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Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Hammock Deep Jungle Hammock > Test Report by Thomas VickersHennessy
Hammock Deep Jungle
Hammock
|
Thomas Vickers |
Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick
trip into the
mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over
the last 4 or 5
years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I
still use sleeping
bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with
lightweight hiking, I
feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of
comfort, while
carrying the lightest load possible.
Initial Report
November 1, 2009
Manufacturer
Information: Manufacturer: Hennessy Hammocks Website: http://hennessyhammock.com/ Year Manufactured: 2009 MSRP: $ 269.00 US |
Information
From Tester: (all measurements approximate) Weight: Hammock: 1 lb 13.65 oz (841 g) Fly: 10.45 oz (295 g) Snake Skins 4 (x2): 1 oz (29 g) Tree huggers (x2): 0.85 oz (24 g) Stuff sack: 0.95 oz (33 g) Reflective pad: 10.55 oz (299 g) Measurements: Hammock: 85 x 47 in (216 x 119 cm) Suspension cords (x2): 97 in (246 cm) Fly: 65 x 90 in (165 x 229 cm) Snake Skin 4: 4 in (10 cm) [tapering to 2 in/4 cm] x 82 in (208 cm) Tree huggers: 1 x 46 in (2.5 x 117 cm) Reflective pad: 29.5 in (75 cm) [tapering to 16 in/41 cm] x 66 in (168 cm) Stuff sack: 10 x 13 in (25 x 33 cm) |
Initial tester expectations:
I always enjoy the Hennessy website because I can stare at
hammocks for hours
wondering if I need another one. The site is easy to navigate and
I really do like
the hammock comparison page that lets me see how the models differ at a
glance. I had a
slight issue with my visit to find out about the Deep Jungle hammock
was that the
description (see below) was a bit vague and caused me to dig around the
site to find
information on the Hyperlight hammock as well. I was also
wondering if there were
more pictures of the Deep Jungle (thumbnail was a bit fuzzy), but when
I clicked on the
picture to make it larger I was sent to the Expedition Asym Hammock
page. Confusing to be
sure, but at least I knew a little bit about what I was supposed to be
getting.
Manufacturer's description:
"A hyperlight hammock with a side zipper and a breathable
double-layered body.
Can be used with radiant reflecting bubble pad which attaches on
the diagonal
between the layers to convert the hammock into a mosquito-proof
3-season shelter."
Tester's Description:
The one thing I have always enjoyed about getting a new
Hennessy Hammock in the
mail or at the store is the nice, neat, and compact way everything
comes packaged.
This time around was no different. Once I got everything out and organized I found that I had received a Deep Jungle Hammock, rain fly, set of tree huggers, a set of snake skins, and a reflective bubble pad. The first thing I did was unpack everything, hang the hammock, then start poking around. The hammock itself appears to be a basic asymmetrical hammock. The body is made of a striped fabric that looks like Dyneema to me, but feels way softer and more pliable. It was very hard to uncover, but the fabric on the bottom of this hammock is doubled so that there is an empty space between the layers. The openings for this double bottom were hard to find, but I finally found them. They are there to allow the insertion of the bubble pad into the void between the layers.
The first opening I found was on the right hand side (lying in the hammock) of the Deep Jungle next too the tie out point on the foot of the hammock. This was the larger of the two openings and it took a detailed inspection (and some guessing) on my part to locate it.
The second and smaller opening was located along
the left hand side
(lying in the hammock) next to the tie out point on the head of the
hammock. After
some playing and fiddling I discovered that the bubble pad goes in
through the larger
opening, unrolls and has tie out cords that extend out of both openings
in the hammocks
and attach to the asym tie out points on the exterior of the hammock
body.
The basics are also in place on the Deep
Jungle Hammock.
The bug net, ridge line, mesh interior pocket (hangs from ridgeline),
asym tie out cords,
and hanging cords are all there like I expected. The big surpass
is that instead of
a bottom loading hammock, the Deep Jungle has a zipper that runs the
entire length of the
left hand side (lying in the hammock). This allows (see above) the bug
netting to be
folded back out of the way and makes the Deep Jungle a side loading
hammock. The
attention to detail on the construction really caught me by surprise.
Not only does the
bug net unzip and fold out of the way, but there is a small hook and
loop closure that
allows the netting to be secure out of the way so that it will
not flop over into
the hammock.
