Two Bridges for Side-Sleeping

[jackelliott]

Hi, new here, never tried a hammock before, been a ground-dweller since the early '70s.

I do know that regular GE hammocks don't work for me: I've tried napping in them when car-camping and as a side-sleeper, they bend me the wrong way.

I've spent the past couple days poring through the various posts here and I'm clear that if I want to sleep comfortably, I do need a flat surface. (The suggested tricks, like trying to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees, or curling into a fetal position, don't work. In the former, I snore, and curling up ain't natural, no sir, I just don't like it.

I sleep with my legs close to straightened out, one pretty much atop the other, and at 62 years of age, that's the way I'm-a gonna do it, by gum.

Anyway, I see two bridge hammocks that get a lot of mention: The Eureka Chrysalis and the JRB BMBH. The former is wider, I read, but pretty heavy. Some say the latter is narrow? It might be confining (I'm 66'' tall, 175 lbs). Neither is inexpensive.

So, calling all side-sleepers who have used these hammocks: do either of these hammocks work for you?

[GrizzlyAdams]

Hi, new here, never tried a hammock before, been a ground-dweller since the early '70s.

I do know that regular GE hammocks don't work for me: I've tried napping in them when car-camping and as a side-sleeper, they bend me the wrong way.

I've spent the past couple days poring through the various posts here and I'm clear that if I want to sleep comfortably, I do need a flat surface. (The suggested tricks, like trying to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees, or curling into a fetal position, don't work. In the former, I snore, and curling up ain't natural, no sir, I just don't like it.

I sleep with my legs close to straightened out, one pretty much atop the other, and at 62 years of age, that's the way I'm-a gonna do it, by gum.

Anyway, I see two bridge hammocks that get a lot of mention: The Eureka Chrysalis and the JRB BMBH. The former is wider, I read, but pretty heavy. Some say the latter is narrow? It might be confining (I'm 66'' tall, 175 lbs). Neither is inexpensive.

So, calling all side-sleepers who have used these hammocks: do either of these hammocks work for you?

The JRB BMBH ought to be perfect for you. The only way to improve upon it for someone your dimensions who side-sleeps would be if it were lighter. You can easily shed some ounces swapping out the webbing suspension for cord.

[BillyBob58]

I am very happy with a JRB bridge, but I am only 6'1". At 6'6", you will really be pushing it. JRB says it is for "up to 6'3"". Still might work though.

[GrizzlyAdams]

BB--OP says 66", in my book 5' 6"

That foot would make a big difference in comfort

[MAD777]

BB--OP says 66", in my book 5' 6"

That foot would make a big difference in comfort

That metric stuff throws me off every time!

[BillyBob58]

BB--OP says 66", in my book 5' 6"

That foot would make a big difference in comfort

In your book? Can you rephrase that? I'm still a bit jet lagged from my 12 hour flight back from Israel. ( that's my excuse anyway! )

Oh, never mind, I see--- not 6 foot 6", he said 66". Got it!

Well then, he is going to have tons of room!

[cfi on the fly]

I have the jrb and am close to 6'2 and sleep like u do. Definately the best hammock for sleepers like us that i have found so far. They just need to got on a diet and get lighter like grizzes. Id also like to see three section poles instead of two so its more packable. I like compactness when its all in the stuff sack.

[cfi on the fly]

Forgot to mention, add a good 25 inch wide pad in the sleeve, and it virtually illeminates any shoulder squeeze, at least it did for me.