El Cid

I was shopping online for a hammock, and found them ranging in price from $36 to $350. Hennessy hammocks were at the top end, and I can't see any substantial difference between them and the cheaper $36 hammocks, other than the presence of a rainfly. Is there something that makes the more expensive hammocks worth the money, or are you just paying for a name?

Squeezebox

There's a hammock hanger forum probably best to ask them.

veganbikes

I haven't tried Hennesey but I will say my ENO hammocks are great and many accessories are quite handy for touring and camping. Being able to turn my hammock into an off the ground tent with gear storage underneath is pretty boss. Plus really easy to use and tree friendly straps are great for those late into camp go right to bed trips.

Some of the cheaper hammocks might not be as durable or as comfortable. Plus lack of accessories is important. Hennesey and ENO make hammocks for serious outdoor use, some other companies are just making them to make a hammock for light relaxing occasionally.

phughes

I went higher end and got the Warbonnet Blackbird. It is very nice.

shipwreck

In my experience less expensive hammocks tend to be of cheaper material, and can actually stretch and sag overnight. Once one was so bad I tossed it.(I sleep in a hammock every night, with a stand in my bedroom instead of a bed, so I buy a several cheap hammocks per year). Sometimes the quality of the sewing is top notch, but the material does not last. Also, the cord used to bind the ends tends to be MUCH cheaper than a better brand.

For my actual touring, I use a Grand Trunk skeeter beater, and I just got an Eno Jungle Nest. Neither come with a tarp, but I like the more compact shorter hang compared to the Hennessy. I sewed my own very minimal tarp. I take a quality hammock on tour because they tend to be more robust and durable. All the hammocks I use have built in netting, I like that, and they tend to be more expensive. The Grand trunk hammock is a little bit lighter than the Eno, but more fiddly to get the netting right.

The Hennessy is large and comfortable. Compare prices for the straps and tarp and hammock, and you come close to the price of a well engineered system like the hennessy. I choose not to have one because I like smaller hammocks. I have friends who really like hennessy, I am glad cause I recommended it since they were beginners at hanging.

And do check out the Hammock forums, but remember that there are a few of us here who use them on bike tours.

Rob_E

It's hard to compare without knowing what $36 hammocks you're looking at. I feel like Hennessy is actually a great, lower-priced, starter hammock. When you say Hennessy is at the top end of your $36 to $350 price range, it makes it sound like a Hennessy is $350. They have many models under $200. I think I paid closer to $100 for mine with a sale and an REI coupon. If you want to hammock camp, you can pretty much buy a Hennessy and hit the road/trail. Bug net is built in. With many other hammocks, that's an add on. Rain fly is included. Most other hammocks don't include one. Tree straps, which will keep you on the good side of some park rangers, are included. Hennessy, and a lot of the better hammocks, have a little extra material to one side at one end and to the opposite side at the other, so that you lay on a diagonal in the hammock, which is more flat, rather than along the curve.

If you start hammock camping regularly, you will likely want some insulation underneath. There are some DIY options, but if you go shopping for something hammock-specific, it gets expensive. Hennessy has a cold weather kit for their hammocks that tends to run cheaper than other solutions.

I have found it to be a great balance between quality and price. There are certainly cheaper options, but I wonder if they're much cheaper when you add on all the extras. And I doubt they're as well made.

TomPalmer

I have 2 Hennessy hammocks and they work great. The asymmetrical design works as you lie much flatter than other hammocks. I have only tried 2 others for a short while and like the Hennessy. The rain fly is a good, but I added a larger 8'x10' silnylon tarp and have enough coverage to keep me, all of my stuff, and bike dry. I am sure there are plenty of "better designed" hammocks out there, but the H just works for me.
Got for it.
Tom Palmer
Twin Lake, MI

-holiday76

Been using a Hennessey for years now and I'm a fan. I've used cheaper hammocks not designed for heavy use and have had then break over a short amount of time. One of them broke in the middle of the night while I was sleeping and dropped me straight onto the ground! Ha.

Getting a bigger tarp probably isnt a bad idea. Also if you're planning on anything remotely cold, get some insulation for under it.

mdilthey

I love Hennessy Hammock. I used one for a long time before switching to Bivy Bags for no real reason, other than convenience.

