Cheap, but dependable?

**Redtail** · 08-29-2007, 09:57

Originally Posted by Knightsabre

My personal experience with Wal-Mart fabric departments is this: They DON'T KNOW what they have in their $1/yard area, so you have to go looking for it. I asked at my local Wal-Mart if they had any ripstop nylon of any kind and got a blank stare and a "no, we don't carry any of that", yet when I went to the $1 rack I found a couple bolts of it there. Granted, you can't always pick and choose the colors, weights, or the waterproofing like that, but as I discovered, you CAN still get into a decent hammock for cheap!

I've had the same experience as Knightsabre when asking for ripstop nylon, you have to go look instead. In my area silnylon is rare (only found once) but 1.9 regular or DWR ripstop (which you'd want for hammock) is pretty common on the $1 rack.

Also, if they don't have it one week they might have it the next.

**headchange4u** · 08-29-2007, 10:35

Ebay is another source for inexpensive rip stop. It's kinda a crap shoot on what you get as far as the weight of the fabric, but there are some sellers that list the fabric by the weight. I have bought fabric a few time from Ebay with good results. I have also bought fabric that was way to heavy to use in a hammock.

**eflat7** · 08-29-2007, 11:56

Originally Posted by peanuts

aceat, you can also look into the eaglenest hammocks, 49.95 single nest, 59.95 for dbl nest. also trecklight hammocks. bug netting sold separetely, but you can make your own for cheap. hope this helps!

Yep! and the Eno's are on sale right now at REI.

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...p=24615&page=3

**lvleph** · 08-29-2007, 12:18

But didn't Hooch rip through his ENO?

**Cannibal** · 08-29-2007, 12:28

I can't remember if it was Hooch or not, but yea someone fell right thru an ENO. However, I suspect there was more at work like a small knick or cut in the fabric. I slept in an ENO off and on for a few months with no problems at all. In fact, my ENO was recently 'drafted' for duty in Iraq at a forward operating base. I haven't heard how it's holding up, but if it can make it in Iraq...it can make it anywhere!

**angrysparrow** · 08-29-2007, 12:28

Originally Posted by lvleph

But didn't Hooch rip through his ENO?

He did have a failure with his ENO, but that doesn't mean all ENO's are undependable. He never actually determined the source of the failure to my memory. Also, if I recall correctly, ENO sent him a free replacement right away.

I don't use it all the time, but I own an ENO and am VERY satisfied with it.

**peanuts** · 08-29-2007, 13:10

Originally Posted by lvleph

But didn't Hooch rip through his ENO?

i have been using mine for 5 yrs, no problems and am over 200#

**lvleph** · 08-29-2007, 13:12

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

He did have a failure with his ENO, but that doesn't mean all ENO's are undependable. He never actually determined the source of the failure to my memory. Also, if I recall correctly, ENO sent him a free replacement right away.

I don't use it all the time, but I own an ENO and am VERY satisfied with it.

I was just commenting, since the thread title was "Cheap, but Dependable."

Of course, any hammock can have a failure like that of Hooches.

**aceatc** · 08-29-2007, 14:05

Okay, yes. I might have to check on those walmarts to see if they "actually" have ripstop nylon. By the way, is there a huge difference with Sport Nylon?

Yeah, I pretty much don't want to spend more than like $40 if I don't have too.

I've just had some bad experiences with the cheaper hammocks and need something solid that will last.

**angrysparrow** · 08-29-2007, 14:12

Originally Posted by aceatc

Yeah, I pretty much don't want to spend more than like $40 if I don't have too.

I've just had some bad experiences with the cheaper hammocks and need something solid that will last.

Those two sentences can't be reconciled together.

If you need something really solid, you'll have to spend a little more than $40 unless you make it yourself. And, even then, your talking about the cost of the hammock only, not a tarp+insulation+etc. Hammocking doesn't have to be expensive, but for a good setup there will be some cost involved, be it monetary or your own labor.