Suspension Question for 2018 AT Thru Hike

[gbolt]

I have always used Cinch Buckles on my WBBB. I have found ways to minimize wet straps on short trips under five days long. However, after Spiguyvers Suspenion Video (dang him, lol), I am questioning switching up my suspension. For a Thru Hike would you stick with the Cinch Buckle System or switch to a method that allows for a separate storage of Suspension straps? If you choose a different system, what do you suggest that will work on a Thru Hike that is lightweight but will allow easy set up and takedown?

PS it would help me if suggestions for Suspensions (other than my WBBB Cinch Buckles) can all be purchased from Dutch (I already have Dutch Clips and like the idea of his woopie hooks). Thanks in advance for all suggestions. I am really at a loss as to whether I spend more funds and learn a new method prior to my departure for Springer in March.

[Phantom Grappler]

I leave whole suspension attached to hammock. I'm not a through hiker. I had kevlar straps and switched to Dutch's blue dyneema straps with black racing stripes. These straps are very strong, very light, and pack down real small. After hiking all day I wouldn't want to look through pack three times wondering if they are still on tree--way back yonder. These straps pack down small enough--you can let them hang out end of hammock double ended stuff sack, if wet, and cram them into a sock on each end. Or you can make exterior side pockets on both ends of double ended stuff sack--if you are organized.
Both kinds of straps above are good for knots and ain't good for hardware.
Good luck
I'd go with you--except I'm waiting on a phone call....
If I've not told you any lies---it's cause I'm out of practice...

What you choose, will work fine, as long as you use it on one or two weekend shakedown hikes.
Use what you got and use what you like!
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[TallPaul]

I'll give my two cents but really hope you get some long distance hikers that reply as those would be the people I would listen to.
I backpack enough that simplicity matters - time to setup, adjust, etc. I haven't found much simpler than the WB cinch buckles with Dutch clips. For me I can setup and adjust quickly. They are attached to the hammock so pretty tough to leave behind but you can take the straps off the buckles if they are wet.

Ps keep us posted on the hike or if you keep a trail journal. Enjoy!

[stowe18]

I'd personally switch to either Dutch's Beetle Buckles or whoopie slings and Kevlar using a marlin spike hitch. I did a 4 day hike earlier this year in Vermont where it rained hard 2 out of the 4 days, and I sure appreciated being able to pack my wet (and sometimes tree sap covered) straps separate from my dry hammock. Wet tarp and wet straps went in outside pockets while hammock went inside the trash compactor bag with UQ's inside the backpack. Also, if you wake up in the rain and need to pack down camp, it's easy to just take the hammock off the straps and pack it in dry- leaving the wet tarp and straps for last.


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[Phantom Grappler]

Plus plus plus TallPaul and Stowe18, rely on their experience. Just don't switch suspensions the day you start your hike--try it on one or two weekend shakedown hikes.
Use what you know


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[Rain Man]

I've hiked over 2,000 miles of the AT. Whoopie slings and tree straps are my preferred method.

Enjoy your hike!

[brettwasbtd]

I'm a big fan of the J-bend that @theguywiththeeyebrows came up with. Simple, no need for extra hardware and quick to setup/take down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk-P-MVnMPk the only downside to it is that you need to have a good feel for where you want the suspension to end up, but if you are doing it every night it should come natural quickly

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[Phantom Grappler]

I've hiked over 2,000 miles of the AT. Whoopie slings and tree straps are my preferred method.

Enjoy your hike!

If it ain't broke--don't fix it
Rain Man, I know you right.


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[Ldog]

I've hiked the whole AT in five sections, the last three with a hammock. I bought it at Trail days and Dutch's crew modified it there!

Continuous loops at each end of the hammock. Whoopies, with whoopie hooks in the loops larksheaded to a loop on tree huggers.

Sweet setup allows you to easily tweak your hang, and to stow your wet suspension separately. The whoopie hooks act as rain drips.

Now Dutch is selling his new dyneema 2 tree huggers that are considerably lighter ...

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[hutzelbein]

For years I tried different suspension options but always kept returning to the Warbonnet cinch buckles. But I recently got some Dutch Beetle Buckles, and they are even better. If you get some Dyneema/Polypro webbing, you can lose quite a bit of weight but keep all of the advantages of the cinch buckles. Plus you can get away with shorter tree straps and carry some Dyneema dog bones in case you need to go wide. The Beetle Buckles are really versatile!