Minimum practical length for tree strap?

[jeff-oh]

What do you feel is the minimum practical length for a tree strap when used with a UCR, or Whoopee Sling setup?

I am building a new suspension setup which will consist of the tree strap and line. Prior to cutting the strap I want to check the practical experience of the group. I want to minimize the amount of strap and rope that dangles after setting up.

Thank you.

[cmoulder]

Varies greatly with geographical location... directly dependent upon tree spacing and trunk diameter.

Here in the NE, there are places where you could get away with a couple of 4' straps using whoopies because there are very few areas of old-growth forest, although it's safer to go with perhaps one 6' and one 8', and carry a 6' Amsteel dogbone just in case.

Folks in the PNW with large, widely-spaced trees often need much longer suspension bits!

[Phantom Grappler]

If you start using 6 foot straps and camp several times in different places. You can know (more or less) what minimum length works best for you.
You can mark your strap with some sort of marker that shows with ultraviolet light. Or you can mark strap with an overhand knot that is snugged but not too tight. Or use a sharpie marker.
If you set up in 3 or 4 places, this will factor in your tree spacing and tree girth preferences.

If you get your optimum short strap, then there will be some hang spots that will be challenging when trees are an extra stride apart and bigger around than your usual camping locations.
You might have to skip that site or extend suspension with a dogbone or other amsteel, to make that site work.

[Ragabash]

Depends on the trees and spacing, as they've already said. I've never regretted having extra strap, but I have regretted not having enough. I use 8'+.

[dakotaross]

Varies greatly with geographical location... directly dependent upon tree spacing and trunk diameter.

Here in the NE, there are places where you could get away with a couple of 4' straps using whoopies because there are very few areas of old-growth forest...[/U][/I][/URL]!

Same here in the south. I have a pair of 4' straps and the only time they have not worked is when I hang in what are considered to be tent camps, where only bigger trees seem to survive (though not thrive, so I rarely go there anymore). That said, I mostly use webbing/buckles with a 12' length on each end. I'm more about flexibility now than light weight.

[leiavoia]

Start your new suspension with the longest straps you may ever need and then dial back as personal experience indicates for your location.

Also severely limiting your hang options just to save one ounce is a recipe for disappointment.

[SilvrSurfr]

I started with 12' straps, but quickly realized that was overkill here in the Northeast (there is very little old growth). I've been using 4' straps for the last six years. I carry a few continuous loops to extend my straps on the rare occasion I hang from a larger tree.

[jeff-oh]

I started with 12' straps, but quickly realized that was overkill here in the Northeast (there is very little old growth). I've been using 4' straps for the last six years. I carry a few continuous loops to extend my straps on the rare occasion I hang from a larger tree.

Thank you, that is the type of information I was hoping for.

[Shug]

I carry one 5' strap and one 7' strap.
Always works for me.
Shug

[pgibson]

We regularly build straps that are around 4 foot...but it really does depend on the area you hang in the most. Out west 4 foot would rarely be anywhere near big enough. I pack 8's most of the time and have run into a few places where the best hang needed to have that doubled. But central and SE US seem to be able to get away with shorter straps most of the time.