Lightest DIY Hammock?

**Matt-138** · 11-28-2013, 06:43

I'm kind of new here, so this question might have already been asked. But here it is:
What is the most lightweight DIY hammock version?

**SwinginIt** · 11-28-2013, 08:41

That would depend on your height and what you weigh. Your height will determine the dimensions of it and your weight will determine what fabrics you can use.

The standard for lightweight that will hold up to about 200lb is 1.1 ripstop. I have a theory that if you get pure finish 1.1 that it is actually 1.0 so it'll be slightly lighter. Using that fabric, and depending on your dimensions you can come in around 6-8oz for the hammock body.

Some people, myself included have made them out of M50. But you need to be a pretty light person to pull that off. I weighed 175 and I had a catastrophic failure of mine. I haven't heard how anyone else is faring with theirs. You can get a hammock body made out of that for about 4-5oz.

Those are the lightest two options I know of. But if you're a heavier person then you'll have to start moving up in fabric weights.

My recommendation is to make the lightest you can for your size. Don't just go for the lightest there is and hope it holds. Otherwise you could end up on the ground, in the snow, with your torn hammock around you, eight miles from your car. Trust me on that one.

**Caveman** · 11-28-2013, 08:59

I made this one a little earlier this year. It's 5.6oz with UCRs. It's 10.5' x 54". Pretty comfy hammock.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...hlight=hammock

**Matt-138** · 11-28-2013, 09:33

Originally Posted by Caveman

I made this one a little earlier this year. It's 5.6oz with UCRs. It's 10.5' x 54". Pretty comfy hammock.

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...hlight=hammock

Thanks. I will probably use a slight variation of that design.

**Matt-138** · 11-28-2013, 09:35

Originally Posted by SwinginIt

That would depend on your height and what you weigh. Your height will determine the dimensions of it and your weight will determine what fabrics you can use.

The standard for lightweight that will hold up to about 200lb is 1.1 ripstop. I have a theory that if you get pure finish 1.1 that it is actually 1.0 so it'll be slightly lighter. Using that fabric, and depending on your dimensions you can come in around 6-8oz for the hammock body.

Some people, myself included have made them out of M50. But you need to be a pretty light person to pull that off. I weighed 175 and I had a catastrophic failure of mine. I haven't heard how anyone else is faring with theirs. You can get a hammock body made out of that for about 4-5oz.

Those are the lightest two options I know of. But if you're a heavier person then you'll have to start moving up in fabric weights.

My recommendation is to make the lightest you can for your size. Don't just go for the lightest there is and hope it holds. Otherwise you could end up on the ground, in the snow, with your torn hammock around you, eight miles from your car. Trust me on that one.

I am about 150, and only 5' 4" so, I will probably try out the M50

**boulderv7** · 11-28-2013, 12:21

I made a 8ft hammock with a footbox based on Sgt. Rock's ghost hammock. I used dynaglide whoopies and added a zippered bugnet. It came out a smidge over 12 oz. Used 1.1oz ripstop. Its comfy, but not as comfy as my longer hammocks. You can go shorter (lighter) if you use a sewn on footbox.

**squidbilly** · 11-28-2013, 13:32

I 've got one you can have for the postage. I just made a new 11ft 1.1 marpat hammock. My old one is still in decent shape-no holes etc. It just needs a new home since I have a new one.

**squidbilly** · 11-28-2013, 13:36

Another pic of the hammock: It's 9' X 57" Don't know why the pic won't load. Just click on "view my gallery " at left

**agent00111** · 11-28-2013, 14:15

Originally Posted by squidbilly

Another pic of the hammock: It's 9' X 57" Don't know why the pic won't load. Just click on "view my gallery " at left

Wow, I like that camo pattern from the hammock pic in your gallery (white/grey/black/brown). What camo pattern is that and what fabric, and where did you get it? That'd make a nice winter hammock pattern!

**squidbilly** · 11-28-2013, 14:33

Originally Posted by agent00111

Wow, I like that camo pattern from the hammock pic in your gallery (white/grey/black/brown). What camo pattern is that and what fabric, and where did you get it? That'd make a nice winter hammock pattern!

Someone else just PMd me with the same question. I wish I knew the name of it. I got it off ebay. They called it duck blind material, and that was the only piece they had. It is not ripstop, but it is very light-like 1.1 or slightly heavier.