Hitching a hammock

Some people just don't like knots. Sometimes they're hard to adjust/re-tie in the cold or when wet or with gloves on. Often, the metal bits and do-dads also act as a rain break so that water doesn't run off the tree to your suspension onto you. 10.5 ounces is a pretty good weight.

Hey if it works, it works. Simple can be nice.

The only thing I would recommend is not running your suspension through the channel, as it puts a lot of stress on the seams. Instead, cinch that channel up with a light cord and then tie your suspension around the end of the hammock behind the ball that the cinched channel forms.

Actually the timber hitch is easy to adjust/re-tie in the cold or when wet, though you may have to take your gloves off for a moment the same as if you're using most of the hardware meathods. But then the nice thing about all of this is that there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Possible new post: the lightest way to skin a cat ;)
(No cats were actually harmed in this post).

Good warning, but I believe that the one inch strap with roughly 6" loop created by the bowline should actually create less stress than a separate loop of thinner cord. There has been no sign of stress on the channels I've sewn so far after about eight nights trying out the hammock.

I believe in your webbing system, the force is exerted on the triple stitched channel rather than the fabric. The stitching is usually the weak link. See the image below From theultimatehang.com

The ultimate hang is a wonderful resource, and my main reference for making mine. I used that method for the first hammock I made, this is Mark II ;)

I used the thickest polyester thread I could find to stitch the end channels. Also I've noticed that several manufacturers are just looping through the end channel as I did, and I haven't heard of rampant failures at the channel.

Part of the dance with hammock suspensions is to protect the trees and I'll hold there is as much politics as practicality to that. Wide tree straps lessen the impact on the trees and rough tree bark is hard on Bluesteel woopie slings and other UL lines. I use Camp Nano 23 carabiners, whoopie slings and tree straps. The whole whoopie sling/carabiner system is rather convenience driven, but quite light. The adjustment process is the real gain.

Hennessey comes to mind with their suspension method and tying the heavy suspension line they use directly into the eyes on a tree strap. You ciuld tie a Hennessy diectly to a tree— if the lines were long enough. I converted my Hennessey to whoopies and biners and it weighs less.

Dale, how wide are the tree straps compared to the 1" straps?

Mine are 1" and 1.5". IMHO, anything 1" or greater is fine.Tying off with small diameter line is the issue and can damage bark. We don't want to see "NO HAMMOCKS" signs popping up.

I forgot to mention using marlinspike hitches with toggles— a really light way to go.

Whoopie slings, prussiks and no knots for me… the ease of adjusting the whole setup while it's still set up is so much nicer than undoing everything and putting it up again. Moving the hammock a few inches that way, the tarp an inch the other way, and getting back in means very minimal time out in the rain….