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Hennessy hammock product review

The UK isn't that hot. Camping here means a tent and as such I've never had much need for a hammock. I do though own a Hennessy hammock which I finally got an excuse to use this year. The Caribbean certainly seemed like the perfect place for a hammock.

The Hennessy hammock is more than just a hammock though, it has a built in mosquito net and a fly sheet. This puts it somewhere in between a hammock and a tent. Which means it is useful without the need to carry a basha and mosquito net.

As you would expect set up requires two sturdy trees to strap the hammock between. A further two trees are required to pin out the side of the hammock and the fly, though they don't need to bear any load. Once set up your entrance is made through a velcro opening underneath the hammock. The opening is here as the mosquito net is sewn in over the top, it seems strange at first but is easy enough to get in and out this way.

As hammocks go they don't come much better equipped than this. I tend to sleep on my side rather than my back so a hammock would not necessarily be the most comfortable choice, but it's a lot easier than carrying a tent and sleeping mat.

Setting up the hammock is a fairly simple procedure, the only real difficulty is finding two trees the right distance apart. The ground of course doesn't have to be flat - and mine wasn't which sometimes proved interesting when leaving the hammock in the dark. Taking it down is even quicker and quicker still if you use the supplied stuff sack which allows you to pack the hammock and take it down in one fell swoop. Mine though stayed up for three weeks and served me very well the whole time. Whilst sleeping I was bite free and bone dry, there was even plenty of space for my kit underneath the hammock and fly sheet.

The hammock should be used only when very warm though, being nylon it was cooler than cotton hammocks. Although it was the Caribbean it was still winter so I felt a chill and negotiating a sleeping bag in the hammock is easier said than done due to the unconventional entrance.

To sum up the hammock is perfect for tropical climates where it will keep you bug free, dry and cool. The pack is a lot lighter and smaller than carrying a tent and bed roll and is quicker to pitch. I though don't get much chance to go places hot enough to warrant it!