Hammocks?

[Gary M]

Keith W mentioned he likes a Hennessy Expedition Asym hammock.  I was wondering if anybody else has experience with it, or other brands/ models?

I personally use a modified, Vietnam era, surplus military hammock.  Not for hiking, but for camping while canoeing.  It works and has some advantages, but some drawbacks too.

On TV, years ago, I saw some folks camping in the LA bayous with some sort of "tree tents" that looked very cool, but I have had no luck finding the ones I saw... they might have been custom.

Thanks.

GM

[Bill Dishong]

I use and love the Hennessy Expedition Asym. Several buddies use and love their Clarks.
The Hennessy definitely needs the undercover (double bottom) but I find I sleep well in it. No kinked neck or sore back.
Had a guy using a Lawson last spring in Big Cypress and he was not pleased with it but it looked like it was well made. I haven't tried it. It's probably a Ford vs. Chevy type of argument, no end to it.
For hiking in the wet areas/months you can't beat a hammock. I have used mine over 20 times and had no trouble other than mosquitoes biting through if I used nothing against the fabric.
There are many brands available.
Try
http://www.google.com/images?q=Camping+Hammock&oe=utf-8&rls...

Bill Dishong

[vivian]

Gary, I also use the Hennessy Asym and love it. For temps 50 and above I like to use a truck windshield reflector as a pad to help insulate from cold. If you are camping in colder tempertures the undercover is the way to go.

[Tom Caldwell]

I like my Clark hammock just fine. The fabric on the bottom is mosquito proof so no extra liner is needed. A photo of it is on page 21 of the photos on this site. It is very light and good to use for hiking or for canoe camping.

[Keith W]

How flat does the Clark lay with you in it?

[Kim Gass]

I have that HH hammock..but have never brought it to the Everglades. I can rig it up solo in a chickee for sure but on beach sites have any hammock users had problems finding appropriate vegetation?

Lessee I could have used it on Willy Willy and on Lopez and Lonseome. Darwin might have been more of a problem and at Watson you are forced into the insect laden woods.

[Tom Caldwell]

How flat does the Clark hammock lay while occupied? Of course in part the answer to that question depends on how tightly one has strung up the hammock between two trees. When following the setup instructions I have found the hammock to be reasonably comfortable. It certainly has no tendency to roll over and dump the occupant. When in the hammock I often bend my knees which helps with hyperextension of the knee joints which can otherwise occur.

[Keith W]

The Hennessy Asym design gives you a very flat and firm resting surface that I need to have because of lower back problems. If Hennessy would use the same material that Clark uses to keep the bugs out it would make the Asym the best camping hammock on the market by far, IMHO, and I'd gladly pay the extra $$ to have that. The underpad and undercover is nice but it takes up a lot of space in your pack. Since the bugs have a hard time biting through multiple layers I might try just bringing the undercover the next time I hike in warmer weather where the underpad isn't needed for insulation.

[Keith W]

I only use the hammock for hiking. I've never seen the need to bring it on canoe trips. I use it for hiking only because much of the area I hike is underwater or very wet most of the year, and finding a dry spot to pitch a tent can be next to impossible.

[Gary M]

Thanks for all the info folks.

I'll going to check them all out... I've seen the one on pg 21 at the campground in ENP and the guy (a biker) said he really liked it... but it looked kinda uncomfortable and complicated.

In contrast, my military one, after a few decades of modifications, has become quite simple and practical.

By any chance...are there any local (South Florida) dealers that have the modern ones on display?