'm just 'tented out' but I do see the advantages (like changing clothes & keeping gear inside) of a tent.

I happened to stumble on the idea of a hammock while perusing ADV and thought I'd throw it out here amongst my peer Strommers (a slightly different demographic than many hard-core ADV'rs).

I've latched on to hammockforums.net for additional info, and maybe will find a cheaper, slightly used one to start with, just to see if it's for me.