Please help a hammock newb

[inabag]

Longtime tent sleeper here, spent too much of my life with the guys over at backpackinglight. I have recently considered trying out a hammock. So I just bought a Nano 7, but have not gotten any suspension yet.

From what I have read, I think I want a whoopie sling suspension with webbing, and in the long run a ridge line with bug sock to compliment.

I have been looking at all the different offerings from whoopie slings, arrowhead equipment, etc. Can someone please just list out everything I need from the tree to the hammock? Can't wait to get this hanging experiment underway.

Thanks!

[Can't Wait]

Well if you are going the whoopie sling route you will need tree straps a toggle each end then the whoopies to the hammock that should set you with the hammock

[Mancat]

5-6' of webbing(for use with a marlin spike hitch)
2 Toggles or use 2 trail sticks(used with the marlin spike hitch)
Amsteel Blue(for making whoopie slings) or buy them premade

That's about it save a bugnet(cheapest one is at dphammockgear.com), tarp, and underquilt.

[Raul Perez]

6' tree strap, toggle (usually an arrow shaft) for the marlin spike hitch, whoopie sling.

Thats from the tree to the hammock.

[inabag]

Is there suspension aside from the slings that anyone recommends?

[Mancat]

to go with a nano7? I can't think of one. You want the lightest setup go with whoopies. I tried to piece together my setup when I first started, but if I had to do it again I would have just bought a Hennessy.

[TadTheTinker]

Another option would be a bunch of rope, webbing, carabiners, knots, and the like. You can put these together from items available locally. Grab a couple of cheap ratchet straps, a couple of heavy duty links and a bit of thick rope from Wal-Mart. It won't be perfect or permanent but it will get the job done. The items you need can be found in the sporting goods department (Boating section) and the automotive area. It will get you hanging this weekend pretty easy.

Almost forgot - Marlin Spike hitch, bowline, tuatline hitch, water knot, square knot - become familiar with these, they will make the above items useful more quickly.

[Shug]

Hey there inabag....I did a video series to help out the new.....Hammock How-to
I start suspension in PART 1.
Hope it helps.....
Shug

[taylo]

Arrowhead is a great company to get tree straps, whoopies, and all from. They'll get stuff in the mail to you pretty quick.

So, From Arrowhead Equipment get:
1. 6' camo polyester tree straps - just feed one loop through the other to attach to tree
2. Set of whoopie slings, two colors so you can distinguish head end. Girth hitch fixed eye of whoopie to your hammock.

From any outdoor store
1. A set of the lightest climbing carabiners they have to attach your whoopie to the stree straps.

This is my set up and is the fastest I know of. I've tried the toggles with Marlin spike hitch and didn't like it. Just my input for you.

[inabag]

@Shug: your videos are great and have been helpful as I have learned more about hammocks.

@Everyone else: Thanks for the input. I got x2 Tree straps, x2 slings, and x1 adjustable ridge line from Arrowhead. I am going to use carabiners that I have already to test everything out. If I truly like the hammock, I will end up with dutch clips, toggles, and a bug net. Oh yah, and I need to get a tarp at some point too - but I want to make sure I like the hammock first.

Thanks!