GE neck pain??.

**Jimswms** · 05-30-2019, 18:46

I have a ridge runner and a couple different 90 degree hammocks, but thought I'd give a GE a try thanks to warbonnets sale.

My new eldorado arrived this afternoon and I've had a couple hours to putz around with it. Super comfortable, but I've got a kink in my neck now! It feels like there's just way too much support under my neck. Is this common?

Hammock is comfortable otherwise. Foot end much higher than head end. Ridgeline tension seems good. Hammock is super comfortable, except in my neck.

Thoughts?

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**Shug** · 05-30-2019, 19:08

Try a pillow. Neck pillow like airplane c-curve pillow.
Down pillow from one of the vendors on here.
Stuff sack with just a few items in it to wrap around your neck.
Don't need much.
Some even use the inflatable pillows.
Shug

**ylnfrt** · 05-30-2019, 19:19

I don't own the Eldorado but I had the same problem early on in my hanging career. I solved it by lowering the foot end to the point where it was @ 12" higher than the head end. (it was @ 26" high before) I think what happened was my head was being forced into the "V" of the gathered end putting pressure on the side of my head, causing me to use my neck muscles to fight off the compressing of the "V". When I lowered the foot end and was able to slide down a bit more into the hammock sweet spot this solved the issue.

**SilvrSurfr** · 05-30-2019, 19:22

Practice, practice, practice. I'm personally opposed to adding a neck pillow to my kit, so I feel you can get used to anything if you practice. I have a hammock in my office, and I sleep in that regularly just to be ready for the trail. I used to not only get neck kinks, but also had a snoring issue (which I never have in a bed). With practice, however, both issues went away and I now sleep comfortable in a gathered-end hammock without a pillow.

**cougarmeat** · 05-30-2019, 23:27

You didn't mention if you were or weren't using a pillow. I have never found a pillow comfortable for my head. The hammock itself supports my head just fine. A pillow tilts my head up too far; puts too much of kink in my neck. I might have one up by my head to keep the bug net further away, or use one under my knee. Hard to imagine how, lying flat in the hammock, there would be strain on your neck. But if you were on your side, then you'd need something to make up the height difference between side of head and shoulder - to keep the neck level.

So a lot depends on your sleeping style in the hammock.

**dkurfiss** · 05-31-2019, 05:37

I had same issue and I am a side sleeper. I found a small pillow, my down jacket wadded up, anything that would give my head/neck some support did the trick.

**Jimswms** · 05-31-2019, 07:48

Thanks. Seems clear a pillow might be the solution, although it feels more like less support is needed. Keep playing....

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**cmc4free** · 05-31-2019, 08:02

Originally Posted by Jimswms

Thanks. Seems clear a pillow might be the solution, although it feels more like less support is needed. Keep playing....

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It could be that the back of your head is supported by the hammock fabric, but without any support under your neck. That's the issue I have if/when I find myself wanting a pillow in a GE hammock. I don't want so much bulk in a pillow that it pushes my head farther forward, just a little something behind my neck to take some of the strain off.

After trying a few pillows I already owned and then trying a few "hammock" pillows from vendors, I found the Hammock Gear premium pillow (not the XL) is just the ticket for me.

https://www.hammockgear.com/premium-pillow/

**Red Wing** · 05-31-2019, 14:19

I use hammock gears XL pillow and it's perfect for me. If ai dont use an decent pillow I get neck pain as well, not a luxury item for me. That said, that pillow is perfect amount of support for me and I dont have the issue when I use it. I did with dutchess apex pillow however.

**Immortalviking** · 06-03-2019, 14:48

Funny that this thread popped up. I never used a pillow before and often had that kinked feeling. Then a couple weeks back, while laying in the hammock, i took my hoodie off because i was getting too warm.
While i was fumbling around, it fell behind my head and i laid on it. **** ! What a difference it made in comfort. So i too am currently looking for a pillow myself.