hammock strap failure

**Canoefor2** · 05-02-2016, 22:14

Originally Posted by Secondmouse

sorry, I know your intent is to show Warbonnet's great customer service, but I'm interested in the cause of this.

I use Atlas straps around the tree and pass the webbing through the loop at the end. I connect these to my hammock using Metolius carabiners. I know this is heavy and I'm researching a lighter set up using some of these tiny lightweight connectors but now I'm not so sure.

I've wondered about the stress and abrasion the narrow gauge and somewhat sharp edges of these connectors have on the webbing.

is there some reason using Dutch clips (or the like) is better than just passing the webbing through the sewn loop on the end?..

Just so you know I have had the Atlas straps fail on me at 2:00am. The stitching broke. Now I inspect all strap when setting up and taking down.

**willic** · 05-02-2016, 23:09

Man, this thread scares me! I'm a fat guy... 240# I use 1" straps and I've had the same straps for 3+ years with a weekend a month and 2 weeks a year... I think I'll go inspect them right now!

**jadekayak** · 05-03-2016, 01:03

Originally Posted by Rain Man

THANKS for sharing this gear failure. Hammockers do need to know that such things happen and never to hang higher nor over anything they are unwilling to fall on.

Back in my caving days, the National Speleological Society put out an annual report of that year's accidents. It was a great way to learn from other cavers' mistakes or plain misfortune. Might be good for hammocking too, as even hammockers sometimes die from widow-makers. But it's these "small" mishaps that will happen, if at all, to most of us.

Yep,I'm fairly new as well and I don't check my straps every time.

I will from now on and carry a spare

**hutzelbein** · 05-03-2016, 06:03

These threads might be of interest:

https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...-cinch-buckles
https://www.hammockforums.net/forum/...g-First-damage

I always make sure that the webbing runs through the buckles correctly.

**brutalguyracing** · 05-03-2016, 06:59

Youz guyz are scarring me with all this failure talk
This is where i hang

Going to inspect everything now

**ChinoUSMC** · 05-03-2016, 07:03

This is a good service announcement. It is wise to always inspect your gear before any deployment to insure there won't be any accidents. Now it's time for me to inspect my gear.

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**Caminante** · 05-03-2016, 08:22

Originally Posted by willic

Man, this thread scares me! I'm a fat guy... 240# I use 1" straps and I've had the same straps for 3+ years with a weekend a month and 2 weeks a year... I think I'll go inspect them right now!

I've heard people say they replace their straps annually - I've been making my own so $7/25' annual insurance policy is not too bad. I'm always curious at how crushed up they look where the MSH was, but no failures. Inspecting each use is a good policy, I've put myself in the habit of checking them as I stow them to make sure I'm good for the next hang.

One other thing - in the event of a failure, I'd be inclined to use a water knot for joining webbing as opposed to a sheet bend. That is what I learned many years ago in during swiftwater rescue certification.

**OneClick** · 05-03-2016, 08:36

I don't check my webbing at all. I will now!

My WBBB webbing has been solid for 4+ years and Traveler for about 2. I don't use the WBBB much these days though. There were some occasions where I sat in the hammock and slipped because the buckles got turned sideways. I can see something like that causing a small tear, leading to problems later on. Or just a fluke like this past weekend where I noticed a pencil-eraser-size hole in my new-ish Capilene 3 shirt...in a weird spot with no apparent cause.

**FourRingCircus** · 05-03-2016, 08:54

I have a spot on a new strap I am going to be watching. I bought the kids some cheaper, smaller hammocks to get started and the carabiners that they came with are terrible. One snagged the webbing the first time I used it, even with me trying to be careful with it

It didn't tear, just pulled the fibers/threads out a little. I am thinking it would be best to just go ahead and repair it now before it gets worse (they are all 55 lbs and under so not overly weight bearing so I wasn't too concerned, but just need to go ahead and take care of it).