Minimal straps??

**Hangin' Burrito** · 04-08-2010, 05:01

I'm in the process of making a summer ultralight system. My new DIY hammock is made of 1.1oz ripstop, with a 6' whoopie sling and bug net that is similar to the BB, but I've got two #4 zippers on it.
Total weight......18 & 5/8oz

. Not bad, but I was wondering if I might be able to find a lighter alternative to the 1" polypro webbing I'm using.

The polypro webbing is 5' long and I stitched a small loop on each end. Typically, I just thread one end through the loop and hook my aluminum toggle in the other loop and put the whoopie sling on it.

Is it possible to use 1/2" webbing? Or what's an alternative?

**gargoyle** · 04-08-2010, 05:44

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ndolier&page=6
HB this may be a solution. (scroll down to the bottom, clever chap, that obx.)

Might be extra work, picking up a dozen sticks at each stop, but its light.

**SGT Rock** · 04-08-2010, 07:51

I got one of these from Autozone (actually they come in 4 packs):

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...uestid=2620507

I've taken the long end strap out and pulled the stitching out of the ends. Then I cut it into half which makes two straps about 5' long. Then I heat treated them to prevent unraveling and created a loop one one of each straps which makes them about 4.5' long.

They weigh 21 grams each. The material has a burst strength of 900 pounds. I use them with my dynaglide whoopie slings that weigh 5 grams each and use a toggle made from an Easton Scout aluminum arrow at 1 gram each. So for 27 total grams per side I've got my UL suspension.

As far as I can tell the material is polyester. It doesn't seem to stretch. I made my wife's suspension a couple of years back with two of these since she wanted an all strap system. So far no issues.

**JerryW** · 04-08-2010, 09:42

Originally Posted by SGT Rock

...and use a toggle made from an Easton Scout aluminum arrow at 1 gram each.

Gee whiz, you could save 2 grams by using sticks found on-site instead of carrying those toggles.

Jerry

**Hangin' Burrito** · 04-08-2010, 18:05

Originally Posted by gargoyle

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ndolier&page=6
HB this may be a solution. (scroll down to the bottom, clever chap, that obx.)

Might be extra work, picking up a dozen sticks at each stop, but its light.

That's pretty interesting. I might try it, but ya'll don't think the 1/2" straps would be the way to go?
I guess I'm turning into a gram weenie!!!

**Running Feather** · 04-08-2010, 18:39

I think the 1/2 straps have been suspect in tree injury (?). The bungee cord thing is interesting but I didn't know it could take such weight/forces at 1/8". Anyone know?

**JerryW** · 04-08-2010, 19:15

Originally Posted by Hangin' Burrito

That's pretty interesting. I might try it, but ya'll don't think the 1/2" straps would be the way to go?
I guess I'm turning into a gram weenie!!!

I used some mule tape, which is almost like 1/2" webbing, and it had a tendency to roll up long ways, when weighted, until it looked like a piece of rope. I abandoned that as soon as I got some webbing like SGT Rock shows. I found some dark green tie-downs at Menards.

Originally Posted by Running Feather

The bungee cord thing is interesting but I didn't know it could take such weight/forces at 1/8". Anyone know?

I think that bungee was just to hold the sticks in place while the rope tree hugger was put around the tree. So no real force on it.

Jerry

**gargoyle** · 04-08-2010, 19:35

Maybe I'm wrong, but you use a length of amsteel or dynaglide, 5' long, with closed eyes at both ends, Install a series of hair ties, for holding the sticks. I believe the example given was just that, an example. It could be acomplished as I described.

Make a bandolier with the elastic hair ties, on amsteel. The sticks will share the load and not harm the tree, at least thats my understanding.

**Hawk-eye** · 04-08-2010, 19:38

I recently got some of the 1" straps from Paul at Arrowhead. They are amazingly light weight and sturdy. Pack down small after being use to my black ones from Strapworks ... really impressive the size and weight I saved. Sorry didn't actually measure it. Just held it in my hand and went "DANG that's light"!

Switching all my straps out with Paul's eventually. He's got black and camo ..

Got him a new "fancy" stitcher too ...

**gargoyle** · 04-08-2010, 19:41

EDIT: strike that, he is using elastic to hold the bandolier. my bad.

But conceivably, you could substitute a length of amsteel, with a series of hairties on it.

testing awaits..