Tricams - Dyneema vs. Nylon

I see CAMP are making both Dyneema and Nylon tricams. Curious what you all think about the differences and experience with either/or?

Unless the design has changed then the dyneema Tricams suck. The sling was super floppy and made it very difficult to place. The new EVO tricams have a nice stiff sling. See numerous other posts about EVO vs standard tricams or how to stiffen old tricams. Regardless avoid the dyneema version

Oh, my mistake - I thought it was the nylons that were floppy. Redacted.

The "new" tricam EVO are the way to go in the sizes they make them. Stiffer sling than the old nylon ones and the way stiffer than dyneema. Also adds a taper to the side of the tricam, allowing one more placement option (that I've only used once... but still). The weight savings is also pretty minimal for the dyneema, and not worth the trade off.

That said, the dyneema ones sure look pretty.

Before the new sewing pattern (stiffer sling) came out with the evos, I liked the dyneema ones more. They're more resistant to cutting, although less resistant to abrasion and UV, but I tape over mine so they aren't exposed to abrasion or UV. I also like the anodized head on the dyneema ones.

You should educate yourself on the pros/cons of the new evo style and decided whether they're right for you. IIRC, the regular style nylons don't have the new sewing pattern. I would suggest getting dyneema and taping over to protect from abrasion and UV + the tape stiffen it a bit, unless you decide to go for the evos. If the regular style nylon ones have the new stitch pattern, I'd go with them or the evos.

The differences between the two is pretty much listed on the product web page:

camp-usa.com/products/rock-…

By popular demand, the most popular Tricam sizes are also available with Dyneema® slings. These are slightly stronger in camming mode without any additional weight and realize the unique benefits of Dyneema®. Compared to nylon, Dyneema® maintains a higher breaking strength when wet and its natural hydrophobic properties prevent the slings from soaking up water and icing over. Sizes: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0.

All Tricams up to size 2.0 are now using the stiffer slings, including the dyneema versions. I think this has been the case since 2013. Notice the bottom right hand corner of the packaging mentioning "stiffer webbing". Keep in mind though that for at least a few years after there was still old new stock of the non-reinforced versions being sold. I think it was last summer I saw Sierra Trading Post selling the non-reinforced version of the dyneema Tricam. (Hopefully that's the last of them) The increased strength is oddly only noticeable in sizes 1.5 brown, and 2.0 blue. Where cam mode is rated 20kN, and chock mode 17kN for dyneema, and for the nylon version they are rated 14kN for both positions. If this is really the case, then strength wise it really makes no difference assuming a dry sling, as both are over 10kN rated.

I would think the only reasons to use the dyneema tricams is if you are doing mixed ice climbing or alpine rock climbing where it's possible the slings will get wet. That being said, dyneema has a shorter life span. Generally three to five years of use before you need to re-sling them. Nylon you can go five to ten years depending on the usage and condition of the sling. And when you do go to get them re-slung, guess what? No ones re-slings them in the new stiffer way, so you will have to resort to using tape, or tape and thin plastic strips to stiffen them.

Thanks for the replies