After my first and second inspections of the Deep Jungle Hammock I came
away fairly
impressed. The double bottom construction was not only interesting, but
it was also well
hidden and hard to distinguish without some effort. The overall
construction of the
hammock was very sound and professional. No loose threads, rough seams,
or other defects
were visible. Most noticeable to me though, was the fact that while
this is a full
featured hammock, it seems to be constructed to a very minimalist
model. It appears to do
everything it is supposed to, but is built to be light weight and
without any excess
materials adding weight or bulk.
The extras:
While the tree huggers that came with the Deep Jungle Hammock are not
extras because every
Hennessy Hammock comes with a set, I am going to lump them with the
'other stuff' that
came with the hammock. The stock tree huggers are a bit short for
me and I will
probably be using my longer set to hang this hammock. I do enjoy the
fact that I own
several sets of tree huggers and they all tend to be very well
constructed and rugged. The
new set that arrived with the Deep Jungle do not appear to be any
different. Now I have a
hard time believing that it is possible to mess up webbing straps with
stitched loops on
the ends (construction wise), but I the new set is of the same quality
I have come to
expect from Hennessy Hammocks.
A set of Snake Skins 4 (refers to size I think) was also included with
the Deep Jungle.
The snake skins are basically tapered tubes of silnylon that are
hung on the
suspension cords of the Deep Jungle. When I need to take the Deep
Jungle down, I simply
slide the snake skins down the length of the still hanging hammock and
stuff everything
inside of them as I extend them. When done, I have two long 'snakes'
full of hammock that
are very easy to take down and stuff in a pack. I was not really
convinced about the
utility of snake skins until I finally tried them. They really do make
putting up and
taking down a hammock a quick and easy exercise.
Last, but not least, there was a large bubble mat included with the
Deep Jungle. This is a
tapered length of bubble pad (like bubble wrap) that is sandwiched
between two layers of
reflective foil. The pad is obviously cut to fit in the double bottom
of the hammock and
includes to cords that extend out of the hammock bottom and attach to
the asym tie outs on
the hammock body.
The bubble mat is well constructed. The tie out cords are attached to
metal grommets and
the edges are taped and sewn. There is nothing 'rough' about this pad
and I was surprised
at the quality put into constructing it. Part of me had expected
something that was more
'thrown' together, but it was not. Again the attention to detail in
Hennessy's
construction methods is nice and gives me a bit more confidence in the
survivability of
these items on the trail.
Final thoughts:
I cannot wait to get out and see how well it feels to hang in this
hammock. I do have some
concerns, but only climbing in and seeing how it fits will answer my
questions. The Deep
Jungle is designed for people my size (height and weight), but from my
initial hanging of
it, it looks small. I was not able to climb into it yet, so this may be
a seriously
unfounded fear, but it is a first impression I need to check out.
Other than that I
am excited about this test. This hammock obviously uses a
material that I have not
experienced in a Hennessy Hammock, but it does look and feel rather
nice. It does not seem
to have the 'crinkly' feel or sound of nylon and I am hoping that this
means it will be
more quiet to hand and sleep on.
I have already inserted the bubble mat into the hammock to see just how
difficult it is to
do. It was not the easiest task to get the wide end of the mat
into the large
opening, but once I got it inserted all I had to do to position it
correctly was to push
the mat toward the head of the hammock, reach through the smaller
opening and full the
wide end toward the head, pull the smaller end to the foot end of the
hammock, then attach
the cords to hammock body. The first try was successful and while it is
not a time
consuming process, it was not as easy as I had liked. The bubble mat
tries to roll up on
the narrow end and I know that putting a body and feet in the hammock
will hold the pad in
place, it is a bit frustrating to keep unrolling it time after time
when installing it.
Things I like:
1. Hammock fabric is soft
2. Side zip opening
3. Does not seem to be 'over built'
Things I don't like:
1.Openings on double bottom are small and difficult to find
2.A little more effort is needed to install the bubble mat than I
expected
Long Term Report
March 25, 2010
Locations:
Sam Houston National Forest
Other Areas in Southeast Texas
Conditions:
Winds: 0 - 25 mph (0 - 40 kph)
Precipitation: light to heavy
rain
Temperatures (night): 19 F - 45
F (-7 C to 1 C), 8 night's usage
More hanging:
I have spent a total of eight more nights in the Deep Jungle since my
last report. In many ways I feel blessed that Texas has actually had a
wet and cold winter, since this has allowed me to spend what I consider
rather extreme nights in this hammock. I feel that my testing has
actually taken place in far worse conditions than I have ever used a
hammock in before.
