What's with Whoopies?

**just hangin' out** · 10-01-2011, 08:36

It seems that the most popular method of suspension is Whoopie slings. From what I can tell, the real strengths of the Whoopies is the ease of setup and adjustment. They are also lighter weight than many stock suspension systems, but could they be lighter?

I think that a real gram weenie might be able to shave off several ounces by just lashing a single amsteel support directly to the webbing straps, like the HH method. My reasoning is that the length of amsteel needed would be shorter, there is no toggle needed, and the webbing straps could be considerably shorter than 6 feet for each side (of course depending of the average tree size in your area).

Many people prefer the ease of setup that the Whoopies provide, but if weight were a bigger priority (if one were trying to go ultralight with a hammock) would this be a good option? What do you all think?

**JPsax** · 10-01-2011, 08:41

You ever seen The all in one systems ? You could even cut down the size of the tree strap or make you own allin one and you'll have easy lightweight effective system. Jacks r better has one whoopieslings.com has one. I think arrowhead equip. Has one. Not sure about that last one but check it out. There's a million places to get a suspension and whoopies arenot for everyone. Maybe a cinch buckle is your thing.

**R00K** · 10-01-2011, 08:46

Originally Posted by just hangin' out

It seems that the most popular method of suspension is Whoopie slings. From what I can tell, the real strengths of the Whoopies is the ease of setup and adjustment. They are also lighter weight than many stock suspension systems, but could they be lighter?

I think that a real gram weenie might be able to shave off several ounces by just lashing a single amsteel support directly to the webbing straps, like the HH method. My reasoning is that the length of amsteel needed would be shorter, there is no toggle needed, and the webbing straps could be considerably shorter than 6 feet for each side (of course depending of the average tree size in your area).

Many people prefer the ease of setup that the Whoopies provide, but if weight were a bigger priority (if one were trying to go ultralight with a hammock) would this be a good option? What do you all think?

The straps only need to be slightly longer than you think the trees will be thick. So most people who backpack around the Appalachians get away with using 4' straps. Also, whoopies can be made by lighter material than amsteel (dynaglide), and are adjustable, where as one single length of amsteel is not. That's a big limitation right there.

You can also use evenly spaced small sticks (8-10) as a spacer between the whoopie and the tree and not even bring straps.

**just hangin' out** · 10-01-2011, 19:45

Is there anywhere to find regular 2mm dynaglide at lengths less than 150 feet? Maybe like 50 feet.

I will have to try the spacer sticks and see how I like it. Thanks for the ideas!

**Hawk-eye** · 10-01-2011, 19:52

Actually for simple ease of use ... I like and prefer a set of Arrowhead light weight straps and buckles with of course a Dutch clip! But I use Whoopie's and straps cause their fun to use and fun to say

... little more fiddling around till you figure them out but they work great. But I do find myself going back to straps only from time to time!

Spacer sticks ... nawh ... to much fiddle factor ... and if you find you have to move the whoopie location up ... really gets complicated. Give it a try ... you'll also find that the whoopie doesn't "bite" into and stay on the spacer sticks like it would on the bark ... and you don't want to use it directly on the tree ... ever ... so not for me. Just get some of the Arrowhead straps ... they weigh nothing to amount to anything.