Hennessey or DD hammock, anyone used?

[iano]

Alright all,

Was wondering if anyone here has used a Hennessey hammock or a DD one?

Having hung round here for a wee while it seems many people wax lyrical about DD hammocks. But coming from a services background I had never heard of them before. Never done any time in the jungle in service time, but from what I had heard, Hennessey hammocks were acknowledged to be the bomb by those who had used them. Seems to be more of an integrated set up, hammock, bug net and basha in one, than the DD offering. Can anyone offer any opinions between the two? Not planning on going to the tropics any time soon but am thinking it could be used in any wooded area really, not just jungle.

I'm currently rolling with a Jack Wolfskin gossamer 1/2-man tunnel tent and a US issue modular sleep system, which are fine, but actually most of my sleeping out has been done under either an issue basha/poncho, or in a mates 3-man tent for civvy stuff, which is more of a 'car-camping' kind of tent really.

I'm aware hammocking is going to be a bit different but probably more like bashaing out and better suited to the upcoming summer (hopeful arent I!) than a tent which always seems to get full of condensation...

Any advice for someone looking to pop their hammocking cherry?

 

[Teepee]

Hennesseys are really popular, but the don of all hammocks are warbonnet's.

I'm ordering a warbonnet blackbird next week.

Ive used a dd travel for a while now and its great, but I like the idea of sleeping in the most comfortable hammock there is.

The hennessey hammocks have a bottom opening, which has +'s and -'s. I keep some of my gear in the hammock while im sleeping, and the thought of it all falling out when I need a midnight toilet break does not appeal.
They are more weatherproof though, as the hammock sits right up to the tarp.

Hammocks are not just for summer either. Ive done plenty of hangs through the winter and been warm at -12.

Once you hang, you won't be using your tent anymore. I now hate sleeping on the ground.

For value and versatility, the dd's cant be beaten. For lightweight, windy weather resistance, the hennessey probably just edges it.

The dd travel is the only one that is waterproof, and can be used as a groundsheet/sweaty bivvy/survival bag. Its really versatile. Ive been through 24 hours of constant driving heavy rain and gales in scotland in my dd, and been completely dry and comfortable. The dd tarp is awesome, dry to the touch inside(condensation excepted) in the heaviest rain.

Ill be using a dd tarp 3x3 this year with a warbonnet blackbird double layer 1.7.

One thing to bear in mind is if you use a foam pad between the layers of any hammock, it is no longer breathable.

Another point is that the hennessey asym is not asymetrical, only the bug net is. Don't be fooled by the jargon.

Hope this helps

 

[FGYT]

The hennessey hammocks have a bottom opening, which has +'s and -'s. I keep some of my gear in the hammock while im sleeping, and the thought of it all falling out when I need a midnight toilet break does not appeal.
They are more weatherproof though, as the hammock sits right up to the tarp.


Hope this helps

HH now do a side entry with a Zipped Mossy Net I got one last week
also its got a bouble bottom for insulation adding and its in their light weight style which was a shock to see boot laces as the main suspention cords (Spectra Rope 1600lb test )

have used the BTM entry for a while now in a std Asym which even for me at 5'10" is to small (rated to 6' ) and good if you use the Supershelter system to add insulation tho it has down sides

my new Jungle (side entry) came with a free Hex fly as this years special Deal which is massive compared to the std tarp and has handy Tuck pockets for the guy lines etc

ive now got 4 Hennessy Hammocks and will be thinning them a bit soon

ATB

Duncan

 

[tobes01]

Hennesseys are really popular, but the don of all hammocks are warbonnet's.

Oh dear, it's hammock wars time again! :BlueTeamE

Personally I love my Clark NX-250 for vehicle-based camping, do a quick search for my review of Clark vs Hennessey (and excellent comments by others).

As many have said, unless you've got very deep pockets you need to try some out before you buy.

 

[FGYT]

War Bonnet set up Vidios
http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/setup.php

Hennessy Set up Vidios
http://hennessyhammock.com/setup.html

DD Hammocks on UTube

have a look see what you think

one thing tho Warbonnet and HH vids dont show the guy getting into a Sleeping bag in the hammock which can be interesting

ATB

Duncan

 

[Shewie]

Hennesseys are really popular, but the don of all hammocks are warbonnet's.

Another vote for the Blackbird

 

[Firebringer]

What are Warbonnet Blackbirds like for length, ie I'm 6' 2", big boned in the Cartman sense, and tend to sleep on my side.

I've not tried hammocking(sp?) before and was wondering about giving it a go. Me and sleeping mats on the ground just don't seem to get along.

Also does anyone know a dependable UK retailer for them or is it a case of ordering direct from the US?

 

[Shewie]

What are Warbonnet Blackbirds like for length, ie I'm 6' 2", big boned in the Cartman sense, and tend to sleep on my side.

