Choosing the right insulation for your Hennessy hammock can significantly impact your comfort and warmth during outdoor adventures. This article compares two popular options: the Hennessy SuperShelter and the Radiant Double Bubble Pad, offering a detailed analysis to help you decide which best suits your needs. We delve into their respective designs, insulation capabilities, temperature ratings, suitability for ground use, and ease of setup.This comparison highlights the key differences between the open-cell foam SuperShelter and the innovative, silverized Radiant Double Bubble Pad. We explore the pros and cons of each, considering factors like cold-weather performance, versatility for ground sleeping, and overall ease of use. By examining these features, you'll be better equipped to choose the insulation that provides the optimal balance of warmth, convenience, and adaptability for your hammock camping style.
Pros And Cons
- Easier to set up.
- Already silverized and acts as a vapor barrier and infrared reflective surface (no need for a separate space blanket).
- Suitable for ground sleeping when used with a regular sleeping pad.
- Stiff enough to push through the hammock.
- Develops creases and memory after use, potentially leading to cold spots.
- Small elastic band and mitten hook prone to falling off (easily replaceable).
- Can be taken to significantly lower temperatures by adding extra insulation into the undercover.
- More adaptable.
- More difficult to set up.
- Open cell foam pad is more fragile and retains moisture in wet conditions.
- More expensive.
- Open cell foam pad is not suitable for ground sleeping.
Read more: Unwind in Style: 5 Red Camping Hammocks
SuperShelter Setup and Features
The Hennessy SuperShelter utilizes an open-cell foam pad for insulation. This pad isn't rectangular; it's wider at the shoulders and tapers towards the feet, conforming to the body's shape. It's secured to the hammock using elastic straps that loop through the bottom of the hammock and attach to hooks. Over time, small holes may develop in the pad, but this doesn't significantly impact its performance.
Radiant Double Bubble Pad Setup and Features
The Radiant Double Bubble Pad is a newer option, designed for the Hennessy Explorer hammock. It's already silverized, acting as both a vapor barrier and infrared reflector, eliminating the need for a separate space blanket. Similar to the SuperShelter pad, it's wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, and uses small tie-outs for attachment. The pad's stiffness allows it to be easily pushed through the hammock openings.
Temperature Ratings and Performance
The Radiant Double Bubble Pad is rated for temperatures around 40°F (4°C), though the reviewer has used it in temperatures slightly below freezing with acceptable results. However, it may not be as warm as desired for very cold sleepers below the rating. The SuperShelter, while not having a specific rating, is highly adaptable to colder temperatures with the addition of extra insulation within its undercover. This has allowed the reviewer to use it in temperatures as low as -26°F (-32°C).
Ground Use and Other Considerations
A key difference is the suitability for ground use. The Radiant Double Bubble Pad, particularly when used with an additional ground pad, is much more adaptable for ground sleeping. The SuperShelter’s open-cell foam pad offers minimal ground insulation, making it unsuitable for ground camping. The Radiant Double Bubble Pad's ease of setup is a significant advantage over the SuperShelter. Weight and pack size are roughly comparable between the two systems.
Conclusion and Recommendation
Both the Hennessy SuperShelter and the Radiant Double Bubble Pad offer effective insulation for hammock camping. The SuperShelter offers superior cold-weather performance with added insulation, while the Radiant Double Bubble Pad is easier to set up and is more suitable for ground camping when paired with an additional pad. The choice depends on individual priorities. For ease of use and ground camping versatility, the Radiant Double Bubble Pad is a strong contender. For extreme cold weather performance, the adaptability of the SuperShelter makes it a better choice, but this requires more effort to achieve optimal warmth.