Hikers Talk About Design

These hikers just love the design of Hennessy Hammocks.

• “Certain"
• “Welsh Nomad”
• “Piñata”
• “Birdlegs”
• “Librarian”
• “Loose Bruce”
• “Waldo”
• “Cookie Monster”

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Hikers Talk — About Comfort — About Design — About Versatility — About Bad Backs — About Storm Protection — About When Things Got Rough

Anyone who has ever spent a night outside knows just how important it is to have good shelter. It’s a key piece of survival gear that can make or break any trip. Many people think of shelter as just that — something that will protect them from the elements. However, there are so many other things to consider such as comfort, convenience, and portability.

At Hennessy Hammock, we’ve made it our mission to create a shelter that is ideal in every way possible. The design of our hammocks started as a personal project by our founder, Tom Hennessy, decades before most people even knew what a camping hammock was. Over the course of six years, he created over 50 different prototypes — each one a significant improvement over the last.

Hennessy Hammock was first launched over 20 years ago which started the camping hammock revolution. We created the first fully enclosed hammock that allowed campers to have more room and sleep more comfortably because you could lay flat on a diagonal . Since then, we’ve never stopped creating and improving upon our original design. No other camping hammock has had more thought and engineering go into its creation — in fact, we have five patents to prove it.

If you’re looking for the best shelter — and the best camping hammock — on the market, check out all of the design features that make a Hennessy Hammock the preferred shelter of outdoor enthusiasts, explorers, and survivalists all over the world.

Designed For Comfort

Many people love being outdoors and the thought of sleeping surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. Unfortunately, the camping experience that one hopes and dreams for is often not the reality. For many people, tents are synonymous with camping and although tent manufacturers keep spending a lot of time and money making improvements to their tents, it’s still a tent on the hard, uneven ground with all the roots, rocks and puddles to deal with.

Patented Asymmetrical Shape

Anyone who has slept in a Hennessy hammock will tell you that it’s one of the most comfortable night’s rest they’ve ever had. The key to its comfort, and the feature that made ours different from traditional hammocks, is the asymmetrical design. Lying on a diagonal is the secret to maximum comfort in hammocks. It allows you to lay on your back and stretch out instead of feeling like you’re being hugged in a cocoon.

By moving the right anchor point down by the knee and the left side anchor point up by the shoulder, our hammocks provide a much wider area, allowing for extra room and optimum comfort.

Patented Structural Ridgeline

The second key feature designed to enhance the comfort of our camping hammocks is the structural ridgeline. Its purpose is to ensure the same setup and shape of our hammock every time. Because tree spacing is different everywhere you go, the curve of your hammock will also be affected — that is, unless you have a Hennessy. The structural ridgeline ensures a perfect setup every time so you have the same comfortable place to sleep night after night.

Lightweight

Unless you’re camping right next to your vehicle, you’re probably going to have to carry your gear with you — and that means having a shelter that is lightweight is of great importance to most people. The market for lightweight camping gear has greatly expanded over the past several years, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find any shelter that provides the comfort, durability, and features that a Hennessy does while still weighing under two pounds.

If you’re looking for a little extra comfort on a long hike or you need a shelter that can provide you with protection in extreme environments, try one of our Jungle Expedition hammocks or the 4Season Expedition hammock. They might weigh just a bit more, but you’ll have superior protection in the coldest, wettest, and buggiest places on earth.

Durable

Some gear is designed for lightweight or even ultralight backpacking, but doesn’t perform when you put it to the test. That’s why Hennessy hammocks are designed to be both comfortable and durable. We have 22 different types of hammocks available with some rated for up to 7 feet and 350 pounds.

We use only the best fabrics and materials — even our suspending ropes are six times stronger than the rated weight limit. We know that when it comes to performance, specs are just numbers, but our camping hammocks have been tested in the most extreme conditions, all over the world by Extreme Adventurers, Disaster Relief Teams, and even Soldiers. If a Hennessy worked for them, you can trust that our camping hammocks will work for you.

Safety and Comfort Features

Our camping hammocks have been used in the harshest environments. They’ve been taken on expeditions spanning the full length of the Amazon, Nile, and Congo rivers — as well as just about every other corner of the globe — so they have to perform. Our hammocks’ unique design features ensure comfort and safety even in places where no man has gone before.

Waterproof Rainfly

The rainfly is made of either polyurethane coated polyester ripstop or silicone impregnated nylon and it fits perfectly over the unique asymmetrical shape of the Hennessy hammock. Each hammock comes with a matching rainfly, but you can choose to upgrade to a hex rainfly for more coverage. You can even choose from a variety of colors by visiting our rainflies page. Keep in mind that the rainfly can be tilted to any angle, rolled up above, or used separately to create a protected area for meetings, meals, or to just extend the size of your campsite.

High-Density Bugproof Mesh

Whether you’re in the African jungle or just kayaking down a local river, where there’s water, there are mosquitos. Fortunately, our camping hammocks feature a tightly woven fabric that keeps out even the smallest insects. You’ll be able to rest easy within the secure protection of your Hennessy hammock while still being able to enjoy the fresh air.

Easy To Put Up and Take Down

Another pain point for many campers is the hassle of putting up and taking down their shelter. By design, camping hammocks are easier to set up than tents because you don’t have to worry about poles and stakes, but the secret that makes our camping hammocks even better is the SnakeSkins that are included with your purchase. SnakeSkins are like little stuff sacks that allow you to collapse your hammock and store it away in about 30 seconds. You don’t have to mess with folding, getting your hammock dirty or muddy, or trying to cram it back into a bag. Simply attach the SnakeSkins onto the rope, and when you’re ready, the entire hammock, netting, and rainfly can be packed away into those two skinny tubes of fabric. To learn how simple they are to use, check out this video from Tom Hennessy himself showing how to set up your SnakeSkins.

Multiple Entry Styles

Another unique feature of the Hennessy hammock is the ability to choose which type of entry you prefer. Our original hammock features a patented bottom entry design with velcro closure. Simply duck inside and the bottom automatically snaps closed under the weight of your body and seals with velcro. This makes it particularly easy to get inside your hammock quickly when you need to, but some campers prefer our hammocks with a zippered side entry. The zippered model makes it a little bit easier to set up your bedding, but the opening doesn’t close quite as quickly — so it’s possible that a few mosquitoes or other fast-flying creatures could follow you in. When it comes down to choosing your entry style, it's really all about personal preference.

Experience the Difference Smart Design Can Make

If you’re looking for the ideal shelter and camping solution that you can take with you no matter where your adventures take you, there’s no better choice than a Hennessy camping hammock. You’re unlikely to find any other hammock that has been engineered with more attention to detail, quality, and design features. Visit our hammocks page to compare models and to get started on your order.