Hello all,

OK thought I'd post up a rather timely question that would get everyone thinking about the best approach to this situation. I'm looking at Insulation ? Hennessy Hammock and it looks like what they are advocating is for users to use their insulation inside their hammocks. My question is why? You have a great opportunity to use the insulation in way that would get just about every camper out there excited! Just about every camper out there would be ecstatic about being able to use their insulation without compressing it.

So my question to you hammock users in the winter time is; why don't you take advantage of being able to use your insulation to its utmost advantage, by keeping it outside of the hammock? What's the advantage on keeping it on the inside?

What am I missing here?

I think the Hennessy insulation design is a sandwich approach. The radiant bubble pad (basically a car sun screen which some hammockers use) is on top of the hammock so you body contacts it directly. Under the hammock hangs to underpad. That underpad is very bulky and not a good option for biking or hiking. Moreover, it is open-cell foam and easy to tear.

If you plan to use pads, I think better would be wide, easily malleable pads that can be folded. I the past I used two 1/4 volara pads with dimensions of about 36 by 45 inches. These would easily bend to the contours of my body, especially in double-layered hammocks. Volara is closed-cell foam so much more durable than open-cell foam. Two 1/4 volara pads would take me to 25F or below.

Now I use underquilts which are less bulky than pads.

If you're interested in winter hammock camping, start looking into underquilts.

PS - I just toured in a hammock with no insulation (only a sleeping bag) down to 30*. It was fine.

I think I'm not following you when you say "is on top of the hammock" or "Under the hammock hangs to underpad." I am also thinking the insulation would be better over the top of the hammock and under it, but that's not what you are saying, is it? Are we on the same page here?

On the subject of durability, I would think something that would be along the lines of a down bag would be fairly durable, not to mention, pretty f'ing insulating.

Links?

No.

The radiant pad is inside the hammock under one's body. The open-cell foam pad is hung under the hammock but snug against against the hammock. The undercover then is hung under the open-cell foam pad to protect foam pad and also block heat loss from wind.

So, "on top of the hammock" = inside the hammock but under one's body while "under the hammock hangs the underpad" = "under the hammock hangs the underpad".

This is a bulky system that has been replaced, technologically, with underquilts. I don't think Hennessy offers underquilts, but many smaller vendors do provide high quality underquilts, for example

Hammock Gear - Hammock Camping Outfitters

UGQ HOME

One issue with Hennessy bottom entry hammocks is that they don't mate well with underquilts save for Jacks R Better nest which is designed for a Hennessy.

I use a Hennessy Hammock (zip model), and I like the undercover approach. To answer the OPs question, you do NOT put your insulation between your body and the hammock -- it goes below the hammock (suspended by the undercover). Hennessy supplies a foam pad that works with the undercover, and it is lightweight but bulky. I got a radiant pad for $6 on ebay which is lighter and is just as warm, plus it makes a great sitpad/lounging pad during the daytime while taking short breaks when riding.

Underquilts are nice, but they aren't cheap (often as much or more than the hammock), and they are exposed to the elements from below -- the undercover/radiant pad combination is a bit bulkier, but bullet-proof and weatherproof, and can be used if you ever have to "go to ground" tarp-style with your hammock if there are no trees. They make a good alternative for some people.

Here's a good video by Shug discussing use of pads in hammocks. At the end he mentions reflectix which is the bubble pad material used by Hennessy.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...ock-Insulation

Shug has many instructional videos on hammocks; have a look at his videos and most likely he answers all your questions.

For an introduction to hammocks and insulation, here's a nice page showing many options.

https://www.tothewoods.net/HammockCampingWarm.html

What he said, with this additional info - if you have a double-layer hammock, you can use one of those radiant windshield covers - supposedly reflects 80-90% of body heat back. That has not been my experience, however. I have a dble-layer and use a 3/8 foam pad from Target or similar in colder weather, cut to fit the contours of the hammock. Works well and I can use it for a sit pad as well. I've had it down to 28F with no problems, using my quilt as a top layer. BTW, there are some great companies making hammocks that don't cost a arm and leg - try Simply Light Designs out of Indianapolis. Hope this helps, and good luck.

I use a down underquilt beneath me (Warbonnet Blackbird hammock) and a very light down bag as a cover. I've used it about 50 nights, including many in the BWCA through torrential wind driven rain and it's never gotten even damp. An underquilt is the most comfortable, lightest, least bulky way to go. Only downside is $s.

Camping hammocks are best for jungle and warm climes, for which they were originally designed

Actually... no. Yes, they are excellent for jungles and warm areas, but they work perfectly in colder areas and they far surpass tents in keeping one dry. I have mine adapted so that I set up the tarp/fly first and then the hammock under it. Taking down is reverse, so I can set up or take down in a driving rainstorm and it will stay dry. During the day when traveling the hammock and underquilt are in a dry bag, so the hammock and its insulation never get a drop of water on them. Can't do that with a tent. I also sleep better in the hammock than at home in my bed. The only place they don't work is in treeless ares.

I have no desire to talk anyone to switch over to using a hammock. People should use what they want to use. Your statement, however, is just ignorant and doesn't further the conversation.

