Should I make or buy tree straps for a hammock?

G

GEC

Joined
May 8, 2007
Messages
950
I was wondering if anybody used 550 cord for tree straps for a hammock without worry of breaking. I plan on making my own out of climbing rope but I think it would be to bulky when packing it on the trail.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make some or point me in the right direction to get some good ones etc...? Should I make it out of 550?
 
GEC said:
I was wondering if anybody used 550 cord for tree straps for a hammock without worry of breaking. I plan on making my own out of climbing rope but I think it would be to bulky when packing it on the trail.
Does anybody have any suggestions on how to make some or point me in the right direction to get some good ones etc...? Should I make it out of 550?
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I would avoid 550 cord; it would work, but it's not something I'd use on a continual basis. I would look for some good 4/5mm accessory cord used as a climbing accessory. Another option (depending on how you plan to rig it up), flat webbing is another good option.

Here's a cool option that I've heard great things about:

Whoopie Sling

Another great resource:

Hammock Articles

Don't forget, it's just not the suspention material, but how you plan on getting it tight, keeping it that way and how easy it is to release. I've been playing around and I like a quick snap-link on webbing for one side and a simple cinch device on the other, but it's a work in progress. I want to be able to put it up quickly, getting it balanced and using toggles, rings or cinch buckle to tighten it up and secure it, but still easy and fast to take down.

I forgot to add a little something about "tree huggers". Simple nylon webbing that (at a minimum) are just looped at both ends and about 3 feet long or so. Many consider them protection for the tree, but for me, it takes the brunt of friction and sap instead of your suspension lines...also, much easier to replace.

ROCK6
 
I used 550 cord once for that before I knew better. It stretches and will break. Get some Tree Huggers from Opie at whoopieslings.com . Hey, while you're there, get some whoopie slings too and upgrade your hammock's suspension.
 
I use nylon webbing and rings, I know there are lighter set ups but it works for me and I was able to find all materials needed locally for next to nothing.
 
Whatever you use, make sure the part touching the tree is nylon webbing or something else flat. Hammock campers using rope or other thin, round cordage have torn up enough trees in some parks that they are starting to ban the use of hammocks.
 
Which is worse? Using rope to wrap around a tree and potentially skinning up the bark (which I've never seen if tied correctly and the rope is of sufficient diameter to sustain the mass of the hammock and occupant AND the person has had some coaching on how to correctly do this) or the 10,000 photos I've seen on forums of people sticking their blades into the live tree for a "photo op" or "High CDI Factor" which eventually opens it up for insects and disease?

Honestly, I'm not a tree hugger but I don't see any need in making it more challenging for nature than it already is. I'm all for using straps if one needs too in order to protect the bark, but at the same time we ought to discourage folks from using trees for a knife stand also. I don't think I've ever seen anyone raise an objection to a group of folks sticking their knives, axes, and swords into live trees. Fortunately, lately I've seen less photos of this on this forum and others - which is a positive direction.
 
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I have seen many objections to harming live trees on many parts of the bladeforums.
Now back to the subject some if not all target stores carry a nice set of hammock straps they are quite long and have a large (maybe 2 2/4" )heavy steel ring at one end and a large loop at sewn at the other ,strong looking and soft webbing in a kind of crappy little plastic storage bag all about the size of a pack of swisher sweets.
 
Eagle Nest Outfitters (ENO) makes straps that look similar to daisy chains for rock climbing and they are not too expensive. I just bought my hammock, and am waiting for the bug net to come in. As soon as it get to my backpacking shop, I am gonna grab it and the straps. Try looking at them online.
 
thebrain said:
I have seen many objections to harming live trees on many parts of the bladeforums..
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In the Carlos Castenada books Don Juan said that if you needlessly injure the vegetation that the whole spirit of a place could turn against you and you need everything working WITH you to survive.:thumbup:;):D
 
Anybody have pictures of there slings been thinking abought making one i have a bunch of webbing its 1 inch wide the kind thats used for ratchet straps trying to get some ideas Thanks .
 
Thanks everybody I kind of figured the 550 would stretch to much. So now that you guys have given me the sites I'm buying some straps instead. Worst case senario I can make some out of the climbing rope that I have.
Thanks everyone.
 
Before I got into Hammock camping I used 550 cord for my first crappy net hammock. It stretches like you wouldn't believe but after some to-ing and fro-ing you can adjust it until it's the right height. Make sure you double it up though!

This aside - why not get webbing instead, much stronger and hardly any stretch. I'm pretty sure many climbing stores will stitch a loop at each end, then it's just a matter of using a biner to cinch on the each tree.
 
Strapworks.com
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I've ordered a bunch of webbing from these guys. They will sew a loop into the strap for you. I use an aluminum toggle tied onto the webbing with a marlinspike hitch, then hang my homemade adjustable whoopie slings to the toggles.
 
That are basically car seatbelts with a loop on an end. I remember as a kid people used to always be re-webbing their folding chairs with car seatbelts. Wonder if you could find them cheaper. Also, an old pair of come-along straps would work.

I've had to resort to using nylon ropes for tree straps on occasion where the girth of the tree was about 4 times the size of my tree hugger straps. The rope did not damage that gnarly old oak bark one bit. Might be a different story on smooth barked trees like maples and beech though.
 
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Thats my argument :)
But if you are looking for straps, REI works just fine. I used 50 lb fishing line to stitch it. I like the car seat belt idea too! Laundry line doesn't stretch much and can hold people up as well.
 
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