Pros and cons of Whoopies vs. Webbing? (Pacific Northwest)

I've been digging through the forums (as this type of question has been asked a lot). But, I've got a few specific questions.

I went from a HH Explorer -> WB Blackbird w/ the webbing suspension. Absolutely LOVE it. But really haven't had it out that much yet, but compared to the HH rope, it's amazing.

But, I'm interested in trying out a whoopie sling setup. I've noticed a few mention they prefer this setup if they'll have to deal with sap much which seems true.

But what about really wet weather? Seems like keeping the webbing away from my hammock would be idea for that?

We also have some MASSIVE trees around here, and while I haven't had a problem yet, does a whoopie setup allow more freedom in setting things up? Mostly from the ability to have different strap sizes?

I was initially going to go with webbing, but will probably do whoopies instead, for the reasons you mentioned, plus I am trying to lighten my pack, and the whoopies are pretty cool.

I haven't dealt with webbing suspensions - I hit the ground running on whoopie slings. And I also haven't dealt with huge trees. Here in the Northeast, we pretty much clear cut everything so the trees aren't that big. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I go with 4 ft. tree huggers and 6 ft. whoopies. If I need extra length around the tree, I bring a few continuous loops and larkshead them onto the tree hugger.

If I ever do go to a forest with huge trees, I'll probably bring 8 ft. tree straps. However, I can't ever see needing anything longer. I hear about the convenience of a strap suspension, but it seems so heavy, and I hate buckles.

I'm sure if I ever get in a freezing rain and my whoopies lock up, I might think about straps, but I'm not sure they'd do any better in those conditions.

i use the webbing ,but have never tried the woopies.i did try the strap and line suspension,my stiff fingers did not like that at all in the cold, with stiff old man fingers.

6' Whoopies with 5' tree straps for me. Whoopies are so much easier to adjust and they are lighter and take up less volume.

I just got whoopies recently after webbing it. I can't say I find that they make that much of a difference. You need some webbing to wrap around the tree, so there's bulk there. And weight-wise you'd really have to count your grams to be happy about it. They're easy to adjust, but so I find webbing with buckles. I have them now, so I'll use them - there's nothing bad about them.

Then again, I've only used them once and that was for a trial for a couple of hours, maybe I'm in for a revelation.

I've used both-------whoopies are really light, fun to build, and crazy easy to adjust---------on the down side, your suspension has lots of pieces and its easy to forget a strap or toggle at a campsite. Webbing is all one piece, easy to use, not quite as light or easy to adjust, but still a great system--------its a little bulkier too. It also might depend on what type of hammock you use, and Ive even heard of people putting whoopies on one end, and straps on the other!-----------------also in wet weather, whoopies work fine--water runs down the loose "tail end" of the whoopie as a drip loop. Whoopies also have to be a little bit longer than straps due to the bury.

I used webbing and knots over the summer. On a MC space is at a premium, so now I'm using woopies or continuous loops, with small tree huggers, 4-5'.

One thing that you'll soon discover with whoopies versus straps is that allow for a shorter minimum distance between trees. Straps can go virtually to the end of the hammock, whereas whoopies require space for the line and then the webbing. Another benefit to straps is that if you find yourself in finger-numbing cold, straps are easier to manage and adjust than whoopies. As far as keeping the straps from getting the hammock wet, the buckles or rings act as a water break.

I've found big trees to be an issue as well with whoopies. The tulip poplars in my backyard are over 8' in circumference as are many other in old growth forests around here. Having some 12-14' straps will manage that more easily than whoopies and 8' straps.

I have both straps and whoopies, but I've been reverting back to mostly straps due to their adaptability and ease of deployment.

Best suspension IMHO (and I've tried Warbonnet straps) is 6ft whoopies with 5ft straps. I permanently attach the adjustable end of the whoopie to one end of the webbing loops. Then you just attach a soft shackle or biner to the other end of the strap. This way you will never lose a piece of your suspension and it is very lightweight. As previously mentioned you can keep a couple continuous loops for larger trees.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wisenber

One thing that you'll soon discover with whoopies versus straps is that allow for a shorter minimum distance between trees. Straps can go virtually to the end of the hammock, whereas whoopies require space for the line and then the webbing. Another benefit to straps is that if you find yourself in finger-numbing cold, straps are easier to manage and adjust than whoopies. As far as keeping the straps from getting the hammock wet, the buckles or rings act as a water break.

