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  1. #1

    Ropes vs fabric for the ends of the hammock

    Hi,

    Maybe it has been discussed before but I was unable to find the right keywords: some hammocks are one piece of fabric till the ends, some have ropes to go from head/feet to attach point.

    What are the pros and cons: I assume with ropes is lighter but all fabric is stronger/more durable. What about catching rain, setup, and other practical aspects? I would tend towards ropes for weight, how much does it compromise robustness?

  2. #2
    Senior Member sclittlefield's Avatar
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    There is definitely the issue of ropes ripping out of the hammock fabric. I have a feeling the weight savings would be negligible, but I could be wrong.

    More important for me however is the issue of bugs. You'd need a full mosquito netting cocoon to keep them out, and there go your weight savings.

    It's certainly workable though. Just not my first choice.
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  3. #3
    Senior Member titanium_hiker's Avatar
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    tangle. ropes tangle.

    I wouldn't expose the ends of a rope hammock to the elements- my whole hammock goes under a tarp. Also- water likes to run down things, and wet ropes will be 1) gross 2)weaker (I think.) and 3) possibly wet the rest of the hammock, and your bedding.

    TH
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  4. #4
    Senior Member headchange4u's Avatar
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    When you say fabric, are you talking about webbing straps?

    One of our members, GrizzlyAdams, just made some awesome videos that discuss the merits of both rope and webbing suspension systems. Great primer for those just starting out. Check out these videos.

    A Brief Primer on Hammock Suspension, Part I : webbing


    A Brief Primer on Hammock Suspension, Part II : cord
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  5. #5
    No, I was refering to the part of the hammock up your head and down your feet where the fabric (or alternatively the ropes) gather in a single point to be attached.

    Sorry for the awkward description, English not my primary language.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by titanium_hiker View Post
    tangle. ropes tangle.

    I wouldn't expose the ends of a rope hammock to the elements- my whole hammock goes under a tarp. Also- water likes to run down things, and wet ropes will be 1) gross 2)weaker (I think.) and 3) possibly wet the rest of the hammock, and your bedding.

    TH
    I think you want the tarp to cover the whole length, be it ropes or fabric; it would not matter.

    Tangling is of course one potential issue.

    Overall fabric all the way seems simpler and stronger.

  7. #7
    Senior Member titanium_hiker's Avatar
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    Have you seen Risk's site? (http://www.imrisk.com/)

    it's what got me into hammock DIY, and the information on there is "old school" - what I mean is it was written before all the information and experiments on different suspension systems happened.

    It might be helpful to "go back to basics" and start from their with a clear picture in your head.

    Scroll down for the hammock DIY guides.

    TH
    my hammock gear weights total: 2430g (~86oz)
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    (see my profile for detailed weights)

    gram counter, not gram weenie!

  8. #8
    Senior Member Heber's Avatar
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    Byer hammocks have ropes or strings rather than material as the ends of the hammock. I'm not sure if there is a weight advantage. There is a disadvantage to some kinds of string because of the stretch.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    The idea of rope ended hammocks is Brazilian in origin. Random pic from Google:



    I am a HUGE fan of this style of hammock! I sleep in one every night at home. I have a few Mayans and a couple of Nicaraguan style hammocks too, but the Brazilians are tops in my book. My theory is that because the fabric is supported by multiple attachment points, you don't get the ridges or bumps in the fabric like you do with a single attachment point. It allows the hammock material to conform to your body even better. When I sleep in the basement and it's pitch black, I get a real sense of sensory deprivation because there comes a point when I can't 'feel' the hammock below me.

    The Byer model is a nice try, but comes up a little short in my book (literally). A traditional Brazilian hammock is usually around 12' - 14' long, but the bigger issue with the Byer rig is the width of the fabric; it just isn't wide enough for a large person to get that 'Brazilian feel'.

    Tangling when used in a backpacking environment is the bane of my existence. I have a couple of methods that work OK for keeping the lines tangle-free so it can be done. If they make them a few inches wider, I'd carry it more often. Brazilians Rule!
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  10. #10
    Senior Member Cannibal's Avatar
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    Oh, and I wouldn't worry much about the lines ripping away from the hammock fabric. The one I sleep in most nights has well over 300 nights on it including some 'private time' with my girl. There is absolutely no sign of fatigue or anything else that would cause me concern with the connections. They are pretty darn solid.
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