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I don't have a hennessey, but I do use a hammock for camping as I too have become tired of sleeping on the hard ground.

If you didn't do a Search the topic, do as there have been numerous threads regarding hammock camping.

Also, you mimght try googling the hammock forum...

Spoon

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Check out the Speer hammock too.

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I don't have any problems with my Hennessy Explorer Ultralight. I ditched the stock tarp and use a MacCat Deluxe instead, though. I get a good night's sleep. One thing I've done is switched to a ring buckle system instead of the HH method of using tree straps with their time-consuming and difficult-to-adjust knot.

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If so how do you like it?

I just did 3 days on the AT with my son and 6 others.  I haven't backpacked in a long time, but I'm really getting back into it now.  But at 45 the ground just doesn't feel as comfortable as it used to.

Instead of an ultralight tent I was thinking of getting a camping hammock.

http://hennessyhammock.com/

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Do you have any pics of that setup?

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I saw the Speer's they seemed quite a bit more expensive.

However I did notice the "Kit" option.  I have a little sister (well at 44 it's tough calling her little anymore) that is a magician with a sewing machine.  It would probably take her 15 minutes to sew it.

Have you used a Speer?

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Yes, I use a speer exclusively for all my shelter needs...

I don't know about price difference, but I do know that I like the top-loading aspect of the Speer. I also like the removable bug-netting... it's a very uncomplicated hammock to use, and extremely comfortable.

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This is the best pic I have of it right now. I didn't think to shoot the whole thing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v386/fotomonkey/hiking/gear/shelter/IMG_1464_640.jpg

I'm going to try to write a thousand words to see if they're worth one picture.

I took a 12' piece of 1" polypro webbing and sewed a loop in one end. I throw that around the tree putting a biner through the loop. The free end of the strap goes back through the biner and is what you see in the rings in the image above. It's incredibly fast to setup and is easily adjustable. I'll try to take some more pics this weekend. Hmm, well, not quite 1000 words.

The white line is the load line that's connected to the hammock in place of the standard line that comes with the Hennessy. The Figure 9 biner and two shock cords are non-load-bearing and belong to my SuperShelter.

First, thanks to our fellow outdoorsman and Arfcommer None. In an obviously drunken moment, he mailed me his Hennessy hammock so that I could try it out and compare it to a Clark. (Would you loan your gear to a guy named "Rodent" that you knew from an internet forum?!)

Anyway, both companies make a variety of models/options. What we have here is a Hennessy "Ultralight Backpacker Asym":

www.hennessyhammock.com/catalogue.html

and a Clark "North American" with an optional, larger rain fly:

www.junglehammock.com/deluxefeatures.php

It's not really a proper comparison, because the two models are designed for different purposes, and not to compete with each other. There are models from each company that are very similar in cost, weight and intended use. These just aren't them. But, how often do we allow logic to rear it's ugly head here on Arfcom? So, off to the woods for a couple days of off-and-on rain with temps in the fifties:

If you haven't tried hammock camping yet, or if you've only tried it with cheap hammocks, you're in for a pleasant surprise. They dramatically increase the number of useable campsites because it doesn't matter how level, wet or rocky the ground is. All you need is a couple trees, or even a tree and your pick-up truck. And when you leave, there's no trace that you've ever been there - not even flattened vegetation. They're pretty comfortable; I'd say equal to the way I usually sleep on the ground, with two Ridgerest foam pads. They're very light, especially when you consider that they replace not only your tent, but also your ground pad and ground cloth. The only disadvantage to them is that they tend to be cold. Your body compresses whatever insulation is beneath you, and air circulates under the hammock. It's a bad combination unless it's July in Florida and you're TRYING to stay cool.

The flies of both these hammocks can be pitched at different angles to offer varying degrees of protection from sun and rain. They both have dry, shady footprints for cooking and other tasks. Both hammocks offer complete protection from insects. The Clark's mosquito netting can be unzipped and stuck into a pocket when not in use, allowing better visibility and more fresh air. The Hennessy's can't be removed, but then there are no zippers to fail. (My experience has been that zippers are the most unreliable part of tents, backpacks and clothing.)

