Is the "ring buckle" suspension dead?

[readyme]

I am new to hammocks, but I have experience with the outdoors and rescue work. The 2 ring with webbing suspension makes sense to me, and I have used it before...but it seems that nobody is using this system anymore.
Everyone now is using whoopie slings apparently due to weight savings...but I guess I just don't get it. How much weight are you saving, and are there risks involved with the new whoopie sling and marlin spike setup? Honestly the attachment to the marlin spike seems like the likely place where it will just fall off and thus fail.
Anyway, I am looking at getting a nice hammock and am wondering what system to go with...it seems that price is pretty close.
Thanks for your help.

[mountainhanger]

No way is it dead, switch back from tttg uses it. I have it on two of my diy hammocks. Hyoh as they say

[DuctTape]

I still use my cinch buckle setup. Similar to the ring setup. The major benefit I see is the entire suspension remains attached to the hammock at all times. No chance of losing, or leaving any straps, ropes, or toggles. Not to mention the superfast setup. Clip and cinch, done! This "outweighs" the minimal weight savings I could achieve with a different setup.

[HamMike]

I used whoopie slings for awhile. Every hammock in my house has rings now. I think it's simpler IMO. You can get in between some tighter trees too.

[Tendertoe]

Plenty still use it.

I've gone back and forth but always come back to the rings and buckles.

Whoopies work fine too though.

If arborists trust their life and limb (no pun intended) to whoopies. Hanging dozens of feet off the ground, I see no reason why one would be concerned using them to hang inches of the ground in a hammock.

If one were concerned about a whoopie slipping off from behind the marlin spike hitch, you could always girth hitch the whoopie behind the marlin spike hitch

Both systems have their benefits and drawbacks, but each is safe and functional when used properly.

[dkurfiss]

I am using the 2 ring system on my HH ropes. Works like a champ.

If I was doing distance hiking I would move to whoopie slings but I am not so the rings work just fine for me with out the need to change out the suspension.

[Alamosa]

I am new to hammocks, but I have experience with the outdoors and rescue work. The 2 ring with webbing suspension makes sense to me, and I have used it before...but it seems that nobody is using this system anymore.

I hope not, I just taught our whole troop how to build hammocks using them.

I especially like the webbing/ring type suspension in winter because it is easier to work with while wearing gloves.

Everyone now is using whoopie slings apparently due to weight savings...but I guess I just don't get it. How much weight are you saving, and are there risks involved with the new whoopie sling and marlin spike setup? Honestly the attachment to the marlin spike seems like the likely place where it will just fall off and thus fail.

After adjusting the whoopie sling, make an overhand knot around the lines of the whoopie sling using the tail of the webbing. It doesn't have to be tight, but will hold the whoopie loop together so that i can not slip off.

[oldgringo]

If/when Dutch comes out with a titanium cinch buckle, it will be a stake in the heart of the ring buckle suspension.

Dutch, I'm waiting. Patiently. Or not.

[Bubba]

I still have them on one of my hammocks. If I didn't have a couple of set of Dutch's cinch buckles I'd probably have the ring buckles on more of them. Both the rings and Dutch's adjust very easily compared to the Warbonnet buckles but the ring buckles need a half hitch to back it up whereas the Dutch cinch buckles do not.

With regards to weight saving or bulk savings it depends on your frame of mind. Ultralight backpacker count grams because they add up. It's not always necessarily about weight but the percentage of weight savings. If you can cut off 30% off 10 items then that can really add up.

[pgibson]

Rings are by no way dead....Nor are cinch buckles. We sell a load of rings and buckles every week. More in recent months than probably ever before. We are re-ordering more inventory almost every week to keep up.