What weight of fabric for DIY double bottom?

**bristolview** · 06-10-2011, 16:09

I'm making a double bottom hammock but I'm not sure what weight of fabric to use. The double bottom is to hold a pad in place. Here is my thinking (which could be off base and/or just plain wrong...).

The hammock will be a basic gathered end with attached bug net. It should look similar to the DD Frontline in style. I don't have one of those, but that's the general idea.

The hammock base that supports the occupant might be slightly heavier duty fabric, and the hanging double bottom will likely be a lighter breathable fabric. The double bottom only needs to a) create a dead air under you for warmth and 2) hold a pad in place. I'm not sure if using a breathable fabric will defeat the dead air component or not (thoughts?). The base that supports the occupant needs to hold more weight, so that'll be heavier - but what weight is sufficient? I'm building this for backpacking, so I want to keep it light if I can.

Can you guys recommend what types of fabric to use? Fabric weights to use? Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!

**Dblcorona** · 06-10-2011, 16:13

I would think a 1.1 dbl would do you just fine.

**hppyfngy** · 06-10-2011, 16:20

How much does the occupant weight?

My turn to recommend Brandon's guide over at WarbonnetOutdoors.

**bristolview** · 06-10-2011, 17:51

Occupants are pretty small - I'm the heaviest a little under 150lbs. Wife is much less, daughter is less yet. I'm making everybody hammocks since outfitting everybody is too costly. Hey, thanks for the pointer to the guide over at Warbonnet; very useful.

**JohnSawyer** · 06-10-2011, 18:14

Originally Posted by bristolview

The double bottom only needs to a) create a dead air under you for warmth and 2) hold a pad in place. I'm not sure if using a breathable fabric will defeat the dead air component or not (thoughts?). The base that supports the occupant needs to hold more weight, so that'll be heavier - but what weight is sufficient? I'm building this for backpacking, so I want to keep it light if I can.

Can you guys recommend what types of fabric to use? Fabric weights to use? Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!

Your assumption (a) is probably off-base. Most of us make hammocks out of some flavor of nylon, which is stretchy. At some point, the weight-bearing layer will stretch into the lower layer. Without something to keep the layers apart, you're not going to create dead-air space for warmth.

If you're going to use pads, Double Layer 1.1 will hold up my 220# bulk with no issues. Otherwise, single 1.1's are lighter and very comfortable. (I have a single 1.1 as well...)
the olive 1.1 fabric from http://diygearsupply.com is a decent width, has a great feel, and is as cheap as you'll find. They also carry bugnet, zippers, amsteel, straps, and everything else you could need...

**hppyfngy** · 06-10-2011, 18:15

Dbl 1.0 or 1.1 is plenty. Heck you could all get in one...

pay attention JohnSawyer...

**JohnSawyer** · 06-10-2011, 18:29

Originally Posted by hppyfngy

Dbl 1.0 or 1.1 is plenty. Heck you could all get in one...

pay attention JohnSawyer...

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain...

**gmcttr** · 06-10-2011, 18:34

While you are at diygearsupply.com, get a spool of the Gutermann Mara 70 thread as well.

**bristolview** · 06-10-2011, 19:10

Thanks guys. Yeah, my assumption is half baked as you mention. It was really a hybrid of two options and I haven't decided which way to go with it. I've stayed in a Clark NA, and that was in winter without an UQ. I just filled the pockets with inflated bags (my dry bags and some ziplock bags). I have to say... I was quite cozy except my feet where there was no dead air under. I've also stayed in a... something hammock that had a slit for a pad. Like you mention - the two layers pretty much hit each other with the pad providing any real insulating/warmth.

My assumption a) was me not deciding which way to go - a slit for a pad or a larger area for creating dead air. A larger area with the double bottom well below the first would be useless for a pad, but able to hold dead air similar to the Clark. The slit would hold a pad, but not dead air. Since I'm making 3, I guess I can experiment with each.

**hppyfngy** · 06-10-2011, 19:19

Originally Posted by bristolview

My assumption a) was me not deciding which way to go - a slit for a pad or a larger area for creating dead air. A larger area with the double bottom well below the first would be useless for a pad, but able to hold dead air similar to the Clark. The slit would hold a pad, but not dead air. Since I'm making 3, I guess I can experiment with each.

The point is, there is no dead air. The only way you're going to create insulation is to place something between you and the air, whether it's between the layers as with a pad, or under, with uq.

That make sense?