Yes, there are some misunderstandings about the Hennessy insulation options. But then Hennessy actually has a few different options, so it can be confusing.

The radiant bubble pad is the only item that might be used inside your hammock. It's actually meant to go in between the layers of a double-layered hammock, but if you wanted to use it in a single-layer hammock, you could bring it inside and lay on top it as it's meant to be non-compressible.

Then they have compressible, foam pads than hang under the hammock (part of the Super Shelter system). They are functionally similar to an under-quilt, but don't necessarily pack as small, and are not as warm as some quilts.

And they have the undercover, the other part of the Supershelter. That's another, thin layer than hangs under the hammock, under the foam pad, that acts as a windbreak. The undercover on it's own, just as a windbreak, provides a little protection. I leave mine on all the time except when it's very warm, in which case I have to remove it to stay comfortable. Also you can use the undercover to hold other items: a space blanket, an actual quilt, spare clothes, etc. Anything that provides extra insulation.

I have found that the Super-Shelter combined with a space blanket can keep me comfortable down into the upper 30s (Fahrenheit). Any colder and I'll want some additional insulation down there.

The other piece of the Hennessy insulation system is the over cover. The overcover goes over the bugnet, outside the hammock, to provide an additional windbreak. It's not a replacement for a quilt or sleeping bag. It just keeps airflow from leaching heat out of the hammock.

So the only piece of Hennessy insulation that might be used inside the hammock is the bubble pad. And the only other insulation you would want inside is a quilt or sleeping bag.

I find that the SuperShelter, plus a space blanket, and a temperature-appropriate sleeping bag meets most of my needs. Then if it's too cold, I add the the overcover and maybe some additional insulation underneath.

Much appreciated with your post here! The links has been very good reading and it got me up to par quite a bit. That dude Shug is quite a character. I was WTF when I first saw it, but now that I'm somewhat prepared for him, I say do what ever floats your boat my friend. Good info too.

Granted Hennessy's site is a bit confusing, but I'm seeing that they are all for inside the hammock. They are advertised as "Radiant Bubble Pad is a different insulation system designed to be used inside of the hammock." or "This pad can also be used inside any other hammock model." I'm not really seeing anything else with them. It's too bad they don't really school the people coming to them on what some of the options are. If one was a noobie (me), and they come to their site, it kinda looks like there's just one way to tackle this insulation issue.

https://hennessyhammock.com/collections/insulation

I don't find the site confusing, but I found all of the options confusing when I was new to hammock camping. I think you still have a little confusion, too, because you seem to feel that Hennessy only offers insulation for inside the hammock. The page linked has over a dozen entries and only two of them are the radiant bubble pad, and the radiant bubble pad is the only item on that page that's meant to be used inside of your hammock or between the layers of a double-layer hammock. If you want more info on Hennessy's insulation options, they have another page for that, too. Cold Weather Camping ? Hennessy Hammock

Oh you're right, it's not confusing. Please provide a link on insulation offered by Hennessy that is meant to be used outside the hammock.

SuperShelter 4-Season Insulation System # 1 Classic ? Hennessy Hammock

SuperShelter 4-Season Insulation System # 1 Classic ? Hennessy Hammock

The description on this one states; "Radiant Bubble Pad is a different insulation system designed to be used inside of the hammock. "

That is correct. This is an insulation system that is entirely different from the Radiant Bubble Pad.

The Radiant Bubble Pad is an insulation system which can be used inside of the hammock.

The Super Shelter is an insulation system to be used outside of the hammock.

They are different.

Yeah, it clearly states that 'Radiant Bubble Pad is ..... '
The super shelters hang on the hammock.

But if you are going to spend the $$, get a real under quilt and be done.

Like New England in the summer. Just a bugnet and breeze is nice.

Oh I see how this Hennessy site isn't confusing. They are describing two different insulation setups in the description. Not to mention they don't once state this is insulation for the outside of the hammock. Not confusing at all!

Man is this what I have to look forward to with this setup?

Whatever floats your boat. There are a lot of hammocks out there. If you find Hennessy too confusing, perhaps look elsewhere. The Hennessy site does have a good amount of information, though. Hennessy was my first and only hammock, and I recall having to learn a lot about hammock camping in general and about Hennessy in particular before making an actual purchase. One thing to try is to look through all of the info the site has to offer before going directly to the store. Or find another hammock maker that presents the information in a more palatable format for you. There are a lot of happy Hennessy users, but, even as one of them, I don't think that they are necessarily the best option out there. They are, however, one of the more affordable options, especially when you look at them as a complete system of hammock and insulation. Doesn't mean it's everyone's thing, though.

Go here: Set-up Insulation ? Hennessy Hammock

Videos of the Hennessy super-shelter insulation system, which will allow you to see how the undercover and insulating layer are used. I use an undercover with a DIY radiant bubble pad instead of the foam pad & space blanket shown in the video, which I explained in greater detail in my post above. A good underquilt is a lot more money, but much simpler if you prefer. Even cheaper and simpler is a foam pad on top of the hammock, but I found it would always slide around on me, so I ditched it.