Hennessy Hammock Features

We practically invented the modern camping hammock, by using advanced materials and thoughtful design features like the asymmetrical shape that allows for extra room and comfort. We're proud to show you our designs! Use this page as an introduction to how our hammocks work and to help you select the right hammock for you.

Size and Weight

It's important to get a hammock with ropes and webbing strong enough to support you and also long enough to be comfortable. Remember, bigger hammocks are more comfortable if you don't mind carrying a few more ounces. 

Classic or Zip? Two entry styles to choose from.

Classic Bottom Entrance:

INNOVATIVE CLASSIC BOTTOM ENTRY WITH VELCRO CLOSURE: Patented entrance on the bottom automatically snaps closed under the weight of your body and seals with velcro.

TOM DEMONSTRATES THE CLASSIC HAMMOCK: Tom Hennessy shows off how easy it is to enter the Classic; watch the entrance automatically snap closed; how to get comfortable on the correct diagonal; how to exit the hammock; how to set up a kitchen; how to pack up in about 30 seconds.

Zippered Side Entry:

TRADITIONAL SIDE ENTRY WITH A ZIPPER CLOSURE: Zips closed with a full length, heavy duty YKK zipper on one side between the mesh and the bottom fabric.

Both styles have advantages. The classic bottom entry works great when you are being followed by a cloud of mosquitoes. When you duck your head down to open the bottom entrance, the mosquitoes don't know what you're doing, so they get out of the way for a few seconds. Before they know what's happened, the door has snapped shut and you are on the inside and they are on the outside.

One advantage of the zip model is that it's a little easier to set up your bedding but the mosquitoes also find it easier follow you in and join you for a snack after you close the zipper.

In the end, it just comes down to personal preference. Some of our classic bottom entry users are totally in love with this innovative design feature and would never switch. Others prefer the more conventional zipper entrance on the side. Choose your entry system now.

One or Two Layer Hammock

It's really nice to be in your sleeping bag, cozy and warm without having to keep your insulation pad in the right spot under you. Between the two layers of bottom fabric is a space to insert your Radiant DoubleBubble Pad which can be purchased separately. This pad clips into position on the correct diagonal and will not move around during the night. All of our Jungle Series hammocks have a two layer bottom and a full length zipper on one side between the mesh and bottom fabric. While two layer bottomed hammocks weigh a little more, if you are heading for really buggy areas, this is a good solution. We made our first double bottomed hammock for Ed Stafford, the first person to walk the entire length of the Amazon. It took him 860 days, When he got back to England, he told the Royal Geographic Society that it was the single most important piece of gear he carried on his epic trek.

Insulation Options

Since the hammock is suspended above the ground, circulating air beneath the hammock causes a cooling effect, so insulation is a good idea wherever the nights get cool.

There are several options for insulating a Hennessy Hammock.

Our Radiant DoubleBubble Pad comes in two sizes and is tailored to fit our hammocks with clips to keep it in place. It attaches either inside the hammock under your sleeping bag or between the layers of our Jungle Series Double Bottomed hammocks. It's pretty well bomb proof and for the average metabolism, rated to about 40F.

Note: Before Tom made any insulation systems, he told his customers to go pick up a truck-sized windshield reflector shade pad and trim it down to size. It's still an option if you are pinching pennies. Get the pad with two layers of bubbles inside and silver on both outsides. They can be purchased at any automotive supply shop for under $10 or so. Check your local dollar store, too!

If you are looking for an all-season insulation system that has been tested in the Arctic by British Commandos, check out our SuperShelter 4-Season Insulation System. It includes an UnderCover, UnderPad (contoured open cell foam pad), and a "space blanket" that can be used on top or under the foam pad to reflect body heat. The OverCover is an optional accessory that can add a layer over the mesh to trap warm air in the hammock.

Upgrade to Longer Webbing Straps

These are attached to the end of the suspending ropes to protect the tender bark of trees and provide greater span for the ropes. We call them "tree huggers."

You can get a free upgrade to longer webbing straps when customizing any hammock from our website. Our stock webbing straps are 42" which are fine for most situations, but in certain areas of the world longer straps are needed. Our 72" straps go around a 24" tree and our 96" straps goes around a 32' tree. Just click on the "Build Your Own Hammock" button on any hammock product page to choose 42", 72" or 96" straps.

Upgrade to a Bigger Rainfly

Oversize “HEX” Rainfly option! For little or no difference in cost, the "double-wide"PU coated polyester ”HEX” fly can be substituted for the regular fly on most models.

All Hennessy Rainflies are designed to keep you dry when set up according to instructions; however, a bigger fly will give you an added coverage to share with friends or to work under. Just choose the "customize" option for the hammock model you want and add the Polyester Asym HEX rainfly to your cart. This offer is available only at the time of purchase to customers purchasing directly from Hennessy Hammock. Just click on the "Customize" button on the hammock product page.

Extra Set of SnakeSkins for the Oversize Fly

If you are substituting the "HEX" fly for the stock fly, you may want an extra set of SnakeSkins for the bulkier Hex fly and use the free set you'll receive with your website hammock purchase for the hammock bottom.

Many people just use one set of SnakeSkins to collapse the wet rainfly and keep it on the outside of their Pack and stuff their hammock and insulation system into the top of their pack. You can also keep your sleeping bag inside the hammock. That way every thing comes out of the pack at once with no chance of dropping your sleeping bag in the mud in the dark.

More Features

Patented Asymmetrical Shape

Lying on the diagonal is the secret for maximum comfort in hammocks. We have designed the first hammock with a diagonal axis. We call it the "Asym". We have moved the right side anchor point of the hammock down by your knee and the left side anchor point up by your shoulder. This makes the hammock feel longer with a wider 'sweet spot' of comfort. Then we did the same for the rainfly and added 30 percent more fabric for excellent coverage.

Patented "Snap Tight" Zipperless Closure

Your weight tensions the entrance which automatically snaps closed behind you.

Patented "Perfect Set" Comfort Curve

Integral ridgeline maintains the same comfortable shape with each use to keep your back straight and level when resting on the diagonal.

Patented "Never-Tip" Center Balance Design

Eliminates instability by entering from the centre instead of flipping over the side. This is the first hammock that does not cause you to lose your balance while entering the hammock.

Bug-proof

Large area of No-See-Um netting to provide ventilation and keep insects outside the hammock. When properly sealed, the entrance design also makes sure no bugs get into your hammock at night while you are asleep and also during the day when you are away from camp. For further information about bug protection, see our mosquito/jungle page.

Windproof

The No-See-Um mesh and hammocks fabric will deflect wind to provide a calm space inside.

Waterproof

The rain-fly is polyurethane coated polyester ripstop or silicone impregnated nylon and may be tilted to any angle, rolled up above, removed or used separately.

Triangular Mesh Gear Pocket, Glove Hooks, Carabiner Loops

A nifty gear pocket slides on the ridgeline and stores out of sight behind your head - this can be used to store your keys, pocket knife, change and other small personal items. Two glove hooks are also threaded on the ridgeline and can be used for attaching LED lights and even attaching a drink can by the hole in the pull tab. All hammocks ridge lines are installed with a loop on each inside hammock end to which a small carabiner can be hooked to hold daypacks, 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!