Cuben Fiber Hammocks

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05-21-2010, 00:33
Mountainfitter

Cuben Fiber Hammocks

As some of you might know. I built and tested several cuben fiber hammocks over the last few months. I love how cuben fiber hammocks lay (flat) and felt like it was the perfect hammock material. I had even planned to offer them for sale in the future.

I however have decided to abandon this idea after a hammock failed while being used by a beta tester last weekend. The tester was moving around in the hammock after spending a night in it when it failed. Luckily he was only 12" off soft ground and was un-injured. The hammock was built using CT2K.08 which is a .75oz a yard material and has a break strength of 105lbs/inch.

The beta tester was testing the difference between the channel end and the gathered end. The failure took place 18" down from the gathered end which signifies this was a material issue and not a manufacturing issue. At first I thought it might have to do with how the end was "gathered" but after seeing pictures of the failure I realized that a failure like this could occur with a channel end as well.

I sent the hammock to a Materials Engineer and a Materials Scientist and they concluded that the CT2K.08 might not be an appropriate material since prolonged overloading could cause a failure. They suggested that I use a heavier/stronger material but due to the nature of the material this would not guarantee anything.

We are all fascinated by this awesome material but I think it has limitations and one of those limitations is being used as a hammock.

I am not going to discredit the use of the heavier material at this time because I cannot say whether a failure would or could occur. I just want to offer this post as a disclaimer. If you decide to build a cuben fiber hammock please use the hammock with care.

Here are some photos of the failure.

http://cache.backpackinglight.com/ba...9368_25624.jpg

http://cache.backpackinglight.com/ba...9404_25625.jpg

http://cache.backpackinglight.com/ba...9431_25626.jpg

http://cache.backpackinglight.com/ba...9462_25627.jpg
05-21-2010, 01:58
jdempsey

Man, that sucks... I was really hoping to see this develop into a viable UL option, although I've got to say I was never convinced laminated dyneema was appropriate for this application..

The physical stresses that go on in hammocking seem complex. A featherweight woven dyneema would seem ideal to me..

Honestly, the whole spectra/dyneema thing likely wont reach full potential until some superior material of the same sphere comes into existence which forces it to evolve (get cheaper).
05-21-2010, 05:24
SGT Rock

Thanks for the update. I was thinking about buying some of that stuff to try the idea out. Looks like I can save that time and money. Still sounds good as a tarp though.
05-21-2010, 07:05
SmokeHouse

WOW,,, thanks for the info... sorry it didn't work out, but better to know now than later.
05-21-2010, 07:17
BLUEFIN 774

Too bad it did not work out. It Is much better to be safe when using this gear. I applaud you for letting the forum see the photos and warn others about the potential dangers of this material as it is now for use as a hammock.:eek:
05-21-2010, 07:35
NCPatrick

Wow, thanks for the pictures. That really puts it in perspective for me. Thanks for posting and saving folks a lot of time and $$$.
05-21-2010, 07:46
WV

Mountainfitter,
That's bad news for those of us who were planning to try cuben hammocks, but your willingness to share details and photos can only help your endeavors. Thanks!
05-21-2010, 08:02
Oh-No

What was the weight of the Beta tester?
05-21-2010, 08:06
ikemouser

Also why not try a stronger cuben fiber?
05-21-2010, 10:01
Oh-No

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikemouser

Also why not try a stronger cuben fiber?

If 0.75oz is not strong enough, then you are getting into the weight realm of 1.1oz nylon which is far cheaper than Cuben.
05-21-2010, 10:05
Cannibal

That seems an odd failure in appearances. The 'tear' looks like it was cut with a razor and straight-edge. Is this typical of cuben? I've never really played with it much. Just never seen a tear so clean and straight before. Kind of impressive in its own right.
05-21-2010, 10:13
sclittlefield

The Manufacturer reps I talked with about Cuben did mention that it has a tendency to burst without warning, as opposed to Spinn. This was observed in sails, obviously, since these materials use for backpacking is a very tiny market (and really not what the materials were designed for initially).

Thanks for sharing! Good for tarps... bad for hammocks. Got it. :)

How about Bags for gravity filters... pack covers... wash basins... etc.
05-21-2010, 10:26
ikemouser

SCITTLEFIELD,

it would be fine for those applications, significantly less weight.
05-21-2010, 10:39
Mountainfitter

Cuben Tech confirmed that this "tear" was very uncharacteristic of the material but as you can see it's possible that it can happen. As Scott said the only time this has occurred before was when a SUL cuben spinnaker would burst. This phenomenon is also common with polyester and nylon but do to the cost of cuben its a bigger deal when it happens.

