Strength of 1/8" Shock Cord????

**c0wb0y_hubs** · 01-07-2013, 12:31

I am in the process of making an UQ from an old rectangular sleeping bag.

With it unzipped and spread out, I measured my desired width, cut it, and stitched the cut side closed.

Then, I used a lanyard cut into 2" segments to use a tabs to run cord through. The tabs or loops are about a foot apart from each other from head to toe.

My questions are:

Should I use paracord starting at the foot and ending at the head? Then, attach shock cord to those ends running up to the hammock suspension, or should I just use a longer piece of shock cord running the full length on each side?

Is 1/8" shock cord strong enough to hold up a sleeping bag?

How much stretch is expected?

Does it loose it's elasticity quickly?

These questions display my ignorance of this cord fairly well, and I'm hoping to get some good feedback on how long you've had shock cord in use, etc.

Thanks

**packeagle** · 01-07-2013, 13:00

Id say it depends on a number of factors. I had a heavy sleeping bag that I converted and it was too much for 1/8. I ended up using a cargo bungy on each end with 550 going through the middle. The cargo bungy was too much as it caused the UQ to push me off of my asmy and inline with the hammock.

**oldgringo** · 01-07-2013, 13:03

I can't answer most of your questions, but do want to comment: Asking the strength of 1/8" shock cord is akin to asking the strength of 1/8" rope. It's not all the same stuff. Some has a nylon sheath, some, polyester. The makeup of the rubber bands inside the sheath varies widely, as well. Elongation is expressed as a percentage of the unloaded length, and my gut says you want cord with a low elongation value.

A major factor in this is the weight of your sleeping bag. High end down quilts weigh mere ounces, and practically have to be tethered to keep them from floating away. Obviously, it doesn't take much to hold them up. A synthetic bag made with more robust fabric is going to be quite a bit heavier, and be more challenging to suspend properly.

Definately, stay away from p cord. It will stretch, and defeat your best efforts.

**c0wb0y_hubs** · 01-07-2013, 13:11

A little more info on my questions

The bag I'm using is the one with the plad flannel inside, synthetic1.5"-2" insulation, and a ripstop type exterior.
It doesn't need to be tied down in a wind.

The cord in question is the kind sold by: http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/p...age/cord-line/

**FLRider** · 01-07-2013, 14:31

That particular shock cord is probably good to suspend ~2 lbs without too much issue with overstretch. I was able to hang my sewn-up PLUQ, which is around that range, with little trouble (your cord locks slipping will likely be an issue before the stretch becomes one).

As to break strength...well, I can't break a section with my hands, so I'd guess greater than 100 lbs.

Note that these are most definitely not scientifically-tested numbers. They're WAGs at best (wild-***-guesses), based on personal experience.

**Mr.Tattoo** · 01-07-2013, 15:08

I am using 1/8" shock cord on my UQ but I am using Dutch quilt hooks works fine for my setup just got back from testing it out and worked great! but I think if you are using it to stretch from one end of your hammock to the other I think you will have a good bit of sag I could be wrong...I did away with any extra shock cord and just hook to my Quilt hooks...