How to hang a hammock
Hennessy Hammock Suspension
Hammock description
Before we tell you how to properly hang a Hennessy Hammock, let’s first quickly review what a hammock actually looks like and what it consists of. The picture above will help us with this.
The Hennessy hammock has two strong hanging ropes (1) at each end, which can carry more than six times the maximum load of the hammock. Between these ropes above the net we find a thinner rope. This rope is called a ridge line (2) and serves not only to hang a handy pouch (3), but also for several other purposes. One of the most important functions is that they keep the hammock properly tensioned, making the net comfortable to use almost no matter how you hang it.. The ridge line also holds a tightly woven mosquito net (4) over the hammock. As well as the mosquito net, the rope can also provide support for a waterproof cover(5), which then forms a small tent above you together with the mosquito net.
In addition to the hammock itself with integrated mosquito net and asymmetrically shaped waterproof tarp, the package also includes wide straps called “Tree Huggers” (6), which resemble car seat belts. These straps are used to protect the bark of the trees, so there is no trace of you after sleeping in the forest.
Each hammock from Hennessy Hammock can be purchased in two variants. The first variant has a Velcro bottom entrance and is called “Classic“. The second variant has an entrance from the side and is equipped with high-quality YKK zippers. This variant can be found in the shop under the name “Zip“. For more information on the differences between the Classic and Zip models, please see our FAQ section.
Let’s go hang
First you need to find two fixed points where you can tie the hammock. Two healthy trees can be used for this purpose, as well as, for example, two solid beams on the veranda, a tree and an eye in the wall. There are many possibilities and no limits to your imagination, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Please note, however, that the points should be within 3.5-7.5 m of each other
for models Expedition and between 4-8 m for the Explorer and Safari.
After you find a nice spot, it’s time to tie the hammock itself. There are no hard and fast rules here and with a bit of exaggeration we can say that every adventurer has a different favourite way of tying. But we’ll talk about the method recommended by the founder of the company Hennessy Hammock Tom. As an experienced sailor, who is no stranger to ropes and knots, he had been thinking for a long time about which method of tying to use. He took into account the least possible wear and tear on the rope, the simplicity of tying and respect for the bark of trees and nature in general according to the Leave no trace philosophy, until he came up with this method:
Step by step procedure:
Step 1
Wrap the Tree Huggers around the trees at a height of 170-210 cm, with the mesh pointing towards the second attachment point. The greater the distance between the trees, the higher you place the Tree Huggers.
Step 2
Determine where you want the entrance to the hammock to be. Grasp the end of the rope and push it through the first eye in the nylon belt upwards and then through the second eye downwards. Use the same procedure on the other end of the hammock. Pull the ends of the ropes to centre the hammock. If the rope comes off, secure it with a simple knot.
Step 3
Pull the hammock up to a height of 40-50 cm above the ground and make sure it is in the middle of the trees. If it is, you can move on to tying.
Step 4
To tie the hammock, grasp the end of the rope and wrap it around the rope leading to the net. Push it between the ends of the Tree Hugger and tighten. The photo shows the knot before tightening.
Step 5
Repeat the procedure from step 4 at least three times.
Step 6
Tighten the rope and secure it with two simple loops. At least 15 cm of rope should remain after tying, which will make it easier to untie when folding the hammock.
Step 7
Go to the second rope, center the hammock and tie the rope as described above.
Step 8
For more comfort, you can anchor the hammock to the ground, trees or to the mesh of a waterproof tarp, which we’ll talk about in a moment. This will make it even more comfortable to lie in. Well done!
Adding a tarpaulin so that even rain doesn’t surprise you
You can also attach a waterproof tarp to the hanging hammock, which is useful as protection against wind and rain, but also as protection against morning dew. Fixing it is easy:
- Unroll the waterproof cover and pull it over the ridge line.
- Compare the tarp with the hammock. Due to its asymmetrical shape, make sure that the corners on the sides of the tarp are above the side corners of the hammock.
- Snap the plastic loops at the ends of the sail into the carabiner tied to the suspension rope. Attach the second carabiner, which is at the end of the sail, directly to the hanging rope.
- Repeat the same procedure at the other end and centre the sail over the hammock.
- Tie the ropes that are on the side of the sail to a tree, a stake in the ground or other fixed point. If the weather is nice, you can put them up so that you have a nice view. Before going to bed or in bad weather, tie the ropes to the ground as close to the hammock as possible.
Hammock suspension DD Hammocks
Description of the hammock DD Hammocks
Before we start hanging the DD Hammocks, let’s take a look at the picture to see the different parts of the hammock. No hammock is complete without strong suspension ropes (1). In the case of DD hammocks, it is a pair of strong flat ropes, which are unlike the classic ones, more gentle on the bark of trees. All DD Hammocks in our range have a double bottom for the insertion of thermal insulation (2). Some models, such as the Frontline or Travel/Bivi hammocks, are also equipped with an integrated mosquito net (3). It is fastened on both sides with zippers (4). To prevent the mosquito net from falling on you and to provide effective protection against insects, the folding rods and elastic cables (5) are used.
Hanging instructions for Camping, Frontline and Travel/Bivi hammocks
Now that we know what the DD Hammock looks like, we can get on with hanging it.
Step 1
Remove the hammock from its packaging and pull the tie-down ropes to tighten the two ends of the hammock as much as possible when using it for the first time.
Step 2
Find two fixed mooring points approximately 3-5 m apart. If you are hanging the hammock between trees, make sure they are sound and at least 15 cm in diameter.
Step 3
Grasp both ends of the lashing rope and wrap them once around the tree at approximately eye level, with the ends pointing back towards the hammock. Then tie them off like shoelaces.
Step 4
Take the second rope and tie it around the opposite tree in the same way.
Step 5
Do a check. The ties should be at approximately the same height, and the hammock roughly midway between the trees, at least 50 cm above the ground. If all is well, sit down carefully in the hammock. Remember that the hammock will ‘sit’ a little.
If you have a Camping Hammock, all you have to do is stretch out and relax. If we own a Frontline or Travel/Bivi hammock, we move on.
Step 6
Fold the folding rods to switch off the mosquito net and insert them into the small tunnels sewn on the mosquito net.
Step 7
Tie the elastic cords with one end to the loops next to the tunnels and the other end around the tree so that the mosquito net is slightly stretched.
Step 8
Done. Well done! 🙂