Hammock and Tarp Downsizing; 10ft ridgeline to 9ft

[blue indian]

Has anyone ever downsized in their hammock length? It seems around here that most people go up in size. But Im interested in doing the opposite.

I am 6 ft tall, my hammock is 10 ft; today I laid in an 11 foot hammock of the same model. Couldnt tell a difference..

Could I use a 9ft hammock and not notice a difference there either? With an adjustable ridgeline, length of hammock would make an even less difference correct?

Smaller hammock means smaller tarp; less overall weight and space inside pack.

[SilvrSurfr]

Good luck with that. I started with 9 ft. hammocks and was miserable, then moved to 10 ft. hammocks and then 11 ft. hammocks, which was my sweet spot. I'm 5'11" and wouldn't go near a 9 ft. hammock.

[BananaHammock]

9 is short. I’m 5’11” and I sleep in a ten all the time with no problems. I think I like 10’6” but no one makes that it seems except tableclothfactory.com

[leiavoia]

You can try this on a temporary basis by just whipping one end a foot short and reattaching the suspension.

You also try a folding the end of the hamock fabric and attaching suspension with a bid ol' Sheet Bend.

You will find out pretty quick if it makes a difference.

[TrailSlug]

What ever floats your boat or hang your own hang. Me personally I'm 5' 9" and I find an 11' hammock the most comfortable. I had a 10' and just couldn't get a good diagonal. If a 9' hammock is comfortable to you then you can get by with a Eno and save some money.

[oldgringo]

Let's distinguish between "most comfortable" and "comfortable enough". I'm 6x250, and own a Speer and a GTUL. Both are on the short end of the spectrum. I have slept in both, and was glad to have them. I did not lie awake half the night wishing for a bigger hammock.

[cougarmeat]

Your thread mentioned Tarp downsizing too. So consider that the tarp does more than shelter the hammock. It also provides a dry space out of the hammock. My guess is, in a real downpour, you'll value that extra dry space more than the savings of a few ounces in tarp weight with a smaller coverage tarp.

[alifeoutdoors]

I'm exactly 6 ft and feel no difference between an 11 ft or 10 ft as well. I did try a 9 foot as an experiment picking up a 9 ft used netless tree runner once and going the reverse way I could definitely tell a difference. Very uncomfortable and seemed impossible to get a good diagonal lay.

I did also try a 10 foot tarp with a 10 ft hammock once. Stayed dry fine even in a Lake Superior sudden thunderstorm, but like cougarmeat is saying, I didn't have much margin for error so I was way more relaxed going back to a standard 11 ft tarp.

[hutzelbein]

For me, it depends on a few additional factors. The 10.5' Heavyweight DL Warbonnet XLC/Eldorado is my most comfortable hammock, although it's not my longest and widest by far. I use it at home or when weight is not an issue. But whenever I have to carry my gear, I take a 9.5' 1.7 SL Warbonnet Blackbird, which is still very comfortable. However, I have yet to find another hammock this short that I find bearable. I believe it is a combination of fabric and hammock design. I'm 5'4", so a lot shorter than you. If I would find a shorter hammock equally comfortable, I would consider switching to save a couple of ounces. But somehow I doubt that such a hammock exists. So simply try a couple of shorter hammocks and see if you can live with it. Everybody has their individual discomfort tolerance.

[BananaHammock]

For me, it depends on a few additional factors. The 10.5' Heavyweight DL Warbonnet XLC/Eldorado is my most comfortable hammock, although it's not my longest and widest by far. I use it at home or when weight is not an issue. But whenever I have to carry my gear, I take a 9.5' 1.7 SL Warbonnet Blackbird, which is still very comfortable.

I think those hammocks are 11’ and 10’ respectively