I've found big trees to be an issue as well with whoopies. The tulip poplars in my backyard are over 8' in circumference as are many other in old growth forests around here. Having some 12-14' straps will manage that more easily than whoopies and 8' straps.

I have both straps and whoopies, but I've been reverting back to mostly straps due to their adaptability and ease of deployment.

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HOLY BAT POOP BATMAN ... I'm agreeing ... and doing exactly what Wisenber is doing. Is that one of the signs of the Apocalypse? :scared:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I had whoopies on most of my hammocks, but am in the process of converting them to dogbones and straps with elephant trunks. I got 12' straps from Harbor Freight and Attached Elephant Trunks and attach them to the dogbones that are attached to my hammock. I have also added Dutch clips to make it much faster to hook it all up. I love this system much better than using whoopies.
Whoopies don't work well with trees close together.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wisenber

One thing that you'll soon discover with whoopies versus straps is that allow for a shorter minimum distance between trees. Straps can go virtually to the end of the hammock, whereas whoopies require space for the line and then the webbing. Another benefit to straps is that if you find yourself in finger-numbing cold, straps are easier to manage and adjust than whoopies. As far as keeping the straps from getting the hammock wet, the buckles or rings act as a water break.

I've found big trees to be an issue as well with whoopies. The tulip poplars in my backyard are over 8' in circumference as are many other in old growth forests around here. Having some 12-14' straps will manage that more easily than whoopies and 8' straps.

I have both straps and whoopies, but I've been reverting back to mostly straps due to their adaptability and ease of deployment.

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yep, all this

i used whoopies, straps and toggles for 2 years.....a year a ago i got a wbbb with straps and just find i like that set-up much better, i especially like how much quicker i can set-up and take down my hammock, along with all the other benefits.....wider spectrum of tree distances that are available with straps, and no leaving anything behind

boot

They are just choices. Comes down to what you prefer.
I like whoopie slings and straps because I get to say whoopee slings.
Straps are easy and fast. Just a bit more bulk but in the over-all it is negligible.
Shug o' Whoop

Im still new to the hammock world and only have a season under my belt but so far I dont mind having an extra ounce or two added to my pack to have my webbing. Webbing and cinch rings are waaay more easy to adjust than whoopies. I do like my whoopies but just prefer the ease of use with the webbing. If you really want to shave a few ounces and you dont mind dealing with them in the freezing rain with numb fingers then the whoopie is for you.:D

Webbing is just more versatile than whoopies. Whoopies are ounce or two lighter. Both have pros and cons. Its just a preference as to which you use.

I've also been trying to figure out trade-offs between suspension systems, so really appreciate all the comments here!

Think I'll stick with the quick and easy webbing with dutch clips this winter, which work well since my hands tend to get frozen. But will give those whoopies a try when my hands finally thaw out in the spring, because I do enjoy shaving the ounces off.

Have both. Use both.

Best thing about the whoopies is they take up less space when packed.
Best thing about straps w. cinch buckles is the simplicity.

I find the simplest thing for me is buckles or descender rings and webbing. I make a lot of hammocks for friends and this is almost all I use for that. Just like described here:

http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGe...eSupports.html

I use this on their hammocks because it's easy to do and everyone has worked a belt before so there's not much of a learning curve for beginners.

That being said I personally use whoopies about half the time. They're just fun and bulk is more of an issue to me than weight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wisenber

One thing that you'll soon discover with whoopies versus straps is that allow for a shorter minimum distance between trees. Straps can go virtually to the end of the hammock, whereas whoopies require space for the line and then the webbing. Another benefit to straps is that if you find yourself in finger-numbing cold, straps are easier to manage and adjust than whoopies. As far as keeping the straps from getting the hammock wet, the buckles or rings act as a water break.

I've found big trees to be an issue as well with whoopies. The tulip poplars in my backyard are over 8' in circumference as are many other in old growth forests around here. Having some 12-14' straps will manage that more easily than whoopies and 8' straps.

