Paracord has evolved into a multi-purpose utility cord. It is widely accessible. Many campers are unsure will paracord hold a hammock? Furthermore, individuals who have recently begun using hammocks or are about to put up hammock for the very first time usually believe paracord to be the simplest choice for a hammock.
Paracord is a multifilament nylon rope with almost limitless uses, applications, and advantages. So, not only is paracord a bad choice for hanging your hammock, and it’s also not recommended for any other part of your hammock setting for many reasons.
While most people think of using paracord to lift their hammock, they see using it as part of the suspensions to establish an anchor point.
Will paracord hold a hammock?
Paracord is a great cord with a wide array of applications. However, it is not a suitable material for hammocks. It has low strength and therefore is specially intended to stretch when subjected to stress. Any flexible rope or cloth will cause the hammock to collapse when weighted. So, in practice, if you use paracord as a suspension mechanism, it will not remain in place for an extended time. Furthermore, it tends to droop down with time and weight, which may be unsafe.
It is pointless to use a paracord to sustain the weight of your hammock. Because the paracord is elastic, it will stretch overnight and is therefore dangerous.
A single strand of paracord can support an average individual in a hammock for just a short time, but you’ll probably want to double it. When a single strand of paracord is exposed to a weight over a long time, it will stretch irreversibly. You don’t want to wake up with your back on the floor.
How much weight can a paracord hold?
Paracord can withstand a lot of weight; 550 paracords can withstand 550 pounds under a static load. This means that this paracord can hold the weight of anything that isn’t moving up and down. The weight which the rope can handle is significantly reduced since it is flexible.
This is not advised to use paracord in your hammock’s suspension system since it is potentially dangerous. Some climbers observe the 550 lb. rating on ordinary paracord and believe that since they weigh less than 550 lbs, they may use paracord as a climbing rope.
The reality is that a person falling weighs much more than a person standing on the surface. A climbing rope’s ideal strength rating is 10 to 15 times the climber’s weight. As a result, 550 paracord falls well short of the specifications of a decent climbing rope.
Is a paracord more powerful than rope?
On the surface, paracord seems to be just like every other rope, but this is not the case. Other ropes are made of polyester or polypropylene, while paracord is constructed of nylon and is renowned for its remarkable strength-to-weight ratio—so strong that astronauts used it to fix the Space Telescope.
The braided sheath has a high number of woven strands to accommodate for its size, and the nylon structure is very elastic, making it suitable for a variety of applications. Because of its numerous life-saving qualities, survival paracord is often included in the bug-out bags and camping gear kits owing to its lightweight composition.
Paracord is a dynamic material, similar to a climbing rope, as opposed to the accessory cord, which is static.
If you need a rope for climbing or camping, a paracord is the best option since it can withstand the greatest weight.
There is a rule of thumb you may use to determine if a rope is capable of supporting a hammock. just multiply the diameter of the rope by itself three times. Multiply the result by 2,000. The answer is the amount of weight that a rope can sustain. If you do this with a 1-inch rope, the safe working load is 2,000 pounds, that’s more than enough to hold any hammock. This implies that any rope with a diameter of less than one inch is appropriate for hanging a hammock.
Why is paracord so popular?
Paracord is very popular nowadays as paracord is stretchable, strong and it can be used for various camping activities. Since paracord can indeed be braided, doubled up for additional strength, or disassembled for finer thread, it is very flexible. Its ends may be heated or crimped to avoid fraying, and its nylon composition is resistant to the weather, making it the go-to survivor item in emergency packs.
The cord is exceptionally long-lasting. The interlaced braids provide strength, while the outside cord keeps the braids from withering in the weather, making them water and sand-resistant. Radio antennae may be readily held together using 550-cord during a hot Afghan summer.
But it has indeed been used everywhere. all astronauts today used 35 feet of paracord to repair the Hubble Space Telescope. This implies that the -billion-dollar astronomical wonder was held together with a spool of paracord.
If all you have is your beloved paracord bracelet, you’re in luck since this material can be turned into anything. The innards of the rope may be used for stitching, fishing, and lighting a fire, while the exterior can be used as a shoelace or trap.
How do you tie a paracord hammock?
If you want to tie your hammock with ease, saving as much money as possible, you should use paracords to suspend your hammock! This entire suspension system is highly pocket-friendly and ideal for your budget camping trips, but it has its downside as I have mentioned above.
But don’t let the low price of this method fool you. Besides being lightweight, this simple low price method that is extremely effective. However, despite all the benefits this method has, it is often damaging to the trees; thus, one must be very cautious while using this method to cause the least damage.
To start this method, you will need a few basic things:
🛠️ Lighter.
🛠️ A pair of scissors.
🛠️ An 1100 paracord.
To make the straps, follow the process mentioned below:
► Cut the paracord: Using the scissors, cut the paracord in the center of the length
► Burn and seal the ends: Using the lighter singe, the two ends of the paracord. You can also singe the uncut end as well
► Tie a knot: Make an overhand knot at the end of the new length on both sides. Be sure to make a small hoop at the end of each new length
► Tie the paracord around the trees: Now wrap the paracord length around the desired trees and pull the other end through the knot created
► Secure the cord: Pull the paracord tight through the loop to firmly secure it to the tree for both sides
► Marlin Spike Hitch: Make a Marlin Spike Hitch at the center of the paracord length with your carabiners or toggle.
► Place the hammock: Now attach the two ends of the hammocks to the carabiners placed on either side hanging of the paracord straps.
Conclusion
If you ask me “Will paracord hold a hammock?”, I will always say Paracord should not be used to hold your hammock It also should not be used to secure the anchor or even as part of a suspension system. Attempting to hold your weight on a hammock using a paracord is not only useless but also risky. Even if your paracord can support your weight, your hammock will most likely be uneven and difficult to sit in.
Not only is using paracord in a hammock setup unsafe for you, but it may also cause harm to trees if looped around them. If you’re searching for a way to hold your weight in a hammock, consider straps or tubular webbing. A chain may be the answer for those of you who use a stand.
