The test hammock is a great idea, and I have a bolt of material to use for it too. Thanks a bunch for that suggestion phat.

I'll get that book. Hmmm... Maybe if I put it on my "List" my kids might even get it for me

It makes sense that the shortest one you're comfortable in is what you'd want. But seeing the Hennessys are 17" longer to start with, I'm pretty sure that's an issue.

The Byer did work better when I used my blue foam pad in it. That's what I've done different since the first few times I used it. But even then it wasn't quite comfortable.

If possible, I'd rather only use my bubble foil pad. That kept me warm on my last few trips and the one I'm using now is half the thickness as that I used last season. It packs down a lot smaller and it's lighter to boot. The blue foam by itself doesn't do much to keep me warm, but it does a lot to shape the hammock.