Kelley uses a Hennessy and swears by it. She sent me a news article the other day on how the hammock sleeping position is the most aligned with human physiology.

fietsbob

Are you just tying to a couple trees in your back yard ? then go cheap .

revcp 

Another hammock user here. Warbonnet Blackbird. The expense is worth it. The inexpensive hammocks are just gathered ends with some rope to trees. The more expensive hammocks (like WBB, Henn and Clark) put significant thought into design and execute well. My WBB, for example, has a footbox that allows me to sleep semi-diagonally in the hammock, so I can sleep comfortably on my side, a must for me since I am not a back sleeper. I don't sleep as well at home as I do in my hammock. I have also put together my system so that I can set up the tarp and then simply use carabiners to clip the hammock itself into loops from the tarp ridgeline. That means in a driving rain I can set up the hammock dry under the tarp. Can do the same during takedown.

tmac100

I bought a Hennessy in 2006 with the extra stuff and have used it bicycling in Australia. A great bit of kit. I noticed some Australian troops had their own instead of "swags". Need trees or posts to stay above ground - otherwise use poles to keep the tarp part above you while you sleep on the ground.

malley

welcome the bike forums son

bwgride

I have several Hennessy hammocks, Warbonnet hammocks (traveler and blackbird), and other brands, but I now use only hammocks I make myself (very easy to make hammocks).

If you are looking to buy a hammock, I have found both Hennessy and Warbonnet hammocks to be of similar comfort, but the bottom entry Hennessy, while interesting, can be a hassle especially in colder weather due to the need to situate and adjust insulation.

Warbonnet hammocks can be found here

https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com

Another place to buy good quality hammocks and hammock gear at a reasonable price is here

DutchWare Gear

Generally speaking, hammocks with detachable or separate bug nets are easier to work with. With a permanently attached bug net, it can be difficult or impossible to reach over both sides of the hammock to grasp things or adjust insulation.

One of the key features that distinguish the more expensive hammocks from the less expensive hammocks, besides material, is the use of a hammock ridgeline. The ridgeline runs from hammock end to end and creates a set amount of sag that is consistent from hang to hang. This means the hammock will offer the same comfort level with each hang. Without a ridgeline, it is easy to hang the hammock too loose or too tight.

Another feature that separates hammocks is the suspension. For backpackers, lighter weight can be important, so hammocks that use amsteel suspension or lightweight straps more desirable.

You will need a tarp too. I personally find the Hennessy standard tarps to be too little especially in blowing rain. I much prefer a tarp with "doors" so the hammock is protected 360 degrees. Doors allow one to close both ends of the tarp. One of the better tarps with doors is the Warbonnet superfly, although there are many other options out there.

https://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/pr...ategory/tarps/

Good luck.

P.S. Have a look at the forums here for much information https://hammockforums.net

El Cid

I have to admit, I never bothered to check for a hammock-specific forum. But thanks for the answers. I think I'll go cheap and try camping out in the backyard for a few nights. And if it works out I'll keep the more expensive hammocks in mind for serious camping.

I haven't had a chance to actually try this yet, but I'm thinking that the main advantage of a hammock will be in cleaning. I just hate having to pick up a tent and clean it after a long rainfall.

Leebo

I use an eno double nest, bug netting and a 8x10 tarp. The tarp covers the hammock on the diagonal, on top of the ridge line. Works well. Some thing to consider, weight, comfort and rain proof. Bug bites? The hennessey on some have a double panel for a pad below and bug protection. Usually you want to sleep on the diagonal to be comfortable. Do you want a 2-3 lb set up or or a 5-6 lb set up?

Ty0604

+1 Except I use a Single Nest usually with the bug netting and a different rain fly (the brand escapes my mind right now bit it's bigger and lighter than the Eno rain fly)

rhm

We have a couple traditional string hammocks we sling between trees in the back yard, pretty great for relaxing on a hot afternoon. And I have a Hennessy for bike touring. I got a relatively cheap one, just to see if it's really the solution I was looking for, and I haven't used it very much, but I am happy with the purchase. For camping, the hammock is the best sleeping arrangement I've ever used. I look forward to my next chance to use it again.

The difference between a traditional string hammock and a Hennessy is... well, they're so different it's hard to compare. It's not so much that the Hennessy is better (though it is) but that it's a different animal entirely.

MassiveD

Did you check MEC's price at one point it was about half regular retail. Heck I will sell you one for 100 can that I used once for two hours.

iconicflux

Hennessy Hammocks are okay but some of the other cottage vendors do make much better hammocks. Warbonnet and Dream Hammock allow you to customize the material. Also look at Dutchware's hammocks if you're not wanting to spend too much.

