Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker Asym Zip Review: A Complete 2 lb 8 oz Shelter System

Introduction

The Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker Asym Zip is a complete hammock shelter system rather than a bare hammock. The hammock body, integrated bug net, rain fly, suspension ropes, and SnakeSkins sleeves all arrive together as one kit, and the whole package weighs 2 pounds 8 ounces with the sleeves and straps included. Stripped down to its minimum, the hammock alone weighs 1 pound 15 ounces.

Setup is the part most people notice first. Going from a packed stuff sack to a pitched shelter takes roughly five minutes, which places this among the quickest hammock systems to deploy. It is also one of the most comfortable ultralight hammocks available, thanks to an asymmetric cut that lets you lie flat or roll onto your side once the pitch is right.

Who This Hammock Is For

This system suits campers who want to sleep off the ground without carrying a tent, a pad, and a separate tarp. The kit covers shelter, bug protection, and rain cover in one purchase, so there is no shopping list to assemble before a first trip. It is aimed at backpackers who value low weight and fast pitching ahead of the absolute lowest price.

Two sizes cover most buyers. The regular Asym Zip is rated for users up to 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, while the extra large version is rated for users up to 7 feet and 250 pounds. Both sit in the same ultralight series, and the extra large versions add roughly half a pound to the total, landing near 3 pounds.

Main Strengths

The strengths here are the ones that matter on a long day: low weight, a short setup routine, and a body shape that genuinely supports a flat lie. Each one is a deliberate design choice rather than an accident of trimming material.

Ultralight Pack Weight and Packed Size

The packed bundle measures roughly 9 inches by 6 inches, and it compresses further if you swap the included stuff sack for a smaller one. The sleeping floor measures 100 inches by 47 inches, which is generous for a shelter this light. Carrying a full hammock, fly, and bug net at this weight keeps the shelter from dominating a pack.

Setup Simplicity and the SnakeSkins System

The SnakeSkins sleeves are the reason this kit pitches so quickly. You wrap the tree straps at roughly eye level, attach the hammock, and then pull the sleeves back along the suspension to expose the body. From there the fly unrolls and stakes out. Because the fly is attached to the main line, you can loosen or tighten the top pitch without redoing the whole setup.

The kit arrives ready to use. The only assembly step is fitting the SnakeSkins onto the hammock, and after that the routine stays consistent. Lower-cost hammock kits can take far longer on a first pitch, often well over half an hour, before they settle into a faster rhythm. Here, the first pitch and the fiftieth feel much the same.

Comfort, Lay-Flat Design, and Weather Protection

The body and the fly both use an asymmetric shape, a patented Hennessy design, and that cut is what allows a genuinely flat lie. The trade-off is that this hammock needs to be pitched rather tight. Get the tension right and you can sleep on your back or your side; leave it loose and the comfort advantage disappears.

The integrated ridgeline keeps the bug net and fly supported, and the attachment ropes are rated to 1,200 pounds while staying extremely light. The hammock can also be used as a chair or a lounger, and it can be set up as a tent when there are no trees to hang from.

Materials and Craftsmanship

The canopy is nylon taffeta with polyester no-see-um mesh, and the rain fly is coated silnylon. The body uses two YKK zippers that run smoothly, and the bug mesh rolls up and stows out of the way when you want an open view.

Inside, a mesh pocket in the center can be moved up or down, and two extra hooks hold small items within reach. Two clips on the sleeping surface are sized for the reflective pad Hennessy makes, which pairs with the hammock for insulation underneath.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Most of the compromises here concern the accessories rather than the hammock itself, and each one has a straightforward workaround. Knowing about them in advance is the difference between a smooth first trip and a frustrating one.

Included Tree Straps Are Short

The supplied straps are 42 inches long, which limits you to trees under roughly 12 inches in diameter. That is a real constraint across many campsites. Longer straps are available at 72 inches and 96 inches, and swapping them in is the single most useful upgrade for this kit.

The Rain Fly Is Compact

The included fly is small enough that it has picked up a nickname among hammock campers. It needs a careful pitch to deliver good wind and rain protection, and the margin for a sloppy setup is narrow. The top pitch adjustment on the main line helps here, since the fly can be tightened or loosened quickly once you understand how it sits.

With a few trips of practice, the fly performs well and the setup stops feeling fussy. Until then, expect to spend more time on tension and stake placement than you would with a larger tarp.

Fixed Bug Mesh and Price Positioning

The bug mesh is not removable. It rolls up and stows, but it stays attached to the hammock, so anyone who wants a fully open hammock in bug-free conditions will not get that option. For most campers this is a minor point rather than a dealbreaker.

On price, the 6 foot Asym Zip kit is $230 and includes the hammock, fly, suspension, and SnakeSkins, with tree straps sold separately. Cheaper hammock systems exist, particularly imported kits, but they are typically heavier and use lower-grade materials. Paying more here buys weight savings, better hardware, and a system that arrives complete.

Side Zip Versus Bottom Entry

The side zip entry is the version most buyers choose, and it is the easier of the two to live with. You unzip the body, step in on top of your pad, and close the zipper behind you. If it starts raining while you are inside, you can reach out and rearrange gear without leaving the hammock.

Bottom entry hammocks, historically nicknamed birth canal hammocks, remain available and cost $10 less in the 6 foot size. The extra large bottom entry version is $250, while the extra large side zip is $260. The bottom entry approach means stepping up and hopping in through the floor. In cold weather, with a pad and a sleeping bag already inside, that becomes a chore, and there is a real risk of items falling out while you climb in or out.

Bottom entry designs also rely on hook-and-loop closures, which catch on clothing and sleeping bags and can be noisy when you enter or leave. Because the mesh is fixed in place on those models, they cannot double as a chair the way the side zip version can. If you want a hammock that works as a seat around camp, the side zip is the better choice.

Buying Advice

Match the size to your height and weight first, then budget for longer tree straps. The 42 inch straps in the box will work in some forests, but 72 inch or 96 inch straps remove the guesswork and cost very little compared with the rest of the kit.

If you already own a sleeping pad, check whether it fits the clips on the sleeping surface, since the hammock is designed to accept the reflective pad from the same brand. A pad adds meaningful warmth underneath, and the clips keep it from sliding around overnight.

Hammock-only options are available for anyone who already owns a tarp and suspension. Those run from $150 for the 6 foot bottom entry version to $180 for the extra large side zip, which makes them a reasonable route for building a system from parts you already have.

Conclusion

The Hennessy Hammock Ultralight Backpacker Asym Zip earns its place as a complete and genuinely light shelter. At 2 pounds 8 ounces for the full kit and around five minutes to pitch, it removes most of the friction that keeps people from hammock camping. The asymmetric cut delivers a flat, comfortable lie, and the materials and construction are built to hold up over years of use.

No hammock suits everyone, and this one asks you to accept a compact fly, short stock straps, and a fixed bug net. Those are manageable trade-offs rather than flaws, and each has a simple fix. For campers who want an ultralight hammock system that is fast to set up and comfortable to sleep in, this is a strong and well-rounded option.