Zipper Size

**XTrekker** · 07-04-2013, 19:50

Think I could get away from the #5 Coil zippers and use a #3 Coil zippers for an integrated bug net with zipper side entrance on a DIY hammock?

Would like to shave the weight by swapping the #5 for #3 but I am worried that the #3 may not be strong enough to handle the noseeum pulling on it. Anybody got any experience with #3s on bug nets? I'll probably limit the zipper to one side to cut down on weight so it will only be pulling on the zipper on one side and stitched directly to hammock on other side.

**Cranky Bear** · 07-04-2013, 20:08

I could very well be wrong but I believe all of PapaSmurfs hammocks use #3's. I know my Darien UL has one and it has been fine so far. But anything could happen.

WV · 07-04-2013, 20:10

I use #3s almost exclusively.

**Cranky Bear** · 07-04-2013, 20:11

Sorry I was incorrect in my previous statement as I just looked on his site and it appears that the Thunderbird is the only one that uses a #5, the rest are #3's.

**PapaSmurf** · 07-04-2013, 20:13

The ThunderBird hammock would also have a #3 zipper if I could get them in that size.
I think a #3 zipper is plenty strong enough for the needs of most folks.

**XTrekker** · 07-04-2013, 22:20

Thanks for the feedback guys. Time to order a #3 zipper.

**The Old Boot** · 07-04-2013, 23:05

I used #3 for the bug-net on my DIY bridge hammock but I toughened the whole thing up by using grosgrain between the noseeum and the zipper and again between the hammock itself and the zipper. In particular, I wanted some distance between the fabrics and the zipper teeth so it would be harder to catch either of them in the zipper.