Descender rings

**93jeepYJ** · 08-27-2017, 19:48

Does anyone still use descender rings? I'm thinking about putting them on my camping hammock. Is there anything I should consider before I get them?

Tim, 93JeepYJ

**oldgringo** · 08-27-2017, 20:17

Yes. Consider all of the better choices. I started with rings 9 years ago, and want nothing more to do with them.

**93jeepYJ** · 08-27-2017, 20:19

Originally Posted by oldgringo

Yes. Consider all of the better choices. I started with rings 9 years ago, and want nothing more to do with them.

Thank you for your opinion, however, I kinda wanted examples of what the suck or don't.

Tim, 93JeepYJ

**oldgringo** · 08-27-2017, 20:25

They slip under a load. That's no opinion. Yes, you can back them up with a half hitch, but that doesn't change the fact that they are an inferior solution.

**jcksparow** · 08-27-2017, 20:26

The SMC ones are pretty sweet. Cheap, light, and strong as hell. They work decently as cinch buckles, but it's a good idea to back them up with a half-hitch. Alternatively, consider the triangle cinch buckles from Warbonnet or AHE. In my experience, those are more foolproof and never require a back-up hitch.

**pgibson** · 08-27-2017, 20:43

Heed that advice of Gringos, one of the most exsperinced hammockers on the forum. Who has used and tested as well as been the one calling for several innovations that we all use in current suspensions. Rings are heavy, cumbersome, they slip, if used on rope they will destroy it, and need extra steps to function properly...slipped half. They were at one time the best that was available, as gringo said that was 9+ years ago. Many better, lighter more reliable options available now.

**Sailor** · 08-27-2017, 23:42

Originally Posted by oldgringo

They slip under a load. That's no opinion. Yes, you can back them up with a half hitch, but that doesn't change the fact that they are an inferior solution.

Hmmmphf. I do still use them. They provide good hang length adjustability, have secondary uses and "a half hitch in mine seems fine."

**Firebird** · 08-28-2017, 05:40

I have a descender ring girth hitched to the CL on each end of the hammock. The only other piece of suspension is the tree strap (10-12') which I attach to the ring with a slippery girth hitch. It's very easy and quick to attach, adjust, or remove and I have never had a single slippage. Straps are separate when wet plus the ring provides a good water break when raining. I have tried, made, used, experimented with every suspension possible and although this may be slightly heavier than some, the simplicity, ability to use closer trees when necessary, and ease of use has had me convert all my hammocks over to it, including a Ridgerunner (replaced the triangle apex connector with a descender ring). Just my 1 & 1/2 cents.

**Mittagsfrost** · 08-28-2017, 07:16

I use Speed Hooks, Dutch Buckles, Dutch Cinch Buckles, Dutch Titanium Cinch Buckles, Spiders, Warbonnet buckles and sometimes toggles. They all work fine for me. I quit using descender rings because of their tendency to slip. YMMV.

**dkurfiss** · 08-28-2017, 07:33

Originally Posted by 93jeepYJ

Does anyone still use descender rings? I'm thinking about putting them on my camping hammock. Is there anything I should consider before I get them?

Tim, 93JeepYJ

I still use them.

Yes, they will slip under load. That is why you always need to tie a slippery half hitch behind them (or some kind of easy to untie knot)

Yes, if you continually use the exact same place in a rope, they will compress it. Obviously I don't reuse the same place.

I have used most of the other solutions and continue to return to my rings. Why? Because they are easy to adjust and work well for me. Your mileage may not be the same. Also, I am not an ultra light hiker and mostly base camp with day hikes so weight is a non issue. If you are a hiker, you might want to consider something lighter.