View Full Version : Sun rot of hammock & canopy materials
There ought to be a standard way to judge when a nylon strap or fabric has been "sun rotted." Something like will a 1 kilogram lead weight dropped from a height of 1 meter crash through the fabric or bounce back.
Does anyone know about how many days a silnylon fabric can be left in the sun before the UV does an important amount of damage? I guess that the direct Arizona desert sun would do the job quickly, while semi-shady areas under tree canopies in West Virginia would require more time to ruin the material.
But in both cases: how long? Days? Weeks?
I remember how a plastic bottle that used to be resiliant suddenly shattered into shards when I accidently kicked it. It had been sun rotted as it stood on my porch.
SGT Rock
06-17-2006, 09:17
I don't know the time period but I do know that HH makes a military desert version. I have one here right now and hope to use it on a "on post pass". I told SGM that on my one day off a month I plan to pack up my rucksack, walk around the FOB a few times, and then set up my hammock and go camping for the night.
So if you plan to use a hammock in the desert a lot, it might be worth looking into.
Does anybody make a hammock out of other, more sun resistant fabrics, such as Nomex or Dyneema?
Also, where can I buy non-nylon (i.e., polyester, polypropylene, etc.) webbing to replace the nylon tree-huggers that come with the Hennessey Safari? It's best if the grommets for the hammock rope are already installed, since I've never put grommets into webbing before.
Just Jeff
06-17-2006, 13:04
From Ed Speer - www.speerhammocks.com
titanium_hiker
06-19-2006, 03:49
my question is- why worry about sun rot? unless you spend many days in one place...
titanium_hiker
Also, where can I buy non-nylon (i.e., polyester, polypropylene, etc.) webbing to replace the nylon tree-huggers that come with the Hennessey Safari? It's best if the grommets for the hammock rope are already installed, since I've never put grommets into webbing before.
I buy webbing here: http://www.strapworks.com/Polypropylene_s/59.htm
bearbag hanger
06-20-2006, 08:02
I've used my Hennessy Ultralight Backpacker A-Sym for about 300 nights in the last three years. It's just starting to show some what looks like sun damage to about 1/4 of the fabric. I've decided to replace it as the ends are starting to look a little frayed as well.
I should probably mention that I didn't find these problems until Hennessy came out with his Hyperlight Hammock.
titanium_hiker
06-20-2006, 08:30
I should probably mention that I didn't find these problems until Hennessy came out with his Hyperlight Hammock.
LOL! :banana
I should probably mention that I didn't find these problems until Hennessy came out with his Hyperlight Hammock.
What does that mean? You think Hennessy is having quality control problems? I'm just trying to understand what you mean.
Just Jeff
06-20-2006, 11:45
Sounds like a new toy is causing a re-evaluation of the old ones...
Time To Fly 97
06-20-2006, 12:03
Desert hiking: Consider making a rain tarp for your hammock out of mylar (reinforced). Mylar is super light and sun resistant... will actually reduce the temperature by 15 degrees underneath - good for mid day siestas under the Joshua trees. Ray Jardine suggests mylar covering for umbrellas in the desert - same idea for hammock. : )