Welcome

Eight Mistakes To Avoid Your First Time Backpacking

For people who love to hike, or just love to get away and enjoy the outdoors, backpacking is something that many will choose to do at some point. It’s the perfect way to explore more remote areas and relax under the stars at night. There’s nothing worse than being on a beautiful hike, taking in all that nature has to offer, only having to turn around and head back just when the scenery is getting really good. Fortunately, with a little preparation and some quality gear like a hiking hammock from Hennessy Hammock, you can avoid some of the common mistakes that most first-time backpackers tend to make.

Traversing the Congo With Hennessy Hammock

Hennessy Hammock isn’t your ordinary hammock. While it’s the perfect piece of gear for campers looking to get a good night’s sleep on the trail, it’s much more than that. Hennessy Hammock is the ultimate sleeping shelter, used by explorers, backpackers, soldiers, extreme adventure-seekers, and even people involved in disaster-relief efforts. It’s comfort and durability as well as several other key features make it the first choice for those who can’t afford to go with second-best. In today’s post, we’re going to talk about how a small team of people will set out to walk the full length of the Congo River with the help of their Deep Jungle Hennessy hammock. Check out this amazing story and learn more about why you should trust our lightweight hammocks for all of your adventures.

Traversing the Congo — A World-First

This year, a small group of explorers is scheduled to set out to complete something that’s never been done before — to walk the full length of the Congo River from Northeastern Zambia to the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a feat that, if accomplished, will take them on a journey that extends for more than 3,000 miles through dangerous and unforgiving terrain. 

The Congo region of Africa is known to be one of the most dangerous places in the world, filled with violence and political instability, as well as a lack of infrastructure. For those traveling on foot with limited resources, it also means danger from extreme temperatures, threatening wildlife, and deadly diseases. The team that will be embarking on this amazing journey will need to rely on only the best gear, such as their Hennessy hammock, to see them through. 

Throughout the 3,000+ miles of tough terrain, the team dedicated to “walking the Congo” will cross through swaps, savannahs, and jungles. They’ll experience sweltering heat and humidity, rain and wind, and no doubt, extreme exhaustion. Perhaps one of the only ways to make it through such an extreme challenge is to ensure you can get the rest you need, in a shelter that’s safe and secure.     

When Your Health and Safety Matter, Choose Hennessy

Our intuitively-designed, lightweight hammocks are made of the highest-quality materials — for when only the best will do to ensure your comfort and safety. Each of our hammocks is made with durable, high-density fabric to keep mosquitoes and other bugs out while you’re safely inside. This is not only important for keeping out nuisance pests, but for keeping you safe from poisonous creatures and disease-carrying insects. 

Not only are our hammocks bug-proof, but they’re wind- and rain-proof as well. Each one comes with a polyurethane-coated rain fly which can be adjusted to any angle or even removed to use elsewhere. There’s no doubt that when you’re dealing with extreme and unpredictable weather, you can always count on your Hennessy hammock to provide the protection you need.

Worried about getting chilly during the night? Because hammocks are suspended in the air, they provide cooling comfort in hot environments, but they can also get a little chilly if the temperature dips at night. That’s why we’ve also included an option to purchase a double-bottomed hammock. The double-layer is perfect for adding an insulated pad for added warmth. Once inside, your lightweight hammock will give you the best night’s sleep that you’ve ever experienced away from home. The secret is in our patented asymmetrical shape that allows you to lay on the diagonal, making your resting place feel longer and wider and exceptionally more comfortable.   

About Hennessy Hammocks

Hennessy hammocks were designed with every attention to detail by a man who has had more than his fair share of adventures. It took many years and over 50 prototypes to create the ultimate, lightweight hammock we sell today. When you choose to purchase a Hennessy, you’ll be investing in the most premium gear, at a less-than premium price. You can find many other lesser-quality products on the market for much more. Whether you’re an extreme adventure-seeker or a backyard camper, there’s no better choice for your comfort and safety than Hennessy Hammock.  

Hennessy Hammock Makes It Down the World’s Deadliest River

Adventure-seekers know that having the right gear can make all the difference. If you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast who likes to go backpacking or take extended overnight trips, you’ll want to make sure that the gear you choose will hold up to extreme weather conditions and take plenty of abuse. And luckily for you, there are plenty of choices on the market — but how do you know which to choose? There’s one group of people who put their trust in the premium waterproof hammocks from Hennessy to provide shelter for their party as they traveled in a first-ever expedition down the full length of the Nile. Check out this amazing story, and if our waterproof hammocks were good enough for them, chances are, you can put your trust in them as well. 