I've not tried hammocking(sp?) before and was wondering about giving it a go. Me and sleeping mats on the ground just don't seem to get along.

Also does anyone know a dependable UK retailer for them or is it a case of ordering direct from the US?

I'm not too sure what length they are but I'd say they were definitely big enough for you. A lot of the guys over the pond who use them are "big boned".
Have a look on here you might find the specs ...
http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com

If it's not on there then the height question will definitely have been asked on here ....
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=62


As for ordering you do have to go to Brandon direct as he makes them to order.

 

[iano]

Thanks for the heads-up fellas. Think I'm going to give a Hennesy a go and see how I get on. I'm thinking the built-in nature of it (bugnet already attached, those 'snakeskins' for packing it away rapido) will probably make life a bit simpler, also some of you have mentioned it being a bugger trying to worm your way into a dossbag once in the hammock and I'm thinking with a bottom opening it would be easier - get in dossbag first, then sit in the opening as a chair, lift yourself in. They seem easier to get/get spares for in the UK/EEA than a hand-made Warbonnet one also, even if the Warbonnet is prefered by some.

I also noticed on the HH site a review by an RM chap in Northern Norway of it with a few cold weather add-ons. Whilst I'm looking at a hammock for summer use I guess it makes sense getting one that can be modded for this, if I might get into winter hammocking, given I'm off to some usually-quite-cold places soon - the conditions in that review looked a lot more like tent kind of weather to me tho!

Anyone got any advice which HH is the best? I'm about 5'10 so length shouldn't be a drama.

Browsing the DD site tho I also noticed they do 'tarps' which look almost exactly how the issue basha/poncho we all know and love was used, only less militaristic colours - might have to give that a go as well instead of a tent for ground dwelling some time!

 

[Teepee]

Good stuff, Iano.

I hope your Hennessey works out good.

BTW, Sleeping bags are a mare to get into inside the hammock-this is easily solved by not getting into it and using it as a blanket, or getting into it first, then just sitting down in the hammock.

 

[iano]

Cheers mate, will report back here when I've gotten it and taken it for a test drive!

 

[FGYT]

Anyone got any advice which HH is the best? I'm about 5'10 so length shouldn't be a drama.

Hi
as i said i have a few HH now and started with the std Asym rated for up to 6ft however i found it to short for me im 5' 10" ish It did take a few years of niggling at me to get to change so it does fit

which is a pitty as im selling mine and the Supershelter system I got for it

I now have the longer Explorer version and the New Jungle hammock Explorer size which has loads of room

the explorer sized supershelters are and over covers are out of stock for Hennesy direct currenly

if you do order from HH on the website they charge $60 for delivery and covers import Duty which can be a lot cheaper than a uk Shop and they have special offers this year is a free extra Hex Fly which is worth having they are Massive


on sleeping bags gettin in first is an idea but if its wet n rainy you will get wet to. the Asym Fly sheets just cover the hammock

ATB

Duncan

 

[Shewie]

Anyone got any advice which HH is the best? I'm about 5'10 so length shouldn't be a drama.

I had the Expedition which was a bit tight for my 5'10" frame, I borrowed the Explorer Deluxe off a pal for a while which was much better.

 

[TinkyPete]

I have been thinking about becoming a swinger interesting what I hear here giving me more to ponder but i still think it will be a try beofre I buy. The only time I have hammocked was inside a herc going to Bos and that was the old string type, was OK then but I know alot of guys who use them, and I realise I ain't going to be be using my camp cot with it

 

[iano]

Do you use a goretex bivvy cover inside a hammock or not? One part of me says you are tight underneath a flysheet and off the ground so why bother with the extra kit (plus it'll probably be redders if its summer/tropic hammock weather), another part of me thinks when we sleep under bashas we still use bivvys.

I use a US modular sleep system at the mo, looking if I can get away with only the green bag in a hammock without the cammy bivvy cover.

Cheers
Iano

 

[Shewie]

Do you use a goretex bivvy cover inside a hammock or not? One part of me says you are tight underneath a flysheet and off the ground so why bother with the extra kit (plus it'll probably be redders if its summer/tropic hammock weather), another part of me thinks when we sleep under bashas we still use bivvys.

I use a US modular sleep system at the mo, looking if I can get away with only the green bag in a hammock without the cammy bivvy cover.

Cheers
Iano

Ditch the bivvy bag mate as you won't need it. I used one a few times as an extra season layer when I was in the process of changing doss bags, that was in a Hennessy as well so it was a nightmare trying to get settled.
I sometimes carry a bivvy as well if I'm going somewhere new, if there aren't any suitable trees about then it's good to have a backup.
If you're under a tarp in your hammock you'll be dry right enough.