hammock fabrics for the big fellas

Warbonnet uses a double layer for up to 300 lbs load as seen here. But I have seen some manufacturers claim weight ratings up to 500 lbs.

I have had 250 pounds in my hammock made of 1.9 oz ripstop from Quest. Minimal stretch.

Warbonnet's weight ratings seem really conservative from what I've gleaned.. There are a few 200lbish guys using single layer 1.1 hammocks successfully for a while.

I'm sure it's pretty obviously the need to overcompensate with something you intend to sell to random people. I'm pretty sure you could get by with lighter fabric Tim.

There's some anecdotal evidence that seems to point to 2 layers of nylon being superior in weight capacity than a single layer that equals the same sum weight.

Even warbonnet rates double layer 1.7 at 375lbs… So double 1.9 seems like major overkill. Honestly, I'd try double 1.1. as long as it's type 66.

I think Javan's got it. Be sure it's type 66.

You might try parachute nylon, like the ENO hammocks are made from. They rate those to 400+, so it's definitely good for more.

Double layer 1.9 type 66 will definitely do the trick.

Suspension is just as or more important. NO NYLON!!!!!!!!! Dyneema/Spectra (Amsteel Blue, Spyderline) is best, Polyester is good, polyproylene is ok (it will stretch initially, but it's not got the memory nylon does).

Suspension is just as or more important. NO NYLON!!!!!!!!! Dyneema/Spectra (Amsteel Blue, Spyderline) is best, Polyester is good, polyproylene is ok (it will stretch initially, but it's not got the memory nylon does).

Why no nylon? does it not give enough in shock loads?

how do i know it's type 66? if i go to joann's or something like that, it's not necessarily going to list that aspect. is there a test i can do?

Kieran, nylon has high stretch/creep characteristics that affect it's strength, especially undesirable as it applies to hammock suspensions.

Tim, like Scott said, suspension is very important, in fact, do yourself a favor and go with amsteel blue whoopie slings from the start.

I use short polyester tree huggers made from DOT racheting straps, with toggles made from 1 6" easton stake cut in half. rigged to 7/64th amsteel whoopies.

Some people go with 1/8th cause they feel they need it, but, really, it's unnecessary.

[Why no nylon? does it not give enough in shock loads?]

Again, Javan hit it.

I just wanted to chime in again to be sure my statement on no nylon is understood to only be referring to the suspension, not to the hammock body fabric.

Nylon is perfect for climbing, due to the stretch. You want it to elongate significantly if you're being caught on a fall. For hammock suspension, however, you don't want any stretch – you want a static line.

i think double layer is the best bet and i am hesitant to try just 1.1, but would 1.1 and 1.9 (1 layer of each) be a balance of weight and load capacity or do the 2 materials have significantly different stretch characteristics?

-Tim

Yeah, extremely different. I'm not sure how they'd sync.

OWFINC has some 2nds in silver they have listed as 1.3-1.4oz no dwr for cheap, might be a good middle ground if it's not like metalized..

I really like the non-dwr stuff for hammock bodys, it avoids alot of wasted weight. Since you'll likely be covering yours with one of those superbad cuben UQ's you make, it's doubly useless.