Anyone own a Hennessy Hyperlight A-Sym and an Adventure Racer?

Hi Petras,

I've never used an Adventure Racer myself, but I can tell you that the curve of a normal hammock is quite different from the more flat position of the A-sym hammock. While I enjoy normal hammocks, I often find the curve to be uncomfortable, particularly when sleeping. The A-sym Hennessy is a very different experience for me.

But that depends completely on the hiker. I know that Carol on this site (who reviewed the Racer and the Speer hamocks) enjoys the non-A-sym position. So that's really up to what you like.

The other piece is durability. Climbing in and out of a hammock, this may be an issue over time. Like you, I can do without the pocket and velcro but for me, the position and more durable fabrics are the trade offs.

Want to save weight? Get an aftermarket Mountain Laurel Designs hammock tarp. Maybe Tom Hennessy will sell you a hammock without the tarp. :-)

The velco might be a more secure seal in heavy bug pressure…

I'm sure I helped zip. Just wanted to share my thinking.

Best of luck!

Hi Doug,

Are you saying the Adventure Racer does not have the A-sym shape which means you are forced to sleep with a curve in your back? If this was the case, it would not be for me. All I can find in Carol’s review are comments in her sub 5 pound trips like this one http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/super_ultralight_tarp_hammock_uintas.html. It doesn’t seem to suggest the Racer is not an A sym

Yeah, I was thinking of the Mountain Laurel Designs hammock tarp. In Spinntex.97 it weighs 5.6 oz which would drop the Hyperlight A-Sym weight to 1 Ib 7.5 oz (1Ib 10.1 oz – 8.2oz + 5.6 oz = 666 grams). In the very expensive Spectralite.60 this would drop the weight to 1 lb 6.4 oz (635 grams)

Durability – I’ll have another piece of gear before this wears out!

Correct- no asym cut. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you couldn't sleep with a slight angle to the ridgeline. But I can't be sure of that- I've never used one myself.

Sorry- it might take a call to Hennessy. Great company.

I was told the A. Racer does not have a removable fly. So it would make no sense to get a larger fly. I have never seen one in person so my "source" might be wrong on this. Does anyone know?

I've got a Adventure Racer. The fly is a groovy green, shaped like the first generation Backpacker Hammock (kite shaped) and is attached *permanently.* Really, it is simply tied on and is easily removed by simply working the knot out.

that's good to know. i was afraid the fly was sewn to the mesh. im not sure that 3' width is large enough to even lay on the diagonal, but im comparing this theory to my only hammock, the traveller ultralight, which allows my GG nightlite pad to lay relativley flat on the diagonal. the ultralite is about 4' wide. i do see a slight fuss over this practice since my current hammock is not a-sym cut and tends to dissagree at times with my tossing in the night. even if the a. racer is as comfortable as my flawed but marginally useful traveller ultralight i think im interested in it, if only to remain SUL. i have modified the traveller to come in a total 10.4 ounces.

Hey http://www.wilson,

I was wondering if you could give me some indication how comfortable you find this hammock?

Can you sleep with a straight back, or is it permanently curved because of the missing A-sym?

Also, how tall are you? Do you wish the hammock was a bit bigger?

I had a racer and used it once…

when I got up the first morning, I was going to get out of the hammock and a huge hole ripped in the bottom. I contacted them about this and they yelled at me because I wasn't using it for adventure racing. I'm well under the weight limit for this hammock and just can not see how it would be okay for adventure racers to have a hammock that is only good for one night of sleep. I suspect that there was a defect in the material, but needless to say it wasn't a great experience…

Lee

Interesting. Both the Hennessy Hyperlight and Adventure Racer are made from 30 D high tenacity nylon ripstop. So they both should have the same durability.

Just thought I'd add to this older thread….
I called Hennessy Hammocks to order the Adventure Racer (they've had such problems with durability complaints that one must order by phone and cannot order it online). Really nice people, and they did try to talk me out of ordering the Adventure Racer. Tom Hennessy was there and answered my questions regarding the difference between Hyperlight & Adventure Racer.
He said even though they are both 30D fabric, the fabric used in the two are DIFFERENT. AR's fabric has less nylon run stop control (?) [read: runs easier], and they've had rips reported and no longer provide a warranty beyond the life expectancy of one race.
He said the weight savings is in the smaller size and less features.
I couldn't be persuaded to go with Hyperlight because of the 10 oz. difference. I'm taking advantage of my smaller stature (when else does that come in handy) by going with the smaller Adventure Racer. I am forwarned that the AR may not last more than a few nights on the trail. I'm hoping that at 5'1''/115 lbs I won't have the same durability problems as the "average" hiker. Here's to hoping!

P.S.- I thought the people at Hennessy were really great.