Zing-It vs Paracord

[GrumpyTom]

I've seen many times (and been told many times) that 550 cord should not be used for suspension, but I believe I've seen people using zing-it. Zing-it's specs are in the same category as 550 cord, so I don't understand.

Can anyone fill me in on why zing-it is better, or am I confused?

Also, I realize that zing-it and amsteel DON'T stretch (much) and that paracord does, but is this inherently "weaker"? If 550 cord is doubled/quadrupled up, shouldn't it be just as strong as amsteel?

[perdidochas]

I've seen many times (and been told many times) that 550 cord should not be used for suspension, but I believe I've seen people using zing-it. Zing-it's specs are in the same category as 550 cord, so I don't understand.

Can anyone fill me in on why zing-it is better, or am I confused?

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=33923


Zing-it doesn't stretch.

[angrysparrow]

Zing-It is made from dyneema (no stretch), and paracord is made from nylon (lots of stretch). Stretch is not ideal for a hammock suspension.

Truly, Zing-It is not advisable for hammock suspensions. The strength rating simply isn't high enough for a reasonable safety margin.

If you *really* want to go that light, Dynaglide is probably the best choice. But Amsteel in 7/64" diameter is a safer choice still.

[taylo]

If 550 cord is doubled/quadrupled up, shouldn't it be just as strong as amsteel?

This is absolutely not accurate or advisable. Use dynaglide or amsteel 7/64 as sparrow mentioned. Paracord has no place whatsoever in hammock suspensions.

[Syb]

Zing-it won't stretch. 550 will.

EDIT: Yeah, what they said.

[GrumpyTom]

This is absolutely not accurate or advisable. Use dynaglide or amsteel 7/64 as sparrow mentioned. Paracord has no place whatsoever in hammock suspensions.

Please explain how that is not accurate...

I BELIEVE everyone and will not use paracord I'm just trying to understand the WHY of it (facts). I understand that stretching is bed as it changes the lie overnight... but that doesn't mean it isn't SAFE.

[thesilence]

Please explain how that is not accurate...

I BELIEVE everyone and will not use paracord I'm just trying to understand the WHY of it (facts). I understand that stretching is bed as it changes the lie overnight... but that doesn't mean it isn't SAFE.

It's not neccessarily unsafe unless you have non military issue 550, the civilian stuff does not neccessarily rated to 550 #'s. The main issue is you can end up on the ground from how much it stretches

[taylo]

Explanation - I've tried it and failed miserably in my early hammock days, like two years ago actually. I have since wised up to the wonders of dyneema (amsteel). Just don't do it. Make a pretty bracelet out of your paracord and let that be it. It's just not good stuff.

[trinni]

Paracord makes your buttocks meet the ground and will break after using it several times as a suspension.

[pgibson]

The unsafe aspect comes into play when you consider the strength versus the forces that are applied on the suspension. Your weight is at minimum applied to the suspension and with a slight adjustment you can actually excerpt much more than your weight simply by tossing and turning though the night. However just pulling your suspension a little tighter than it "should" be will add an exponential amount of load to your suspension. A 200 pound person can easily excerpt a 1000 pounds of load on a hammock suspension if they try...or perhaps don't try not to. For safety sake your suspension should be at minim rated to 1000 pounds depending on your weight, and most find that 1600 pound rated 7/64" amsteel to be a much safer choice. Safe might seem like an odd choice of terms when talking about being 6-15 inches off the ground but you should consider that you might land just wrong on a small rock and break a tail bone, think about how much fun it would be to hike our 10 miles with full pack and a broken tail bone Better safe than sore.