The Hennessy costs about $180 and weighs 2 pounds. It's very easy to hang. Tie it between two trees, slip the "snake skins" off, and tie out the rain fly's two remaining corners. To strike your camp, untie the fly, slip the snake skins over everything, untie from the trees, and put it into it's stuff sack. The "snake skin" option is a great idea, as it keeps the hammock compact and clean - it never touches the ground. The hammock is relatively roomy inside, and if you sleep at a diagonal angle, your body is almost flat. In other words, you can sleep on your side if you like. Private Root Beer and I both slept in it, and we both gave it the edge for comfort.





The ropes are very strong and thin, I believe they are "Spectra". Straps go around the trees proper so as not to leave marks. It's a good system, strong, compact and light:



The Clark costs about $300 with the optional extra-large rain fly. It weighs 3 1/2 pounds. It's essentially a three-season tent that happens to not touch the ground. Once you tie it between two trees, the fly is tied above it, and then there are four additional corners to tie. So, eight knots at eight tie-off points instead of the Hennessy's four. The payoff is more dry area under the larger fly. It has two layers of weather protection: The rain-fly and a zip-up "weather shield" as well. There are two nice interior pockets, and six large pockets underneath. They provide a still air space for insulation as well as room for gear,and dramatically increase the warmth of the hammock. It stores inside one of it's own pockets. For cold or wet conditions, and for keeping gear organized and off the ground, it's the better choice. Nephew not included:



It uses poly lines, with rather bulky aluminum drip rings:



I thought the knot diagrams were a nice touch:



You'd do well to make yourself familiar with some basic knots before you try to hang either hammock in the dark. I used modified (the rabbit goes around the tree twice instead of once, for you former Boy Scouts) slippery bowlines and tautline hitches.



Both hammocks are well-made, innovative, quality products. Depending on your needs, I don't think you would regret buying either one. I'd like to see a manufacturer come out with one that combines the best features of both: The Hennessy's flat sleeping position, "snake skins" and Spectra lines, and the Clark's storage pockets, extra weather protection, and knot-tying diagrams.

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One other thing to keep in mind is that bugs can bite you thru the fabric, I called Hennessy on this and was told to spray the outside of the hammock with bug spray to keep skeeters at bay. The nice lady I talked to said that Deet should not ruin the fabric and if it did to let her know, I have used Deet on several occasions on the hammock and no damage as of yet.

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I just picked mine up. I've used it twice so far. It is the Expedition A-sym model. I love it, it has to be the best way to sleep in the woods. everyone else has covered all the pro's and cons already so i'll just add my two cents here. as JAX stated the treesaver straps are a PITA to get adjusted. I ended up just wrapping the rope around the trees and putting a double half hitch or two in it. it held fine and I slept like a baby.

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Welcome to the family!

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thanks... I feel so special now... now my question is, is the "family" going to buy me a set of snakeskins for my hammock....

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actually I think I might sew up my own. can someone post a picture of them and give me a length. I found some light weight fabric I want to make some gear out of. these skins are a great first project.

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I love my hennessy. I've taken on several occasions. I hate sleeping on the ground. What's better than having to take a piss in t he middle of the night  and not needing to get out of your stuff. Move to the opening , stick it out and piss away. Beats wandering in the woods in the dark to piss.
Here's a shot of our site in the Everglades.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v83/jrhack79/camping/BigCypress3-17to3-18-08036.jpg

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And in the morning you get to step in a puddle of your own piss??

Get a pee bottle.

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two people who have obviously  never done it and seem to know so much about it. Amazing. The internet is truly a gift from the gods.

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Haven't forgotten about pics of the snakeskins.  I'll try to get them tonight.



Obviously never done what?  Step in a puddle of my own urine?  I don't even know what to say to that.

If that's not what you're doing, please explain because that's what the rest of us think you're doing.

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I just picked mine up. I've used it twice so far. It is the Expedition A-sym model. I love it, it has to be the best way to sleep in the woods. everyone else has covered all the pro's and cons already so i'll just add my two cents here. as JAX stated the treesaver straps are a PITA to get adjusted. I ended up just wrapping the rope around the trees and putting a double half hitch or two in it. it held fine and I slept like a baby.

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Seriously you guys don't do the "Down Periscope" technique when

sleeping in your Hennessy?....Hell that's half the reason the guys I

talk to even bought the things ...worried about a pee puddle, but

willing to cuddle w/ a urine bottle?...or were you gonna toss it outside

onto the ground for the critters to haul off?...just curious...