Tree strap questions (Length, eye size, etc)

[jokerr]

Don't mean to be contrarian, but to me that seems a false intuition. In fact, if anything, it seems to me it might increase the strain on the loop, as there's no slippage at all to allow it to shift to a happy median. YMMV.

Rain Man

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If you have multiple wraps around a tree the webbing will cross itself
many times. The more you pull on it the more it tightens on it self.
The loop end will have zero tension until the whole thing slips.
With enough wraps you could pull a tree down without connecting
the loop to anything.

[Loki]

The 1" Mil-Spec webbing at REI makes great straps and stretches little to none. Being impatient, my 1st straps were made of this...
--- Currently, I would order lighter straps from our HF vendors and only use the milspec straps for loaners.
--- If you pass your strap through a loop then I prefer 2" loops or larger. When clipping a strap with a biner or dutchware the 1" straploop is easy enough for me.
--- Smaller trees and slick bark or poles make multiple wraps useful. Be sure to loop through and then reverse the strap direction for each wrap (see Shug video for howTo). Thanks Shug!

[nsutherl]

Don't mean to be contrarian, but to me that seems a false intuition. In fact, if anything, it seems to me it might increase the strain on the loop, as there's no slippage at all to allow it to shift to a happy median

I can see your point. If the loop (or biner, or dutch clip) is in a poor position when you begin wrapping, I could see the load on it increasing, because of the wraps.

For example, if the working end (that attaches to your hammock) has to travel back around the tree (past the centerline) before going through the loop (or biner, or dutch clip) and then back to the hammock, there will still be a load on the clip, perhaps higher than if it were allowed to come to its "happy place."

[Knotty]

I can see your point. If the loop (or biner, or dutch clip) is in a poor position when you begin wrapping, I could see the load on it increasing, because of the wraps.

For example, if the working end (that attaches to your hammock) has to travel back around the tree (past the centerline) before going through the loop (or biner, or dutch clip) and then back to the hammock, there will still be a load on the clip, perhaps higher than if it were allowed to come to its "happy place."

That potential problem is easily overcome by adjusting the wraps to properly position the tail end before loading the hammock.

As with any system, one can always find a way to abuse, it but for the most part, multiple wraps should reduce the loop/biner/clip load.

[1-Hung-Low]

Here in SoCal; the Oak and Cedar trees can be quite large. I use 12’-15’ straps and even with those, sometimes need to deploy tree huggers in addition to make the hang.
You can always use a longer strap but with a shorter one, might have to settle for a lesser quality hang/location or view…

[nsutherl]

That potential problem is easily overcome by adjusting the wraps to properly position the tail end before loading the hammock.

As with any system, one can always find a way to abuse, it but for the most part, multiple wraps should reduce the loop/biner/clip load.

Agreed, I was just addressing Rain Man's point that wraps don't necessarily always help.