Just pulled the trigger on a Jungle Expedition Zip XL Hennessy Hammock. Also bought the therma/insulation pad insert. This years trips will be my first time using a hammock.

Any tips, tricks, lessons learned from those who've been doing it for awhile?

Dive in to Shug.

You will learn a lot (of ways to spend more money than you wanted to).

+1 on shrug. He is my YouTube mentor. There is a hammock forum out there that also is very helpful

From what I learned.
Use your system at home first. Set it up, adjust it, take it down. Sleep in it several times near home. Not sure on the Hennessy system, but wind can steal a lot of heat from under you.
Sleeping bags used as a quilt work fine, just don’t sleep on top of it, it is meant to be a quilt (my son did that and complained on how uncomfortable he was).
The tarp can be configured many ways from totally open (porch mode) to very tight winter wind mode. Mostly it will be a standard setup with space inside.
I really like the winter tarps with doors. Weighs more, but it keeps weather out.
Carefully pick your trees. No dead stuff above or near (widow makers), Not to close or far, and not too small (too springy).
If you sleep on your back, make sure you have something to put under your knees and a very small neck pillow.

Remember what one person finds comfortable may become a new torture device to you, find what works for you. it took me four different set ups to find my system.

I have had an old bottom entry Hennessey for years.
Good suggestions above. Shug videos are super solid. Ultimate hang books are good.

I switched out the stock suspension on mine. Continuous loops are really versatile. Evo loop maybe even more so. Lots of video/posts on these out there in hammock land. I use 15’ straps and a becket hitch. Easy peasy.

Upgraded the stock asym rain fly to a good silpoly tarp.

The Hennessy thermal pad is fine but it may sweat you. I used a diy reflectix pad for quite a few years…then did a closed cell…then the klymit pad made for hammocks…then underquilt. Honestly, I’m good with the klymit or underquilt nowadays.

Speckled: "Just pulled the trigger on a Jungle Expedition Zip XL Hennessy Hammock. Also bought the therma/insulation pad insert. This years trips will be my first time using a hammock.

Any tips, tricks, lessons learned from those who've been doing it for awhile?"

Good call, Speckled. My wife and I just stared hammocking last year and it's a game-changer.

We both bought Hennessys too. I'm not a fan of the rope/knot suspension system they use. I modified our hammocks to use Dutch webbing straps and Beetle Buckles. The hammock goes up in an instant now. You simply remove the ropes and substitute them with continuous loops. Benefits are that it's lighter, less bulky, and adjustments are infinitely easier to do. Only downside is cost.

The modifications are easy to do. Lots of instructional videos on YouTube.

Not sure what fly you received with it but I'd go with the hex at a minimum.

Everyone loves to modify their set ups, myself included. I'd suggest multiple back yard or local overnight tests. You'll learn something new each time you set it up. And +1 on learning from Shug. He is very helpful in providing a variety of set up's to learn from. Entertaining as well.

Thoughts on comfortable temps? I bought Hennessy's Heat reflecting pad that inserts into the hammock. Their site says it's good to 40 degrees F when used in a combination with a 40 degree sleeping bag.

I typically go to the BW, early and late, with temps dipping below freezing at night at times. I have a 0 degree F down bag. I'm curious if the combination of the zero degree bag and heat reflecting pad will be effective.

I did order the Hex tarp to go with it and the longer tree straps.

Speckled: "Thoughts on comfortable temps? I bought Hennessy's Heat reflecting pad that inserts into the hammock. Their site says it's good to 40 degrees F when used in a combination with a 40 degree sleeping bag.


I typically go to the BW, early and late, with temps dipping below freezing at night at times. I have a 0 degree F down bag. I'm curious if the combination of the zero degree bag and heat reflecting pad will be effective.


I did order the Hex tarp to go with it and the longer tree straps."

I believe there's an under-quilt in your future.

My experience tells me you will want more than the Hennessy thermal pad. I know there’s some disagreement on actual r-value of the reflectix type material but many say it’s actually ~1.0 so down to 40 in a hammock is a stretch. It will certainly create a moisture barrier. I struggled with condensation. I recommend the klymit hammock V if you want to go the pad route. A good UQ is a pretty big investment for someone just starting the hammock route. The great auction site has a few pop up from time to time that can be had for reasonable coin.

Speckled: "Thoughts on comfortable temps? I bought Hennessy's Heat reflecting pad that inserts into the hammock. Their site says it's good to 40 degrees F when used in a combination with a 40 degree sleeping bag.


I typically go to the BW, early and late, with temps dipping below freezing at night at times. I have a 0 degree F down bag. I'm curious if the combination of the zero degree bag and heat reflecting pad will be effective.


I did order the Hex tarp to go with it and the longer tree straps."

My first hammock was a hennessy. Put your tree straps head high, 15 steps apart, and do not string it too tight. You need some play in your ridgeline, lie diagonal, feet slightly higher than your head, should be good to go.

Always, always check your suspension system and knots.
I'd suggest hanging low - real low - until you get the hang of it!
Keep making adjustments, practice a lot in the backyard.
Shug won't lead you astray!

My brother and I used Hennessy hammocks on a trip a few years back. We were not big fans of the bottom entry/exit. There were many disturbing jokes about being "born" every morning. Sorry Mom.

Argo: "

Speckled: "Thoughts on comfortable temps? I bought Hennessy's Heat reflecting pad that inserts into the hammock. Their site says it's good to 40 degrees F when used in a combination with a 40 degree sleeping bag.



I typically go to the BW, early and late, with temps dipping below freezing at night at times. I have a 0 degree F down bag. I'm curious if the combination of the zero degree bag and heat reflecting pad will be effective.



I did order the Hex tarp to go with it and the longer tree straps."

I believe there's an under-quilt in your future.
"

I feel like I should elaborate on my answer. I went on the same odyssey last year wondering about temperature tolerances and received a variety of answers. One of the biggest wildcards is that everyone has different comfort levels in terms of how warm or cool they like it. That is entirely subjective.

My Hennessy uses their foam pad which is also rated down to 40F. One July night in Quetico last summer saw the temps got as low as 55F. Although my bag is rated down to -10C (14F), I could start to feel my underside getting chilly. But I use my bag as a quilt and was only wearing underwear. A few bag and clothing adjustments I'm sure the thermometer could descend some more ticks.

I'm not sure which Hennessy pad has better R-value either. But the bulk of the reflective pad is what turned me off and is why I went for the 4-Season Explorer.

I think in the season you're planning on tripping you're at risk of significantly lower temps where an under-quilt will be necessary. Alternatively some folks bring their Thermarest in the hammock. But that can be awkward.

Last year was my very first trip with a hammock. And although I did a tonne of research beforehand, I felt like I learned something new every time I set it up. For instance, I once set it up using a tree that was not quite robust enough. When I climbed into the hammock the tree bent in slightly. No big deal for the as the sag in the hammock was not significant enough to make an adjustment in the suspension ropes. But the tarp sagged as well and that's no good.

Speaking of tarps, Hennessy tarps are made to attach to the hammock suspension ropes. But unless you're expecting a downpour, it's way to close to the hammock IMO. Because I modified my hammock with a different suspension system, I don't have that option. But I prefer to set up my tarp on a separate ridgeline anyway. Plus if it's raining, you'll want to set your tarp up first (or alternatively take your tarp down last when de-camping).

All - I appreciate the responses. I think the key takeaway is to just start using it and make adjustment to what works for me. It arrived yesterday...I think i'll wait until at least april to set it up and try it out on a night that's supposed to dip below freezing...which we've experianced many a night on the mid october trips.