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Thread: Leg cramps?

  1. #1
    Administrator Yukon's Avatar
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    Leg cramps?

    So I love my Warbonnet Blackbird and will never use a tent again. The comfortable sleep you get in this hammock is just awesome. I have only been having one little problem though and I wanted to see if this has happened to anyone else. The first time I slept in it my toes started to cramp after awhile, I figured I was just a little dehydrated or something. Well this weekend I had a leg cramp that literally made me zip open the hammock super fast and fall out it so I could stand up and get some blood back to the muscle. Has anyone ever had this issue and what have you done to combat it?

  2. #2
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Due to hiking, yes.
    Due to being dehydrated, yes.
    From the hammock, no.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  3. #3
    Administrator Yukon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gargoyle View Post
    Due to hiking, yes.
    Due to being dehydrated, yes.
    From the hammock, no.
    That's the thing, I get them whether I hike or just hang in the back yard. I never had this happen when I was a ground dweller. I must just need to stretch more and drink more water before I turn in for the night...

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    I found (in the backyard lab) that more foot elevation, causing me to sleep more toward the head end, was the key. Still seeking the perfect set up for me and enough set ups in different locations to make it intuitive though.

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    Senior Member Syb's Avatar
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    Drink some tonic water, hold the Gin. It has quinine in it and can help alleviate those cramps.
    Syb
    Enjoy the elevation

  6. #6
    Senior Member gargoyle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Yukon View Post
    That's the thing, I get them whether I hike or just hang in the back yard. I never had this happen when I was a ground dweller. I must just need to stretch more and drink more water before I turn in for the night...
    Drink more days prior to a hike.
    Or just drink more all the time.

    oh, your talking about water...

    But if your cramping, examine your diet and fluid intake.
    Ambulo tua ambulo.

  7. #7
    Senior Member exup's Avatar
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    I get it like clockwork, everytime. Hiking to camp or just sleeping in the backyard. I've always assumed it was from sleeping in a fetal like position. Ill wake up in the the morning and my top leg (always my right). Has a horrible cramp in it.

    The reason I sleep in a fetal position I believe is, easier to lay on my side comfortably. Most my camping, being fairly new has be in colder weather and I can get full coverage with my 3/4 UQ if I pull my legs up. I also have platar facsitis and god knows what else wrong with my feet, so I have trouble keeping my feet together with heel pressure. I have the same issues in all hammock and it really doesn't bother me too much. Though on a really cold day is when its the worst.

    The other night in my expedition I had the same problem, but not bearly as bad. I assume since it was only 47 out, I didn't have my legs as close to my body.

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    Senior Member lugnut's Avatar
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    is the cramp always in the same spot on the same leg?

  9. #9
    New Member gates's Avatar
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    Happened to me more than once. Luckily I wasn't zipped in cause I had to FLY out of that hammock.

    I don't think I was dehydrated at the time and hadn't been hiking but I do have some lower back issues. I mostly sleep on my side and the cramping seems exacerbated when I've hung my hammock with too much sag and my hip drops and legs are too high. I also got bad cramps when I first started using my blackbird - I strung it too tight, making a ridge under my calves between the main hammock and foot box. Playing around with the height of the tree straps vs. distance between trees vs. sag = the sweet spot.

    For me, lightening up on the coffee and taking a calcium/magnesium supplement can also help. And getting up to stretch and make adjustments when I notice my toes starting to cramp before it gets worse!

  10. #10
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    I used to get cramps like this quite a bit. In fact, the first time I was woken up with a severe leg (calf) cramp was on my 30th birthday. Welcome to older age!

    Anyways, an older friend of mine told me of the importance of electrolytes, and the impact they have. I proceeded to make sure that my first batch of water during a hike had an electrolyte pack in them, and I also take a supplement of potassium and magnesium. Stretching those achy calf muscles 1/2 before bed is a regular part of my hiking routine as well. (This is also very important for plantar faciitis in fact it cured mine without surgery. Stretch, stretch. The same stretch that helps the calf muscle also stretches that ligament between the heel and ball of your foot.)

    I've never had problems with cramping again.

    WWhermit

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