Printable View
Hammock fabrics are used for lots of other things, so it's no surprise nearly all of them have some sort of DWR. Does the hammock itself need it though? Assuming there's an UQ or UQP and a tarp that's big enough. I'm new to hammock camping, but if you're going to get soaked under there you're going to get soaked right?
I don’t think the dwr is necessary. It doesn’t add strength. It’s just a chemical coating that fills the weave at a scale to repel water. Lots of people make indoor hammocks out of cotton, which definitely doesn’t have a dwr.
I'd actually like to hear the answer to that from some vendors.
The answer as I understand it is: sorta.
In heavier fabrics- no DWR needed.
In many of todays ultra light fabrics...I lean towards yes. Even though you don't technically call it glue... it kinda sorta serves that function. And even though it technically wears, it's still kinda always there.
I know if talking quilt shells... the DWR helps hold the downproof rating... and that is part of the leap forward in lighter weight shell material.
I'm guessing that Dutch, Kyle, or Brandon could order DWR free fabric on their hammock specific mill runs... but I'm not sure if that would be wise.
For Kyle especially at RBTR: he is not the end user. So his fabric could end up in dozens of different products. Less so perhaps for Dutch, and as far as I know Brandon's fabric goes into Brandon's gear only.
So to answer the OP's question but not my own...
You don't need the DWR to function as a Durable water repellent. You want your fabric to breathe, and your water resistance to come from elsewhere. In fact if you NEED the DWR to keep you dry; you done messed up son.;)
Though I'm guessing most of us who spilled a little liquid in our hammock were glad we could just pop out and shake it rather than soak our UQ, but that freshy function fades over time.
But might you want the DWR to help bind the yarns of your UL fabric so they stay better aligned during the rigors of packing, setting up, and sleeping? I'd guess yes, but I don't know for sure.
A DWR coating on my hammock fabric would have been enormously beneficial on one particular night on the AT in Georgia, when a dense, wet fog rolled in and settled overnight. DWR was the only thing that could have helped keep my hammock and quilts dry from that fog.
All good points, thank you. I hadn't thought about how heavy fog would get in there. Do you think DWRs add to the weight of the fabric at all?
HAHA I came here to say just that, in so many words. And if the DWR wore off as fast as it does on rain jackets (like, one use) it wouldn't matter anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Just Bill
No...i dont think dwr adds weight to the fabric-i KNOW it adds weight.Quote:
Originally Posted by bearito
That would be like saying does paint add weight to your house-of course it does,if you use 12 cans of paint(6 primer/undercoat and 6 topcoat) then you add the 12 cans nett weight to your house.