In 2004, Gordan Brown led a team of explorers on a 3,250-mile kayak trip down the full length of the Nile. The complete adventure was filmed and sometime after their trip, the video they took was turned into a National Geographic Film titled “Mystery of the Nile, The First Descent on the World’s Deadliest River.” Starting at the river’s source in Ethiopia and ending where it empties the Mediterranean Sea, the complete trip took 114 days. Crossing the many miles of dangerous territory was surely a life-changing accomplishment — one that was made possible with the help of lightweight, bug-proof, Hennessy hammocks.

Not Your Ordinary Sleep Shelter

Designed by an avid outdoorsman who created over 50 prototypes before he perfected his hammock, Hennessy hammocks aren’t your average hammock. Even premium light-weight tents can’t compete. So, what is it about them that makes our waterproof hammocks so special? There are many reasons why outdoor enthusiasts love their Hennessy hammock. We’ll cover a few of the most popular reasons that likely also helped Gordon and his crew on their adventure of a lifetime.

Durable, Bug-Proof Material

Whether you’re spending almost four months in the hot and often humid environment of Africa, or you’re just heading out for a weekend camping trip an hour from home, campers of all kinds appreciate our durable, bug-proof material. Most places on earth are host to some kind of winged-insects and other creepy-crawlies. Make sure your nighttime shelter is safe and free of pests with our high-density fabric that will keep out every mosquito and even the smallest gnat. 

Some lesser-quality hammocks and tents fall victim to rugged terrain and general wear and tear. Not Hennessy hammocks — they’re built to last, year after year. If you want to learn more about them and what our customers have put them through, check out our video testimonials. They’ll make a believer in you!  

Quick Setup and Disassembly

When you’re out in the wild, you have better things to do than to spend hours each day setting up and breaking down camp. That’s why we designed our waterproof hammocks with simplicity in mind. In just a few simple steps, you can have your hammock set up and ready to go. Visit our “how-to” page for details on how to set up your hammock and a short video from founder Tom Hennessy.   

Sometimes a change in plans or a looming threat makes being able to take down your camp quickly just as important as being able to set it up in a short time. That’s why all of our hammocks feature Snake Skins — our version of an instant stuff sack that collapses and stores your hammock in as quickly as 30 seconds. What’s even better, unlike most tents, you can do it without even having your hammock touch the ground, keeping it clean and free of dirt and mud. Check out our page on Snake Skins to see how they work. 

Waterproof Rainfly

There’s nothing worse than waking up in a wet tent — except maybe having to pack up that tent and carry it (and the added water-weight) to your next destination. With your waterproof Hennessy hammock, you won’t have to worry about that. Each of our hammocks is equipped with a generous-sized polyurethane-coated rain fly that may be tilted to any angle, rolled up, or even removed and used separately. Our rain flies are made to keep you comfortable and dry, but if you need additional dry space to work or socialize in, simply upgrade to one of our Hex Double-wide rain flies.   

Hennessy Hammocks For All Of Life’s Adventures

Chances are you aren’t going to be planning a trip down the Nile anytime soon, but doesn’t it give you peace of mind knowing that you can buy the same quality gear used by Gordan Brown and his team? The best thing is, it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For less than the cost of many tents, you can purchase a Hennessy tent and customize it with just the features you need. Visit our website to learn more about our waterproof hammocks and to compare models to find the right one for you. 

Do you have questions about our hammocks or their many features? Visit our page with frequently asked questions or contact us and we’ll be happy to respond as quickly as possible.   Summer adventure season is right around the corner. Be prepared for wherever life takes you — choose the last sleeping shelter you’ll ever need, choose a camping hammock from Hennessy!

Hennessy Hammock Vs. The Amazon

Adventure comes in many forms. Some people enjoy driving a couple of hours from their house and setting up camp next to their vehicle. Others choose to plan a multi-day trip that involves backpacking into the wilderness and away from society. And then there are those like Ed Stafford. In April 2008, Ed set off to become the first man to ever walk the entire length of the Amazon — a mind-boggling 4,000-mile trip fraught with danger around every corner. In the end, not only did Ed complete his mission, he did so using a Hennessy hammock rather than a traditional tent. Keep reading to learn more about Ed’s adventures in the Amazon and why our survival hammocks are perfect for trekking through the deep jungle or anywhere your feet take you.

