Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jamie DeBenedetto > Initial Report

Hennessy Hammock SuperShelter

Initial Report - April 25, 2005

Personal Information

Background/Experience

Since childhood I've hiked, camped, backpacked, and more recently kayaked, all over Arizona. Six years ago I started the Canine Hiking Club of Arizona with whom I lead one or two single or multi-day hikes per month in various locations around the state. I also day hike a couple of mornings a week near my home. My backpacking style leans toward lightweight but not ultralight. I use a hammock instead of a tent most of the time and I try to keep my base weight (less food and water) below 15 lbs (7 kg) for two to three day outings. I tend to gravitate toward multifunctional gear.

Background Relative to this Test Series

Just over two years ago I shunned the hard ground and purchased a Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker A-Sym and if not for family camping trips I'd probably never sleep in a tent again. I enjoy hammocking immensely but am well aware of the added planning involved in using this shelter option in cooler temperatures. I have found other tree hangers to be very welcoming and helpful regarding sharing ideas for solving the cold weather issue. My solution for warding off the nighttime chills thus far has been a homemade bottom cover crafted from a NeatSheet, which I modified to work in the same spirit as the Garlington Insulator. It protects the bottom from any rain/snow/wind and creates an area where I can add insulation if needed. This system works okay but is more of a fun work in progress. I have used this system comfortably down to about 50 F (10 C) with a fleece blanket in between the NeatSheet and the hammock and my 20 F (-7 C) sleeping bag used as a quilt on the inside.

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Product Information

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Product Descriptions

According to Hennessy Hammock(HH) the SuperShelter is designed to be a complete four-season system and is currently made to complement the Expedition A-Sym and Ultralite Backpacker models. It is made up of four main parts, the UnderCover, UnderPad, StuffSack and the OverCover, which is sold as an optional accessory. I was also sent two additional pads, a Torso Pad and a smaller Kidney Pad. These are also sold as optional accessories. A description of each item follows.

UnderCover - (pictured on right) The SuperShelter's UnderCover is made of brown silnylon and is basically shaped like the bottom of the hammock. The cover has two holes, one at each end, through which the suspension ropes of the hammock are threaded. Two elastic loops, one at each end, attach the Undercover to the fly tensioner hooks located on the main hammock lines. Two smaller holes, one on each side and laid out asymmetrically, line up with the hammock's elastic side cords and allow them to be passed through the Undercover and attached to their ground tie-outs. Finally, there is one big opening, which is outlined with a slightly stretchy cord and coincides with the bottom entrance to the hammock.
From the hangtag: "(The UnderCover) Provides a full outside silnylon double bottom to greatly improve windproofness, waterproofness and traps a layer of warmer air between the hammock and the cover fabric. UnderCover also provides 100% protection from mosquitoes. Weight 7 ½ oz., double-ended stuffsack. Weight 1 oz."

OverCover - The OverCover is also brown but instead of silnylon it is made with an uncoated 3D nylon. The OverCover is designed to fit over the bug netting with the sides and both ends tucked under the UnderCover. It has two holes in each end like the UnderCover through which the main hammock ropes are passed. It also has two elastics at each end, which are threaded through the opening in the UnderCover and connected to the hammock via the hooks on the fly tensioner rope. There are also two side loops on the cover through which the hammock's side elastics pass before being secured to the ground. There is a "fresh air hole" at the head end of the cover. It measures 6.8 in (173 mm) in diameter.
From the hangtag: "The OverCover is intended to maintain warmer temperatures inside the shelter in dry, sub-freezing temperatures. Fresh air is available through the air hole near the occupant's face. Changing position in the hammock acts as a bellows and automatically pumps fresh air through the air hole. Condensation which may form on the inside of the breathable OverCover will wick through the uncoated fabric and evaporate through the dry air moving between the OverCover and rainfly."

UnderPad - (picutred below) The mummy shaped UnderPad is made of ¼ in (6 mm) thick, gray open-cell foam. It has a black fabric seam running along the entire outer edge and diagonally through the middle of the foam (presumably where two foam pieces were attached to make the one larger piece). There are two long elastic cord loops (HH calls them bridles) at each end that fasten to the fly tensioner hooks located on the hammock suspension ropes. There are two small loops positioned asymmetrically on either side of the UnderPad through which the hammock's elastic side cords are passed before being threaded through the UnderCover then eventually re-secured to the ground anchors. The small loop closer to the head end of the hammock is a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of the seam material that runs around the circumference of the pad. The other loop, closer to the foot end, is also a 1 in (2.5 cm) piece of the seam material but this loop has a 3 in (7.5 cm) ring of elastic cord attached to it. (The UnderPad is shown spread out and rolled up in the pictures below.)
From the hangtag: "(The UnderPad) Contoured open cell foam pad is 66" long by 30" wide at the shoulders, yet can compress down to 5" diameter by 8" long. The best feature of this system is the ability to add extra insulation between the hammock and the UnderCover such as a second layer of foam, your jacket, spare clothing, towel, etc. above the UnderPad. When even more insulation is needed layers of dry ground litter such as leaves or grass or moss can be spread under the underpad. Next morning, put the ground litter back where you found it."

