Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jamie DeBenedetto > Long Term Report

Hennessy Hammock SuperShelter

Long Term Report - December 13th, 2005

Personal Information

Background/Experience

I've pretty much been what my husband refers to as a "tree hugger" since birth but my backpacking life started in earnest about seventeen years ago. These days I spend about 15 days a month in the outdoors either with the Canine Hiking Club of AZ or with my family. My backpacking style is lightweight but not ultralight. I sleep in a hammock most of the time and I keep my pack base weight (less food or water) below 15 lbs (7 kg) for three season outings of two to three days. I tend to gravitate toward multifunctional gear.

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Product Information

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Product Description

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 parts, the UnderCover, UnderPad, StuffSack and the OverCover, which is sold as an optional accessory. Also sold separately are two additional pads, a TorsoPad and a smaller KidneyPad. A detailed description of each item can be found in my Initial Report.

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Testing Locations and Conditions from May to December 2005

Pine Mountain Wilderness - Prescott National Forest - Two day backpacking trip with overnight low temperatures around 55 F (13 C) degrees, clear with very minimal wind. Elevation: 6,000 ft (1,800 m)

Mt. Baldy Wilderness - Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest - Three day backpacking trip with overnight low temperatures around 38 F (3 C) degrees, clear with no noticeable wind. Elevation: 9,500 ft (2,900 m)

Marshall Lake Campground - Coconino National Forest - Overnight car camping trip with a low temperature of 40 F (4.5 C) degrees, clear with no noticeable wind. Elevation: 7,000 ft (2,100 m)

Superstition Wilderness - Tonto National Forest - Two day backpacking trip with an overnight low of 40 F (4.5 C) degrees, clear with no noticeable wind. Elevation: 2,600 ft (800 m)

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Long Term Findings

Due to the added shelter components (the OverCover and the Torso and Kidney pads) sent to myself and the other HH SuperShelter testers in February of 2005, our Long Term report date was pushed back to allow for more testing of the new items. I have now been using the SuperShelter for almost a full year and despite the additions I have only been able to sleep comfortably down to about 50 F (10 C) degrees without wind. This is using only the provided shelter components. With the addition of closed cell foam padding inside the hammock I have taken the SuperShelter down to as low as 27 F (-3 C). Many of the comments/observations I made in my Field Report still stand and will be referred to periodically during the rest of this report.

The UnderCover

The UnderCover is by far my favorite piece of this setup, primarily because it's designed to stay attached to the hammock body and it doesn't take away from the packability of the hammock. I like the bottom protection it provides and I have even used the UnderCover as a place to store extra clothing and on a few occasions, my shoes. The big disappointment regarding this component is its inability to FULLY block the wind from invading the space below the hammock. Even though the UnderCover has a silnylon coating that according to the Hennessy Hammock website is designed to "greatly improve windproofness and waterproofness", I have on more than one night felt the warm pocket of air I had built up under my body quickly disappear with the arrival of a slight breeze. Unfortunately, even gentle breezes continue to be a hurdle for the system despite adding a space blanket between the UnderCover and the hammock bottom, which is something I experimented with on more than one outing. (Night #5 of my Field Report is one example of how the space blanket coupled with a lightweight fleece blanket worked.)

In regards to the "windproofness" or in my case, lack of it, I think the problem isn't with the silnylon material as much as it's the way the UnderCover fits around the hammock body. It is form fitting in shape but it isn't overly snug. I believe the wind sneaks in at the entry slit and along the sides when the component is used without a tarp or when the tarp is not pitched at a sufficiently steep angle. I have personally witnessed the entry slit open up slightly during stronger gusts.

The UnderPad and the Torso and Kidney Pads

As I wrote in my Field Report, I still have mixed feelings about the SuperShelter's pads. On the positive side, Hennessy Hammock has created a very flexible insulation system that doesn't get in the way when I enter or exit the hammock. With three individual pieces it was easy to organize the insulation how and where I wanted it. Affixing the UnderPad to the ridgeline is a snap and it says in place nicely. I have even packed the hammock in my backpack a couple of times with the UnderPad and Torso Pad still attached without problems. The low weight and super packability of the open cell foam (OCF) is very appealing as well since I am always looking for ways to keep my pack weight trimmed.