I am glad the tester wasn't hurt and wanted to share this info before anyone invested any time or money into building their own cuben fiber hammock using any material lighter then the CT2K.08 .75oz material. As I said before it was recommended that a heavier material could work great but due to the nature of the material this is just speculation.

I have tested this material in alot of applications and feel its best uses would be tarps, tent flys, stuff sacks, roll top dry bags, and anything else that can take advantage of its lightweight, strong, waterproof nature.
05-21-2010, 10:42
NCPatrick

I wonder if it made a sound when it blew out. I'm thinking something like "Blam!" and then you're on the ground. I would hope that my high priced materials at least go out in a dramatic fashion.
05-21-2010, 12:12
WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by ikemouser

Also why not try a stronger cuben fiber?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh-No

If 0.75oz is not strong enough, then you are getting into the weight realm of 1.1oz nylon which is far cheaper than Cuben.

But 1.1 nylon stretches. I predict a renewed search for ripstop polyester. But that said, I still plan to make a hammock with my CT1K.08 :scared:, but I'm going to do prototypes with 1.9 ripstop first and pay careful attention to areas of stress.
05-21-2010, 13:06
Mountainfitter

You should draw a grid on the hammock to see if deforming is occurring. I suspect it would be a great way to judge the dyneema in the hammocks life?
05-21-2010, 13:32
Dutch

How much did the tester weigh. I'm not prepared to turn my cuben hammock into stuffsacks just yet.
05-21-2010, 14:07
Mountainfitter

Before I divulge anyones personal information I would need his approval. In my opinion he was within the accepted weight range. I feel that a hammock should be able to have a 300-400lb weight rating since shock loads are hard to calculate. It's the same reason climbing ropes are rated so high. It seems as weight is less of a concern then the size of your "footprint" and how you distribute the load of your body. Technically a 200lb back sleeper would put a less concentrated load on the individual fibers then a 150lb side sleeper.
05-21-2010, 16:14
WV

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountainfitter

You should draw a grid on the hammock to see if deforming is occurring. I suspect it would be a great way to judge the dyneema in the hammocks life?

Good idea.
05-24-2010, 20:45
gardenville

Cuben hammock

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch

How much did the tester weigh. I'm not prepared to turn my cuben hammock into stuffsacks just yet.

Hi,

The guy was 6 foot tall and weighed 260 pounds.
05-24-2010, 21:35
orangebananas

I still want one.
05-25-2010, 02:53
SGT Rock

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV

But 1.1 nylon stretches. I predict a renewed search for ripstop polyester. But that said, I still plan to make a hammock with my CT1K.08 :scared:, but I'm going to do prototypes with 1.9 ripstop first and pay careful attention to areas of stress.

I've been using Thru-Hiker.com 1.1 for my homemade hammock I've been developing as I have also been playing with the Nano7. There is a very minor increase in weight over what the Nano 7 uses, but one thing I have noticed is there isn't much stretch to the thru-hiker 1.1. The lay of the hammock seems pretty flat, flatter than even the Hammock Bliss hammock I've also been testing which is made of much heavier material.

I don't know all the info behind the 1.1 that thru-hiker has, but it is different than any other 1.1 I've made hammocks out of in the past.
05-25-2010, 07:33
Just Jeff

There are two types of 1.1 generally in use...one stretches much easier than the other. I think Type 66 is the less stretchy kind.

The HH ultralight hammocks are made from 1.1 and they don't stretch much after the first few uses. Not like the 1.1 Walmart nylon I made a hammock from. Stretched so much it gave me shoulder squeeze even when the hammock had lots of sag.
04-14-2012, 19:35
SGT Rock

Looking for this one too.
04-16-2012, 07:57
Cranky Bear

I see this thread has been dead for almost 2 years, but, has there been any advancement in the Cuben Hammock area?
04-16-2012, 12:42
SGT Rock

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cranky Bear

I see this thread has been dead for almost 2 years, but, has there been any advancement in the Cuben Hammock area?

After two years of thinking about it I've ordered some .75 from Moujtainfitter and plan to try it next month when I get back from my hike. See the ghost hammock thread for that discussion.
04-16-2012, 12:45
Fronkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cranky Bear

I see this thread has been dead for almost 2 years, but, has there been any advancement in the Cuben Hammock area?

