Introduction: DIY Hammock Straps
After recently purchasing a couple of hammocks, I went back to look at purchasing some straps to assist with fastening to a tree. Was shocked that the strapping materials in a kit cost way more than the 2 hammocks I bought put together. So, I set in to make my own!
1st you need to find your local outdoors store that sells climbing ropes and strapping material. As you see in my materials list, I purchased some hollow strapping 1" width. It will be your judgement on the length you wish to purchase, but as I bought, 2ft is sufficient for each end, and enough to go around the back side of each tree to protect its bark and/or trunk from damage.
Materials:
Hollow strapping material (2ft per end = 4ft Total)
Paracord (however much you need) I am using approximately 11-12ft as explained further in instructions.
Lighter
Scissors
Carabiner x 2 (durable to withstand weight limit; NOT the cheap $ store kind)
* Hammock
Step 1:
Next step!
1. Cut your strapping as mentioned above, into approx. 2ft pieces. If you pinch strap together you can see how this material is hollow. Once separated, lightly singe with lighter to prevent further fraying.
Step 2:
2. Paracord: First double the cord in half to aid in strengthening. After doubling, cut to desired length. I used a piece about 11 to 12ft in length.
3. Once doubled, slide paracord thru strap until you can grab on other end of strap. This can be a little tricky to slide thru, but if you maintain pinching strap in half it will help.
Step 3:
4. Now that you have the strap slid thru, take the loose end and tie together in a quick knot.
5. Next step will be to go down end of cord and tie several knots, which will help when securing hammock to strap. Depending on the distance between your two trees, you can adjust tension by moving to the next knotted area as seen in photo with carbiner.
That seems to be about it. Will try to show photos of strap in use, but currently hammock is hanging around down in basement until further use!
Also made a carry bag to keep straps in for carrying in your backpack, which I can show in separate Instructable.
6 Comments
7 years ago
I agree with RettT and wjwiii this is a bad design unless the main purpose is to reduce the friction of the cord against the outer surface of the tree bark and reduce the friction of the bark against the cord. But in the end it is still going to focus the pressure on the cord area and would cause more damage to the tree than a strap system that has no inner cord.
7 years ago
This is a pretty bad strap design. The hollow strap is useless as it only provides very minimal cushion to the tree. The reason tree straps work to protect and not damage the tree is because the weight is distributed across the width of the strap. In this design, the cord inside the hollow strap focuses the weight only to where the cord is, which can damage a tree. If you are not worried about damaging the tree, then just use this idea without the hollow strap.
8 years ago
Maybe I'm missing something, but if say I'm carrying these with me while camping, what's the best way to fit them around a tree for safety/stability/reducing possible damage to the tree?
Reply 8 years ago
The webbing material is what would go around the back side of the tree, which then would be better against the tree then the paracord sliding against the bark.
8 years ago on Introduction
Ralema69,
Hammock straps work by spreading out the weight over a larger area of the tree's bark than the cord does. Your design doesn't do this. The strap simply acts as a cover for the cord. You would need to attach the cord to each end of the strap so there is tension on the strap.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
wjwiii, I don't recall saying that the straps were to be used to disperse the weight. They are being used to protect the tree from damage from the cord, and the strap does that. From what other staps I have seen, this is the same concept, which is what I was replicating.