lightweight suspension

**Ohoopee** · 05-10-2018, 20:29

Hello,
I currently have a strap and buckle system for my hammock. I would like to switch to the lightest possible option? Any tried and true suggestions.

Thank You

**dkurfiss** · 05-10-2018, 20:45

Lots of different ways as some people like one thing while others don't...Here are a couple of videos from Shug that might give you some ideas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPDPEEcKlDQ&t=180s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HHncxp_SvA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giumWY1zknU

**Ohoopee** · 05-10-2018, 21:12

Ahh! I had forgot about that second vid. Thank you!!! I had watched so many.

**Smilin** · 05-10-2018, 20:47

Dutchware spider web 2.0 tree straps and 1/2" mule tape 10' long with "becket Hitch" very light!

**Ohoopee** · 05-10-2018, 21:09

Thank you. I have watched all the Vids. Just didn't have perspective as to weight that I remember. I thought the spider and mule tape was the lightest I had seen but wasn't sure of the drawbacks.

**Carrico** · 05-10-2018, 21:58

Here's my setup, it's a piece of dyneema wedding with a length of 7/64 amsteel lark headed to it. Using a set of double whoopie hooks as speed hooks (which I will say Dutch does not recommend but I have not had any problem with for over 3 years hanging on the same piece of rope) I also attached my tarp via Prusik knot directly to the Amsteel instead of using its own separate continuous Ridgeline. I can't remember what it weighs but I'll post it later when I get a chance to find out.20180510_104417.jpg

**j-Fish** · 05-10-2018, 23:24

Originally Posted by Carrico

Here's my setup, it's a piece of dyneema wedding with a length of 7/64 amsteel lark headed to it. Using a set of double whoopie hooks as speed hooks (which I will say Dutch does not recommend but I have not had any problem with for over 3 years hanging on the same piece of rope) I also attached my tarp via Prusik knot directly to the Amsteel instead of using its own separate continuous Ridgeline. I can't remember what it weighs but I'll post it later when I get a chance to find out.20180510_104417.jpg

I am unfamiliar with speed hooks. Do you basically just move the hook up and down the amsteel for your adjustment and attach your looped hammock to that?

If so that seems pretty nifty. Simple and light.

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**Carrico** · 05-11-2018, 10:29

Yeah the Amsteel threads through one of the holes on the hook, you slide it up and down for your adjustment and secure with a half twist knot over the knob on the hook. Works great easy to use and weighed in at a hundred and six grams for the set.20180510_204628.jpg
I will say that Dutch discontinued sales of the actual speed hooks because through his testing he found that the sharp Bend of the half twist around the hook cause fatigue and reduce the strength of the Amsteel. However I've been using the same piece of rope for going on 3 years now with very little fraying and no breaks yet ;<) 20170504_191630.jpg

**Phantom Grappler** · 05-10-2018, 22:06

Dutchwaregear spider web dyneema tree huggers. Use for your entire suspension, well except for two 8 inch continuous loops made of 7/64 amsteel. Attach with becket hitch (I think it’s the slipped version of Becket Hitch.)
Or you can use Jbend to attach hugger strap to continuous loop.
There are ways to go even lighter and I don’t recommend these next ways listed below. But since you asked....
Cut suspension weight in half by having it half as long. I don’t like this idea because soon on a hike you will have trees spaced one stride further apart than short suspension will reach. And sometimes too one or both your trees will be larger girth than your straps can handle.

Using amsteel smaller diameter than 7/64,
Some happy hammock hangers are pushing the envelope (in my opinion pushing their luck) by using amsteel about halfway between zingit and 7/64 ... I do not remember it’s size or exact name.
They make whoopie slings and or UCR utility constrictor rope. And some skip all that and tie knots or hitches-bends to continuous loop at hammock. Some even skip the continuous loop and tie this light weight cord directly to hammock.

Don’t get me wrong—-I don’t hate ultralight pioneers—-by pushing the envelope, they have contributed greatly to making it possible for everyone’s gear to be lighter.
I think you will get your most bang for your buck with Dutch’s 2.0 grams per foot spider web dyneema tree huggers (get huggers rather than straps; you will get loops on both ends)
Listed weight of 7/64 amsteel of 1.3 grams per foot is NOT your final weight if you make whoopie slings (now you got more feet because large portions are doubled. And with UCR there will be some added weight due to three splices per UCR
And there is a learning curve to UCR—-they can slip if not used correctly.
Dutch has some ready made lightweight suspensions.
You will probably try several until you find your favorite suspension. I say Ease Of Use is most important factor in choosing your favorite rigging.
YMMV HYOH
Your mileage may vary and Hike your own hike

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**dghboy315** · 05-17-2018, 20:23

Originally Posted by Phantom Grappler

Dutchwaregear spider web dyneema tree huggers. Use for your entire suspension, well except for two 8 inch continuous loops made of 7/64 amsteel. Attach with becket hitch (I think it’s the slipped version of Becket Hitch.)

I’ve just started using this set up. 15’ of spider web. It’s super light and requires no hardware. Seems to work well so far, except sometimes the becket hitch gets stuck even the slipped version. Then I discovered Myers Tech’s pull handle loop mod shown here and it totally solves the untying problem: https://youtu.be/qnwqPPquPRs