The only one I have ever heard of that actually worked is Strung out's which you can see here.

I have been seriously considering making a hammock out of momentum though. I do know one person who made one successfully and has been using it for awhile.

Fronkey
04-16-2012, 13:02
SGT Rock

That is a cool hammock. Maybe if mine works I can upgrade it to something like that.
04-16-2012, 19:05
WV

First cuben hammock

Just got back from Loyalsock, carrying two hammocks - my standard down insulated 1.9 oz. nylon and a new cuben adjustable made with CT1K.18. The first two nights were cold so I stuck with the known and trusted nylon hammock augmented with an overstuffed No Sniveler as an underquilt (I sleep cold - temps were in the mid twenties both nights.) The third night it was warmer, maybe 45 or more, so I used the uninsulated cuben hammock with the NS underquilt. (1) It was very warm. (2) More importantly, it was very comfortable. The 18 adjustable cords on each end really let me fine tune it to a shape that suits me. Others tried it and seemed impressed, though some (who are too tall) wanted it longer. One brave anonymous tester determined that it will hold 230 lbs. My next move will be to replace the 600 lb. spectra end cords with lighter spectra. I've used 130 lb test for similar adjustable hammocks in the past. The hammock currently weighs about 10 oz., with dynaglide suspension whoopies. The next step after that will be to insulate it with down, using a bottom layer and baffles of CT.03K.08. Projected final weight will be under 2 lb.
04-16-2012, 19:24
Cranky Bear

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

After two years of thinking about it I've ordered some .75 from Moujtainfitter and plan to try it next month when I get back from my hike. See the ghost hammock thread for that discussion.

Thanks Rock I will def check it out!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fronkey

The only one I have ever heard of that actually worked is Strung out's which you can see here.

I have been seriously considering making a hammock out of momentum though. I do know one person who made one successfully and has been using it for awhile.

Fronkey

Thanks I had seen that thread already (after I saw it in the video of you laying in it)!

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV

Just got back from Loyalsock, carrying two hammocks - my standard down insulated 1.9 oz. nylon and a new cuben adjustable made with CT1K.18. The first two nights were cold so I stuck with the known and trusted nylon hammock augmented with an overstuffed No Sniveler as an underquilt (I sleep cold - temps were in the mid twenties both nights.) The third night it was warmer, maybe 45 or more, so I used the uninsulated cuben hammock with the NS underquilt. (1) It was very warm. (2) More importantly, it was very comfortable. The 18 adjustable cords on each end really let me fine tune it to a shape that suits me. Others tried it and seemed impressed, though some (who are too tall) wanted it longer. One brave anonymous tester determined that it will hold 230 lbs. My next move will be to replace the 600 lb. spectra end cords with lighter spectra. I've used 130 lb test for similar adjustable hammocks in the past. The hammock currently weighs about 10 oz., with dynaglide suspension whoopies. The next step after that will be to insulate it with down, using a bottom layer and baffles of CT.03K.08. Projected final weight will be under 2 lb.

I would most def "LOVE" to check out this creation!

I have been giving some thought into making one as I can tape it as I have "NO" injector skills, and tape works better IMO!
04-16-2012, 19:30
HappyCamper

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV

Others tried it and seemed impressed, though some (who are too tall) wanted it longer.

Color me impressed! I got to try it and it was very comfortable. The mini whoopie sling adjustment cords were very cool!
04-16-2012, 22:34
BER

Quote:

Originally Posted by WV

Just got back from Loyalsock, carrying two hammocks - my standard down insulated 1.9 oz. nylon and a new cuben adjustable made with CT1K.18. The first two nights were cold so I stuck with the known and trusted nylon hammock augmented with an overstuffed No Sniveler as an underquilt (I sleep cold - temps were in the mid twenties both nights.) The third night it was warmer, maybe 45 or more, so I used the uninsulated cuben hammock with the NS underquilt. (1) It was very warm. (2) More importantly, it was very comfortable. The 18 adjustable cords on each end really let me fine tune it to a shape that suits me. Others tried it and seemed impressed, though some (who are too tall) wanted it longer. One brave anonymous tester determined that it will hold 230 lbs. My next move will be to replace the 600 lb. spectra end cords with lighter spectra. I've used 130 lb test for similar adjustable hammocks in the past. The hammock currently weighs about 10 oz., with dynaglide suspension whoopies. The next step after that will be to insulate it with down, using a bottom layer and baffles of CT.03K.08. Projected final weight will be under 2 lb.

Sounds cool David. Have any pics?