Shoulder squeeze at any amount of sag.

[hiroshima1320]

I'm relatively new to hammocks. I've got a Wal-Mart special (equip traveler, 9'9"ish by about 60"). I'm thinking from all the reading I've been doing, that I'm getting shoulder squeeze because I need to go longer. I'm 6'1" and about 250, with fairly broad shoulders. If I hang too deep, I get shoulder squeeze and it wants to roll me on my side. Any other angle, it still squeezes my shoulders. Will a longer hammock solve this? Or am I going to have to go the bridge route?

[OCDave]

A longer hammock will absolutely solve your shoulder squeeze.

Welcome to the forums

[SilvrSurfr]

Depends on how much money you want to spend and how adaptable you are. I like 11 x 5 ft. hammocks - they suit me well. Dutch sells them as does BIAS and a number of other vendors.

I'm 5'11", by the way.

[hutzelbein]

In addition to (lacking) hammock length, it might also be (too much) fabric stretch. If you buy a longer hammock, maybe don't take the lightest available fabric but at least something mid-weight. At your size, you might also appreciate more width. Dutch now sells extra wide hammocks that might be worth a try.

[sqidmark]

I think all advice above is spot on. To that all i can add is that as a short, lighter person you would think i could get away with almost anything. Not true. My shoulders are particularly sensitive to shoulder squeeze. Anything less than 11' has been a problem. Even wide fabric won't allow me to go under 11ft. As hutzelbein pointed out, fabric firmness can also play a major role. Another thing that has helped me is to raise the foot end about 12-13” higher than the head end. Though this has much more effect on calf ridge, i found that fine tuning can also help with shoulders.

[hiroshima1320]

Thanks for the help. I couldn't find a definitive answer to that particular question. All I could find was "longer is more comfortable". I'll probably go the diy route. At least the hammock isn't a total waste. It should be plenty long enough for my 4 year old daughter to use.

[Billy Goat]

If you go the DIY route, I suggest taking a look at the Robic XL fabric from RSBTR. It has two different ripstop patterns in it that make it less stretchy, but it is still very soft and comfy. Super light and thin, too.

Cheers,
the Goat

[Pyrogen]

My ENO was just barely over 9' and the first few nights I tried sleeping in it I woke up with a stiff neck and cramped shoulders. I replaced it with a Dutchware 11' and have been sleeping soundly ever since.

[hiroshima1320]

After a couple of tries making a diy gathered end, I don't believe I've achieved my goal. 12' long and still squeezing my shoulders uncomfortably. 60" wide and 12' long. I'll try some adjustments to the hanging, but I'm still having the same problem. I'm not going back to ground. I'm going bridge if this doesn't work out.

[SilvrSurfr]

What kind of fabric are you using? How are you gathering the ends?