On the other hand, I think the OCF is the system's Achilles heel. First, due to the super compressible nature of OCF pads they need to be unrolled right away so they have enough time to regain their full loft before bedtime. I have had a few treks where I hiked late into the day, tossed up the hammock, chomped down a quick dinner and hit the hay. On those nights, I am positive the pads did not have enough time to completely come to their full loft, thus decreasing their insulation properties. Second, OCF pads are not as rugged as other types of insulation on the market. This takes away their multifunctional abilities, like using them as a sit pad around a campfire or as a place to stand when changing clothes. From the perspective of a hiker that's trying to keep my pack weight down, gear with only one function is less desirable. Finally, OCF pads are also highly absorbent. I was caught in a huge thunderstorm in February of this year, just after I received the Torso and Kidney pads coincidentally, and despite my best efforts to keep my tarp tautly pitched and actually over the hammock, I wasn't entirely successful. In just a few short hours water had collected in the UnderCover and had been soaked up by the UnderPad so much so that I had to abandon the hammock all together. Furthermore, the pads took a while to dry the next morning. There wasn't much sun though and admittedly after about two hours of waiting I just tossed everything in my SUV and took off. Thank goodness I was car camping and had that option.

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The OverCover

It's important to note that I was not able, even with the extended test period, to use the OverCover in its intended conditions, which are dry, sub-freezing temperatures. I did use it a few times in dry, near freezing conditions, on both my Mt. Baldy and the Marshall Lake excursions. My comments about its performance on these outings are listed below.

Kudos to HH for having the fore thought to make the OverCover a component that can be added without untying the hammock. Boy did this intelligent design feature same me on at least two occasions. Attachment is just as simple as the other sections and the fit is great. Contrary to the claustrophobic feeling I thought I might have with the OverCover in place, I felt fine. I think this is in part to the OverCover not completely overlapping the UnderCover. I could actually see out the side near the head end if I pulled the hammock material down a bit. Although this might have detracted from the system's ability to trap my body heat, I was happy to have the extra "vent holes".

The System Overall

I have not experienced any material failures, loose threads, or unraveled seams on any of the SuperShelter pieces. I also haven't had any significant set up problems other than the location of the UnderPad, which I would rather have more equally distributed under both my shoulders. A slightly wider and longer pad option would be nice and would alleviate this issue. I do find it somewhat tedious to have to reattach the pads with each set up, which is the method suggested by the manufacture. Overall, however, this has only been a little nit because as I mentioned above, it is possible to leave them in place without too much readjusting during the next hang.

My biggest disappoint has been the temperature range at which I can sleep comfortably using the SuperShelter. In its current form I don't see it working for me as a truly four-season shelter, at least not without the addition of other insulation. The positive side of this of course is due to its versatile design it can be used with other types of insulation very easily and effectively. I have had very good results using a couple of different sizes and lengths of closed cell foam pads inside the hammock, and marginal results with a fleece sleeping bag liner and/or a space blanket in the UnderCover along with the OCF pads. I never had an opportunity to try adding ground litter or forest duff to the UnderCover as is suggested on the HH website but I can see how it would not be a problem to have done so.

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Summary of Likes and Dislikes

Likes
The versatility of the shelter as a whole
The compactness of the system
The added protect the UnderCover brings to the hammock body
It offers a simple, light weight solution for three-season hammocking

Dislikes
The delicateness and high absorbency properties of the open cell foam
The width and length of the UnderPad
The fact that it doesn't completely block the wind.

Thank you Hennessy Hammock and BGT for the opportunity to be part of this test series. Despite some chilly nights, this test has been a fun excuse to play in and learn more about my hammock and my cold weather needs.

Jamie J. DeBenedetto
Dec. 12th, 2005

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Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jamie DeBenedetto > Long Term Report