Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jodi Cornelius > Field Report

My Background:  I have been backpacking for 2 years now and before that I car camped quite a bit. I consider myself somewhat new to backpacking and am on my way towards becoming a lightweight packer.  I tend to use a Hennessy Hammock since my only tent is a bivy tent.  I prefer the hammock to a tent as the hammock leaves me swinging gently in the breeze with no hard spot from rocks on the ground.  Nor do I need to dig troughs for my hips and shoulders (side sleeper) so I can practice LNT (Leave No Trace) much better.

Product Information:

Manufacturer: Hennessy Hammocks
Manufacturer URL: http://www.hennessyhammocks.com
Year of Manufacture:2004
Product: 4 Season SuperShelter
Listed Weight: UnderCover 7.5 oz/213 gm - UnderPad 5.5 oz/156 gm - StuffSack 1.0 oz/28 gm - Total Listed Weight 14 oz/397 gm - Torso Pad and Kidney Pad weights not listed on website
Delivered Weight: UnderCover 6.75 oz/191 gm - UnderPad 4.5 oz/128 gm - StuffSack 1.0 oz/28 gm - Total Delivered Weight 12.25 oz/347 gm - Torso Pad 2.72 oz/77 gm - Hip Pad 1.2 oz/34 gm - Overcover 3.52 oz/100 gm
MSRP: US $129.95
MSRP: US $29.95 - Optional Overcover
MSRP: US $4.95 - Optional Hip Pad
MSRP: US $9.95 - Optional Torso Pad

Features from the Website:

4-SEASON INSULATION SYSTEM Waterproof, windproof SilNylon double wall bottom cover used with detachable, contoured open cell foam pad. Designed to work together. UnderCover will not work with closed cell foam pads under hammock. weight 13 oz., comes with unique,double-ended 1 oz. stuffsack.

Field Testing: "Interesting" was the first thought that came to mind when I set the SuperShelter up for the very first time. Having had experience only with the original Hennessy Hammock, I was surprised to discover that the Asym styled hammocks set up quite a bit differently than my old one did. The Expedition Asym hammock that I got in order to test this Supershelter taught me that fly positioning is VERY important! Especially when attaching the Supershelter.

After struggling with the hammock setup for a couple of hours, I decided to check out the Hennessy Hammock website. Lo, and behold, there is a very nice link for a video showing setup of the Supershelter. Seeing the hammock setup helped me get my hammock set up just right. That made a world of difference in getting the Supershelter in the proper position.

Once I got the Undercover on, I proceeded to install the UnderPad. Very easy to do. The elastic bridle that was mentioned on the "Early Adopter" notice (see my Initial Report) helps keep the UnderPad in place and does a very good job of it.

The opening of the UnderCover at the foot of the hammock is very generous, allowing me to get in between the UnderCover and the hammock to adjust the UnderPad as needed. The tensioning strings that come out of the side of the UnderPad slide through the UnderCover with little difficulty. One thing that I had to get used to was the fact that the only place the Underpad will go (unless I am doing something wrong but I don't think so) is on the bottom right of the opening of the hammock. This means I have to put my feet on the right side of the opening if I want to stay on the pad. I was used to having my feet on the left side of the opening, but this has just taken a little getting used to and now it's second nature.

Once installed, I had a couple of warmish nights at temperatures hovering around 40 F/5 C and removed the UnderPad. By untying the tension string on the left side of the UnderCover, I was able to pull the cover out of the way and tie it off on the right side, effectively keeping the cover out of the way.

Temperatures have dropped to the low teens (13 F/-11 C) and I stayed comfortably warm, although I did get a chill once, without a space blanket between me and the UnderPad. When I am in the hammock at these temperatures, I am wearing my sweats, wool socks, and my Psolar Balaclava ®. I am also using my Slumberjack Ultimate 20+ sleeping bag with the hood cinched around my face.

I look forward to the remainder of the testing period. This is a GREAT addition to hammock camping.

UPDATES to this report: I have used the new torso and hip pads twice since I received them.  The temperatures were at 35 F/2 C the first time, the second time it only got down to 42 F/6 C.  I did notice that I didn't feel as chilled with the new pads added but won't be able to give a solid report on the effectiveness of them until fall/winter hits again.  I will be testing to see if the pads (all of them) will allow me to use the hammock in the summer without a sleeping mat.  If so, it will be a nice addition as I will be able to cut out the weight of an additional pad!

Things I like: Once I figured out what I was doing wrong with my fly setup, installation of the SuperShelter is very easy. There is room to add clothing, space blanket, whatever, as added insulation to the setup.
Ease of moving it out of the way without having to take it off.
The ability to FINALLY have a 4 season setup for hammocks!

Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jodi Cornelius > Field Report