Which Material for my hammock

[arkwater]

I want to build an ultralight hammock, but I'm not sure what type of material to use. I am 6'0" and #195. I was thinking 1.9 ripstop but would like to use something lighter as long as its safe. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[Just Jeff]

I'm a bit smaller than you and didn't have much luck using the 1.1 oz from Wally World. It stretched too much down the centerline and that gave me shoulder squeeze. Maybe if you can find "stronger" 1.1 oz it might work...some of the HHs are made from high tenacity 1.1 oz, I think. He draws the line at 180lbs or so for those but I've heard of 200+lbs folks using them with no problems. So it really depends on what kind of 1.1 oz you get, I think.

For $1/yd material, I think I'm sticking to 1.9 oz from now on...it's just more comfortable to me so it's worth the extra ~3 oz. I might consider 1.1 oz if I were spending enough money to get something that I knew more about.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Would woven polyester be an option? I ask because I understand it stretches less than nylon.

[arkwater]

poly would be fine! I have 15 yds of 1.9 walley world stuff in a nice tan, but I can't tell if its DWR or sil
. it holds water unless you roll it up and squeeze it a little.

[Spock]

1.1 ounce ripstop Nyon 66 from Thruhiker costs more than Wallyworld, but it is real Nylon 66 parachute cloth, not the garment grade Nylon 6. Nylon 66 is twice as strong. I have made several hammocks with it with great results. I weigh about 230.

Bonus, the Thruhiker stuff is from 62 to 65" wide - for a generous hammock for 6+footer.

[Just Jeff]

Good info, Spock. That might actually change my plans for the next DownHammock I make. The 1.1 I used last time stretched too much and compressed the down inside. Glad you posted that.