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  1. #1
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    Safe/safer to use a biner as toggle?

    I came across a youtube vid of a guy that uses a climbing biner instead of a toggle with a marlin spike. His logic is that it won't slip out and is in general more secure.
    What I noticed was that he was actually clipping into the biner instead of looping over the biner as a toggle. So in effect, he is not applying the weight to the knot below the toggle, but to the biner and the loop that it is clipped on.

    My question is, 1. is this safe (assuming a properly rated biner is used) and 2. is this in fact safer than using a toggle (not that I've heard of anyone having a toggle slip out).

    I would assume that other than degrading the strength of the strap with a knot, all would be fine. but I figured I would toss it up for debate.

  2. #2
    Senior Member anvil440's Avatar
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    I've used a biner through the loop hole of the marlin spike hitch and have had no trouble at all. I weigh close to 300lbs too, so I put some stress on those biners. The knot also came undone pretty easy as well.

    Tip: Pull that knot tight, otherwise it could slacken up quite a bit when you lay down in the hammock requiring you to readjust.

  3. #3
    Senior Member fallkniven's Avatar
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    The main advantage of using a carabiner over a toggle, is there's no chance of the sling slipping off the knot during setup/adjustments.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Picaro's Avatar
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    You can use a loop of bungie to the same effect...

    Sorry, insert failed, but the link should be good
    Last edited by Picaro; 01-11-2013 at 22:38. Reason: insert image fail !

  5. #5
    Senior Member breyman's Avatar
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    Should be fine - just make sure the biner is rated properly.

    Those that use a toggle (or stick, etc.) do so because they're lighter.
    Brian
    Denver, CO
    Father. Husband. Scoutmaster.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Catavarie's Avatar
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    You can use a biner to hook into if you wish. I've never heard of a whoopie coming off the MSH when loaded so long as everything is done properly (on the knot, not on the toggle), but a few people claim have had their whoopie slip off when the hammock wasn't loaded. I've never seen this happen on any of my hammocks no matter whoopie material, toggle size, weight of hammock, nor amount of wind. And yes the toggle is lighter weight than the biner.
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  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Catavarie View Post
    You can use ...
    This has been my experience as well. Never had a problem, but I do tend to glance at both ends to double check as I'm about to sit down, but I do that with any type of suspension.

  8. #8
    Senior Member OldRagFreeze's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Catavarie View Post
    You can use a biner to hook into if you wish. I've never heard of a whoopie coming off the MSH when loaded so long as everything is done properly (on the knot, not on the toggle), but a few people claim have had their whoopie slip off when the hammock wasn't loaded. I've never seen this happen on any of my hammocks no matter whoopie material, toggle size, weight of hammock, nor amount of wind. And yes the toggle is lighter weight than the biner.
    It's happened to me already and I'm new to that style of suspension. The problem is when I set the suspension but don't tension it immediately. Once I tug on the whoopies they sit down in the MSH and stay put but before that they seem to slip down to the toggle easily. See signature.

    Edit: Should say I mean the whoopie has slipped off the knot when NOT loaded... Never when loaded, I'd be a lot more upset about that.
    "We're the Sultans of Swing."

  9. #9
    Senior Member SmokeBait's Avatar
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    I've done both methods many, many times without any issue. Toggles are my choice when backpacking but will tend to use a carabiner when car camping. I climb the adj. loop of the whoopie sling in when I do us the carabiner. I recommend climbing rated biners.

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the feedback

    Thanks for all the feedback. I haven't had the toggle slip other than during setup, but I like the robustness of the biner solution. I'm not counting grams just yet, but I will be using the suspension rated Dutch biners. So I'm not paying too much of a weight penalty. Plus I just like to multitaskers in my bag whenever possible. Glad to hear others are using this technique with success.
    Thanks again.

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