DIY question on fabric from a wanna be Noob

[flying_bobo]

What materials would you folks recommend for a hammock used in the winter vs. one used in the summer? I see so many different types of fabric used, Breathable, non breathable, waterproof not water proof? Then there is my height and weight to factor on the fabric also, I think? I’m 6’ 250lb

My plan is to construct most of my own equipment cost is also a big factor. I want to make a DL hammock with removable bug netting. I think it’ll be cheaper to by a UQ from DD Hammocks than to make one. Will make tarp from Blackcat tarp instructions. I will is my old sleeping bags for now, but plan on making a TQ latter. I also may construct a travelpod to experiment a little.

Any and all recommendations will be helpful.

[Shug]

I have made my hammocks with breathable rip-stop nylon. Very happy with that choice.
Shug

[Ramblinrev]

Unless you are already outfitted with DIY capabilities (injector, shears etc) it might be cheaper to buy a basic hammock (<$25 from Trek Light/ Grand Trunk/ etal) and a cheap after market add on bugnet. Of the items you listed the hammock is the cheapest. Depending on your requirements a tarp is sometimes more aggravating to make than it is to buy. Again, unless you already have the equipment you can buy a reasonable tarp (depending on what you want) for <$70. As a DIY enthusiast I regard cost savings to be the least reasonable motivation to make your own. I have almost always ended up spending more money making my own than if I purchased a commercial product.

Check into Warbonnet's traveler and add on bug net. I have heard good reports about them. You get the complete kit including suspension (more costly than you might think to make it separately) for a very reasonable price.

Having said all that. Cost issues aside, there are many _good_ reasons to make your own. Satisfaction, special needs, special wants. All those are very good reasons to do your own. But IMO cost savings is an elusive goal unless you already have the equipment, mastered the learning curve and have the design abilities to DIY.

In case you are wondering.... I am a strong supporter of DIY and contribute regularly to these discussions. Just responding to your initial post.

[Pipsissewa]

I have made my hammocks with breathable rip-stop nylon. Very happy with that choice.
Shug

Shug: You made hammocks with waterproof, breathable rip-stop? I want to do this too and add windproof to the mix. (I'm like a canary--can't STAND drafts!) I'm looking at fabrics and having a hard time figuring out--just by reading about them on the internet--if they'd be appropriate for a hammock. Most sound like they'd be too stretchy. Can you give my any details on the fabric you used? Thanks!

[Shug]

Shug: You made hammocks with waterproof, breathable rip-stop? I want to do this too and add windproof to the mix. (I'm like a canary--can't STAND drafts!) I'm looking at fabrics and having a hard time figuring out--just by reading about them on the internet--if they'd be appropriate for a hammock. Most sound like they'd be too stretchy. Can you give my any details on the fabric you used? Thanks!

I used this....1.1 Nylon Ripstop

Shug

[Knotty]

It seems to me that most people make their hammocks out of ripstop nylon. The weight found in most fabric shops, like Jo-Ann's, is 1.7oz but they don't identify it as such. Jo-Anns regularly offers 40-50% off, so sign up for their online mailing list to get the coupons. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...DID=xprd560961

Tree to Tree (Shug's link), Backwoods Daydreamer and some others also offer 1.1oz.
http://www.backwoodsdaydreamer.com/apps/webstore/

At 250# you could go with a double layer of either 1.1 or 1.7 but you might be towards the upper limit with 1.1 in terms of getting a flat lay. See chart on the Warbonnet site.
http://warbonnetoutdoors.com/blackbirds.php

Use of waterproof material is not too common though JustJeff did have success with a silnylon one he experimented with.

Pipsissewa - Hammocks made out of most any material are going to be chilly. A pad or some sort of under insulation are needed for anything but the warmest nights.

[rjcress]

... Jo-Anns regularly offers 40-50% off, so sign up for their online mailing list to get the coupons. http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/p...DID=xprd560961
...

Sorry to go off topic, but one clue that I have a DIY problem was when I installed the JoAnn app on my phone.

... and now back to our regularly scheduled program

[grich9860]

i went with the Jo-Ann stuff and i have had no problems. i go 6'2" and 265 lbs