Hammock as bivvy bag?

[anthonyyy]

Can a hammock such as the Hennessy hammock or the one offered by MagiKelly be used as a bivvy bag if no suitable trees are available for hanging?

Also, are they "left handed" or "right handed". I ask this because I bought a left handed sleeping bag by mistake (I never realised there was such a thing).

thanks

 

[andyn]

The ones from Magikelly wouldn't be that good as any ground moisture would go straight through, But if you just want something to cover you up then i don't see why not.

No idea about the Hennessy as I've no experiance with them.

 

[outdoorgirl]

I don't think the Hennessy can be used as a waterproof bivi - it's not make of goretex, for instance, and would let water through the base. If you used some kind of waterproof groundsheet or mat, and pitched the fly over you as a tarp, you could use it on the ground, and that method is described on many outdoor sites.

Hennessey hammocks are not '-handed'; they have a central velcro opening on the underside, running approximately from the mid-point towards the 'foot' end of the hammock. (It's one way to tell which way round the hammock is when you first get it!)

You just get used to laying your bag out so that it's comfortable to get in and out of once you're in the hammock. If it was on the ground, you'd need to pay more attention to this according to which zip you had.

ODG

 

[Motorbike Man]

I don't think the Hennessy can be used as a waterproof bivi - it's not make of goretex, for instance, and would let water through the base. If you used some kind of waterproof groundsheet or mat, and pitched the fly over you as a tarp, you could use it on the ground, and that method is described on many outdoor sites.

Hennessey hammocks are not '-handed'; they have a central velcro opening on the underside, running approximately from the mid-point towards the 'foot' end of the hammock. (It's one way to tell which way round the hammock is when you first get it!)

You just get used to laying your bag out so that it's comfortable to get in and out of once you're in the hammock. If it was on the ground, you'd need to pay more attention to this according to which zip you had.

ODG

I've never heard it described that way before, are you saying that you get into the Hennessey through a hole in the middle of the actuall hammock!!??!!

 

[R-J]

i've used my amazonia hammock as a groundsheet/mozzy net before and didnt suffer any problems, so i would say yes you can.

 

[spamel]

Jon, I thought that was what made the Hennessy unique, the mozi net is secured all around and there is no break in the joint to the hammock. From what I can gather, there is a split in the bottom of the hammock that automatically closes once you are in and secures itself with velcro. It's towards the foot end, so getting in and out is through thr bottom!! I really need to try one of these hennessy hammocks out, they seem way too cool to be true!!!

 

[leon-1]

Can a hammock such as the Hennessy hammock or the one offered by MagiKelly be used as a bivvy bag if no suitable trees are available for hanging?

Also, are they "left handed" or "right handed". I ask this because I bought a left handed sleeping bag by mistake (I never realised there was such a thing).

thanks

In fair weather on dry ground you could probably use a hammock as a bivvy bag to keep the bugs off.

But most hammocks are not waterproof (that could be quite a health hazzard especially on enclosable models) so if it rains you will get soaked either from the ground up or if you have no overhead cover then a straight drenching from the skies.

I know someone who is developing a system that may be able to work in this respect, but he is still working on it, I daresay that we will hear about it when he has finished it

 

[MagiKelly]

Can a hammock such as the Hennessy hammock or the one offered by MagiKelly be used as a bivvy bag if no suitable trees are available for hanging?

Also, are they "left handed" or "right handed". I ask this because I bought a left handed sleeping bag by mistake (I never realised there was such a thing).

thanks

As others have said the group buy hammocks could not really be used as a Bivi bag nor could the HH ones. The group buy hammocks and all open hammocks are in no way handed. The HH is not really handed either although you are always lying one way in them due to the asymetric layout but it has no real handing effect as such.

 

[anthonyyy]

Thanks for all the info.
By the way there is a hammock for sale on Ebay for £15 + £4.40 p&p.
article number: 5119533080

I think I'll give the hammock idea a miss for the time being and use my bivvy bag or tent plus thermarest as I often camp where there are no trees.

 

[Spacemonkey]

From what i remember, the jungle hammock from www.mosquitohammock.com is waterproof on the base. In fact, he has designed it to be used as a ground base with built in mossie net if you can't hang it on trees etc.

 

[MagiKelly]

Thanks for all the info.
By the way there is a hammock for sale on Ebay for £15 + £4.40 p&p.
article number: 5119533080

I think I'll give the hammock idea a miss for the time being and use my bivvy bag or tent plus thermarest as I often camp where there are no trees.

If you have a look at the first post on either the Second or Third group buy thread you will see there is a special offer on DD hammocks doe BCUK members.

 

[outdoorgirl]

MotorbikeMan: yes, you do indeed get in the HH through a hole in the bottom! As has been mentioned, the mozzie net is fixed to the sides of the hamkock so it's totally enclosed. The opening is centrally at the bottom of the hammock, running roughly just under halfway the length of the base. It closes neatly when you get in, and I've never had trouble sticking my feet (or any other bodily part) out of the opening when it's closed.

ODG

 

[Motorbike Man]

MotorbikeMan: yes, you do indeed get in the HH through a hole in the bottom! As has been mentioned, the mozzie net is fixed to the sides of the hamkock so it's totally enclosed. The opening is centrally at the bottom of the hammock, running roughly just under halfway the length of the base. It closes neatly when you get in, and I've never had trouble sticking my feet (or any other bodily part) out of the opening when it's closed.

ODG

Knowing my luck, I'd be the one awkward bugger who'd manage to work my way down the hammock and wake up in the morning half hanging out of the blimmin thing