I have both straps and whoopies, but I've been reverting back to mostly straps due to their adaptability and ease of deployment.

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I have the same feeling as Wisenber. I haven't totally switched back yet and i like whoopies but i think i might switch to webbing for winter. My WBBB still has the original webbing on it ,,,i'm just going to switch to the triangular buckles. Around my area i have to carry 8' tree straps.

Whoopies slings all the way. I just got them and love them. Easy to adjust, quick to set up and **** right awesome! :)

You guys with 5' straps are lucky. Round here, it's pretty much 15' min depending on where you're going.

I have used both and for ease of use the WB Webbing Suspension is much easier and faster to set up. Whoopies are nice for the gram weeniers but its not the fastest set up. That is just my experiance.

I camp with Chuck Norris. Hammock levitates from fear of the earth he stands on.
Also, straps or any type of cordage is a good way to get whipped or hung by Chuck.

I like whoopies for the quick adjustment at the park. I like the strap & buckle system that WBBB uses just as much. Either way, you're going to need some long straps for some of the trees around here.

When I first took my kids to the park, I had to double up on my straps to get around one tree. They also got covered in pitch. I ordered a few 16' to 20' from Arrowhead and now I carry one long one and one short one (short being 12'), which gets me by.

I have used both the whoopies and straps, and as many elude, they are just choices. For myself, I like the whoopies (I like saying whoopie too!) and a minimum of an 6 foot tree straps, though on longer hikes I'll bring a set of 10 foot straps, as the trees do get huge in the back woods in the Pacific Northwest. I also bring a set of 6 foot 1/4" am steel with looped locked brummels on each end as tree strap extenders. (They make great extra cordage for side pullouts and other needs as well.)

Here's a THREAD and here's a pic:
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/a...chmentid=36113

This was my "A-Ha!" moment. I've been wrestling with this since I started hanging as I regularly deal with giant oaks and have hung many nights from giant coastal redwoods. With this as a fallback plan I've never had to do anything bigger than 7ft straps and 7ft whoopies. Picture a marlin spike where the pic shows a buckle.... done deal.

If it's not obvious I like whoopies better. If the straps get damp I just leave em in an outer pocket to dry out. FWIW I've never left components behind, and that's not meant to sound rude, just sayin...

when backpacking I use whoopies

when car camping or at home I use the webbing suspension

Here's an example of a couple of trees from the Hoh Rain Forrest. You'd need at least a 20' strap for each:

For me backpacking in the Sierras I use 5' webbings with 6' of Whoopies. Never have any problems yet. Whoopies and dutch hook for me all the way.

I've been using webbing w/ double rings or cinch buckles for a while and just recently bought a WL Lite Owl that came equipped with Whoopies.

I loved the cinch buckle system for simplicity and might replace the whoopies witht that.

One downside to whoopies is that any weight on the constriction part of the sling keeps you from adjusting. Even the weight of the hammock itself keeps you from being able to adjust the sling. It's no big deal--you have to tuck the hammock up under your arm to take the weight off the sling to adjust it, but it's a little more involved than simply pulling the webbing tight with cinch buckles.

See my suspension weight thread, it gives a pretty good look at the differences when it comes to weight.

For me I went from webbing to whoopies, (thinking that I would save weight) but the frustration level of using them, made me turn back to webbing within in a year.

As far as a trees here in the PNW I ordered a "custom" set from Brandon at WB I asked him to make me some 20footers, and they work great. Haven't had an issue yet...Some times I do carry and "extender" kit which are 2 6ft whoopies, which I can use as part of the tree strap system so that the webbing can still go through the buckles.

UCRs and 9.5' straps

Webbing, to whoopies, to single line......

And finally back to 14ft. webbing with that Dutch on rope 1 buckle. I usually have an amsteel extender thingie

I'll be putting the srs suspension on my new hammock I hope to finish tomorrow. 5-6ft straps are good for most places I'll be, if I can't hang from one tree because the tree is too wide, well... move to the next one, another great thing bout hammocks, almost unlimited spots to 'pitch'.