Confounding factors are hammock length and user height/weight, and what if any consideration is given to tarps.
For users of average height, 8' is enough for an 11' hammock if connections are near the ends, suspension minimal, and no tarp consideration. If it's an 8' lounger hammock, 7' poles may be enough. Tall users (over 6') may need longer for improved head/foot clearance. All excess length is useful for accommodating tarps in the common tarp ridgeline sizes, with 8'6" enough for an 11' low tarp. But as the poles get longer to accommodate really big tarps, they get weaker, so unless made of heavier stuff are unsuitable for heavy users.
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