I recently clipped 'biners of my kit onto prepared tree straps in the dark, needlessly and foolishly without a headlamp. So, of course, I couldn't check to see that it was sound. But, it seemed right, including the feel and resistance of the taut Leighlo UQ sides as I tested with a gradual sit-down before getting in.
It all crashed immediately at one end as I climbed in, hammock not having been connected to the foot-end strap as I had expected, but instead very temporarily hanging from the UQ suspension.
Damage to the UQ? Minute and trivial -- All of it in one snapped plastic mitten hook which Leighlo (on advice of Director of Research, Development, and Testing Hangnout?) has included in the suspension of each end.
Message: I did something stupid in the dark. But instead of tearing out the fabric of the UQ at the corners, a $.25 replaceable mitten hook was sacrificed, due to good design.
I'm in favor of shorter and likely stronger shock cord than commonly provided. But, I'll include a mitten hook, strong enough for its purpose of supporting 1lb - 2lb UQ and tensioning to pull it taut. Better, I think, than anything metal.
There's another caution here, too. We're finding it convenient to use Dyneema cord which is often much stronger than necessary. It shifts likely failure points.
And, thanks to Leighlo (and, likely Hangnout) for the lesson.
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