Stuffsack - (pictured above) The stuffsack is also made of silnylon and can be opened at either end by drawstring cords. Set up tips for attaching the UnderPad, UnderCover, and the optional OverCover are written on the outside of the sack in white letters. Below these directions there's one additional line about an instructional video located at the Hennessy website and the URL to the site. Accompanying this information is the product's name, Internet address and manufacture slogan, along with weights for each of the SuperShelter's components. ( The empty stuffsack is pictures in the above right photo.)

Torso Pad - Like the main UnderPad the Torso pad is made from ¼ in (6mm) gray open-cell foam. It is basically a smaller version of the UnderPad without the bridles. As the name states it is designed to fit on top of the UnderPad in the hammock occupants torso region.
From Tom Hennessey's Manufacture Note: "Torso Pad - placed on top of the underpad to double the thickness of the insulation on the torso."

Kidney Pad - Following the same pattern, the Kidney Pad is also made of gray open-cell foam and is a ¼ in (6mm) thick. It is much smaller than the other two pads and like the Torso Pad it does not have elastic bridles to attach it to the hammock. This too has the main function of adding more insulation to the entire system.
From Tom Hennessey's Manufacture Note: "Kidney Pad - placed on top or under the torso pad right on the kidney area to triple insulation where most people get chilled first."

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Condition Upon Arrival and Directions

Originally this test began in October of 2004. The Hennessy Hammock (HH) SuperShelter arrived in perfect condition and included the UnderCover, UnderPad and the double-ended stuffsack. There was a hangtag attached to the sack, inside which was a little folded note from Tom Hennessy explaining a modification they had made to the UnderPad. The modification was the addition of the second elastic bridle at the head end of the pad to help it stay in the proper location under the hammock. Mr. Hennessy's note offered directions on how to fasten the elastic bridle and HH's website address for an on line video, as well as an offer to help via email if the instructions or the website were not clear enough. The hangtag itself gave a basic overview of each item included in the SuperShelter, the Hennessy product guarantee, and their business contact information. Relevant quotes from the hangtag are written above in the Product Description section.

After a few months of testing I, along with the other two SuperShelter testers, was mailed some additional system pieces. Mine arrived in early February 2005. There is an explanation of why this took place in the Manufacture Comment section on BGT. These extra items included the OverCover, a Torso Pad and a Kidney Pad, all of which also arrived in good condition. They were not accompanied by any literature.

As with their hammocks, the directions for attaching the UnderCover, the UnderPad, and the OverCover are printed on the outside of the stuffsack. They were very easy to read and basically laid out the set up procedure in a step-by-step manner. I like Hennessy's choice to use the stuffsack as the conduit for the directions. I think it's a very practical idea even though some extreme gram weenies might complain that the lettering adds to the weight of the sack!

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Expectations and First Impressions

It took me a few days to find some time to pull the SuperShelter out of its bag and set it up but when I did I was very optimistic about using it for some real tree hangin'. The UnderCover is pretty much what I was expecting from the information provided on the HH website, despite the lack of any really good pictures (I did not watch the set up video). The UnderPad was very different from what I had envisioned, however. I was not expecting it to be so thin and even though the description clearly states it's made of open cell foam, I was thinking it would be a little sturdier. Once I set up my hammock, as per the set up instructions on the stuffsack, it took me about ten minutes to affix the UnderCover and only a couple minutes to position the UnderPad. By and large the system is very easy to add to the hammock body and it probably should have taken less time but it happened to be windy on the day I chose to fiddle with it and that no doubt impeded my progress slightly.

When everything was in place I examined the set up and lay in the hammock a few times to see how things felt. I'm impressed with the fit of the UnderCover in regards to how it lines up with the asymmetrical layout of my Ultralight Backpacker Asym. Locating and using the bottom entry was no problem. I am unconvinced, however, of the ability of the large bottom opening to stay closed so as to retain heat inside the UnderCover during breezy conditions. From what I saw while setting up in 10 to 15 mph (16 to 24 km/h) wind, it will not stay closed but this was without a person in the hammock and perhaps that will change the dynamics of the opening.

