Tree strap length

**NHWhites** · 08-13-2015, 14:19

What is the best all around tree strap length to use? I have my eye on some Kevlar straps from Dutch but can't decide on 6' or 8' straps. I'll be using them in the New England area so I won't be strapping up to any redwoods

**OCDave** · 08-13-2015, 15:15

How about one of each? I have often enough had to hang from one more mature tree that I now carry one 6' and one 8' tree strap. I prefer to hang my hammock MSH'd directly to the tree strap but, I also carry whoopie slings and included them in my suspension as needed.

**Shug** · 08-13-2015, 16:09

Originally Posted by NHWhites

What is the best all around tree strap length to use? I have my eye on some Kevlar straps from Dutch but can't decide on 6' or 8' straps. I'll be using them in the New England area so I won't be strapping up to any redwoods

Take into account the size of the trees in your neck of the woods. I carry a 6' and a 7'. Was doing shorter but got caught short a few times. Sometimes I still do a 5' and a 6'.

Carry forth.
Shug

**NHWhites** · 08-13-2015, 16:33

I'm thinking I should err on the safe side and go with 8' lengths to start. My current suspension setup uses whoopie slings

**pnyberg** · 08-14-2015, 20:39

Some folks say that all trees in the northeast are small. These people are wrong. Most trees in the northeast are small. But some trees in the northeast are big. Usually pines, in my experience. I decided that my solution to this situation would be that I would carry one longer strap (10') and one shorter strap (6'). When I decided that I wanted to try some Kevlar straps from Dutch for this season, I sent him an email asking how I could get a pair of straps of unequal length. His was response was to order a pair of 8' straps, but add a comment that what a really wanted was a 6' strap and a 10' strap. That worked.

I just returned from a trip from to Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks, and out of 4 nights I used trees big enough to need 10' straps on two nights.

--Peter

**wolf8895** · 08-14-2015, 21:23

I use a 5 and a 7. Covers most anything I'd ever run into.

**beenaround** · 08-14-2015, 21:46

Are you guys carrying short lengths to cut weight? I've got 12' straps, which seems to be overkill from what Everyone is suggesting. I would hate to get out to a campsite and have issues due to short straps.

**billygoat** · 08-14-2015, 21:56

Originally Posted by wolf8895

I use a 5 and a 7. Covers most anything I'd ever run into.

x2

**Charliev** · 08-14-2015, 22:11

I went with 6' and they get too short in a hurry. Does not take a very big tree and you also need room for the knot if using a toggle. I ended up making 4' extensions and have had to use those several times.

**genixia** · 08-14-2015, 23:40

I use 6 ft huggers with Dutch clips in New England. My whoopies are larks-headed direct to one of the loops. My more frequent problem is finding trees far enough apart and quite often end up double wrapping a tree to lose some of the strap length. I can't remember the last time I was stuck with a tree that was too large for a 6 ft hugger. Sure those trees exist, but I don't usually have to use them.