Length of tree straps?

**Mb190e** · 02-02-2016, 18:19

What is everybody using as far as length? I hung my warbonnet blackbird XLC for the first time today and noticed the tree straps at 5 1/2 feet are a little short. Using them on a medium to medium/large tree with a marlinspike. Think I'm going to have to go with an 8' strap.

**WaffleBox** · 02-02-2016, 18:23

I use 15' kevlar straps for max versatility and light weight.

**Shug** · 02-02-2016, 18:25

It depends on the trees where you end up camping. Sounds like you may need to carry at least one longer strap. Or find thinner trees.
Truth.
Shug

**pgibson** · 02-02-2016, 18:32

We do 6.5 foot straps as our most common order length...when finished. Just depends on were you hang the most. East coast and south east folks tend to need and order the shorter straps, NW folks tend to order longer straps...out here 20 foot straps is not all that uncommon.

**SpitballJedi** · 02-02-2016, 19:07

I use 8' straps and 8" whoopies. for the very tiny amount of extra weight, I'd rather have it and not need it. I carry 1 extra strap and whoopie too.

The extra length helps with sparse tree areas.

**SilvrSurfr** · 02-02-2016, 19:54

I started with 10 ft. whoopie slings and 10 ft. straps, but gradually realized that the East Coast trees just aren't that big (due to clear-cutting in 19th/20th century). I now use 4 ft. straps and 6 ft. whoopie slings.

**Nodust** · 02-02-2016, 19:57

I could make do with 4' most of the time. But I like to hang where I want to hang so bring 12'.

**pgibson** · 02-02-2016, 20:03

And if you look at the math...not counting tree straps, To get a 30° hang angle, roughly 18" sit high and take full use of a 6 foot long whoopie sling you need to attach to trees at are 19 feet apart and hang on them 7.5 feet off the ground. SOOOOO to make full length use ever out of 8 foot slings and stay at 30° hang angle your trees have to be at least 23 feet apart and you're attaching to the trees at 8.6 feet up. I don't know about most folks but I am not sure I can reach more than 8 and a half foot up the tree. Seems like a bit of a waste to cary that long of slings and it just not be realist to ever be able to use them at full extension. All of that math also counts that your attaching the sling right where it contacts the tree....so add in a bit higher up the tree for your straps to attach with most common methods and the numbers get even more skewed.

**goobie** · 02-02-2016, 20:05

6' works for me, with 6' UCR's. I've come close to making them out a few times, which is why I carry a couple continuous loops and/or dogbones with me.

Spot on, as usual, with your advice Mr Gibson!