Hammock Fabric

**ljcsov** · 09-19-2011, 08:21

What fabrics have you guys used for outdoor hammocks?

My main goal is to find something that is light, comfortable, and compressible.

So far I have looked at various weights of uncoated ripstop. I have looked at stuff from 1.1oz to 1.9oz. 1.1oz seems like it would be a tad thin, but I am curious as to your experience with varying weights.

I am also game for going with the nylon tafetta option. I have an ENO and I guess thats probably what it is made out of.

I would prefer some purple-ish colors if anyone know any retailers with that kind of thing in stock. The Rainshed seems to have tafetta in various shades of purple.

It is a surprise for the GF, so I want to make sure I get it right!!

**bigbamaguy** · 09-19-2011, 09:16

Check out www.owfinc.com. good deals on fabric and I think they listed 1.9 purple ripstop the last time I bought fabric.

**streamline** · 09-19-2011, 09:18

I don't know the weight limits but 1.1 is good for I know 180lbs single layer. There is a chart around the forums somewhere that someone else can probably provide that has weight limits to the different ripstops.

Check out www.diygearsupply.com for uncoated ripstop. They have been great to purchase from and the 2nds are a great price!

**ljcsov** · 09-19-2011, 10:33

Originally Posted by streamline

I don't know the weight limits but 1.1 is good for I know 180lbs single layer. There is a chart around the forums somewhere that someone else can probably provide that has weight limits to the different ripstops.

Check out www.diygearsupply.com for uncoated ripstop. They have been great to purchase from and the 2nds are a great price!

The 1.5oz greenish/grayish ripstop there looks like it might be a good option. I can get all the stuff for around $15! Sweet deal.

**Jazilla** · 09-19-2011, 10:50

You can find lots of colors in Ripstop on ebay but I second the DIY gear supply. Out of the 5 hammocks I made this year all but one has DIY gear supply on it if not all of it. The one that doesn't has not been finished and I am waiting on a friend to decode what he wants so I can put in and order to Scott.

**olddog** · 09-19-2011, 11:02

My newest DIY is 1.1 ripstop and I'm 225 on a downward slide, looking for 200. Have played with some poly and really like the feel over nylon. Had one that will probably be G daughters out of poly suit lining, this stuff is light! It held when I was closer to 230. My next will probably be a poly taffeta or micro suede. Just walk thru the fabic store and feel, stretch, even try to blow thru it, I don't recall any rules about ripstop being the only fabric you can use. My wife is sleeping in my old poly and I'm in the nylon and have to sleep in tshirt and shorts because of the feel. As soon as I wrap up this new hiking hammock I'll be working on my new house hammock.