As for the UnderPad, although I was not anticipating it, it was a nice surprise to see how compressible and lightweight it was. I don't think I will ever be able to roll it up as tightly as it was originally but it's clear the pad is not going to take up very much pack space. On the down side, I have to say I'm very skeptical of this lighter, thinner pad and its ability to ward off the cold, its coverage area and ultimately its longevity. I was also hoping to be able to use the pad for other "around camp" functions, like sitting on while cooking but with the delicate nature of open cell foam being what it is, I don't think that type of use would be a good idea.

Although unexpected, receiving the OverCover and the Torso and Kidney Pads was a very pleasant surprise. The OverCover was fairly similar to the image I had in my mind after reading the webpage description. The hole is a bit smaller than projected but I am only slightly worried about the claustrophobia factor. I'm looking forward to some really cold weather to see how this baby works. As for the extra pads, I am hopeful they will do as they are intended; add warmth and flexibility to the total system. I'm not entirely sure how easy it will be to place them in the right spot under my body though. The design of the HH hammock makes it difficult to adjust insulation placed in the UnderCover once I'm inside the hammock so I'm assuming I will have some trial and error before I find the most optimal placement for this extra insulation.

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Expected Field Test Locations and Conditions

Part of the testing will be in mountainous or riparian areas around AZ, primarily above 5,000 ft (1500 m). Temperatures range from lows in the 40's F (4.5 C) in the milder months all the way down to 15 F (-9 C) and sometimes lower in December, January, and February. Snow and rain are guaranteed during the winter months, especially at higher altitudes. The rest of the testing will take place in the Sonoran Desert, around 1,500 ft (460 m). Average low temps of 65 F (18 C) to 30 F (-1 C) are common between October and March with the potential for below freezing around December and January. Terrain is pretty rugged, a lot of prickly trees and rocky trails.

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Proposed Test Strategy for this Test Series

I intend to use this system in varied climates, temperatures, and weather conditions to test the SuperShelter's mettle. The practical application and packability of the system will be my main focus. I'm also very interested in the systems ability to morph with changing conditions. Many of the questions I would like to address during this test series are below. I'm sure more will come up as I get into the field though.

The Undercover

Does it work well with my Backpacker Asym, even thought it is designed to fit this and other HH hammocks?
How well do the elastic cords keep the cover snug to the body of the hammock? How about in high winds?
Since the bottom entrance slit is not secured with hook and loop fasteners will this cause the UnderCover to open up during windy conditions and thus negating it's ability to trap warm air under my body?
The HH website says the UnderCover is designed to stay on the hammock, will this disrupt my ability to use the hammock as a chair? Or it's packability? I do not own Snake Skins.
Will the UnderCover really "greatly improve" the hammock's waterproofness and windproofness?
To what temperatures will the cover alone take me?
Does it accumulate any kind of condensation?
How easy is it to care for and clean, especially after things like ground litter have been used?
Does the addition of the UnderCover detract from my sleeping comfort? Or give the hammock more a closed in feel?

The UnderPad, Torso Pad and Kidney Pad

How packable are they? Will all three pads fit inside the stuffsack?
To what temperature will the pads take me? What about the UnderPad alone? As per the HH website, I will also try other insulation options with the UnderCover besides the provided pads and in addition to the provided pads; Space blanket, extra clothing, litter if possible, etc…
Will the pads, specifically the UnderPad since it's the longest, obstruct entering and exiting the hammock?
Will the length of the UnderPad be enough for a person my height to stay warm?
Does the UnderPad line up with my "sweet spot" or will some adjustments need to be made?
How easily will I be able to find the Torso Pad and Kidney Pad placement locations?
How quickly do the pads dry if they get wet?
What kind of care and maintenance do the pads require? How easy are they to clean?
How durable are they? Will they start to get thin spots with use?

The OverCover

Will the OverCover give the hammock a more enclosed feeling?
Will the "fresh air hole" be enough? It seams kind of small for my liking.
How much warmth does the cover really add to the system?
Will the "breathable" fabric do a proficient job of wicking condensation created inside the hammock from my breath? If there is condensation build up, is it tolerable?
How will the OverCover stand up to winds? Will it stay tucked into the UnderCover? Does it really work as a wind block as is mentioned in the "Set Up Tips" on the stuffsack?
Since it will be in direct contact with the bug net and underlying ridgeline will the material be affected and start to show signs of wear?
Where will I store the OverCover? Will it fit in the original HH bag, with the hammock and the UnderCover or will it fit in the stuffsack with the pads, or neither?

Thank you Hennessy Hammock and BGT for the opportunity to be part of this test series.

Jamie J. DeBenedetto
April 23rd, 2005

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Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jamie DeBenedetto > Initial Report