The hex will provide more coverage. But you should be able to get that in a lighter weight. Hanging with a smaller tarp takes practice and some compromise. A weather shield can provide necessary splash protection and double as wind screen and insulation. It becomes a gram counting issue when you weigh the pros and cons of different options.

1. In a Hennessy, you can lay either direction and there are benefits to both. Check out this illustration I did on zipper orientation. The hammock is intended for the zipper to be on your left side, but you can flip yourself and lay with your feet toward the zipper. Either way, you are laying in a head-left, feet-right orientation.

2. Thanks to the built-in structural ridgeline, the Hennessy will stay at a 30° hang angle even if you pull the suspension lines really tight. The advantage here for Hennessy instructions is that they can ensure that their hammocks are pitched perfect every time. That said, it puts a whole lot more strain on the hammock, suspension, and tree/anchor when you pull the suspension that tight. Ideally, you should hang the suspension with the same angle as the hammock, which is about 30° from horizontal. If you put a small weight in the hammock to straighten the fabric, you’ll see the angle to set the suspension. Since things stretch once loaded, I’d pitch the suspension a little tighter to account for that.

1. I’ve seen some conflicting information online about the “proper” lie orientation, so I just want to make sure I’m doing it right! Which side of my body should the zipper be on? And it’s the same for the Deep Jungle Asym?

2. Hennessy instructs people to set up the hammock very taught (i.e., a small hang angle). Do you change your hang angle specially for these hammocks?

Thanks!

Probably the Hennessy. The all in one kit provides everything you need. But, the pad option in the sky bed does help flatten the hammock and is a good option if you want to use a pad.