questions why my hammock experience sucks so far

[this_is_tom]

I tried hammock camping I think 2 years back, did not succeed and hammocking gear got put away. Untill this summer, I watched every possible video, read it all... and it still sucks. It sucks because I cannot get comfy in it even when just lounging. I tried everything that does not cost money... ridge line, no ridge line, head end lower, straight, pillow no pillow... and it feels like I dont have enough room around my shoulders and head and I dont feel very stable. Also my back hurts after like 3 hours below shoulder blades. The only reason I can think of is the hammock is too short. or too wide. Or I just suck at pitching it right.

Hammock is TTTM double, 10.5 feet long and 78 inches wide. I am 6 feet 2 (187 cm) and 200 pounds. Is the hammock short? could the width be a problem too? how do I trouble shoot when the weather sucks (I picked great month to try and solve this)

I kind of want to try bridge hammock because I sleep like this but less cute http://www.sassquach.com/journal/201...-superman.html
do bridge hammocks come in different sizes too? what size would fit me?
Also I might be repeating myself a lot from the last post but idk how to check.

[Canoefor2]

First I am 6’ 1” and like to sleep on my side with a camp pillow. I use several hammocks and from you message I can tell you that you need a 11’ long and the ridge line helps setting up consistency. I would tell you I would look at the warbonnet XLC or dutch gear chameleon but the big thing would be use pull outs on both side of the hammocks where your shoulders are. This will eliminate the squeeze feeling and helps in sleeping on your side. Good Luck


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[dkurfiss]

Just a guess but I am thinking that 10.5' is end to end and if you measure the actual hammock length it's about 9 or 9.5' which is IMO too short for you.

If you want to stay in a gathered end hammock and want to go cheap to try it out, try a DIY table cloth. HERE is some instructions on how to do it which involves no sewing and limited cost. Thread even has a place to order from.

[rweb82]

While not 100% sure, I'm guessing that your hammock is a triple-panel design, similar to ENO, Grand Trunk, and most other hammocks available on Amazon. If that's the case, I would recommend switching to an 11' hammock that uses a single rectangular piece of fabric for the body. This makes a world of difference in terms of reducing the cramped feeling around your shoulders. The triple-panel design is not actually a rectangle, and it doesn't spread out as well when trying to lay on a diagonal.

If you don't want to spend a ton of money, check out the Ridge Outdoor Pinnacle hammock on Amazon (link below). It's an excellent hammock for the price. I would not recommend getting a bridge hammock yet, until you are able to try a better gathered-end hammock.

https://www.amazon.com/Mosquito-Ultr...s%2C207&sr=8-5

[Tpatter]

Not sure what your hammock needs are, but you can get a netless hammock from Dutch wear very inexpensively in 11 or 12 foot. I prefer those to the built-in net hammocks because I most often don’t need the net and it’s just an all around better experience for me. If you need the net more often that not, probably better off with one that is built in.

I used a 10’ for years without a ridgeline just to lounge in and was shocked at how much more comfortable an 11 footer was. I do find that sitting or lying across the width is fine in those smaller unusually wider hammocks.

[binfordw]

The hammock makes a huge difference as others have said. We started with some “good” cottage gear hammocks, and when we switched to roomier hammocks later it was much better.

I can’t say I’ve had shoulder discomfort, but I did used to get some heel pain. Different hammocks made that go away for me.

[leiavoia]

Sanity check: you're not sleeping on your stomach in the hammock NOW, are you? Because that's just never going to work.

[Bobonli]

All of the advice above is great and from people with more experience than I. I’m 6 foot 2 and 210 lbs. I had similar issues getting settled in an off-the shelf hammock from REI. I thought, “What’s all the hype about sleeping in these while camping because they are awful!” I think my post is on this site somewhere, but the advice I got was to get an 11 foot single sheet hammock designed for camping, not lounging in the yard. I went with a Hammock Gear Wanderlust, which includes the hammock, suspension and tarp. EZ, peezy. I get a good night sleep but there is a bit of a learning curve (also a video by Shug, that guy is prolific!) to getting everything dialed in.

You mention “pitching it properly.” Watch Shug’s videos and, more importantly, don’t stress to much over it. Got sag and you’re not falling on your butt? > you’re on the right track.

Is there another hammocker near you that you can get some first hand guidance from?

Finally, maybe it’s just not for you, assuming you’re satisfied that you tried to find a remedy. Not everyone gets along with a hammock, just like not everyone likes a quilt over a traditional sleeping bag.

[this_is_tom]

well duck... I measured the hammock spread out. it is rectangular, but it is 287 cm (9.4 feet) short and 180 cm (70 in) wide. Now I feel stupid not measuring it earlier... well I guess I will have to make my own hammock becuase europe has fairly limited options and I am cheap. extremetextil.de has hammock fabric but the roll width is listed at 59 in. that seems narrow, or is it?

[BillyBob58]

well duck... I measured the hammock spread out. it is rectangular, but it is 287 cm (9.4 feet) short and 180 cm (70 in) wide. Now I feel stupid not measuring it earlier... well I guess I will have to make my own hammock becuase europe has fairly limited options and I am cheap. extremetextil.de has hammock fabric but the roll width is listed at 59 in. that seems narrow, or is it?

Sorry to hear about your struggle. I own and have camped in many hammocks over the last 14 years. As usual, my opinions differ a bit from most. Which is probably because I have always felt that hammocks are sort of like a pair of shoes or pants. What works for one is by no means guaranteed to work for another. I have tried a few hammocks that had a lot of rave reviews by most people, only to find out they were not the hammocks for me.

Also, at 6'1" and 200-226(up and down, 203 at the moment) I am very close to your height and weight. One of my all time favorite gathered end( end channel actually) is a measly 10 ft long by 4 ft wide. ( Claytor No Net) It is also pretty inexpensive. There are a few other folks here who have also found this to be an excellent hammock, along with it's cousin Claytor Jungle Hammock, roughly the same size. So, that goes against most recommendations right there. But I have no way to guess what might work best for you. You just never know until you try it.

However, based on my personal experience, I'm fairly certain that the "extremetextil.de has hammock fabric but the roll width is listed at 59 in." would be just fine for me. Especially if you are going to make it on the longer side. However, looking at your picture of how you like to sleep, if that is what you need in a gathered hammock where you must try and lay across the diagonal, you have some significant challenges ahead of you. Again, strangely, the gathered hammock I have had the best luck with side sleeping and almost stomach sleeping is that 10X4 Claytor. Still, no gathered hammock I have tried is optimal for that.

Hands down, a bridge or 90º hammock is the best for me for when it comes to side sleeping, and would be for stomach sleeping of I ever did that, which I don't. As well as avoiding the dreaded calf ridge. Not trying to lay across the diagonal just seems to make many things much easier, though of course many people still prefer gathered hammocks for over all comfort and weight(no spreader bars). Others, it is bridge or 90º hands down for overall comfort. What would work best for you? I don't know.

But a problem with these non gathered hammocks is expense. Maybe not compared to other high end gathered hammocks, but compared to what you have already done or are planning to do. For example, the Hammock Tent 90. Ultra light, huge shoulder room, extremely flat, zero calf ridge, no spreader bars etc. But expensive, the recent models only have a 200 lb rating, assuming you can even get one, I don't know if they are always available. But an Amok is similar, higher weight rating, might cost less, but still cost a good bit. Then the various bridge hammocks, not cheap. (though maybe the REI bridge costs less? ) Good luck to you on figuring this out.