Weight limits

**nogods** · 11-05-2007, 21:02

although i've lost over 20 pounds over the last two months, i'm still over 240 lbs and will probably end up going no lower than 220, so I give special consideratio to the weight limit stated for hammocks.

Is that limit based on the design, or hammock material, or the support system? I thought I read somewhere that a HH comes with ropes rated at 250 but could be replaced with ropes rated at 350 lbs, suggesting that the load limit is mostly dependent on the support ropes.

The JRB bridge hammock says it has a load limit of 225 - which would always be too close to my target weight - is that a function of the ropes or its design?

Most of the least expensive hammocks state load limits of 300 or more (travel hammock, eno, treklite. etc) - is that because of the rope or the parchute material they use?

**skar578** · 11-05-2007, 21:08

I think it is both, as the light racer HH has a smaller weight limit due to the fact that the material is so thin.

**FanaticFringer** · 11-05-2007, 21:09

The Hennessy Explorer Ultralight for example has a 1600lb. rated rope.
I believe most of the ratings are based on the hammock body. They probably underestimate the weight limit due to liability issues.

**Old Grouse** · 11-06-2007, 07:22

I spoke with a young lady at HH about this, and she said that they also plan on some added equipment weight. So if you're pushing the limit of the hammock, just be sure to limit the gear you hang at night.

**daibutsu** · 11-06-2007, 08:17

Typical American standards call for the weight limit to be halved; Of course it is never a good idea to push the envelope...you are in.

**Cannibal** · 11-06-2007, 08:34

Originally Posted by nogods

although i've lost over 20 pounds over the last two months

Great job nogods! When I decided to start hiking again almost a year ago I was right around 245; scale said 213 this morning. My motiviation was to be able to hang without worry, so I know how you feel.

So far, the only hammocks I've had any problem with have been the cheapo mayan or brazillian hammocks that I've bought for home sleeping. In every instance the issue has been with the suspension, never the hammock material. I even got brave enough at 230ish to sleep in a 1.1 ripstop hammock overnight; hung very low. No issues, but I didn't sleep very soundly that night.

**Just Jeff** · 11-06-2007, 20:58

Just an opinion, but I think most hammock ratings are based more on liability than anything else. I've never seen any talk of manufacturers actually testing their hammocks to see what the real numbers are. Hopefully they did some calculations, though.

And with the underestimating and gear allowance, hammocks can hold a lot more than advertised. I know I've had over 250 lbs in my HH rated at 200...never even heard a creak.

**kohburn** · 11-07-2007, 08:04

i know my wife and i have both been inside her HH expedition at the same time no issue

**Rapt** · 11-07-2007, 11:14

I'd say they're rated for manufacturer comfort rather than safety.

My homemade 1.9 ripstop hammock has had 350 lbs of active people in it, bouncing and swinging around without any signs of failure or even impending doom.

**nogods** · 11-07-2007, 13:34

Originally Posted by Rapt

I'd say they're rated for manufacturer comfort rather than safety.

My homemade 1.9 ripstop hammock has had 350 lbs of active people in it, bouncing and swinging around without any signs of failure or even impending doom.

Ah...i gues the real test would be 350 lbs of people having sex in a hammock