Hammock length for shorties?

**midwest holiday** · 05-04-2016, 11:43

Hello all,

I'm very new to the hammocking world, and I'm currently researching what type of hammock to get. I'm 5'2" and 125 pounds, pretty small. Keeping my size in mind, how long should my hammock be for comfort without having my hammock swallow me? I've been looking at Dutch hammocks quite a bit, but is 11 feet too long? Also considering Hummingbird or Dream Hammocks.
I want to be able to lay comfortably, but I don't shift around much when I sleep. For reference, I generally feel comfortable in the Eno singlenest 112"x55", but I'd also like the more experienced opinions of others on this forum. Thanks!

**dkurfiss** · 05-04-2016, 11:53

I am 5'2" and prefer my 11' footer. My brother is 6'+ and he likes my Hennessy which is only about 9' 6". There is no one size fits all in hammocks. Lots of it is trial and error which is what keeps our cottage vendors in business

**Traumedic21** · 05-04-2016, 12:16

The more room you have in your hammock, the more comfortable you'd be. We're close in height and I use an 11-foot hammock. My brother is about 5' 10" and we both use hammocks with the same length. More room for an asymetrical lay.
I have a Scout Exped which I got from a trade and have tried it out. It was too 'tight' for me as I preffer the asymetrical lay. Didn't have a good sleep on that one.
For me, I'd go with the larger hammocks 'coz theres more real estate to move around in. And nothing beats a good nights sleep after a day on the trail (or off it).

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**cataraftgirl** · 05-04-2016, 13:10

5'5" tall and love my 11 footer. I have an 11 foot X 64 inch wide, and a 10 foot X 72 wide. Both are comfy, but I like the 11 footer the best.

**sqidmark** · 05-04-2016, 15:50

My wife and I are 5'3" and 5'4". Neither of us can get comfortable in anything under 11', not even a wide.

**johnspenn** · 05-04-2016, 16:10

I'm 5'11" and sleep great in my ENO DoubleNest. I also love my new TCF hammocks, about 10ish' long.

It's a very individual thing, you'll have to test it out for yourself!

**hutzelbein** · 05-05-2016, 05:31

5'4" - I love my 10' WBBB (which seems to be even a bit shorter than 10'), but don't like my 10' DIY hammocks too much. A 10.5' gathered end hammock feels fine, though, and it would probably be my hiking hammock if it wasn't for the BB. For hanging at home or when weight and space (under a tarp) are not an issue, I like 11' and sometimes longer.

**ChipC** · 05-05-2016, 14:55

I got my Mom a 10' DH freebird for Christmas. She is 5'2" and she likes it much more than my 11' DH dangerbird because it doesn't swallow her with extra fabric. (both are standard width, not the extra wide)

**Country Roads** · 05-05-2016, 17:59

I am 5 feet. I am comfortable in my DIY 9-footer. I expect a 10 foot would be a nice middle-of-the road hammock. With my shorter hammock, I can use a shorter and therefore lighter tarp. A 10 foot tarp will adequately cover a 10 foot hammock.
If you can, go to a group hang and try out different brands, different lengths, different widths and different configurations (asym hammock versus not asym hammock).