Getting in and out of the Deep Jungle has been a blessing. I always
enjoyed the original entry system on Hennessy Hammocks and was a bit
skeptical about the side entry of the Deep Jungle. After having
to get in and out of it during so much rain, I really fell in love with
the fact that I could slide out of the side of the hammock and still be
covered by the fly at all times. So as far as staying dry, the
side entry system really has won me over during this test.
Another thing about the Deep Jungle that I have discussed earlier, but
wanted to return to is what I consider the simplicity of its design. It
seems to be constructed of less material (my view) than other Hennessy
Hammocks, but it is just as durable. I just keep getting the feeling
that the Deep Jungle is not less hammock, just a more economical use of
the Hennessy design. I really wish I could explain this better, but
there just does not seem to be any wasted space, materials, or features
on this hammock. It has it all even though it looks rather spartan to
my eyes.
Keeping warm:
Keeping warm in a hammock has always been the eternal quest for me.
Over the years I have discovered that it can be done, but there is
usually a price to be paid in the complexity if the system or the weigh
of the system. It is easy to stay warm and carry more and it is
easy to keep warm enough and carry less, but the Deep Jungle and its
under pad really seems to be a good compromise.
It combines light weight and functionality in a manner that creates
more than acceptable warmth in this hammock during the coldest
conditions I have ever wanted to encounter. Best of all, there is
no squirming around to try and find a warm spot or keep a pad in place
underneath me. The under pad is damn easy to install and it stays put
no matter how much I toss or turn. It does work way better when I sleep
on my side, but even then, I do not think there is an easier way to
keep warm in a hammock.
I do want to clarify what warm and comfortable mean to me. On the
coldest nights with the under pad in place, I could sleep on my side
without much trouble. I did not get cold from the bottom, but it was
also not a toasty warm sauna. I am a fairly cold sleeper so
keeping warm and being warm in cold weather is always an issue for me.
As a cold sleeper, I found the Deep Jungle and its under pad a
perfectly acceptable way to keep my bottom side (against the hammock)
warm enough to sleep at night. So to make this long story short,
I could have been warmer, but it probably would not have been worth the
effort to pack everything I would have needed.
Wrapping it up:
I really wish I had more to say, but after 14 cold nights in the Deep
Jungle I can say that I like this hammock. It is different, but in good
ways and I am really pumped up about using it in warmer
weather. The under pad is a great compromise for keeping
warm. It installs easily and stays in place without any effort. I
never did use one of my own sleeping pads in its place, but I find it
hard to believe that a regular pad would work as easily as the under
pad did.
I have really enjoyed testing this hammock. It took me out of my
comfort zone (side entry, cold weather, under pad) and made my winter
hiking/camping much more enjoyable without a ton of extra effort or
gear. I stayed warm and dry during the whole test period, despite
the Texas winter trying to make all my trips anything but warm and dry.
The Deep Jungle was also easy and fast to hang, which came in handy
with the wet weather. I could get it up and get inside before me
or my gear was soaked and that made me far happier than anyone could
ever imagine.
My last and loudest lament about the Deep Jungle are the
guy-lines. I really wish they were reflective in some way. No
matter how many times I remind myself to watch out for them, I tripped
over them at least three times a night, even when using a head
lamp. Just a tiny bit of reflective material would have made all
the difference in the world. It would have also kept me from
doing late night campsite acrobatics every time I tripped over a guy
line I knew was there.
And the end was here:
I am always excited to test gear that I am familiar with and enjoy
using. I really get excited when a manufacturer like Hennessy Hammocks
puts out a new piece of gear that is familiar, yet distinct enough to
make me consider it as an improvement. The Deep Jungle has proved
to be durable and extremely easy to use. Best of all, it was just
the thing for winter camping and without a ton of fuss or extra gear to
get it done. The Deep Jungle is a well thought out and executed
hammock system that really takes into account what hammock users want.
It was almost as if Hennessy had read my mind and built this hammock to
my specifications.