Hoop Tubing Types Explained: Polypro, HDPE & Polyethylene

Video transcript

Let's talk about the tubing types most commonly used for making hoops. The three most common in the hoopmaking industry are polypro, HDPE, and polyethylene.

Polypropylene — "polypro" — is bouncy and responsive, less pliable and slightly stiffer than HDPE. It's clear in its natural form. One downside is that it can crack and break more easily in cold weather, usually temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

HDPE is great for thinner, lighter beginner hoops and more advanced hoops alike. It's a little heavier than polypro and slightly softer to the touch, but more robust and reliable when it comes to breakage, as it doesn't react to the cold the way polypro does. It's milky white in its natural form.

Now let's talk about polyethylene tubing. Every size of polyethylene also comes in different PSIs (pressure per square inch), usually from 80 to 200 PSI. The higher the PSI, the heavier the tubing — so 80 PSI tubing is much lighter than 200 PSI. Find a PSI that's comfortable for you and your customers. For workout hoops meant primarily for waist hooping you may want a higher PSI; for general beginner hoops the most-used range is 80 to 100 PSI. One important note: polyethylene is measured differently than polypro and HDPE. Its size refers to the inner diameter of the tube, while polypro and HDPE sizes refer to the outer diameter.

Hoop tubing comes in many sizes. Outer diameter is the outside of the tube and inner diameter is the inside — both matter when working with hoop sizes. A 3/8-inch tube is about the size of a pencil and is primarily used as insert material for 1/2-inch tubing; it's found in HDPE and polypro. A 1/2-inch tube is about the size of a pinky finger, used mainly as insert material for 5/8-inch tubing, and can also craft thin hula hoops — especially useful for small juggling hoops and our specialty prop, the Slinky Hoop; found in HDPE and polypro. A 5/8-inch tube is comparable to a thumb or a nickel and remains one of the most popular sizes for making hoops; it can also be insert material for 3/4-inch tubing, found in HDPE and polypro.

An 11/16-inch tube is slightly larger in outer diameter than 5/8-inch but slightly smaller than 3/4-inch. We make it with a thicker wall, so it's heavier and sturdier than 5/8-inch, and we recommend polycarbonate inserts in the 1/2-inch size (1/2-inch inner diameter). We call this one "Goldilocks" because it's not too big and not too small — it's just right. A 3/4-inch tube is comparable to a quarter and is also one of the most popular sizes for crafting hoops; it can be insert material for 7/8-inch tubing and is found in HDPE and polypro. A 7/8-inch tube is slightly bigger than 3/4-inch and slightly smaller than 1-inch — a great size if you want something a little bigger but not as large as a 1-inch, found in HDPE and polypro, and usable as insert material for 1-inch tubing. As you can see, there are many tubing sizes in the hoopmaking world, and understanding the differences will help you become a successful hoopsmith.