How To Use Hammock Tree Straps

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Allow'due south talk nigh hammock interruption systems for a moment. That's just a fancy style of maxim how to hang a hammock. Depending on how you plan to employ your hammock, there are a few different ways to hang it.

Straps and carabiners—or buckles, which piece of work quite well in Sea to Summit's hammocks—are the most popular hammock suspension arrangement. It's pretty standard for nearly gathered-stop nylon hammocks, AKA parachute hammocks since it's made of the same heavy duty material equally parachutes. These have become super popular given how affordable, lightweight, comfortable, and piece of cake they are to setup and take down.

If y'all accept a minor, portable hammock that you want to take camping or hiking, securely and safely suspending is really quite simple. All you'll need are some tree straps for the hammock and carabiners, the clips that attach the hammock to the strap.

It's of import to note that nosotros do non recommend hanging a hammock with rope. Thin rope digs into trees and damages the bark. Many state and national parks actually have regulations around how you lot can hang hammocks—especially when it comes to straps. For example, in many country and national parks, straps must exist at least one″ thick.

Do hammocks come up with straps?

Some hammocks come up with straps, but virtually do non, and so you'll likely need to purchase them separately. However, most hammocks do come with carabiners so generally yous don't need to buy those unless yous want extras for hanging gear off your hammock straps or using around camp. They're pretty handy in general, then doesn't injure to have some extra carabiners.

Other hammocks may come with built-in straps and buckles instead of carabiners. Cheque what's in your kit before going outside and finding out that you're missing crucial pieces to your hammock setup.

Here, we'll comprehend everything you need to know about hanging hammocks with tree straps, like:

What's the deviation betwixt all the hammock strap options out there? Use the comparison chart below to sort by what matters nearly to you—whether that's price, length, weight capacity, etc.
When would yous need a strap extender?
How far apart should trees exist?
How do hammock straps impact copse? (Cheers for asking!)

How to hang a hammock without trees or straps

In that location are several other ways to bask a hammock, including hammock stands, wall mounts, and folding hammocks with stands.

What to look for in hammock tree straps

Not all hammock straps are created equal. To help protect trees and bawl, wider straps are ideal. They are better at dispersing the weight against the tree, vs. having a skinny strap or rope that digs into the tree body.

At that place are a few things to consider when looking at hammock straps:

Length. The longer, the better. Unless you're concerned well-nigh how much weight you lot're carrying. We prefer longer straps when we're car camping or going on a hike because sometimes trees are further autonomously and you'll need some actress length. Or, a tree might take a large trunk and take upward more strap length. If you are concerned nigh pack weight, you could purchase shorter/lighter straps and extenders separately to apply when you can load up the car or daypack.
Weight. If you're backpacking or even hiking, you volition want to consider the weight of the straps, as every ounce adds up.
Forcefulness. Bank check to see how much the strap tin concord. In our six yeas of hammocking, we've never had a strap break, rip, or even begin to tear. Almost reputable brands are selling quality products. That doesn't go for the cheap hammocks on Amazon. Also bank check to run across how much weight your hammock can hold to make sure it's all copacetic.
Durability. Nigh of the bigger brands offering warrantees on their gear, including hammock straps. Find i that does, and should annihilation happen, they can replace it. Again, we've never had this problem, but we haven't tried every strap out there. Also, nosotros don't hammock army camp likewise ofttimes. If you'll exist sleeping overnight in your hammock, you definitely desire to make sure it'due south a quality strap that can withstand lots of utilise.

How far apart do trees need to exist?

This depends on how long your hammock and straps are, combined. Below, nosotros break down pop straps by length and other pertinent details in the comparison chart.

Just let'south say you accept an ENO Double Nest hammock (74″) and ENO's Atlas Hammock straps (108″ x ii), y'all accept just over 24 anxiety of total length. Don't forget to factor in the fact that the straps have to loop effectually both copse, so look for trees no more than 20 feet apart. Depending on how big the trees are—and how much strap is required—you may be better off looking for trees around fifteen-eighteen′ feet apart, which volition give you a bit of slack for the hammock, creating that lovely, comfy banana shape.

