Ok, this is way cool.

I discovered this product around two years ago when scouring the internet for lightweight multi-use equipment to use on multi-day unsupported unicycle tours. Riders who have done these before have traditionally used seat post mounted racks to carry the majority of their stuff. One unicyclist.com poster even tried storing extra water inside the spokes on his 36″ wheel, which worked if the whole set-up was perfectly balanced. We one wheelers need to get creative when it comes to packing for long distance touring and camping at night.

Then I came across a device that made me infinitely excited. A device so seemingly revolutionary that if it functioned as advertised, it could solve a whole lot of headaches involving carrying an entire tent on one wheel.

That device is the Hennessy Hammock

From the Hennessy Hammock website:

“At last, you will never need to find a level camp site. No more roots, rocks or puddles coming through the floor of your tent. No more aching muscles and stiff joints from sleeping on the hard ground. And no more carrying a heavy tent.”

So, no heavy stakes, poles, or tarps necessary. With this tent you not only can sleep in an area with unsuitable ground space without worrying about rain runoff flooding your tent, but you can sleep suspended in a nearly flat position allowing the breeze to rock you to sleep. Doesn’t that sound ideal after a long day perched atop a big unicycle?

Last summer I had the opportunity to try one out at my friends cottage in northern Ontario. I don’t remember much of the night since I slept so soundly. I do, however, remember feeling comfortable, safe, and relaxed before I swayed to sleep suspended between two big oaks.

Here’s the best part: it is a weight weenie’s dream. The Ultralite Backbacker’s a-SYM (a-SYM refers to the ropes being offset compared to the shape of the tent, which is like a rhombus when looked at from a bird’s eye view. This allows the sleeper to sleep on an angle keeping a flatter sleeping posture) weighs only 880 grams all in and folds up to be this size:

Not bad, considering the whole thing only takes around 3 minutes to rig up. I mean, I really feel as if I could find a place for this on my 36er.

Although I have tried it out once, I will wait to review the hammock until I own my own. This will be early spring. Its true test will be a tour I am planning to go on outside Toronto. The plan will be to stealth camp for a few days and see how the whole system works.

Stay tuned for that and much much more.