Can a Hammock be too wide? XL Hammock Question

[Itsallstraw]

Hey all! I am reaching out to you the exerts...

I just ordered my first hammock. 11" 1.6oz HyperD XL. Finished width will be about 70 1/2 inches. I really want a nice flat lay with some room to move around. I am about 5'6 and 170lbs. I know that doesn't quite justify the XL but I really like idea of more "wiggle room" and an easier time finding that sweet spot. This is my first hammock and I want to know if you guys this this is just too much fabric for a short person or will I be able to make it work. I'm hoping that the extra fabric doesn't just flop around but I guess that isn't the worst thing in the world. Any Suggestions? Did i make a bad decision? I thought- for $5 more heck yeah! I'm goin' WIDE!!

Is there such thing as a hammock that is too wide??

[Texas Hanger]

In my opinion yes. I had a tablecloth hammock that was 90 inches wide. I had over 20 inches of flop to deal with. After trying a few 70" wide ones I settled on about 65" being my sweet spot. Good luck on your journey!

[Itsallstraw]

oh boy...I'm getting a little worried now!

[SilvrSurfr]

I'm 5'11" and 165 lbs. I like 60" wide hammocks. I've tried 55" wide hammocks and they were too narrow - 60" is just right for me.

At 5'6" you are going to have a lot of floppy fabric with a 70" wide hammock. Is that a Dream Hammock you ordered? What kind?

[RecReator]

I'm 6'6" 230 lbs and I have a 70" wide single layer 1.6 hyper D hammock and that has some extra material flop. I find 63"-64" to be the perfect width for me.

[Texas Hanger]

oh boy...I'm getting a little worried now!

No worries... A knotty mod on the flapping side will help alot. It's an easy diy project. Lots of different ways to do it and they are well documented on this forum.

My Hyper D XL was one of my favorites until I laid in it with zippered back pockets...

[ojdash]

5'9" here, love wide hammocks...My Dream-Hammock is a wider version (65") and I always preferred wider hammocks. I felt like it got rid of the calf ridge pressure even in a slightly shorter hammock.

[Pheonix6579]

I find that depending on of I am being weight/pack conscious, 63-67 is my range. Though I don't mind the flop at all.

[hutzelbein]

I'm only 5'4" and I love my 75" hammock-bed. But then I have never understood the problem with "floppy" sides. Yes, there is more fabric than I can realistically use, but I like that I can move around without accidentally going over the edge with my head or feet. Most of my hammocks are ~59". With some it's OK, others feel too narrow. It seems that the less stretch the fabric has, the more I (can) go diagonal and the more width I need. I don't think that I would take any hammock wider than 63" hiking, though, because more width is simply luxury and doesn't add too much more comfort.

[Trail Runner]

oh boy...I'm getting a little worried now!

Too wide is far better than too narrow. At worst you have some floppy fabric but the comfort isn't affected.