hennessy hammocks bottom entrance vs side entrance

[jalbright79]

I am considering purchasing the ultralight hennessy hammock. But not sure if I should get the one with bottom entrance or side entrance.
Allthough the bottom entrance looks very cool and convenient and has the wow facter. I worry that once you try to exit everything will want fall out sleeping bag, insulation etc. Has anyone had any experience with these hammocks especially with bottom entrance ones?

[Northern Lights]

No experience with bottom entry, but I really like my side entry HH

[Wise Old Owl]

NO brainer, everyone has a side enter - and it only takes once.... and you end up upside down in a burrito..... Bottom is Kulll!

[Kibble n Bit]

No experience with bottom entry, but I really like my side entry HH

+ 1 on the side entry...love mine

[kayak karl]

my son loves the bottom entry. i had a 3/4 zipper mod put on both of mine. all 3 i have were both bought before the side entry was offered.

[leaftye]

Bottom entry is a hassle if you're using a pad instead of an underquilt. I imagine an underquilt for a bottom entry hammock would be more complicated and expensive.

[psyculman]

You won't fall out, your weight is centered above the opening. Bottom entry = weather protection, warm dry place to dress and put on boots, less insects when entering/exiting. If the hammock is hung a little lower at the head end, stuff does not slide down. The opening has velcro, you won't fall out. (did I mention it's always dry inside?)

[yellowsirocco]

Bottom entry is a hassle if you're using a pad instead of an underquilt. I imagine an underquilt for a bottom entry hammock would be more complicated and expensive.

This right here is the deadly blow aginst bottom entry. I have a bottom entry from back in the day before side entry. I would gladly swap it out for a side entry. On the other hand when I set up my hammock in the park for a nap, bottom entry is pretty cool. It is completely impractical though.

[bear bag hanger]

I started out with a bottom entry HH before there was anything else available. It worked, but all my other hammocks are side entry and I feel they are better and more comfortable.

[jalbright79]

You won't fall out, your weight is centered above the opening. Bottom entry = weather protection, warm dry place to dress and put on boots, less insects when entering/exiting. If the hammock is hung a little lower at the head end, stuff does not slide down. The opening has velcro, you won't fall out. (did I mention it's always dry inside?)

I am not concerned with me falling out the bottom. I am more concerned with all my gear falling out once I try to exit. Also the difficulty of exiting through the bottom once my gear is inside....maybe to get up to use bathroom

[kayak karl]

i think you just answered your own question get the side zip entry.

[Hairbear]

i started out with a bottom entry hh survivor,its great when warm weather is here i liked the fast exit.the thing that is a magor cramp in the keester when it gets cold is you fight everything in the hammock getting in or out. i now have a side entry in wbbb the difference is amazing in the way of convienience.go side entry or you will wish you were double jointed in the knees so you could kick your own azz harder.

[DaleW]

I prefer the zip model. It is easy to enter and exit and arrange sleeping gear. I can unzip and throw the screen back for more airflow or to adjust my undercover and underquilt. Nice for a quick seat too.

[bannerstone]

If you're using an under quilt, a side entry allows you to reach out and move your quilt around much easier.

David

[Deadeye]

I like the bottom entry (that's what she said). I think it works better than a side entry if you're a pad user- easier to position the pad as you get in. Never had anything fall out while I was getting in or out.

[Strategic]

It's not a problem at all. I have the HH Hyperlight (the even lighter-weight model than the Ultralight) and my gear never falls out. Basically, any weight in the hammock automatically pulls the entrance closed unless you keep it open. Your gear won't follow you out. I tend to hang most of my gear (all the smaller stuff) from the ridgeline anyway, which keeps the little stuff from getting in your way whether you're getting in and out or just laying in it.

I've found the bottom entry to be very handy in virtually every way. For instance, the whole "getting up to use the bathroom" thing is way easier than it would seem, since you can just pop the seam and hang your feet down to put on camp shoes or boots without ever touching the ground until you're ready to.

[Slo-go'en]

I also had a bottom entry HH and it soured me on using hammocks. It looked like a really neat idea, but in practice it left a lot to be desired. Getting in and out of it was indeed easy, everything else about it wasn't. Should I ever desire to try a hammock again (which is doubtful) I would definately go with a side entrance.

[LadybugPicnic]

My first hammock was the HH Hyperlite bottom entry (a.k.a., the "birth canal") - hated it. I then switched to the side entry and love it! It is way more convenient to enter/exit plus if I do not feel like using the bug shield, I can just leave it unzipped. I have never fell out of it and I find it way more convenient to exit and enter.

[Wise Old Owl]

Well if I thought it was a "birth canal" I would hate it too. When you paint that kind of picture, you are psyc-ing yourself out of something...

[RichardD]

I have a Hennessey Explorer ultralight that came with bottom entry, after a year or so I had the zip mod done so now have a hammock with side or bottom entry. Last Summer I used my hammock for my thru and not once did I use the bottom entry. Side entry clearly was the best option for me. The bigest advantage for me was being able to reach out of the hammock to adjust underquilt or reach my drinking bottle.