Polyester hammock. Why have I used nylon for so long ?

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

So I've been using up some of the left over fabric I have and noticed some blue ripstop that matched well in colour with 10m of braided 4mm line I also had knocking about.

On closer inspection I noticed that it was a micro ripstop polyester of about 1oz. Being that it was spare I decided to use it anyway to make a 10.5' double layer gathered end hammock. I also knocked up a pair of whoopies with the braid from English braids, it matched

HOLY COW it is the most comfortable hammock I've ever used but a clear margin ! The colour is ghastly, the noise it makes is irritating but this is definitely my new favourite hammock. The lay is by far the flattest with non of the sagging bum I usually experience. and even more surprising it reduces heel pressure, which is my main gripe with hammocks.

But the question remains; why on earth are nearly all the hammocks nylon?

(indecently any one fancy buying a nylon hammock or two ? )

[nothermark]

Not sure they are. AFAIK Hennessy uses polyester and I would not be surprised to find out the other big producers also use it.

[Scotty Von Porkchop]

I got a go in a Hennessey and I was pretty sure it was nylon. I maybe wrong as I didn't pay all that much attention to it being small, claustrophobic and made in china.

[MattBigmonster]

I had recently had a little email exchange with PapaSmurf from Dreamhammocks about the fabric for me and he really support polyester over nylon for SL hammocks and heavier people (I'm 245 pounds). That is what he is using personaly fot exactly this reason, to avoid the stretchines and bum sag. Even his website states that polyester gives you flatter firmer lay (look under "fabric"):
http://www.dream-hammock.com/Choosing.html

[gmcttr]

The tablecloth hammocks are polyester and at least three of Grand Trunk's hammocks are as well.

I think the predominance of ripstop nylon being used in DIY hammocks is due to the ready availability with the weights given. In other words, it is a known quantity.

Usually when the use of polyester comes up, it is someone asking if it would be suitable to use and not knowing the weight (and sometimes the weave), most of us can't answer.

I happened to order some polyester fabric to try as a bridge hammock today.

[BrianWillan]

I have made a couple of bridge hammock from the polyester crinkle taffeta tablecloths and they are great and very comfortable. That fabric comes out at 2.6 ounces per square yard, so not much more than a dual layer 1.1 nylon that many use and less weight than a dual layer 1.7 oz/sq yd or dual layer 1.9 oz/sq yard, that many heavier people need to use to accommodate their weight.

Cheers

Brian

[SilvrSurfr]

I do like my poly tablecloth hammocks and I also have a BIAS Hiker Lite in polyester. I prefer poly to nylon.

[JToon]

I don't know a thing about the debate between polyester or nylon, but looking at your photos I noticed the green zip tie. We use these to hold wire bundles from chafing in aircraft all the time, and have found that when cut off with a regular side cutter or wire cutter they leave a sharp end on them. The scars on my hands and arms would prove this to be true. If you would purchase what is called a flush cutter it would give you a cleaner finished product and less chance of the zip tie to cut you at some point while packing or unpacking it.

[Zilla]

The tablecloth hammocks are polyester and at least three of Grand Trunk's hammocks are as well.

I think the predominance of ripstop nylon being used in DIY hammocks is due to the ready availability with the weights given. In other words, it is a known quantity.

Usually when the use of polyester comes up, it is someone asking if it would be suitable to use and not knowing the weight (and sometimes the weave), most of us can't answer.

I happened to order some polyester fabric to try as a bridge hammock today.

I have been looking at some of the polyester blends over at magna fabrics and wondering the same thing.
Are you using tc poly for your bh or something else?, also let us know how it turns out!

[gmcttr]

...and less chance of the zip tie to cut you at some point while packing or unpacking it.

Or the fabric. Being too cheap to buy the correct cutter, I hit the sharp points with a fine fill on any zip ties that might get me...think mountain bike.