Over the years we've packed so much action into this little area and have shown you example after example of how we use our tiny 15 foot by 40 foot space. While some members of our family have hated the backyard from time to time...
Over the years we've packed so much action into this little area and have shown you example after example of how we use our tiny 15 foot by 40 foot space. While some members of our family have hated the backyard from time to time...
...overall we all love it for different reasons. My personal favorite use for our backyard is using it as our personal urban hammock napping space.
With our large tree as an anchor on one side, and our tall exterior wall as the anchor on the other side, we're able to hang the hammock we picked up at World Market several years back and give ourselves a place to sit back, relax, and just take it easy.
The one problem we've had with this configuration is with the method I've long used to hang our hammock on the trunk of the tree. As it happens, using a large chain is an effective solution, but it wasn't particularly "tree friendly." I'd long thought about using something like a plastic sleeve on the chain, or something that would be slightly more kind to the tree's bark. However, I just didn't really know where to look, and it was always somewhat of an afterthought when I was laying in the hammock, which happens to not be a specifically productive time to take care of things that needed to be taken care of.
A few weeks ago we posted a photo that included a little backyard hammock time, and a commenter asked about this very item. He suggested a brand of flexible and friendly strapping called the "Python Strap" from Kammok. Using this as a lead, I started to do a bit of research.
As it turns out, there are a large number of hammock straps on the market that are varying levels of perfect for our application. They each offer adjustable loops, variable tree girth accommodation, and various elements to improve the safety aspect of suspending yourself a foot or more from the ground and hoping it'll hold your napping self.
After going through quite a few reviews and comparisons, I ended up going with the recommended Python Straps. The company has a great reputation and all of the reviews were glowing. I was particularly concerned that the straps might stretch once on the tree, but all of the reviews put my fears at ease. I went ahead and ordered a set of Python Straps and, thanks to Amazon Prime, I had the product in hand just a few days later.
The straps come in pairs and include a handy carry bag. Since I'll ultimately only need one strap at a time I can stash the bag in an easy-to-reach place in the sun porch and always have a spare on hand.
The design of the straps are very cool. They're about 10' long and have a loop in one end.
The looped end wraps around the trunk of the tree and you feed the non looped end through the loop of the strap.
Pulling the strap taught around the trunk of the tree exposes a series of additional loops that have been built into the two layers of the strap. There is a look approximately every six inches, which allows you to use these straps on trees with a variety of trunk thickness.
You then feed your hook or clip through one of these mid strap loops and you're in business.
After using my standard 'S' hook on the strap I felt like I wanted a little more security in the hold. I doubt there was really any risk in the hook flying out while I was laying there, but in paranoid, what can I say? I went ahead and ordered a screw gate Black Diamond climbing caribeaner that would allow me to lock it right on the strap without fear of it magically unhooking.
My new and tree-friendly hammock strap now allows me to hang out on the hammock without fear of damage to the tree's bark. They're also rated to hold up to 250 pounds each, and since each side of the hammock is supported independently, this means there's plenty of support to hold Wendy, Lulu, and me, all at the same time and without risk of falling.
This is one of the many occasions where I'm very appreciative that someone on our blog floated a suggestion in the comments. Little did he know I'd been looking for a good solution to this problem for some time (but was apparently too lazy to actually do something about it). And best of all, this solution can work whether we're hanging out in our backyard, or if we feel like taking our hammock to some exotic beach locale.
Do you have a place to hang a hammock in your yard? If so, how do you hang it? From the looks of these Python Straps, pretty much anyone is capable of putting a hammock in your yard, all you need are two things to hang it off of. If you don't have a hammock, how do you have a way you like to unwind during the long, lazy days of summer? If so, we'd love to hear about it.
Did you enjoy reading this post? Want to learn more about our first-hand experiences with other tools, devices or items used throughout our renovation? If so, check out our complete list of product reviews in our Toolbox Tuesday section.
Note: We weren't compensated for this review. We simply want to share good products when we see them, and hope that learning from our mistakes can help save you time, money and frustration.
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