Sap Concerns

**Hangdang** · 12-07-2017, 16:03

As I have disclosed before I'm very new to hammocking and have not even done an overnighter yet. But I do have a brand-new warbonnet blackbird xlc which should improve my chances of doing an overnighter greatly.

So I saw mentioned on an earlier post a conversation about sap and sap bags to protect your hammock from getting sap on them, I had honestly never thought about this. So my question is should I be concerned about sap and if so what can I do about it? I don't think I can benefit from a sap bag because I have the continuous loop that my webbing is attached to so I cannot detach my webbing from the hammock.

I must say reading these forums brings up all kinds of issues I never thought about. Before joining The Forum I thought I would just buy a hammock for $30 tie it to a tree, slap a cheap tarp over it and I'd be done with it... $600 later and many nagging questions here I am and I don't even own any Dutch bling yet!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

**Hiker Boy** · 12-07-2017, 16:34

I have had maple trees weeping on me in the spring but it doesn't seem to do anything and dries up if I don't stay hung under them for too long. Personally, I have only had sap on my straps and it's no big deal...a little acetone rubbed on it and it comes right off. If you store your hammock in a bishop bag or something similar, you'll probably never get any sap on it....now go get yourself some Dutch Bling!

**Carrico** · 12-07-2017, 17:12

I hang off a bunch of sticky firs, I've had some sap on my tree straps before but nothing major. One time I was rolling my straps up and notice an extra-sticky blob, I just rub some dirt on it and call it good. I've never noticed any on my hammock or tarp before, but I do pack my straps separate.

**SilvrSurfr** · 12-07-2017, 17:14

Sap is something some people stress about - I don't. A little sap on my tree straps doesn't bother me in the least.

**johnspenn** · 12-07-2017, 17:24

Sap on your straps is no big deal. As mentioned above, rub some dirt on it.

IMO you do want a plan to keep it off your hammock, insulation and pack tho.

**pgibson** · 12-07-2017, 17:29

We came up with our Sap Sacks a number of years back as lots of folks really hate to handle sappy straps and don't want to store them with their hammock or other gear. Sap won't hurt anything and is not to bad to clean off of gear at home but in the field, it can be a bit of a pain. Lots of folks have used zip locks for similar use but 1. they wear out quickly and 2 they are easy to lose so they either end up in the landfill or worse left in the woods. We came up with the Sap Sack's to be a reusable and very visible option that doesn't weigh any more than a freezer ziplock but will hold up to years of use.

**pgibson** · 12-07-2017, 17:31

On the dirt thing....the very first thing I learned when rock climbing was to never let your rope, webbing or other gear get dirt, sand or dust worked into the fibers...it will work as an abrasive and damage the fibers over time. Yes, it will take the sticky-ness out of the sap but long term it's not good for your straps.

**TrailSlug** · 12-07-2017, 18:12

Originally Posted by pgibson

We came up with our Sap Sacks a number of years back as lots of folks really hate to handle sappy straps and don't want to store them with their hammock or other gear. Sap won't hurt anything and is not to bad to clean off of gear at home but in the field, it can be a bit of a pain. Lots of folks have used zip locks for similar use but 1. they wear out quickly and 2 they are easy to lose so they either end up in the landfill or worse left in the woods. We came up with the Sap Sack's to be a reusable and very visible option that doesn't weigh any more than a freezer ziplock but will hold up to years of use.

I can attest that these sap bags are great. They are brightly colored and have reflective tape on them so they are hard to loose. Not only are they good for sappy straps but also when the straps are wet.

**Hangdang** · 12-07-2017, 19:16

I think my real concern is that my straps do not detach from my hammock which is in a bishop bag so they have to be stored together

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

**Hangdang** · 12-07-2017, 19:27

Originally Posted by pgibson

We came up with our Sap Sacks a number of years back as lots of folks really hate to handle sappy straps and don't want to store them with their hammock or other gear. Sap won't hurt anything and is not to bad to clean off of gear at home but in the field, it can be a bit of a pain. Lots of folks have used zip locks for similar use but 1. they wear out quickly and 2 they are easy to lose so they either end up in the landfill or worse left in the woods. We came up with the Sap Sack's to be a reusable and very visible option that doesn't weigh any more than a freezer ziplock but will hold up to years of use.

Yeah I saw those and they look really nice but I can't separate my straps from my hammock so is there a way to use a sap sack with one end of the strap still attached to the hammock all while in a bishop sack?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk