Reviews > Shelters > Hammocks > Hennessy Super Shelter > Jodi Cornelius > Long Term Report

My Background:  I have been backpacking for 3 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.

Long Term Testing: For more in-depth descriptions and field usage, please see my Initial Report and my Field Report.  This SuperShelter is now a permanent addition to my backpacking equipment!  Since we extended our testing time from last winter, I used the SuperShelter during my summer trips.  I have found that it is a GREAT addition even for summer time.

In August, after having had neck surgery and being unable to backpack, I was finally able to get out and use the SuperShelter.  I have discovered that having the SuperShelter means I do NOT need any type of pad for summer and fall use.  Usually, I need a sleep pad even in the summer time because I hike in wooded areas and evenings, although not really cold, do get down enough that I get cold spots if I don't have a pad under me.  Temperatures at night during the summer drop to between 50 F (10 C) and 60 F (16 C) and in the fall it can get as cold as 30 F (-1 C).  I tend to get cold spots under my hips and my shoulders.  But with the SuperShelter, it creates enough of an air pocket that my hips and shoulders did not get chilled.  THAT made me very happy as the weight differences between the shelter and my pad are great enough as to make it worthwhile.  Also, it takes up less room as I don't have to pack a pad and the SuperShelter is always on my Hennessy Hammock so it doesn't take up any more room than it did before.  An excellent trade-off in my opinion.

But this winter is the reason why we extended the test.  Having received the optional hip and shoulder pad too late to test it last winter, we extended the test so as to give it (the SuperShelter) a proper test.  In my previous reports, I noted that when out in the teens, I did get a chill when the temps dropped to the low teens - 13 F (-11 C).  When able to get out and test the SuperShelter with the new pads, I did not get any chills - the pads are an excellent addition to the included underpad.  Being made of the same contoured open cell foam as the underpad, the pads stay where I put them regardless of how restless a sleeper I happen to be.  That was nice.  I wasn't sure that the pads would stay put since there was nothing to "attach" them to the underpad.  However, the "grippy" nature of  the open cell foam allows the pads to be placed where I want them to be and they stay there.

Temperatures during this testing period ran from 65 F (18 C) to lows of 0 F (-18 C).  The weather was calm and warm during the summer with some rainy nights, and this winter testing has had temperatures that have ranged from 26 F (-3 C) to 0 F (-18 C) with heavy snows, some winds (5 to 20 mph /8 km to 32 km) and some clear, frosty nights.  I have woken in the morning with snow piled on top of the hammock but did not get any moisture inside the hammock.  I stayed very warm with the extra pads - every evening I wore the following:  my sweats, wool socks, and my Psolar Balaclava ®.  My sleeping bag is my Slumberjack Ultimate + 20 F (-7 C).  These, along with the pads, kept me comfortable.

This is an excellent addition to any hiker who uses either the Hennessy Expedition ASYM (which I currently use) or the Hennessy Ultralight Backpacker ASYM and who wants a 4-season hammock.

Things I like: 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 > Long Term Report