Why use descender rings? 1" rope loop and a slipknot works fine!

[patrick_the_fat]

I bought sixteen descender rings (supposedly SMC) at ~$4 each; they all became deformed after several hangs.. What a dissapointment!

Why not make a rope loop at each end of your hammock just large enough for the webbing to slide through, pull it through and tie a slipknot? No more oblong rings, costs $16 less, less hassle for setup/takedown (you don't have to pull the end towards the tree to separate the rings), no chances of slipping if the loop is small enough, less weight/hardware, and it's still very quick and easy to adjust.

Am I the only one who has thought of this, or am I missing something? Has anyone else ended up with deformed or broken rings?

[mrmike65]

It also sounds like you're either buying rings of a material not suited to the job or you're putting enormous loads on your gear. You might look into nacrobiners (if you want "rope" loops) or caribiners rated for climbing (if you want metal).

[XTrekker]

I bought sixteen descender rings (supposedly SMC) at ~$4 each; they all became deformed after several hangs.. What a dissapointment!

Why not make a rope loop at each end of your hammock just large enough for the webbing to slide through, pull it through and tie a slipknot? No more oblong rings, costs $16 less, less hassle for setup/takedown (you don't have to pull the end towards the tree to separate the rings), no chances of slipping if the loop is small enough, less weight/hardware, and it's still very quick and easy to adjust.

Am I the only one who has thought of this, or am I missing something? Has anyone else ended up with deformed or broken rings?

Same reason someone uses descender rings over whoopies and MSH. Its just easy to setup and adjust. I have 2 full sets of SMCs and the have had no issues with over 500 lbs of load on them. Whatever you bought was probably not SMCs or you really put some serious weight on them.

[nothermark]

+1 on XTrekker.

I have to wonder what is going on with rings as I have never had a problem with bending either single or double rings and I weigh around 250.

The problem with your slipknot will be untieing it afterwards.

[Tendertoe]

I haven't had any issues with deformed SMC descender rings after hundreds of hangs on them.

There was a post recently with someone deforming a non-SMC ring.

Your slipknot idea will work fine if you use a slippery half hitch with a second slippery half hitch pulled through the loop formed by the first. It holds perfectly and unties easily.

Ray Mears demonstrated this method and I used it for a season or two without issue.

[patrick_the_fat]

Yep must have been an imitation..don't order from this web site!

http://www.innermountainoutfitters.com/descending-ring/

[samjaynes]

Yep must have been an imitation..don't order from this web site!

http://www.innermountainoutfitters.com/descending-ring/

Definitely don't look anywhere close to what the SMC I have - these are what I use- Omega Pacific Rappel Ring

Rated over 4,400 lbs

[Running Feather]

Yep must have been an imitation..don't order from this web site!

http://www.innermountainoutfitters.com/descending-ring/

Perhaps reporting the problem to the company would help. They're rated at 14 kN (3 Sigma). They should hold up a VW

[patrick_the_fat]

Okay..here's a pic!



Thanks for all your suggestions. These rings definitely can't hold a VW, lol.

[gmcttr]

I suspect you hung the hammock too tight which puts excessive force on the suspension. The suspension should be around a 30* angle.