How to Use Hammock Straps

Camping and hiking trips are a blast, and they are made even better by bringing along your hammock for sitting and sleeping.

Hammocking is a great way to relax in nature by suspending yourself above the ground and gently swaying to the rhythm of the earth. 

When you’re hammocking, you can enjoy the fresh air and nature while feeling warm and cozy in your hammock.

Using a set of suspension straps to hang your hammock makes it easy to set up, simple to adjust and secure in keeping you suspended. 

The Different Types

Long Straps with Two Loops

One type of hammock straps is the extra-long hammock straps that typically have two loops on the ends.

These straps are probably the handiest type of hammock straps as they give you extra length to work with. 

The other advantage is that the extra-long straps will go around larger trees. This would be important depending on where you are tying off.

Know the area you will be staying in before you go, and know what type of trees will be in that area. 

Most extra-long straps are about ten feet long and will have wider S hooks. They will fit most hammock, even those with larger end loops. 

How To Use Long Straps

Long straps with two loops at either end are pretty easy to use and can be used independently with no other suspension. There are two main methods of using these straps.

The easier way is to first place a loop facing toward where the hammock will be hung and wrap the other end around the tree many times to reach the suspension you want.

Then, bring the suspension loop through the loop you are holding and attach a carabiner to it. Finally, attach the carabineer to your hammock and repeat on the other side. 

Another method is to start by holding one of the loops facing where the hammock will be hung. Then, wrap the strap around the tree once, bring it through the loop and pull tight.

Next, tie a marlin-spike hitch, insert a toggle, and repeat the steps on the other side. To hang your hammock, hook the hammock’s end loops around the knot of the hitch.

Short Straps with Two Loops

Short straps are great for the average size tree and will be able to wrap around the tree  once or twice

If you go camping in various types of geography, you might consider getting both a long and a short set of straps. 

Using a long set of straps on a smaller tree might be a bit annoying, but trying to use a short set of straps on a big tree will be an exercise in futility. 

However, if you primarily are hammock camping in the same sort of environment, you will be able to decide on the one set that will work well for your hammock.

How To Use Short Straps

Short straps will wrap around the average tree just once or twice. Feed the pass loops through each other, making sure that one of the loops faces the hammock.

Short straps are only meant to be an anchor point for your hammock due to their short length.

This means that you’re going to need something else to suspend your hammock from the straps. 

To set up the short straps as an anchor point for your hammock, start by wrapping the strap through the tree, then feed one loop through the other.

Pull one of the loops tight and make sure that it’s facing toward where your hammock will be hung.

Finally, you’ll need to use something like a carabiner or marlin-spike hitch to connect your hammock loop to the loop from the strap. 

Easily Adjustable Straps

 

Adjustable straps are the easiest strap to use. They consist of a series of loops off the side of a long strap.

The number of loops and the length of the strap makes it easy to adjust your hammock to get the desired hang every time. 

How To Use Adjustable Straps

To use an adjustable strap, start by wrapping the strap around the tree and feed the end of the strap that has the loops through the other end of the strap and pull it tight against the tree. 

These straps are so easy to use, and you can move your carabiner up and down the strap as needed. 

Clip the carabiner to the end loop and then to your hammock and you are set. If you are like me, a visual learner, rest assured that adjustable straps will come with instructions.

Eco-Friendly straps

All straps are better to use on a tree than a rope or nylon cording, but there are some straps that go by the standard of “eco-friendly.”

Eco-friendly straps are about two-inches thick, have metal rings, and come with S-hooks.

They tend to be just a little bit heavier than other straps because of the metal rings and S-hooks. 

However, they are a great option for the backyard where you would be leaving them in place. 

At Everest Active Gear, we are all for anything that does not do damage to the outdoor playground we love to spend time in. 

How To Use Eco-Friendly Straps

Eco-friendly straps are fairly easy to use. They can be used as an anchor point or suspension depending on their length.

Eco-friendly straps typically have a cloth loop at one end and a metal loop at the other. 

To use eco-friendly straps, start by placing the cloth loop facing where your hammock will be hung and wrapping the end with the metal ring around the tree.

Bring this end back through the cloth loop and pull it tight against the tree. Next, reverse your wrapping direction and wrap the strap with the metal end back around the tree to the length you want.

Finally, you’ll want to pull the metal loop under one or two of the strap layers, pull it back through the cloth loop, and attach it to your hammock using an S-hook. 

In Conclusion

Hammocking is a fun, easy way to relax outdoors during camping trips or long hikes. It can even be used in the backyard or indoors. 

To suspend your hammock, you have the choice from long or short straps with two loops, eco-friendly straps or easily-adjustable straps. 

Which straps you choose to go with depends on the type of suspension you want and the type of trees will be in the area you camp in.

Whatever you choose, please make it a proposition that is kind to the trees.

FAQs

How do hammock straps work?

Hammock straps are wrapped around a tree or post and let you hook up whatever hammock you are using.

When used appropriately, it becomes a suspension system that leaves no trace to the shared area.

What tools do you need to hang a hammock?

That would depend on the kind of hammock you are going to use and where you plan to suspend it. But most commonly, hammocks come with strap kits.

The kit consists of straps and all the hardware you will need, including steel S hooks attached to the ends of the straps and carabiners.

What is the most important quality of a hammock strap?

Durability is an essential quality hammock strap should have. To keep it off the ground, you need a durable suspension system that is required in attaching the ends of your hammock to trees, posts, or other sturdy and supportive objects.   

Are hammock straps tree-friendly?

Ropes cause abrasion that can be harmful to the bark, but tree straps are adjustable and snugs perfectly. Most state parks accept and encourage the use of tree straps.

Are the hammock straps adjustable?

Yes, hammock straps are adjustable, making your suspension system much more convenient and easy to set up.