There's more than one way to rig a hammock

[Marvell]

I've giving a couple of talks at the RV this year, one is on rigging tarps and hammocks. I've long since stopped using a hammock, but can still rig mine in the old standard Ray way using straps and looping through a crab, but am aware of advances in hammock rigging tech.

Being a good researcher, I had a look around and found this excellent video (http://youtu.be/R4QLN9Xf86Y) by our own AdrianRose which contains information on rigging with tree huggers (with which I'm familiar) and whoopie slings, which are a new one on me. They look like a long prusik knot to me, is that right?

I thought it worthwhile asking you chaps what methods you're using for rigging hammocks these days, as I thought it would be nice to get a rounded view.

Also, I used to use a cocoon sleeping bag (which Ash now has) and before that a roll mat in between layers of hammocks. I've also seen people with underblankets. What are people using these days?

[Wrighty28]

I'm using a DD travel hammock which is effectively a cocoon. My method of rigging is a mod to the hammock consisting of alluminium hammock rings cut in close to the hammock tap draws, then a crab secured to the remainder of the teather. Secured by a double loop knot. The hammock rings by a double fishermans knot. So my hammock consists of 3 parts, two Crab/ tapes as you will, can be secured to the trees before my hammock even leaves the bag, making sure its always kept off the ground. It simply then clicks on and away I go.

A new addition is my snugpak under blanket which I'm yet to try in field but in practice I've secured it with two mini crabs to the main hammock crabs so there's less stretching/ more give in the shock cord.

I then use a 2.8x2.2m British army basha/ tarp, secured by a ridge line which I again moded. One end is a crab which (like a tree hugger) wraps around the tree and secures onto itself. The other end I use a truckers hitch to get the tention.

Hope that helps!

[AndyE]

I use a custom hammock from Mat @ Ukhammocks . Suspension is the whoopie sling and marlin spike hitch method

whoopie slings work like the chinese finger puzzles ..

Plenty of videos on the net Sean "Shug" Emery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0) probably being the most entertaining

Andy

[Wrighty28]

I use a custom hammock from Mat @ Ukhammocks . Suspension is the whoopie sling and marlin spike hitch method

whoopie slings work like the chinese finger puzzles ..

Plenty of videos on the net Sean "Shug" Emery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0) probably being the most entertaining

Andy

Shug is a legend haha

[JonnyP]

I use cargo straps like these http://goo.gl/7SfNa Very easy to adjust..

[AdrianRose]

Thanks for the heads up about my video Steve, the whoopie slings are simplicity itself to use. As AndyE quite rightly say's, they act like chinese finger puzzles, the harder they are pulled on - the tighter they become.

They also have the added benefit of neither absorbing nor transporting rain water.

Ade

[jus_young]

Just in case you haven't come across them yet:

This is how the woopie slings are constructed and work

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?2613-Whoopie-Slings

And different setups

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?100-How-do-you-hang

[Aaron Rushton]

I use a custom hammock from Mat @ Ukhammocks . Suspension is the whoopie sling and marlin spike hitch method

whoopie slings work like the chinese finger puzzles ..

Plenty of videos on the net Sean "Shug" Emery (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0) probably being the most entertaining

Andy
how have i not found this guy yet? he is very, err, engaging?

[Roadkillphil]

I use whoopies with a structural ridge line. Some folks get confused about the ridge line, it has nothing to do with tarp suspension, it's purely for the hammock, to control the minimum sag for a diagonal lay. On the tree I use non stretchy webbing with a marlin spike hitch.
I used to use single line suspension, but I prefer whoopies :D

[SwissGearLabs]

I use cargo straps like these http://goo.gl/7SfNa Very easy to adjust..

good idea, will try

[Marvell]

http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?100-How-do-you-hang

17 Pages! Signal to noise ratio? :)

[AndyE]

I use whoopies with a structural ridge line. Some folks get confused about the ridge line, it has nothing to do with tarp suspension, it's purely for the hammock, to control the minimum sag for a diagonal lay. On the tree I use non stretchy webbing with a marlin spike hitch.
I used to use single line suspension, but I prefer whoopies :D

I think a lot of people who use the likes of DD , tenth wonder hammocks etc are missing out on the whole diagonal lay experience .
For those who don't know what a diagonal lay is .. it means that you lie diagonally across the hammock, this gives you a flatter lay, you can even sleep on your side if required
Hammocks such as the Warbonnet blackbird , UKhammocks and Hennesey ( although I dont like the Hennesey entrance method and I believe they now sell a side zippered hammock ) allow you to lie across them diagonally rather than in the banana shape the normal gathered end hammocks such as the DD allow. Having tried a wide range of hammocks the diagonal lay for me anyway gives the best nights sleep ever .

Another point about using whoopie slings is the pack size and weight ... My hammock and suspension weighs in at 800g and compresses to the size of a bag of sugar

The photos below arent the best but it might give a better explanation of the diagonal lay

indicating the footbox area

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1NoSiQOPQ-I/TmubXPLcd3I/AAAAAAAAFKY/Ja1gReMyHvc/s640/IMGP2933.JPG

Feet in the footbox

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xojc-1mYjrA/TmubarHJrsI/AAAAAAAAFKo/hNla4e820m8/s640/IMGP2937.JPG

Lying on my side

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iG9rFFbjFiE/Tmub3PqgT0I/AAAAAAAAFMg/kpOOi0TXoaE/s640/IMGP2967.JPG

Photo of my hammock.. the square corner to the left is the footbox and you can see the way the hammock is cut to allow for the diagonal lie

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x1Jhlpt_jYs/TmubnYH0xlI/AAAAAAAAFLY/lPJMFO0ciLI/s640/IMGP2949.JPG

to emphasize the pack size , uncompressed with the suspension in the bag against a nagalene bottle

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SwbNrU0MRqA/TmubRMbwthI/AAAAAAAAFJ8/TjfR2j8NwcQ/s640/IMGP2926.JPG

Andy

[jus_young]

I have tried using the DD hammock set up as suggested in the instructions and set more loosely for a diagonal lay. The 'tight' setup I found very restrictive but still slept well but the diagonal setup was very acheivable and more comfortable.

[Dan XF]

I use cargo straps around the tree as tree huggers and a double loop of cord knotted every 6" with a Krab to attach to he hammock for ease of adjustment. I copied the idea form Gary on the Ravenlore website. It's simple and also includes a rain stopper in the deign. Shug might be amusing in small amounts but I prefer the ravenlore website, much easier on the brain.

[jus_young]

17 Pages! Signal to noise ratio? :)

:D

Definately worth a look.

That Shug is an absolute legend. Spent hours watching his vids and learnt quite a bit.