What are the advantages and disadvantages of a side-entry hammock vs a bottom-entry hammock?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a side-entry hammock vs a bottom-entry hammock?
I moved away from a Hennessy to a Warbonnet because I got tired of snagging on the velcro bottom slit, and because it feels less roomy (because of the cut, not dimensions) than the Warbonnet hammock.
The bottom slit makes it less easy to position a pad in the hammock, get in, and get the pad laying right with you on top of it.
I enjoy being able to reach out of the hammock to adjust the underquilt, instead of getting out of the hammock, adjusting, getting in, having to get out again to readjust.... repeat until the quilt is just right.
Of course, now Hennessy has side zip hammocks, and folks with older Hennessys can send them to have a zipper put on, but the Warbonnet turned out to also be more comfortable for me.
It really depends on a lot of things. This thread has loads of info either way.
The bottom line is, buy both!
Once I had the folks at 2QZQ add a zipper to my Hennessy I don't think I've separated the velcro since. I thought about having them just stitch the opening shut but having an alternate escape route might not be a bad idea in case of a zipper failure on the trail. I've heard other folks mention being able to enter/exit the hammock more quickly with the bottom opening. This keeps the skeeters out a little better.
I love the zipper and the one 2QZQ added looks to be of higher quality than the one Hennessy uses in their zip models. Being able to flip the netting back out of the way on a nice day is so wonderful. You can also reach outside to manipulate your UQ, cook brekfast, reach for something in your pack, etc. It's just very nice to have options.
I don't think the problem is getting in and out as much as not being able to reach out and adjust an under quilt. Getting a pad under my body in the dark with a top quilt, clothes and other things was quite an interesting task for me. Seems like I was never cold after all that maneuvering Does improve balance
Started with a bottom entry with all the syncronized theatrics (especially in winter), but now things are a bit more fluid with top zippers (2QZQ Mod2R)...
(1) Hike!
(2) Find spot, set up suspension
(3) Unzip net
(4) Pull out pack contents into hammock
(5) Hand pack on tree
(6) Sort contents in hammock (sittingin hammock)
(7) Repack whats not needed (while sitting in hammock)
(8) Cook supper (while sitting in hammock)
(9) Lay out, zip, sleep
(10) Wake, unzip and make coffee and goatmeal (while sitting in hammock)
(11) Pack (while sittingin hammock)
(12) Take down suspension and stuff in pack
(13) Hike!
Life off the feet jsut becomes a bit less rigid when you can load from the top.
H4x
SM TR49, SR-875 "A boy learns integrity through his eyes, ears and hands."
"You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to." Bilbo Baggins, as quoted by Frodo The Fellowship of the Ring
Just preference, really. My wife says that HH-style entry is easier to get in and out. It doesn't make any difference to me, other than the HH velcro snagging on fleece pants.
One benefit of the HH entry is that you can hang the tarp really low to the hammock, and not worry about it touching your back (condensation) when you get out.
All in all, I prefer top entry hammocks (same as side entry). Easier to cook from my hammock, get to my backpack without getting out, etc.
“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” ~Judge Joseph Story
- My site: http://www.tothewoods.net/
- Designer, Jeff's Gear Hammock / Pack Cover by JRB
IMPOSSIBLE JUST TAKES LONGER
One big downside of rear entry....stuff falls out really easy...and you may not notice it. I lost an expensive hearing aid this way. Went the 2Q route and sewed the Velcro shut and put zippers on the bug netting. Much happier after the 2Q mods.
You can also purchase an HH with a zip entry if you like their models but prefer a more traditional model. I like the idea of a bottom entry, but for some reason it just seems like it could be a lot trickier than it sounds.
Each has good and bad points. As noted, the HH slit makes adjusting pads and sleeping bags difficult. TQs and UQs are the way to go, but UQs are difficult to adjust through the slit.
IMO zipper models admit more skeeters than the slit models.
I suppose I will get my HH modified to have side zips and keep the slit.
Jim
HH Explorer DLX
CJH NX-250
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