Hammock suspension straps are great tools if you want your hammock to be firmly tied to the tree. Apart from the firm support hammock straps offer, you will also get to protect the tree from injuries.
However, when using hammock suspension straps, people often have one o two problems setting it up. If the straps are not tied or set up firmly for your hammock, you might not get the proper balance you desire when you get into your hammock. Allow us to guide you on how to use hammock suspension straps and other relevant hammock setting-up tips below.
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Do I need Carabiners for a Hammock?
Most hammocks require carabiners. 80 percent of the hammocks you will see on the web require carabiners. However, there are alternative means if you do not want to use a carabiner.
In my opinion, you do not always need a carabiner. If you are good at creating loops and knots, you can try your hammock to your hammock straps. This saves you the stress of having to buy a carabiner.
How To Use Hammock Suspension Straps
Using your hammock suspension straps is pretty easy. All you need is to know what, why, and how. Below is a guide on how to use hammock suspension straps.
- Choosing the Right Suspension Straps
- Choose the Right Pair of Carabiners
- Get the Perfect Anchor Points
- Just Hang
Step 1: Choosing the Right Suspension Straps
It is practically impossible for your hammock suspension straps to work if you do not get the right one. There are different hammock suspension straps you will see n the market today. Choose the one that you feel would work best for you.
There are different ways to tie a strap to a tree, and different straps work with each method. The easy tie or ECO-friendly methods and a lot more. Choose the strap that best goes with your tying method.
Step 2: Choose the Right Pair of Carabiners
While shopping for straps, many people often forget to get the right pairs of carabiners. As little as carabiner look, they are important if you want the best comfort and balance in your hammock.
Get at least 2 carabiners that you will tie to the two ends of your hammock. You can get more than two if you do not want to be shopping for carabiners whenever you intend to hang your hammock.
Step 3: Get the Perfect Anchor Points
This is the next thing you should do once you have ready your carabiners and hammock suspension straps. You must take time to get the perfect anchor points for your straps.
If the anchor points are not good enough, you might be putting yourself at risk of falling when you get inside your hammock. Since you will tie your hammock to a tree, you must check if the trees are strong enough. Push your weight against the tree, and if the tree moves, it means it isn’t strong enough for you. Also, watch out for dead leaves or branches, which indicate a bad or weak tree. READ: How to Tie a Hammock to A Tree (With Pictures)
Step 4: Just Hang
This is the last and most important part of getting the best out of your hammock suspension straps. Once you have done the previous 3 steps, you can hang or tie your suspension straps to the tree.
There are different methods for hanging your suspension straps. All these methods and more will be discussed in the subtopic below.
How to Tie My Suspension Straps to the Tree
As stated in the previous sentence, there are different methods to tie and get the best out of your hammock suspension straps. Below is a guide to using your hammock suspension straps with different tying methods.
- The Double Loop Method
- The Single Loop Method
The Double Loop Method
This is one of the most popular methods to tie your strap to the tree. It is a quick and easy method. This method simply means using the loops at each end of your hammock. Here are the steps below.
- Step 1: Wrap your Strap around the Tree with the Anchor Points Facing the Hammock
This is the first thing you must do if you are looking to tie your hammock to a tree using the double loop hammock suspension strap method. Firstly, you must wrap the strap around the tree.
- Step 2: Pull Tightly and Use a Carabiner to Connect One End of the Loop to the Hammock Knot
This is the next thing you must do if you are looking to use the double loop method. Once you have wrapped the suspension strap around the tree (remember to wrap it only once), you should pull one end of the strap. Now, use a carabiner to connect one loop of the strap to the knots on the strap.
- Step 3: Connect your Hammock to the Loop at the Loosed End of the Strap
Connecting your hammock to the loosed end of the hammock suspension straps is the last thing to do regarding tying your strap with the double loop method. You can take your time to connect your hammock to the loosed loop using a carabiner.
Repeat the same process for the other side of the hammock. Once this is done, you are good to go. You can now use your hammock suspension straps via the double-loop typing method.
The Single Loop Method
While this might not be as easy as the double loop method, this method is much firmer, and the chances of your hammock suspension straps sleeping are much reduced. With this method, there will only be loop hanging. Below is the guide to setting up the one-loop method.
- Step 1: Wrap your Strap around the Tree and Pass One End through the Loop at the Other End
This is the first thing you must do to use this method. You have to take your time to wrap the strap around the tree (wrap it just once). Once this is done, pass one end of the loop through the other end of the loop and pull firmly.
Ensure you pull firmly till the loop is tight around the tree.
- Step 2: Wrap the Strap in the Opposite Direction
Once you have passed the strap through the loop and pulled firmly, you should have only one loop or strap left hanging. Now, wrap the loop or strap in the opposite direction. You can do this more than once. When wrapping, ensure you pull firmly so each wrap holds firmly to the tree.
You can pass the loosed end through one layer of the wrapped strap to guarantee more firmness.
- Step 3: Connect your Carabiner and Hammock to the Strap
This is the last thing to do once you are done setting up your hammock suspension strap. You can connect your hammock to the loosed end of the strap (the loop). Once you have connected your hammock at one end, you will have to repeat the same possess at the other end.
Make adjustments to your strap if you notice your hammock is too firm. You can also adjust if it is sagging too much.
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Can I Leave my Hammock Straps in the Rain?
You can leave your hammock straps in the rain. If your hammock straps are new, you can leave them outdoors in the rain for a long time. Your hammock straps will still be good enough to serve you for the next 6 to 8 months.
After that time, your straps might not be as firm as before. This is basically because of moisture and use. You will need new hammock straps if your straps are o longer strong enough.
Leaving your straps in the rain won’t affect your hammock straps in the long run; it will only affect the ability for your strap to be at a hundred percent after a long time. This happens to every hammock, regardless of whether it is left in the rain.
How Much Weight can Hammock Straps Hold?
Hammock suspension straps can hold a maximum of 400 pounds. Most random straps hold between 200 and 300 pounds of weight. When you set up your hammock strap, you should know that there is a limit to the amount of weight you can put inside your hammock if connected to the strap.
You should consider many factors regarding the weight your hammock strap can hold. You should consider the number of people getting into your hammock. Is it a single-sized hammock or a double-sized hammock? All these things are important as they determine the tying method for your hammock straps.
How Long Should Hammock Straps be?
Your hammock straps shouldn’t be more than 5 to 6 feet long. If your hammock straps are too long, tying them becomes a problem. Apart from the problem of tying, you will likely have one or two problems with the proper adjustments of your straps and your hammock sagging. How Do I Keep My Hammock From Sagging? (4 STEPS)
How Wild Should Hammock Straps be?
The width of your hammock strap is important when it comes to tying your hammock strap. Your hammock strap should be around one to two inches wide.
Your strap might be too thin to accommodate your weight if it is less than one inch wide. The wider the strap, the easier your weight is spread on the tree. However, the thinner the strap, the more your weight is concentrated on the strap. Pay attention to the width when buying a hammock strap for yourself.
Conclusion
You can always use different tying methods when using your hammock suspension straps. All of these methods, the process of tying them, and much more relevant information have been discussed in this article. All you should do is read through it, and you will get all the information you need.