Is velcro or zipper closure better?

**wishing2gonorth** · 06-27-2010, 08:46

I am looking at buying a Hennessy Hammock Expidition Asym, but I'm not sure if I should get the classic or the new zip....any thoughts from those with hammock experience...this will be my first hammock!

Thanks

**BrianWillan** · 06-27-2010, 09:07

Originally Posted by wishing2gonorth

I am looking at buying a Hennessy Hammock Expidition Asym, but I'm not sure if I should get the classic or the new zip....any thoughts from those with hammock experience...this will be my first hammock!

Thanks

If you read through the forums here enough, you will find most Hennessy Hammock owners have sent their hammocks to 2QZQ (manufacturer forum here) for one of their zipper mods. Which converts it from a Bottom Entry to a side zip entry. That should tell you something. Obviously it is a matter of preference.

Cheers

Brian

**kayak karl** · 06-27-2010, 09:11

Originally Posted by wishing2gonorth

I am looking at buying a Hennessy Hammock Expidition Asym, but I'm not sure if I should get the classic or the new zip....any thoughts from those with hammock experience...this will be my first hammock!

Thanks

only my son likes the bottom entry. all others (4) got the zipper mods.

**2Questions** · 06-27-2010, 09:11

Originally Posted by BrianWillan

If you read through the forums here enough, you will find most Hennessy Hammock owners have sent their hammocks to 2QZQ (manufacturer forum here) for one of their zipper mods. Which converts it from a Bottom Entry to a side zip entry. That should tell you something. Obviously it is a matter of preference.

Cheers

Brian

ZQ here.... Adding a zipper to a Hennessy and leaving the velcro slit makes it both a bottom entry (good in buggy conditions or when you want to hang it higher) and also a top loader.

It converts it if you have the velcro removed and sewn shut.

**MacEntyre** · 06-27-2010, 11:19

Ed Speer has strong opinions against zippers in hammocks, because he believes they will fail one day. That's why the Speer hammock uses velcro.

I guess if Ed had a 2QZQ modded Hennessey, he would leave the BEEP intact as a way out when the zipper fails!

**Hawk-eye** · 06-27-2010, 13:10

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Ed Speer has strong opinions against zippers in hammocks, because he believes they will fail one day. That's why the Speer hammock uses velcro.

I guess if Ed had a 2QZQ modded Hennessey, he would leave the BEEP intact as a way out when the zipper fails!

I don't see it ... the zippers 2QZQ use in their mods are as rugged as the get and same I used in my Jerry5. Being the loop zippers they're easier to fix if you pop them open ... which I did several times in making my Jerry5 when I re-did the binding. My problem using velcro is that over time they weaken from just the accumulation of stuff in the loops and hooks.

Guess in the end it's just a matter of personal preference.

**MacEntyre** · 06-27-2010, 14:42

Originally Posted by Hawk-eye

I don't see it ...

Most folks don't. I think that's why Ed doesn't talk about it much, unless you ask him. I probably shouldn't have brought it up!

**2Questions** · 06-27-2010, 14:57

If it helps...I looked at the database and we have modified 334 hammocks to date and we have not had any customers give us feedback on failed zippers. That doesn't mean you can't get an underquilt or clothing caught in the zipper if not careful, but no zipper failures. The #5 coil zipper we use is tough and yet not overkill. IMHO, the Hennessy #10 zipper is too much zipper for the purpose.
2Q

**Albert Skye** · 06-27-2010, 16:02

Originally Posted by 2Questions

The #5 coil zipper we use is tough and yet not overkill.

Did you have any trouble with #3?

**2Questions** · 06-27-2010, 18:26

Originally Posted by Albert Skye

Did you have any trouble with #3?

We looked at the #3 coil zipper and even used it on the doors of my first OES tarp. I found the #3 separating zipper, in that application, was too small. It was hard to get started, especially with gloves on. Also, I believe the stress on it would have made it fail eventually. One of the reasons we abandoned the zipper closure on tarp doors.

The #5 coil zipper on the mods is tough however. Although not a separating zipper, it is durable and yet light enough to only add 5 ozs (on a Mod 2). The stresses are different in this application and like I mentioned in the earlier post, we have had no problems at all with the #5. We'll stick with it.