"This is another of those rare, "well, it's about time; why didn't I think of that? masterpieces of functional design..."

Don McLean, Soldier of Fortune Magazine

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

How do you get into the Hennessy Hammock?

The Hennessy Hammock is the first hammock in the world with a patented entrance through the bottom that runs from one end to almost halfway along center line. Duck in head first, just as if you were entering a tent. Turn 180° and sit down on the unsplit portion of the bottom opposite the entrance end. Lay back and pull your feet inside and the entrance will snap shut. 

 

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If the entrance is underneath, what keeps you from falling out through the bottom of the hammock?

That's the same question my patent examiner asked. Your torso rests on the portion of the hammock opposite the entrance. The weight of your body maintains tension of the fabric on the centerline. Just smooth down the Velcro and it will stay closed and keep out bugs. To get out, press one foot on each side of the entrance, the velcro will pop, stand up and walk out.

 

 

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Are hammocks uncomfortable to sleep in?

Most people believe that hammock are uncomfortable to sleep in because they curve your back. The human spine is not straight but is shaped in a a gentle S curve with a convex curve at the shoulders and a concave curve at the lower back. When a person lies lengthwise in a hammock, the curve of the hammock follows the curve of the upper back but provides no support for the recurve of the lower spine. When a person falls asleep in the hammock and their muscles relax, the lower spine often can reverse curvature to match the shape of the hammock, often giving the occupant severe lower back pain for several hours in the morning until their spine returns to its natural curvature. By contrast, the Hennessy Hammock is amazingly comfortable. Once inside, most people don't want to get out. The secret of the Hennessy Hammock design is your ability to rest 10 to 20 degrees diagonally to the centerline, just like in the Mayan and Central American indians have done for hundreds of years. This allows you to rest comfortably on your back, on your side, in a fetal position and a few others you will invent for yourself. For some people, it takes a night to adjust to sleeping in a different bed. For others, it's a great night's sleep the first time.

 

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Should I choose the Classic bottom entry Hennessy Hammock with the velcro closure or should I choose the side entry Hennessy Hammock with the zipper closure?

If you live in an area with a lot of mosquitoes or other biting insects, you probably will want to have maximum protection, so you will probably prefer the Classic bottom entry with velcro closure which also allows you to enter and exit quickly and easily.  If you live in an area where there are few biting insects, you may prefer the side entry with zipper closure so that you can leave the hammock open to look at the stars, grab something outside the hammock or more easily arrange your sleeping bag and pad in the hammock.

 

 

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What about using clam cleats, caribineers, rap rings or gadjets with teeth for attaching the hammock ropes to the webbing straps?

 I have sailed for many years and have seen what makes ropes wear and break.I rejected clam cleats and other metal devices for hammocks because of their tendency to point load and weaken the rope.  Some people are looking for an adjustable attachment so that they don't have to untie the lashing to tighten it.  I have also played around with double or triple taut line hitches which seem to work okay but are not so easy to untie. 

If you look at our online set-up videos you will see a video showing the lashing that we recommend to attach the rope to the webbing straps. The beauty of this system is that the rope is tied to the soft webbing which prevents wear on the rope because it allow multiple wraps against the smooth soft surface of the webbing straps. With a little practice, you should be able to untie and retie a lashing in about a minute.  you're on the trail.  you're on vacation.  Isn't that fast enough?

 

Tom liked the idea of carabiners and wanted to sell them as accessories but when he inquired about purchasing them for the site, he was told by the manufacturers that they would only guarantee them for climbing purposes .  Inexperienced people using carabineers can use them in the wrong way which would be unsafe. If the carabineer is set up sideways instead of pulling in the correct direction, you can rip out the gate and the hammock could fall. Please remember that Hennessy Hammock cannot recommend carabineers because of the liability issue and because the manufacturers will not guarantee them for use on hammocks. 

When Tom designed the Hennessy suspension system, he had to consider many factors such as long term life of the ropes and the safety of  customers.  The Hennessy Hammock system avoids any metal parts to reduce weight, cost and eliminate corrosion.  Any system which point loads the rope creates a point of failure.  Any metal or plastic gadjet which squeezes or has teeth to grip the rope are to be avoided.  We have seen beautiful spectra ropes ripped to shreds after few uses of these devices.  When this happens, the owner has to pay shipping both ways and for new ropes and labor.  It's just not worth it.  We recommend spreading the load with multiple wraps in a figure eight pattern.  Attachments of the ropes directly to the soft webbing straps also eliminate abrasion to the ropes and helps them last for years. 

As a designer, Tom is always looking for the simplest, cheapest, lightest, fastest and safest way to do anything.  He expects to improve the HH whenever possible but the present lashing system allows for some error and still works.

 

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What is the weight limit of the Hennessy Hammock?

Each model has a different weight limit. For everyone's safety, we've intentionally made our hammocks very durable, with very strong fabrics and ropes that are approximately 6 times stronger than the maximum weight of the occupant. Anyone purchasing a hammock who weighs over the stated limit would void the warranty and we cannot assume any liability for the product. Please don't let any one who exceeds the weight limit get in your hammock.  Do not the exceed the weight limit printed on the stuff sack. 

