camping hammocks

[maintenance man]

Ok, here I was all set to order a hennessy explorer when I run across ads for Clark Jungle, Lawson Camping and Speer hammocks. Any experience with these other three brands by anyone? Thanks

[neo]

i only have experince with the byer hammock and the hennsey hammock,i prefer hennesey hammock.:sun neo

[Crash]

I have the hennessey. The others are of good quality too. You have to determine how you will use it to figure out which to buy. I went with the HH because of the attached bug netting and the entry method. But I wouldn't been disappointed if I'd gone with one of the others. I just would've adapted my style to them.

[shades of blue]

The Speer hammock is great. I love the top loading aspect to the hammock. The speer is great for cooler weather because you can put a sleeping bag on the outside of the hammock. With the advent of under quilts and other cold weather gear, the HH is said to be pretty good in cool weather (but I have only personal experience with the Speer. I personally like the 8X10 tarps (standard on Speer). I like the extra rain protection, but many people get by with a lot less. The hammock experience was my first with a tarp....love it!

[SGT Rock]

I've used a few. My cut on them is here: http://hikinghq.net/hammock/hammock.html

[rpettit]

I had a Byer of Maine, it sucked. Went with a Hennessy, I think it's great, use my own 12' X 10' silnylon tarp though. Have ordered the SuperShelter and will be testing it soon. I like the Hennessy because it is comfortable and easy to set up. The only negative is that the bugscreen is not removable, but then I don't have to deal with putting one on the hammock if I need one. I like the bottom entry as opposed to top entry, hard to fall out of.

[Youngblood]

camping hammocks Ok, here I was all set to order a hennessy explorer when I run across ads for Clark Jungle, Lawson Camping and Speer hammocks. Any experience with these other three brands by anyone? Thanks I suspect most long distance backpackers go with Hennessy, Clark and Speer Hammocks. There are folks that like each one and other folks that don't like particular things about each one. The Hennessy has several models that perform a little differently, the Clark has three models that perform differently and the Speer has options for length and weight capacity (but they are fundamentally the same model). All three of these manufacturers make fine backpacking hammocks, the differences between them may or may not be important to you.

I personally prefer the Speer because I like the top entry and the ability to totally remove the bugnet (I seldom use the bugnet, its pretty cool it nice weather being suspended a foot or so above the ground and having an unimpeded few of your surroundings.). I think it works a little better at break time when you want to use a hammock for a chair, swing or to take a quick nap. I also like the protection of a large tarp, but that is something that you can change on any of them.

Unfortunately you can't run down to your local outfitter and jump in each one to get an idea of what might better suit you.

Youngblood

[Tripod]

I have the Clark Ultra-Light and like it very much. It weighs only 2 lbs, 8.2 oz. including the stuff sack and an oversized rain fly. It's almost a full pound lighter than my Zoid1 tent and a lot more comfortable.

http://www.junglehammock.com/ultrafeatures.php

or check out one of my photos at:

http://www.whiteblaze.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/3407/size/big/sort/1/cat/500

[flyfisher]

I have used the Hennessey asymetrical and Speer type hammocks. Both are quality products.

I personally much prefer the top entry of the Speer and have developed quite a few modifications based on the original Speer. Like Youngblood, I like looking at the sky without looking through a bug net for the 6 months a year that there are no bugs. During those months, I carry a single layer of ripstop (I call it a TravelPod that goes all the way around the hammock for warmth. It is a weight and bulk trade out for the bug net.

But choose what you like. If you start hanging in the trees, the odds are that you will sleep better. Most people do.

[rpettit]

Another positive about a Hennessy is that you are not required to tie any knots to hang it. The HH uses a very simple lashing technique. To hang the hammock all you need to do is find 2 trees 15ft to 25ft apart. I prefer 15ft. Lash one end using the tree hugger strap, lash the other end the same way. Just set the suspension rope even on each side and the hammock level. I use a small plastic line level to accomplish this. Again, simple, quick and effective.

[The Hammocker]

I enjoy to experement with cheapo hammocks or make my own. Check on www.hikinghq.net (http://www.hikinghq.net) to see some of my ideas