Hangin’ in a Hennessy Hammock

I’ve had an ENO packable Hammock for a couple years now and really enjoy it. A few months ago someone was reading my review of the ENO and left a comment about another backpacking hammock I should try…the Hennessy Hammock. After reviewing the Hennessy Hammock system online, I saw that there were some features that intrigued me. I do a fair amount of camping and backpacking and am always on the look out for innovative new products that will make my road trips and camping experience, that much more enjoyable.

Having my Ultralite Backpackers Hennessy Hammock for a couple months now, I can see why it was recommended. It’s a high quality, sturdy hammock with features that other leading brands do not have. For example, all Hennessy Hammock systems have a built-in mosquito net. And, one of the features I really enjoy is the “SnakeSkins,” which are an instant stuff sack system that collapses your hammock in less than thirty seconds. This ingenious system protects your hammock from ever touching the ground…keeping in clean, dry and debris-free. Backpackers will appreciate the fact that the UltraLite Hammock comes in under two pounds and doesn’t take up a lot of space. It’s about one-third the bulk and weight of a lightweight tent.

Outdoor and hammock minimalists will appreciate the basic set-up, however knot and lashing novices will want to brush up on their tying skills before hitting the field. If you don’t care for knots, I found a helpful alternative for hanging your Hennessy …click here for a video. (Note: the manufacturer does NOT recommend this method due to the possibility of premature wearing of the hammock ropes. If you decide to experiment with the hanging method illustrated in the video, be sure to acquire rings that have no burs and that are extreamly smooth).

42″ webbing straps come standard with your hammock, however I would recommend upgrading to the 72″ or 96″, especially for solo camping/backpacking and/or in areas with larger trees. A rain fly, support ropes and stuff sack also come standard with your Hennessy Hammock.

There are a number of options/upgrades available for your Hennessy, one of which I have. If you’ve ever used a packable style hammock before, you know that in cooler weather an inherent chill can be felt through the fabric. Hennessy has come up with a solution for this problem…a radiant bubble pad. I can tell you that it really does make a difference in the comfort level. They also have a “SuperShelter” for extreme cold weather, as well as a number of other items which can be found by visiting their site at: HennessyHammock.com.

If you own a Hennessy Hammock, please leave a comment below and let my readers and me know what you enjoy most.

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.

8 Comments

sandi mckenna says:

October 4, 2012 at 11:41 pm

I love this!!! I have never seen a hammock like that!! Adding to my list of must haves!
1. Mike's Road Trip says:
  
  October 5, 2012 at 1:47 pm
  
  Thanks Sandi! Yeah, I have a couple of these light-weight packable hammocks…the other one is an ENO, both are great to road trip with.
Nomadic Samuel says:

October 6, 2012 at 12:42 am

Wow! I must say I’ve seen my share of travel accessories/kit but never anything like this. I could easily see myself using this quite often.
1. Mike's Road Trip says:
  
  October 6, 2012 at 2:44 am
  
  Hey Samuel…thanks for stopping by! Yeah, I was telling Sandi from Midlife Road Trip that the ENO is also a great hammock to consider as well. Very light-weight and compactable. Oh, and the ENO you can hang in so many places…boulders, poles, and of course trees. Drop me a line if you have any questions. Cheers!
Nick says:

February 20, 2013 at 3:45 am

Hi Mike,

Thanks for making these helpful videos! I am heading down to the tropics soon and plan to buy a hammock (with mosquito net) for the trip–I realized how beneficial a hammock would be the last time I was there. I was wondering which of the two brands/models you reviewed you would recommend for warm/hot weather camping?

Thanks!
1. Mike's Road Trip says:
  
  February 20, 2013 at 4:02 am
  
  Hi Nick…thanks for the kudos and for stopping by. I think I’m a bit partial to the ENO, however each have different features that make them great hammocks. If you know you’ll need a mosquito net, the Hennessy is great because it’s built-in, so you have nothing additional to set up. You can buy a net for the ENO, which I have, but it takes a bit longer to set up. Without the net, the ENO is faster and easier to set up than the Hennessy. As a matter of fact the strap system to hang the ENO allows you to hang around boulders and other obstacles, where with the Hennesy you really need trees. Both are comparable in weight. Oh, another thing I like about the Hennessy are the “snake skins” which makes packing and keeping debris out of your hammock really easy. I hope that additional information is helpful, if you have any other specific questions, feel free to drop me a line. Cheers, Mike
Jb 123 says:

September 15, 2014 at 9:17 pm

Good video. I’ve used my HH Expedition for 3 nights now – once on my patio at home and 2 nights on a bike trip. I wake up in the morning thinking there’s something missing – oh yeah, there’s no pain! Very comfortable. However, the last trip out I was quite cold. I’m now looking at ordering a Radiant Double Bubble Pad from Hennessy’s website. I may also have to upgrade my 2 season sleeping bag.
1. Mike Shubic says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 9:22 pm
  
  Hey JB, thanks for stopping by and sharing. Yes, that Radiant Bubble Pad will indeed help with the cold chill that is inherent with these lightweight hammocks.