 

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How many people can use the Hennessy Hammock at one time?

All but one Hennessy Hammock are intended for one person. The reason that we do not advertise our hammocks as doubles is because of all the people who sleep in hammocks, only about 5% are happy sleeping together all night in a hammock.  Those people know who they are or find out pretty quick.  For them we have the  Safari model that can hold a couple as long as they do not exceed the combined weight limit of 350 lbs.  

 

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How can I order a Hennessy Hammock?

To order, start with our online catalogue and secure shopping cart.

OR, phone our toll free number

1 (888) 539-2930,

our international number

1 (250) 539-2930

or fax 1 250 539 5390. We will take your mailing address and process the payment by Visa, Mastercard or American Express.

 

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If the hammock is so comfortable, why do I need a pad in cold weather?

If you don't have some type of insulation beneath you, the areas where your body is compressing the insulation of your sleeping bag will feel cold as your body heat is lost.   The same would be true if you were sleeping on the ground or in a tent without a foam pad or reflector beneath you. Go to our page for cold weather camping and seee our newest most comfortable solution for cold weather camping, the 4-season insulation system and our new Radiant Reflector Bubble Pad.

 

 

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I am 6'7" tall. Will the hammock be comfortable for me?

All of our models are generally about 3 feet longer than our height limits. Hennessy Hammocks now have three models specifically designed for taller people - the Explorer Deluxe, the Explorer Ultralite and the Safari Deluxe, all with different weight limits.

 

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How many cats can a Hennessy Hammock hold?

We're not really sure.  You'd have to weigh them.

 

 

 

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Q: What is the Hennessy Hammock guarantee?

A: With proper care, our hammocks will last for many years. When you receive your hammock, please remove it from the package, set it up, inspect it to ensure that it is complete and test it for suitability. Please retain your receipt. If there is any question please contact us within 10 days of receipt of your hammock and we will forward you a form to include with the hammock for a repair, return, replacement or exchange. (Check your hammock stuff sack for weight limit and remember that our hammocks are guaranteed for use by one person.) Our hammocks are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for one year. Damage due to wear and tear can be repaired for a reasonable charge.. Please see our customer service page for further information.

 

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Q: In the past I have used cheap net-based hammocks while backpacking. I understand that your hammock offers a better base on which to sleep which is the reason for my interest. Does it offer a place to place my glasses and shoes? Keeping things convenient and dry has always been a problem for me in the past. I cannot tell you how many times I have slept in both my glasses and boots!

A: Because  the ridge line is not attached to the net, it is an excellent place to store gear. At night when I first sit down in the hammock, I take off my shoes, tie the laces together, hang them over the ridge line and push them as far to the end as possible. Next I take off my socks followed by folded shirt & folded trousers and slide them down near the shoes. If you want to you can also wash & wring out socks and underwear and put them on the netting over the ridge line to dry. The ridge line is also super for keeping eyeglasses safely out of the way &  hanging a book or magazine over the ridgeline which will also keep your page. Canned drinks can also be hung from the small glove hooks attached to the ridge line by the hole in the pull tab, so if you want to take a snooze, you won't spill your drink or lose your page. Behind your head is a great place to attach a flash light as the beam can be adjusted to flood the entire interior without glare. Most models now have a mesh storage pocket for small personal items (such as keys and change) which slides on the ridge line and stores out of the way behind your head.

 

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Q: Once you are in the hammock, how difficult is it to get out, especially in the dark?

A: The entrance is kept closed by the weight of your body and a velcro seal. Getting in and out is extremely fast and easy. To exit, simply press your heels on each side of the entrance, drop your feet through the entrance, place both feet on the ground as you sit up, stand up as if from a chair and walk or run out the entrance.

 

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Q: What do you suggest for care and maintenance of the Hennessy Hammock?

A: For care and maintenance of your hammock, dry and repack damp gear to avoid mildew, mold, or color bleeding. To clean, hand wash using mild detergent, warm water, rinse and air dry. Inspect for damage after each use. Children under 12 years must be supervised. Do not smoke, cook or light fires inside the hammock. 

 

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Q: When I hang heavy items like water bottles and pouches from the ridge line, they slide in toward the middle. How can I secure these items inside the hammock?

A: All hammocks ridge lines are installed with a loop on each inside hammock end to which a small keychain style caribinier can be hooked to hold stuffsacks, water bottles, and other small items which are too heavy to hang over the ridge line. It's dark up in the corners and you have to look, but they're there, so - check it out!

 

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Q: Can I use the hammock in places where it's impossible to use the side tie-outs - for example, on an Amazon river steamer? 

A: Yes, depending on your position in the hammock, you can use the hammock without the side tie-outs. Normally the ridgeline and the side-tie outs help to hold the netting well away from your body. By placing your elbow in the left-side corner and your knee in the right-side corner you can duplicate the tension of the side tie outs and hold the net quite nicely in position. The rain fly could also be used without tying out the side tie-outs by hanging a weight on the ring on each side of the fly, eg. water bottles, to hold the fly down and keep it from flapping in the wind.