Confused by all these options?

[AquaExp]

Hi,

I am perplexed by all these slings and hooks, webbing straps and buckles etc...

Whenever i have hung my hammock i just have a decent length of twine tied to either end of my hammock.. I then go around the tree and tie what i guess is a marlin spike hitch and just put a pre-selected stick through it from off the ground. this way i can have it as long or as short a distance as i like trees dont like to grow pre-determined distances apart in my experience...

Am I missing something by not having a ridge line does it make sleeping more comfortable? Maybe this is why i find some hammocks pull in at the shoulders?

Does anyone use something similar to me but in potential a more comfortable and well sought out manner?


Thanks a lot happy hanging!

[Cali]

First off we use straps around the trees to protect the trees. I use 12' straps I get from Harbor Freight (not sure you have them in Australia)and use an Elephant Trunk hooked into the amsteel dogbone that is run around my whipped end hammock. Being new, this may all sound confusing to you. Sorry, I don't have pics to help. The Elephant Trunks are adjustable, so setting up the hammock is very easy.

[Pipsissewa]

Hammockers strongly urge using straps around trees to protect the bark. Twine and rope cut into the trees and leave scars. This is one of the perceived issues park officials have that sometimes leads to banning hammocks.

The ridgeline allows you to set the sag of the hammock the same way every time without having to try, readjust, try again, readjust, etc. Hanging the hammock too tight is often the cause of the shoulder squeeze you have experienced. A ridgeline will help you avoid that.

The buckles, whoopie slings, toggles, etc. are the topics of endless discussion because we love to tinker, practice, perfect, experiment. There are many ways to connect the cordage on the hammock (which backpackers want to be ultra-light with as little bulk as possible) to the straps we carry to protect the trees.

The subjects of comfort, adjustability, ease of set up, weight and bulk are our obsessions. Welcome to the madness!

[oldgringo]

If it makes you feel any better, I lost interest about two years ago, and don't even try to keep up with all of this. I hang my hammock and go to sleep. The end.

[SmokeHouse]

If it makes you feel any better, I lost interest about two years ago, and don't even try to keep up with all of this. I hang my hammock and go to sleep. The end.

ditto,,, just keep it simple

[Risk]

If it makes you feel any better, I lost interest about two years ago, and don't even try to keep up with all of this. I hang my hammock and go to sleep. The end.

On the other hand, I recently got re-energized and have built at least one of nearly everything. I find it fun to try new things and find new ways to lighten my load. Lots of new ideas have been developed in the last few years. They are loads of fun to try out.

[oldgringo]

On the other hand, I recently got re-energized and have built at least one of nearly everything. I find it fun to try new things and find new ways to lighten my load. Lots of new ideas have been developed in the last few years. They are loads of fun to try out.

If I was carrying my load on my back, I'd be right there with you.

[AquaExp]

Yeh i think you guys are right...Dont think suspension systems are my main concern... already found a good system that looks perfect for me posted below...Tree huggers are a good idea for fine ropes the stuff i use is pretty heavy and soft so no trees are harmed in the hanging of my hammock... .

I have had a quick dig through the suspension stickies and think that this is probably my style:

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=4719

It looks like what i already do + a ridge line which seems about right the plus being the rope is removable.

Any thought on lighter rope than the amsteel? something ridged that easy to undo knots from a dynamic rope preferably with a core...

Happy hanging!

[Pipsissewa]

Any thought on lighter rope than the amsteel? ...

Happy hanging!

At 4.8 ounces per 100 feet and strength-rated at 1,600 pounds, you're not going to find anything lighter than 7/64th amsteel blue. True, it's slippery and doesn't hold knots well. Splicing is the way to go. Good luck!

[vwgerald]

i too fell into the latest and greatest rage in hammock suspension groove for a while, now i just use what i like and is simple for me on all of my hammocks. like others have said ,I suggest using straps of some sort on the trees though. at first i had no idea about them either, but then i noticed how much damage just using cordage or rope did to the bark on the trees.