One thing I'd stay away from on the Hennessy side is their tarps. They do have some good ones but some of them are like thong bikinis on guys. You end up praying it has enough coverage and even then you look damn silly.

I have a double layer 11' Dream Hammock Sparrow and it's incredibly comfortable. It's *not* ultralight though. I mean, it's about equal or less than a tent so it could be worse...

Hugh Morris

EDIT: to answer the actual question, hennessy hammocks are more expensive in part because of the branding but also in part due to being "complete hammock camping" set-ups, touting bug and weather protection. However, they don't offer sufficient insulation, which can quickly become the priciest part of any system (with synthetic quilts $50-150 and down quilts easily $200-300 each) unless you can get comfy on a pad.

Wall of text below talks hammock basics, cottage vendors, and my own set up. Easy to get wordy on this subject...

a different approach to the all-in-one hammock includes under-insulation sewn in; the best example on the market is Bonefire Gear's Whisper, but i think it's a little over $400 for the UL w 3/4 goosedown underquilt sewn into the bottom of the hammock for simplicity and minimizing weight/bulk/pack time. Some people are doing it for cheaper with bulkier synthetics too; can't think of who off the top of my head but search engines exist if you're curious.

Arguably the best hammock set ups are modular, piecemeal outfits, and thankfully, the hammock (and suspension) is often the cheapest part of the equation.

Rather than supporting the ENO empire, I prefer to support our rather thriving US cottage industry. Dutchware gear makes great 11' hammocks in a variety of specially designed fabrics of varying weight and color, for only $42. ENO is heavy and expensive, and I can't exchange emails with the person making my hammock / splicing my amsteel.

Another great hammock maker is Butt In A Sling, or BIAS. I have a camper XL hammock; a 12'x6' gathered end hammock that allows for a super comfortable diagonal lay for my 6'3" body. There is a worthwhile option to get some shock cord sewn on the outside at the 'footbox' area and the head area, referred to as the Knotty Mod (creator's name on the forum), that helps keep my quilt inside and helps manage the extra fabric. That ran me more than a Dutch netless, but i think it cost about the same as an ENO doublenest, and they were so nice to deal with! ...and ENO is too heavy and expensive.

The tarp can get pricey; i made a 12x10 silpoly (awesome custom fabric from ripstopbytheroll) tarp with multiple tie-outs so i can fold in the ends like doors. Huge so it can extend a foot over each end of my hammock. Fabric, grosgrain ribbon, thread, silicone seam sealant and shipping; i spent just under $100 making that tarp. Maybe worth it to just buy a Warbonnet Superfly or HammockGear Winter Palace, or if you don't need a ton of coverage, the wilderness logics tadpole.

A fronkey style bugnet is easy enough to make too, and that can be done for cheap, or had for something reasonable already fashioned by Dutchwaregear. ENO is too heavy and expensive.

Suspension is a matter of personal preference but straps and toggles are a nice simple system if you don't wanna deal with "whoopie slings". Straps can be kevlar or even mule tape for weight weenies.

Insulation is a tough part of the equation. You can get by with a cheap closed cell foam pad inside your sleeping bag inside the hammock but... well, it's kinda messing with the wonderful comfort of the hammock as your sleeping surface. So a synthetic underquilt from someone like Arrowhead Equipment or Loco Libre Gear is a good choice for value; cheaper and easier to maintain than down, without as serious a concern for rain and moisture in general. If money is no object and weight/compressibility is the primary concern, down quilts win. There are many quality cottage vendors making very well crafted down quilts.

...there's a lot to be said on each subject i briefly touched on; worth checking out the hammock forums if you want to learn more.

tmac100

In 2006 I bought an Expedition Hennessy (I think that is what it was called). I bought it because of it's size and weight carrying capability. It has stood the test of time and along with Tree Huggers and Snakeskins, it suits my personal touring needs. I used it on 2 different tours in Australia but realized it would not be much good when it was cold, or when there were no trees. So a re-think was needed ...

On my last tour in July-Aug from Perth to Adelaide, I used an Akto Hilleberg single tent. It was easy to set up and warm. At 1C or even 7 C the Hennessy would have been cold.

With a travelling companion both are no good, so in the case of duo-travel I have a Hilleberg Nallo 2-GT.

YMMV

robow

I agree, I did not care for Hennessy's bottom entry for many reasons. I like the Warbonnet series much better along with their double layer bottom making for easier pad placement. That being said, I'm not using my hammock nearly as much as I used to because many state parks and public campgrounds no longer allow anything to be hung or attached on trees.