DIY UQ - are adjustable ends necessary?

**BackpackerGuy** · 12-18-2013, 23:42

I have made my 3/4 length DIY UQ from a re-purposed down sleeping bag. I have channels on all 4 sides for the shock cord - sides for sliding end-to-end to adjust it under me, and the ends with barrel-locks to gather it to retain heat and keep out the cold.
My question is this: why / how often do the ends need to be adjusted? If you adjust the gathered ends (with the shock cord and barrel locks) to fit your hammock, why would they ever need to be adjusted?
Seems to me once the ends are adjusted to how you typically sleep, and the ends nicely cup the hammock, why would you fiddle with it?
And, if there's not a need to fiddle with it, then why not permanently sew in the shock cord to the length that gives you the appropriate gather on each end?
Make sense?
What am I missing here?
I am a Noob, so go easy on me.

Thanks..

**pepsiaddict60** · 12-19-2013, 00:09

Owning more then one hammock and venting for warmer temperatures.

**gmcttr** · 12-19-2013, 09:42

Face it, you're on HF so you will end up with more than one hammock.

**Cali** · 12-19-2013, 11:59

Originally Posted by gmcttr

Face it, you're on HF so you will end up with more than one hammock.

Tis true, so true!!!!!

**FLScouthanger** · 12-19-2013, 18:50

Originally Posted by Brad49426

I have made my 3/4 length DIY UQ from a re-purposed down sleeping bag. I have channels on all 4 sides for the shock cord - sides for sliding end-to-end to adjust it under me, and the ends with barrel-locks to gather it to retain heat and keep out the cold.
My question is this: why / how often do the ends need to be adjusted? If you adjust the gathered ends (with the shock cord and barrel locks) to fit your hammock, why would they ever need to be adjusted?
Seems to me once the ends are adjusted to how you typically sleep, and the ends nicely cup the hammock, why would you fiddle with it?
And, if there's not a need to fiddle with it, then why not permanently sew in the shock cord to the length that gives you the appropriate gather on each end?
Make sense?
What am I missing here?
I am a Noob, so go easy on me.

Thanks..

As others have stated, mainly for options to fit it on other hammocks or to vent. Also keep in mind that your shock cord may lose some of it's elasticity over time; if it is sewn you wouldn't have any means to adjust for the loss of elasticity.