Build your own hula hoop: choose tubing, connectors and accessories
Building your own hula hoop takes more than any tube and a connector that happens to fit. Material, tube diameter, connection, intended hoop diameter, tape and tools must work together. This page helps you plan the selection without replacing a complete construction or assembly guide.
Quick guide: Start with the intended use and material, then choose tube diameter and connection type, and only then calculate the required tube length. The Hoopomania Buying Guide can turn these choices into a complete, currently priced list of materials and tools.
DIY or a ready-made hula-hoop blank?
With the DIY route, you buy tubing and compatible components for your own assembly. A ready-made blank has already been joined into a usable hoop. Tape can be added afterwards, but is not required for it to function as a hoop.
DIY is suitable if you want to plan the material, connection and finish yourself and take responsibility for assembly. If you want an already connected hoop, a finished blank is the more direct option.
1. Plan quantity and intended use first
First decide how many hoops you want to make and whether they will be identical or configured differently. For one to 20 hoops, the DIY Buying Guide can calculate and combine the required items. Larger quantities should be discussed individually because different tube products, connectors and tape quantities must not be combined indiscriminately.
For several hoops, only identical tube products are calculated together. Material, tube diameter and colour must match.
2. Choose material family and tube diameter
Hoopomania offers PE/HDPE and polypropylene tubing for DIY projects. The material family determines which tube diameters and connectors are technically compatible.
| Material family | Available tube diameters | Orientation |
|---|---|---|
| PE/HDPE | 16, 20 and 25 mm | from light and slim to larger, heavier and more dimensionally stable |
| Polypropylene (PP) | 16, 19 and 20 mm | clear and coloured versions; 19 and 20 mm remain separate products |
At the same hoop diameter, a 16 mm hoop is lighter and becomes more flexible as its size increases. A 20 mm tube is versatile and provides more stability and weight. A 25 mm tube suits larger, heavier hoops with a calmer rotation. These are selection characteristics, not a quality ranking.
Detailed material science belongs on the planned specialist page about hula-hoop materials. Here, the focus is solely on selecting components for a specific DIY configuration.
3. Determine the compatible connection
Choose the connection according to material family and tube diameter. Not every combination is technically intended.
| Connection type | Parts per hoop | Planning point |
|---|---|---|
| Permanently riveted | 1 connector + 2 blind rivets | permanently closed |
| 1 snap button + 1 rivet | 1 connector + 1 snap button + 1 blind rivet | one side detachable |
| 2 snap buttons | 1 connector + 2 snap buttons | both tube ends detachable |
| Foldable | 2 compatible folding connectors | smaller packed size with a suitable configuration |
A folding connection is not intended for 16 mm tubing. Foldable configurations may be possible with 19, 20 and 25 mm tubing; exact compatibility is checked together with the tube and hoop diameter.
The complete assignment of individual connector, snap-button and rivet products remains the task of the Buying Guide and current product data. It is deliberately not published here as a static product matrix.
4. Calculate hoop diameter and tube length
Measure the outside diameter from outer edge to outer edge.
Required tube length in metres = outside diameter in metres × 3.14
An outside diameter of 100 cm requires 3.14 m of tubing. As tubing is sold in whole metres, you need 4 m.
For several hoops, first add the lengths of identical tube products. Add a 5 cm allowance for each additional hoop in the same tube group, then round up to the next whole metre sold.
Two identical 100 cm hoops require 6.28 m. With a 5 cm allowance, the requirement is 6.33 m, which rounds up to a purchase quantity of 7 m.
Important: Different tube products are calculated separately. Round up each tube-product group on its own.
5. Plan foldable hoops particularly carefully
Foldable is not automatically the best connection. Small hoop diameters put greater stress on the tubing and folding points.
Hoopomania's internal precautionary thresholds: below 85 cm with 19/20 mm tubing and below 90 cm with 25 mm tubing. These are not statutory or standardised safety limits. The maximum diameter for foldable DIY hoops is 200 cm.
6. Decorative tape, grip tape or both?
- without tape,
- grip tape only,
- decorative tape only,
- decorative tape and grip tape.
Decorative tape changes the appearance. Grip tape provides a grippier surface and can support control during body contact and when using the hands and arms. Colours are not selected automatically; combinations follow your design plan.
Tapes are not designed as protection against asphalt, sharp edges or strong impacts. A complete wrapping guide belongs on the planned specialist page about hand wrapping with decorative and grip tape.
7. Match the tools to the connection
The tools required depend on the connection. Tools you already own do not need to be purchased again.
| Connection | Tools normally required | Optional/exception |
|---|---|---|
| Permanently riveted | tube cutter, blind-rivet pliers | countersink optional; metal drill bit only for tolerance adjustment |
| 1 snap + 1 rivet | tube cutter, blind-rivet pliers, countersink | metal drill bit only for tolerance adjustment |
| 2 snap buttons | tube cutter, countersink | metal drill bit only for tolerance adjustment |
| Foldable | tube cutter | no other tools from the current HHS range |
Tube tolerances can occasionally make adjustment necessary. A metal drill bit is therefore not a standard tool for every configuration, but a possible exception.
8. What the DIY Buying Guide compiles
- tubing in a calculated quantity rounded to whole metres sold,
- compatible connection parts,
- selected decorative and grip tapes,
- a complete tool and check list,
- current item, line and total prices.
Products that are currently unavailable are not included. Shipping costs follow the shop's normal rules.
Plan safely and check the result
Measure carefully, use suitable tools and follow the instructions from each tool and component manufacturer. Check the tubing, drilled holes, connectors and finished connection for damage, sharp edges and secure seating. A materials list is not a guarantee of safety, durability, fit or successful assembly.
If a combination is unclear or you are planning more than 20 hoops, arrange individual advice before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions about DIY tubing and accessories
How do I calculate the required tube length?
Multiply the outside diameter in metres by 3.14 and round the result up to the next whole metre sold.
What is the difference between PE/HDPE and PP?
Material, tube diameter, intended hoop diameter, desired weight, flexibility and a technically compatible connection all matter. They do not form a quality ranking.
Which connection suits my hoop?
That depends on material, tube diameter, hoop diameter and the desired transport format.
Which tools do I need?
A tube cutter is basic equipment. Additional tools depend on whether you use rivets, snap buttons or a folding connection.
Do I need grip tape, decorative tape or both?
Decorative tape is for appearance; grip tape provides a grippier surface. They can be combined, and a hoop can also be used without tape.
How is the quantity calculated for several hoops?
Only identical tube products are grouped. Add their lengths, add 5 cm for each additional hoop, then round up to whole metres sold.
Next step
Use the Hoopomania Buying Guide to compile tubing, connectors, tapes and tools for your configuration.