I have used Hemcore for the last 5 years, It is a good product. It makes a small muckheap which rots very fast and makes really good compost. It needs to be a deep semi deep litter type bed, you don't muck it all out every day. I have never watered the bed because I can't bring myself to pour water on an expensive bed. When it goes down new, it can feel a little slippery, but it quickly compresses to form a good base that will keep them warm and dry.
we use flax bedding that costs about £5 bag when we have a load delivered I have found it to be quite good , not as good as Hemcore but slightly cheaper