Hennessy Hyperlite Asym Zip Hammock Review

Hennessy's website says 200 lbs.

I had better lose some weight.

If you're interested in trying a hammock, but don't have a buddy with a Hennessy or othe asym hammock to borrow, the Byer of Maine/Amazonas Moskito Traveller (15.3 oz, no tie ropes or tarp) is available cheap on the 'net. I picked one up for under $20, and I often loan it out. It's not near as comfortable as my Hennessy, but it's an easy way to get the general idea (and nice in the summer in the back yard, too).

Nice to see a hammock review!

Yes, Cuben tarps will help drop the weight and increase the coverage– that doesn't happen often!

The suspension lines can be converted to Amsteel Blue 'whoopie slings' to drop weight and they are much easier to adjust. They connect to the tree straps via carabiners or toggles.

Insulation is the dirty little secret with hammocks. The insulated air mattress is a possibility and wide CCF pads work, but any internal pads detract from the comfort and support of the hammock surface. 20" wide ground-camping pads are too narrow for hammock use and need some extra help from shoulder to hip. There are several cottage manufacturers turning out down or synthetic under quilts that hang outside the hammock on shock cords and come in a range of lengths for partial or complete coverage. They do add considerably to weight and cost, but provide a warmer and more comfortable hammock experience. Hammock campers have taken on Minnesota winter nights of -26F comfortably.

Another method of insulating hammocks is the Garlington Insulator which is basically a light trash bag with a crumpled and folded space blanket inside. The insulator is used with an under cover to hold it in place and provide an additional barrier to wind and rain. I had a custom silnylon poncho made to do double duty as an under cover.

Two interesting Hennessy accessories are the SuperShelter insulation system and the Cat Cape rainfly that doubles as a hoodless poncho/cape.

The SuperShelter is a silnylon under cover with an open cell foam pad for insulation. The pad is used along with a standard space blanket. There is an accessory top cover to use for colder conditions.

The Cat Cape rainfly is an asymmetrical silnylon tarp with zippers to allow use as a hoodless poncho or cape. The Xl model provides a bit more coverage than the standard Hennessy tarp and weighs 11.8oz.

As to tarps, many hammock users go with larger tarps in the 10'x12' range. They provide much better weather coverage and many pitching options for camping outside the hammock, like cooking or dressing. Again, the cottage manufacturers have stepped up with the features and offer silnylon, spinnaker and Cuben fabric models. Zpacks offers a nice 11'x8.5' Cuben hammock tarp that is just 5oz.

My current UL hammock is 15.3oz for hammock and suspension and I use one of the Hennessey XL Cat Capes at 11.8oz. The lightest insulation option I have is a 25"x50" CCF pad at 9.5oz. I am still working on insect protection for this one. Full coverage insect net options range from 3oz on up to a pound.

I also have a Hennessy Expedition Zip model that is 41.6oz with suspension. I can use the CCF pad or the SuperShelter pad at 8.5oz and my poncho under cover at 9.5oz, or a Kick Ass Quilts synthetic under quilt at 17oz. My current tarp options are the Cat Cape at 11.8oz or the Hennessy Hex tarp which is 10'x12' PU coated nylon that is 23.8oz with Dynaglide guy lines and a mesh stuff sack. The lightest combo comes to 4 pounds– about the same as a light double wall tent and pad.

It is possible to make your own hammock very easily. If you can make a tarp, a hammock is a very quick project. Most are using 1.1 to 1.9oz ripstop nylon.

I've used the Hyperlight and i'm 6'2" tall, 225 lbs…no problem. It's the lawyers who make up those weight limits.
Next time, ditch the pad, get an under quilt and open that sleeping bag up as a top quilt and you'll be even more comfy!

UK Hammocks has a SUL hammock model called the Woodsman Light that comes in at 6.5 oz. in it's stuff sack (whoopies included!). I have one and they are great for winter when you do not need a bug net.

http://www.UKhammocks.co.uk

It's good to see the HH evolving. I've been a long time hanger (expedition for a few years first then upgraded to the original hyperlite). As previously mentioned insulation is the biggest challenge.

I've tried about every option and even spent the $$ for the "supershelter" upgrades, and every other "cheap" option but in the end I opted for a Jacks R Better down quilt. It's really no comparison, the various pads helped, but I never could stay warm enough in them since I'm a cold sleeper. The down underquilts completely solved the issue.

>"You're gonna need a bigger…tarp"

The stock Hennessy tarp does just fine in a blizzard. I stake the tarp a lot closer than I normally would, and I don't get any significant spindrift (it's also warmer that way). There's a picture of my Hennessy in a blizzard in this (quite old) thread, which describes cold-weather hammock gear. I've had my Hennessy UL Explorer out in -25F and windy.

I do occasionally use a Jacks R Better 8×8 tarp instead, but mostly in the summer when I want to hang it much higher than is possible with the stock tarp.

Honestly, I'm only 5'11" and I find the HH a little cramped. I'm pretty broad shouldered though so it means I don't fit in the taper as well as taller skinnier folk. My older expedition model was more comfortable, but the hyperlite is adequate.

I think 5'11" & taller only works for those who don't mind sleeping in somewhat of a banana shape. I'm 6'1" and found the UL Backpacker too short…the Explorer UL fine. (sold it, though when I got my JRB Bridge – ahhhhhhh – flat!

The best use for snake skins is to allow you to set up in the rain without getting the hammock wet, but you can only do that if you enclose only the hammock in them. You hang the hammock, attach and guy out the tarp, then, and only then do you remove the snake skins. The tarp shelters you and the hammock while you finish setting up.

The super shelter works ok at least in spring and fall but it is inconvenient to use unless you leave the pad in which precludes using the snake skins (see above).

In the winter when you really need insulation, I use two walmart blue pads. One 3/4 length, one full. I partially overlap the two which leaves a double thickness under me and single thickness wrapping up around my shoulders. I've found this to be very comfortable.

I couldn't tell exactly what you were saying about lashing to the tree huggers but it sure didn't sound like what Hennessy recommends. I usually use the recommended minimum of three turns, never more than 4. When I thread, I don't just pull the cord through the hugger loop, I help by pulling the hammock toward the loop to minimize the friction and wear on the loop.

Putting the "sausage" in the pack is easy. Coil it around the perimeter and stick clothes or sleeping bag in the middle.

Use your hiking poles to raise the tarp guy lines in moderate temperatures to improve the view and ventilation.

Things like glasses and headlamps can be hung over the ridge line leaving the meager pocket free for things you can't hang. Don't forget about the clips that come attached to the ridge line.

One of the more amazing things I've found is that the hammock stays up even if you only run the hugger from the cord, behind the tree and back to the cord instead of making a full turn around the tree. This greatly increases the number of trees that are candidates for hanging.

I was surprised to see it said that finding a tent site was never a problem. I've hung over bogs, on the sides of mountains and over rocky pointy ground far from any suitable tent site. Next to comfort, it's the most important reason to hang rather than tent.

Part 1 of 10: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0

I've had a Hennessy Hammock for a couple of years and absolutely love it. The above video series was produced by one of the regulars on HammockForums.net and it's the most entertaining, best produced amateur instructional series I've ever seen on anything.

Dave, a hammock may not be for you. It didn't work for me for a similar reason. The slight movement was enough to keep me up all night.