A First-Ever Expedition

In 2008, Ed Stafford set out on an expedition to be the first man to walk the entire length of the Amazon river. When people think of the Amazon, it conjures ideas of vast miles of dense jungles, wild animals, and dangerous waters, but that’s only a few of the many life-threatening encounters Ed experienced during his journey. He walked in uncharted territory, surviving injury, attacks by indigenous people, and the extreme South American weather for an astonishing 860 days.

Why Hennessy Hammock?

Let’s say you’re Ed Stafford and you’re about to embark on a life-changing journey down the Amazon. There are only a handful of items you can take with you, and each item you choose could make a life-or-death difference. So, why on such a momentous excursion would you choose to take a Hennessy hammock instead of a tent?

Easy To Carry 

If you’ve ever been on a backpacking trip where you had to carry everything you were taking with you on your back, you know that every ounce counts. Even carrying your tent and food a few miles on an overnight trip can be exhausting, let alone on a several-thousand mile trip through the jungle. That’s why it’s important to make sure your sleeping quarters are made of ultra-light materials for the least amount of weight possible. Less weight means less risk of injury, and you can travel farther and use less energy to do it. 

Hennessy offers many different sizes and styles of hammocks — from our hyperlite hammock weighing a mere 1 pound, 12 ounces to our deep jungle edition, weighing only 14 ounces more. Many standard tents weigh two to three times as much and aren’t equipped with all of the features that our survival hammocks have.

Easy Set-Up and Take Down

After an exhausting day of hiking, the last thing you want to do is have to spend an hour setting up camp. In fact, being able to put up your camp in a matter of minutes could literally save your life if you happen to be in an environment that becomes even more dangerous when the sun goes down. That’s why many adventure-seekers choose Hennessy hammocks for a fast and easy setup that will provide you with instant shelter when you need it. 

Comfort

We’ve spent many years improving upon the design of our hammocks and one thing we wanted to make sure of is its comfort. It’s patented asymmetrical shape makes the hammock feel longer, providing exceptional comfort when laying on a diagonal. We’ve also addressed one common complaint about hammocks — losing your balance while entering. Ours is the first hammock that does not cause you to lose your balance while entering. Our patented "never-tip" center balance design eliminates instability by allowing you to enter from the center instead of from the side. 

Durability

When you’re going on a 2+ year hike through rugged terrain where you’ll be subjected to torrential downpours, blazing hot sun, mosquitos and more, you have to make sure that your gear can withstand the conditions. Our hammocks are made with high-density, tightly-woven fabrics that won’t rip, tear, or stretch, providing you with comfortable, consistent support, night after night. 

Our suspension ropes are also of the highest quality. We’ve made them six times stronger than the rated weight limit. For greater rope span, we also have the option to upgrade to longer webbing straps. These wider straps attach to the end of the ropes and provide more span when you need it. The standard 42” webbing straps work for most situations, but we also have 72” and 96” options that wrap around trees up to 32 feet.    

Jungle-Worthy Features     

Compared to just doing some light camping in the local National Forest, if you’re camping in the Amazonian jungle, there are some life-saving features that our hammocks have that will certainly come in handy. 

Bug-Proof

First, all of our hammocks are bug-proof. We can make this bold claim because of our tightly-woven fabric and patented design which keeps your hammock tightly closed whether you’re in it or not. Keep in mind that bugs in your backyard are annoying, but bugs in the South American jungle can be poisonous or carry life-threatening diseases, so keeping them out of your camping hammock is vital for your health. Want to make extra sure that you won’t be eaten alive by mosquitos at night? Choose one of our jungle models created with two layers of highly-durable, bug-proof fabric.   

Water-Proof

Water can be a good thing when you’re thirsty or need to wash the sweat from your face, but you don’t want to be exposed to the elements when you’re sleeping at night. Each of our camping hammocks come with a polyurethane-coated waterproof rainfly that can be tilted at any angle or removed and used separately. 

Shop Hennessy Hammock For All Of Your Adventures

You don’t have to be planning a trip to the Amazon to appreciate the quality and features of our survival hammocks. Whether your idea of camping is heading to the local state park for an easy weekend getaway, or you’re more of an extreme adventure-seeker, your Hennessy hammock is the most important piece of gear you’ll never want to do without. Shop our website and order yours today.