cotton

**sashurlow** · 06-13-2009, 05:45

I'm thinking about my experimental hammock, so not very many nights in the woods. Has anyone tried cotton as a hammock material. It should work just fine.
I'd use nylon, but then I would have to make an order and wait for it.
Scott

**titanium_hiker** · 06-13-2009, 06:59

cotton will work fine.

Of course, cotton rots, eventually, so yeah, fine for a few nights, not so great for longer periods of time. (or a hammock that is going to be outside for ages... I've seen them break- fabric just gave way underneath someone.)

TH

**Ramblinrev** · 06-13-2009, 07:11

sashurlow... Think canvas tents/tarps. They work and they were great when it was the cutting edge of technology. But the required upkeep is intense. Any moisture has to be dried before you stow it or it has to be stored loose. It does not react to UV as do the synthetics so it has that in its favor. Many of "native" (eg Mayan) hammocks for lack of a better word are still made from cotton fibers and you can get much more varied coloers and patterns. I am not so worried about the longevity of the fabric as I am the upkeep to make sure the fabric has longevity. If you of the certain age (as I am) where canvas was the goto fabric for tents and tarps you will probably know how to care for it.

All that said, as a prototype or a test material you will find the fabric handles and feels differently. It may not transfer the lay characteristics precisely to a nylon model but hey... it's a start. Definately worth the attempt to get your feet wet so to speak.