Drip line partial failure...

**PineyWood** · 08-03-2019, 15:30

Hey all,

New hanger here, I just got back from a 7 day stretch on trail, which was great in every way but one. On the first night on trail it started raining at 4 am which was my first time getting rained on in the new setup. I have drip lines on my hammock made of the yellow zing it type line that Warbonnet sells in spools, however when I got out of the hammock in the morning, the gathered ends of the hammock were wet, along with the shock cord running down to my underquilt and the draft baffles on said underquilt. The drip lines appeared to be more wet than the continuous loops and seemed to channel away SOME of the water but not all. I have the drip lines placed on my hammocks continuous loops between the hammock and the cinch buckles on the continuous loops. This seems how most people have it done, so I'm a bit confused.

Rain some knowledge on me here!

**TrailSlug** · 08-03-2019, 16:29

Shug has a great video on this topic as well as many other topics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1OXNc_JEPc

Derek Hansen also has a very good video on this topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0-uOekjcU0

**gargoyle** · 08-03-2019, 17:15

Zing it is essentially waterproof (uhmw means plastic)
Try a cotton string to absorb and reroute water.

**MAD777** · 08-03-2019, 19:00

Originally Posted by gargoyle

Zing it is essentially waterproof (uhmw means plastic)
Try a cotton string to absorb and reroute water.

Like Gargoyle said!

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**jeff-oh** · 08-03-2019, 20:37

Originally Posted by MAD777

Like Gargoyle said!

third on this. Zing-it makes a terrible drip line. You want a drip line that attracts the water.

**PineyWood** · 08-03-2019, 21:05

So simple. Thanks guys! I knew something was up. I rewatched Shug's video that TrailSlug posted and when I saw Shug using the end of his whoopie sling as a water break, it made me wonder, arent whoopies made from the same water resistant material as zing it essentially?

**TallPaul** · 08-03-2019, 21:18

Yep cotton shoestrings work great.
Also if you use webbing in your hammock suspension, put a few twists in it - amazing how much water will flow down it if it is flat.
And be sure the drip lines are under the tarp.
7 days - sounds like a fun trip.

**Miquel Westano** · 08-03-2019, 22:44

Originally Posted by PineyWood

Hey all,

New hanger here, I just got back from a 7 day stretch on trail, which was great in every way but one. On the first night on trail it started raining at 4 am which was my first time getting rained on in the new setup. I have drip lines on my hammock made of the yellow zing it type line that Warbonnet sells in spools, however when I got out of the hammock in the morning, the gathered ends of the hammock were wet, along with the shock cord running down to my underquilt and the draft baffles on said underquilt. The drip lines appeared to be more wet than the continuous loops and seemed to channel away SOME of the water but not all. I have the drip lines placed on my hammocks continuous loops between the hammock and the cinch buckles on the continuous loops. This seems how most people have it done, so I'm a bit confused.

Rain some knowledge on me here!

Don't use any kind of synthetic line for drip lines. I use lamp wicking I got at ace hardware, but cotton shoe string works great. As the water runs down your suspension the drip line needs to absorb it and then drip it out the bottom. The synthetic just wont catch the water to turn it.

**PineyWood** · 08-04-2019, 01:14

Originally Posted by TallPaul

Yep cotton shoestrings work great.
Also if you use webbing in your hammock suspension, put a few twists in it - amazing how much water will flow down it if it is flat.
And be sure the drip lines are under the tarp.
7 days - sounds like a fun trip.

By twists, do you mean twists in the webbing between the tree and the buckles? The trip was fun indeed, a buddy and I did Section J of the PCT here in WA. Beautiful section.

**TallPaul** · 08-04-2019, 01:35

Originally Posted by PineyWood

By twists, do you mean twists in the webbing between the tree and the buckles? The trip was fun indeed, a buddy and I did Section J of the PCT here in WA. Beautiful section.

Yea literal twists in the webbing between the tree and the hammock. That allows less water to gather up on the webbing before it hits your water break.

Totally jealous of the hike. Used to live in Portland and miss the mountains of the PNW.