While the Atlas Hammock straps give you exactly 9 feet on either terminate, ENO'southward Atlas XL Hammock Straps are each over xiii.5 feet.

On the flip side, trees can be every bit close together every bit roughly vii′ for a comfortable hang. Using the ENO hammock again as an example, it is over half dozen feet long, and you want a piddling room on either end to clip it in. You tin hang from trees that are closer together than this, only your hammock won't be able to stretch out, which is neat for sitting upright and swinging simply not exactly comfortable to lie downwardly in.

Comparing chart of the top brands' hammock straps

This chart doesn't include every hammock strap on the market. It does include the most reputable hammock brands and a few cheaper options on Amazon, which is an endless pit of hammock accessories. If you lot want to invest in high-quality gear, cheque out these straps.

Not every strap is created equal. Depending on how you lot will use your hammock and what's of import (price, weight, length, etc.), you lot can narrow down your choices here.

*Note: prices were accurate at the fourth dimension of publishing. Sometimes things keep auction or prices change. To see today's price, click on the photo, brand, or production name.

Brand	Product	Price	Capacity	Length	Weight	Loops	Description
ENO	Atlas Chroma Suspension System	$34.95	400 lbs	09'	11 oz	xv on each strap	These are ENO's original hammock strap. They're slightly cheaper than other models and weigh slightly more than. Overall a bang-up pick for everyday hammock straps.
ENO	Atlas Suspension Organisation	$29.95	400 lbs	09'	09 oz	fifteen on each strap	The new model of the tried and true Atlas strap has a tapered design with a slightly wider strap around the of import function of the tree, offering a bit of extra protection past helping to disperse the weight.
ENO	Atlas XL Pause System	$39.95	400 lbs	13'7"	13 oz	xx on each strap	With more loops and 3'6" more length, these longer straps are bully for any adventures that may have far-apart trees or large trees.
ENO	Helios Ultralight Break Organisation	$34.95	300 lbs	08'	04.three oz	Not specified	ENO's most lightweight selection.
ENO	Helios Xl Ultralight Suspension Organisation	$44.95	300 lbs	13'v"	06.3 oz	Not specified	When you need long straps but are watching your weight.
Grand Body	Torso Straps	$29.95	400 lbs	10'	12 oz	18 on each strap	Thou Torso straps come in a few bold colors and happen to friction match a lot of their designs. If you're looking for fun and flashy, these are the straps for you. They also offering a lifetime warranty and will replace whatsoever strap that breaks.
MalloMe	XL Hammock Straps	$19.99	2,000 lbs	12'	19 oz	twenty on each strap	Not that yous're putting a moo-cow in the hammock, but you could with these straps. They apparently concord upwards to 2,000 lbs, which seems crazy and totally unnecessary. Regardless, great straps for a great price.
Kammok	Python x Hammock Straps	$29.00	500 lbs	x'	08.2 oz	20 on each strap	Kammok makes quality gear, though we've found that their hammock straps are some of the thinnest, which is not ideal for the copse as it causes the weight to be concentrated on a smaller area and therefore dig harder into the tree trunk and can potentially damage the bark.
Kammok	Python 10 Ultralight Hammock Straps	$39.00	300 lbs	ten'	03.2 oz	20 on each strap	Kammok's lightweight model clocks in merely under ENO's, and they're longer.
Kammok	Python 15 Hammock Straps	$39.00	500 lbs	15'	11.8 oz	33 on each strap	The longest straps on the market and most loop options, meaning you can get your hammock exactly as you desire.
Hummingbird Hammocks	Tree Straps	$29.95	400 lbs	08'4"	01.55 oz	No loops needed with whoopie slings	How are these so lightweight? Information technology's Hummingbird's specialty. These straps combine 1" webbing (for the part that goes around the tree) with rope (to salvage on ounces). A "whoopie sling" arrangement locks the rope in in place with the aforementioned avant-garde technology from your babyhood: the Chinese Finger Trap.
Hummingbird Hammocks	Tree Straps+	$39.95	400 lbs	12'7"	02.3 oz	No loops needed with whoopie slings	Same technology as Hummingbird's regular tree straps, just longer.
Wise Owl Outfitters	Talon Xl Hammock Tree Straps	$21.49	500 lbs	10'	15 oz	19 on each strap	Wise Owl is one visitor that sells straps with their hammocks, but should you find yourself in the market for longer straps, they do sell an 40 version (though information technology's merely 1" longer and non every bit long as other brands' XL straps). They're a proficient option if yous're on a budget.
Therm-a-Remainder	Slacker Suspenders Hanging Kit	$29.95	400 lbs	10'6"	09 oz	No loops needed with adaptable buckles	A universal strap with buckle that tin can be used with any hammock. The loop on one cease of the strap goes into the carabiner, and you tighten the buckle from the other finish to any desired length.

