Backpacker UL-Side zip vs. bottom opening
Can anyone comment on the pros or cons of the two different opening types available on the HH backpacker UL? I'm stuck on this one, and hearing personal accounts might be helpful to me. For the record, I'm 5'8", 175 lb, no back or mobility issues. Primary use will be solo backpacking. Thanks in advance...Pete
If you plan on getting a under quilt I would go with the side zip. I had a bottom entry Hennessy and found I was somewhat limited.
I also found that on really hot days the bottom entry would get hot inside, and all I wanted to do was open my bug net and let the breeze in. I also couldn't cook break fast in bed if I so choose.
But then again you could always get a 2qzq mod and have the best of both worlds.
One thing I did like, however, was the fact I could quickly escape the hordes of mosquitoes that Maine gets plagued with.
"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." -D'Signore's, Tide Mill Farm, Edmunds, Maine.
As per above, I had no complaints about the bottom entry (BE) HH, except that I could not reach out once I was in. And being unable to vent on those hot days, but I'm mostly a cool weather camper anyway. And the 2Q mod solves those problems, but at extra expense of course.Originally Posted by Deadphans
Yesterday, I was playing around in the cooler temps with an extra Explorer UL I have acquired, a zippered model, with and without a Super Shelter under cover on it. It was very windy at times. I did notice that without the UC, it was uncomfortably cool with a slight breeze and very much so with the higher gusts, and that the UC did a good to great job of mostly blocking that effect. But the other thing that I noticed - since most of my previous HHSS experience was with a BE - that it was actually quicker and simpler for me to get in and out with the BE than the zippered model.
That said, some folks report the opposite because they never get efficient/skilled with the BE, and just never like it at all. And please note I am talking about a netted model, not a no net. For me it is about the same getting in/out of a no net side entry model as the BE HH. But once you throw in locating zipper pulls and unzipping to get out or zipping back up after getting back in, the advantage ( for me ) goes back to BE. Not that it matters much a second or two, but it might be a factor if the mossies are trying to carry you off.
However, I think 90% of folks just prefer the side entry zipper models and/or actually dislike the BE models. There are a lot of individual prefs in this game.
Had a zip hammock for many years from the jungle hammock to a few others and I found that the Hennessey with the bottom opening is a super concept.
I haven't used the Hennessey bottom opening all that much yet but from what I've seen and what I've experienced I like it better. I've very rarely had the zipper in the mosquito netting open as the bugs are always biting so having a non-opening mosquito net is not an issue for me.
I prefer the classic entry (bottom) because it makes it possible for me to hammock - physical limitations make it difficult at best, dangerous at least to have a zip where I have to get up and over the edge of the hammock AND still stay in it, plus be able to get out of it - with the classic, all i have to do is hang it high enough that the bottom of the entry is no higher than a chair. That way all i do is open it up and sit down to get in, and i have a pull cord in the fwd/aft sections so i can pull myself in/out and i use this to pull myself up to stand up
We all know of the original "Walk off the war" thru-hike - but, check out these guys, they're helping folks 'walk off the war' today -
Donate to help fund gear for the warriors who are coming back home and need help walking off the war!
WarriorHike.com
i have a zip and all i can say is you read about alot of people sending their bottom entry to ZQ2Q for the zipper mod, but don't see many people wanting to add a bottom mod to their zip
boot
The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us. ~Bill Watterson
ZQ here...Actually we have has several people buy the stock zip hammock, and then e-mail us to ask if we could put in a bottom entry. Unfortunately for them, we don't offer that service.
2QZQ Hammock Specialties
Specializing in:
Hennessy Hammock zipper modifications
Sewn on Tarp doors, Pole Pockets, and Grizz Beaks
Ridgeline and gear organizers, peak storage bags, UQ protectors, 2QZQ tree table!
I have a HH Safari bottom entry which I just sent to 2QZQ for the Mod 4 and to have the bottom entry closed. For me, the only reason I had the bottom entry sewed up was that I never could get comfortable w/my legs over the Velcro seam. There was always a pressure point no matter my position. It really didn't hinder my sleep, but just seemed like something I would rather not have. Other than that for me the bottom is a good feature, but one I decided to try and live w/out. I now sleep w/my head and shoulders over the sewn up entry. As I hoped, that has completely eliminated my problem. Also, I like the flexibility of bug net or no bug net. It opens up lots of options.
One more comment. You can't go wrong doing business w/2QZQ. Excellent work, reasonable pricing and a pleasure to get to know. Hope to meet them in person one day.
A lot of folks report that evil pressure point with a lot of different brand non bottom entry hammocks, hammocks that have no Velcro in the foot end. And ironically, my No Net Safari ( with Velcro BE still functional) model is the non-bridge model most guaranteed for me to be free of that pressure point! Mainly because I am always able to get far enough to the left side to avoid that center ridge ( hits me mid thigh and is not noticeable)- and still have plenty of room for excellent over all comfort. Just shows how individual hammock experiences can be.
On the pros/cons of BE, so many folks have reported never getting used to it, and having trouble getting out. But for me, even with the Super Shelter UC always in place, it was always so easy, at least after my first few nights of sleeping in it on a week long trip. ( learning curve) I would always just stick one foot out of the slit, maybe have to move the foot around a bit until it is outside of the HHSS undercover, follow with the other foot and stand up. That is a lot of words to describe a very quick procedure, a few seconds at most. It is about the same effort as lowering the foot of my recliner and standing up. Just watch this video, it really is just this easy, or was for me after getting used to the wierdness of the whole concept:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtjvN...layer_embedded
also this video on the home page:
http://hennessyhammock.com/
Watch to the end for a quick snake skin demo also.
One other thing, twice in 6 years I have fallen in a side entry hammock. All just due to pure carelessness on my part, but it happened. Using a narrow net free hammock with a Pea Pod, in the middle of the night still half asleep, I failed to make sure I had hold of the hammock edges, grabbing one Pea Pod edge by mistake, flipping over on my back. Ouch, but no injuries beyond pride, luckily. I don't think this can happen in a BE HH. It seems nearly impossible to fall getting in via HHBE. But it probably is also way less likely to happen in a side entry hammock which has a net being used.
For users with mobility problems, like WetRiverRat mentioned, it should be easy to put some pull cords through the RL loops inside the hammock. RamblinRev may comment soon. He has always used HHBE only for hiking trips, as it was way easier for him to use with the mobility problems he has.
Tell me more about the "pull cord in the fw/aft sections" please. I have some mobility issues and have been fighting my way through trying to use a side entry hammock. It is not working out as well as I would like.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks