3.Test the suspension. Carefully sit in the center of the hammock, gently committing your weight. The hammock will probably sag a little as the knots tighten and the materials stretch. Get back out again and have a look at how the hammock now hangs. Double-check to make sure the knots are still good.

4.Install the flysheet. Attach the flysheet to the little hooks provided on the suspension cord, and slide the hooks out so the flysheet is tightened between foot and head end and centered over the hammock.

5.Tie off the flysheet. Now, unroll your flysheet and attach the cords provided to tie-off points on other trees or to pegs in the ground. When there’s fairly little wind, I prefer to tie the flysheet off to trees or guide it over sticks in the ground so the pitch of the flysheet on both sides of the hammock is fairly minimal. This allows me the most freedom of movement, gives the most space underneath and enables me to look around when lying in the hammock. When it’s stormy out or if there’s heavy rain, I will tie the flysheet directly to pegs in the ground. This will provide much more protection as the pitch of the flysheet will be much steeper, though it will cost me in available space.

6.Finish the hammock set-up. Finally, attach the hammock tie-outs to the flysheet to spread out the hammock. As a handy addition for rainy weather, Hennessy Hammock provides two small funnels that clip onto the O-rings and screw onto most basic soda bottles. The rain will run down the flysheet and be guided into the bottles. This is handy as a water source but also because the added weight will help keep the fly tensioned as it will stretch a bit when getting wet.

How to Lie in a Hammock

For ultimate comfort, you have to lie diagonally across a hammock. The models shown in these images, for instance, accommodate this position by providing a tie-off toward the foot end on the right side (viewed when lying on your back) and toward the head end on the left side, creating an asymmetrical space. When lying in the hammock, place your feet toward the right side of the hammock and your shoulders to the left. You will notice immediately that the hammock will shape around you in such a way to allow you to lie nearly flat. As long as you lie along that diagonal, it doesn’t matter if you sleep on your back or curled up on your side.

When lying in a sleeping bag, the part of the bag underneath you will compress and will not insulate very well at all. During very warm nights, this isn’t a problem, but when the temperature starts to drop, you may want to insert a traditional sleeping mat over this diagonal. This may be a little awkward at first, but after a few nights, you’ll soon get the hang of placing everything just right for going to sleep.

In the photographs below, one hammock has a bottom opening while the other has a strong zipper running along one side. With the zipped one, you can easily lay your mat and sleeping bag in the right position, undress, and slip in. With a bottom-entry hammock, you will also be able to do this once you’re used to it; however, at first, it’s handiest to position the sleeping mat correctly, undress, and then step into the sleeping bag before getting into the hammock.

The first hammock pictured here is actually double-layered, with space to slip in a sleeping mat or a reflective bubble pad. The benefit is that the pad doesn’t move around during the night, which can sometimes cause the pad to pop out from under you. Because the pad is suspended below you, you also have more freedom to move around without having to make sure you’re still lying on the pad. The reflective bubble pad provided by Hennessy Hammock as an alternative to a sleeping mat is actually an ingenious idea. The bubbles provide still air for insulation and the silver coating bounces any radiant heat back to you. It is cheap and incredibly lightweight. I found that it packs up smaller than a regular sleeping mat too. In the past, I have also used regular floor carpet cut to size instead of sleeping mats, which was extremely warm and comfortable but a bit on the heavy side.

The other hammock pictured has a second cloth layer suspended below the hammock, with a layer of foam topped by an emergency blanket inserted between the two. This method works extremely well but is a little noisy until you’ve settled down properly. Again, it avoids the need to carry a separate sleeping mat.

I have seen other people use old sleeping bags or blankets suspended below the hammock in order to avoid having to bring a sleeping mat. There are many different options. The best thing to do is to simply test out what works best for you.

Inside the hammock, you will find a ridgeline, which is handy for hanging items onto. I usually leave my pack below the hammock and fold up my clothes to form a pillow.

NET HAMMOCKS

If you decide to try out or purchase a hammock, do not look for the classic, quintessential net hammock suspended between two spreader bars as they are uncomfortable and can tip over. These net hammocks were designed with the appearance of a flat surface to lie on to make traditional hammocks appealing to Westerners during the last century. Although the design is seriously flawed, they caught on in photographs and holiday marketing to such an extent that the very image of the net hammock between two palm trees automatically springs to mind when hearing the word “relaxation” or “beach holiday.” With a bit of looking around, you will find hammocks such as the Hennessy ones I use which are modeled after the original aboriginal hammocks but redesigned especially for camping. They are extremely comfortable, durable shelters which also eliminate the danger of tipping over or falling out.

In the past, I used to provide all my course participants with a hammock. I often came across people who were nervous with the idea of hanging suspended between two trees. However, after a couple of nights in the hammock, they would often want one for themselves. It does take a night or two to get the hang of. Your first night may be a bit less comfortable, but with experience, you’ll be able to set up the hammock in just the right way to provide you with a more comfortable night’s sleep than you’ve ever had in the outdoors.