How long should a hammock last?

**nogods** · 10-04-2007, 14:01

I noticed on the Claytor site he states that his jungle hammock should last "five years of hard use" - I'm not sure what he means by "hard use" but I do wonder why he picked 5 years.

I take good care of my most valuable hiking equiment. I still have my Kelty Serac pack, Lowa shoes, and Svea stove from 1973 - all in excellent condition and last used this summer. I did, however, fail to pay attention to my Eureka Timberline tents and they both have "peeling" and are essentially unusable.

So what, if anything, is the proper care to be given to a hammock? Or will UV deteriorate it no matter what?

**neo** · 10-04-2007, 14:52

Originally Posted by nogods

I noticed on the Claytor site he states that his jungle hammock should last "five years of hard use" - I'm not sure what he means by "hard use" but I do wonder why he picked 5 years.

I take good care of my most valuable hiking equiment. I still have my Kelty Serac pack, Lowa shoes, and Svea stove from 1973 - all in excellent condition and last used this summer. I did, however, fail to pay attention to my Eureka Timberline tents and they both have "peeling" and are essentially unusable.

So what, if anything, is the proper care to be given to a hammock? Or will UV deteriorate it no matter what?

probally just a guess

neo

**slowhike** · 10-04-2007, 15:02

if left out for long periods, the sun will definitely take it's toil.
but w/ normal use, a hammock spends a large portion of it's hanging time in the shade of a tarp or the trees it's hanging from, or in the moon light.
i'm thinking that the morning & evening sun are a little less harsh than mid day.
of course scrubbing under brush or the ground will work on the fabric.
so will keys, pocket knifes, coins, etc, that fall from your pockets then get laid on & rubbed around by ones body weight.
speaking of body weight, supporting it on knees & elbows may not be the best idea.

on the cover of ed speer's book "hammock camping", is a red hammock that ed used (if i remember correctly) for over 5000 sleeping hours before it failed.
i happened to be w/ him on that winter night, on the side of mt Mitchel, NC, when he made the mistake of raising up on one elbow in that well used hammock.
i herd RRRRRIIIIPPPPPPPPP... then a word from ed that i wont repeat

poor ed had to bivy on the ground that night. ...tim

**alex30808** · 10-04-2007, 19:42

Good question....5000 hours is a long time...aswell as 5 years...

**ZDP-189** · 10-04-2007, 23:01

There's no way.

I'm some 35lbs below the maximum rated weight of my HH Hyperlight Asym and after very light use, I can see stretching in the stitches around the reinforcing pad at the bottom of the closure. The Velcro also has so much trouble staying shut that I am considering lacing. The fabric is fairly light duty considering pointy elbows and potential scrapes on the ground. Then there's the lines; I know I'd burn the lines or straps tightening if I'm not careful.

5 years? No, I'd give it six month's worth of weekends, max.

**slowhike** · 10-05-2007, 05:42

maybe that was an estimated 500 hours in ed's hammock. i can't remember.

i haven't kept track of which hammock i used for how long, but i've spent every night in a hammock for about 2 & 1/2 years now.
the majority of those nights were spent in about 4 different hammocks as best i can remember... an ENO double, & the others DIY.

the one i'm using now (seen in my avatar & the hot springs pictures) i've been using since feb 07. ...tim

**stoikurt** · 10-05-2007, 08:19

I think I heard the 5,000 number about Ed's hammock before. 500 is definitley not very long. Tim, you said you've been in the same hammock sin February. Assuming Feb. 1 and 8 hours per night that equals 1,960 hours on your hammock.

**smithobx** · 10-05-2007, 09:13

[QUOTE=nogods;30648]I noticed on the Claytor site he states that his jungle hammock should last "five years of hard use" - I'm not sure what he means by "hard use" but I do wonder why he picked 5 years.

According to his site, Claytor provides hammocks to serveral millitary units,so I suspect that is where he gets the 5 year number based on past durability. I have about 25 nights in my Claytor and can see no signs of wear at all. I expect it will last at least 5 years with normal use and if not left hanging in the sun for extednded periods.

**Rat** · 10-05-2007, 12:24

I spent Eighteeen months in my HH Eped when I was here in Iraq the first time without a failure or an apparent weak spot. the only trouble I had is when I clipped my light thru the bug net one night and made a hole, but even that hasn't been an issue. Of course, it was inside so no UV damage either, but I do like to swing myself to sleep

!

**slowhike** · 10-05-2007, 20:12

Originally Posted by stoikurt

I think I heard the 5,000 number about Ed's hammock before. 500 is definitley not very long. Tim, you said you've been in the same hammock sin February. Assuming Feb. 1 and 8 hours per night that equals 1,960 hours on your hammock.

i guess it's time to beef up the crash padding between my hammock & the hard wood floor