Hammock strap extenders + tree protectors

In that location are some pretty long straps out there, just sometimes you lot just demand more room to piece of work with. Enter: the strap extenders.

These straps tin can add crucial length to your hang setup, which comes in handy not just when trees are far apart. Sometimes yous find yourself effectually some big ass copse. Those wide trunks have upwardly a lot of strap real estate and before you know it, you used your entire strap but to go around the tree and have nothing left to clip onto. Latch these extenders onto your straps to get even more than length and flexibility while hanging.

They as well help protect the copse. Some straps are pretty thin and narrow, and this is not ideal for our living, breathing forest friends. When all of the weight of the hammock is concentrated in a small area wrapping effectually the tree trunk, the strap tends to dig into the bawl and harm the tree. With the ascent in popularity of hammocks, it's important we're all doing our part to protect the trees. They're strong, but they're not unbreakable beings.

Kammock Python Extenders

These Python Extenders add 9′ of distance to your hammock straps, which is pretty impressive. Simply even better than that is the fact that they're 2″ wide and help to disperse the weight of the hammock around the tree, sparing the trunk and bark from damage. The loops are also designed to always remain open, which helps pull the straps through.

Body of water to Elevation Hammock Tree Protectors

Ocean to Summit is one of the brands that uses buckle technology to hang instead of carabiners. These tree protector straps add 5 anxiety of length and are 1.5″ wide. They easily adhere to existing straps. When not in use, they pack downwardly pretty small within their own carrying example, weighing only four.8 oz. The straps are made of high tenacity, non-stretch webbing and can hold upwardly to 400 lbs.

ENO Atlas EXT Ultimate Tree Protection

These extra-broad straps measure in at 2″ and are designed to wrap around the tree, while you clip the traditional strap into its end. While protecting the trees, you're calculation 10 feet of length to your hammock suspension system. The reflective stitching helps provide visibility at night. Weighing merely 7 oz, the straps are made from 1000-denier polyfilament webbing and can hold upwards to 400 lbs.

Carabiners

Most hammocks come with carabiners. If yours doesn't, it will likely have ropes at each end with loops to hands slip onto a carabiner. This is how you'll set the hammock to the straps, then information technology'south a pretty important slice of gear. Yous can go them for pretty cheap. You lot might also want a few extra carabiners to hang gear off the straps.

Other ways to hang a hammock

Straps rely on trees or posts to hang from. If you don't take trees—or if you are looking for something a little more permanent—you lot may want to invest in a hammock stand up. While stands aren't every bit portable every bit straps, they do take more flexibility in that you tin set up up anywhere. If you don't have trees—or don't have enough trees—a free-continuing hammock stand up is a great option. In that location are several different types, shapes, sizes, cost points. At that place are stands that concur one hammock, two, or more.

In that location are also indoor hammock hanging kits if y'all want to post up in your bedchamber. These are designed to become directly into your drywall—through a wooden stud, of course—and are less intrusive than a hammock stand. Y'all can easily prune off the hammock when it'south not in use.

Finally, another easy way to hang is with a folding hammock that comes with its ain collapsable stand up. These are great for camping ground and many act like cots. You tin can bring them into your tent with you at nighttime, and nigh are more portable than the hammock stands mentioned above.

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