A case for narrow hammocks

**swankfly** · 09-23-2012, 21:47

If I had spent half as much time researching how to be more comfortable in a tent, I would have never left the ground, IS THERE NO END? There are 1000 tweaks/mods...I am second guessing MY HANG every time I start reading this forum...Arghhhhhh!

**olddog** · 09-23-2012, 22:09

Nice report Mike. I'll be looking into narrowing my hiker a few inches now.

**MDSH** · 09-23-2012, 22:27

At 54" the GT UL is almost perfect for me. There's a channel created for my right arm and head and just the right amount of wall opposite my head on the diagonal.

The length may be a little short. If I was to make a hammock it would be the same width but 10' rather than 9.5.

Mike

**SilvrSurfr** · 09-23-2012, 23:31

Nice demonstration. I think the success of BIAS hammocks is built on this premise - that a good lay comes from the length (11 ft.) rather than the width. I like a 60" width but am considering something narrower.

**XTrekker** · 09-24-2012, 06:44

I am not one who is interested in wider hammocks but I would like to point out that in the video your upper torso stayed in the same place as your feet and legs moved along in the hammock. One thing I have noticed in my hammocks is that you need to pivot the entire body to chance the lay of the hammock. Your head location must change along with you feet to get an accurate account for the sweet spot because it will affect the lay of the hammock and end turn effect the location of the sweet spot. I do agree that eventually your legs will ride UP again along the side, I would try it again but pivoting your entire torso not just your feet. You may see somewhat different results. I may be wrong, im just speaking from what I have noticed in my DIY hammocks.

**MAD777** · 09-24-2012, 07:15

Thanks for the feedback, XTrekker.
I will be continuing research (napping) and take your recommended testing protocol into account (just before dozing off).

I encourage others to join the testing program (any excuse to get in the hammock) and report their findings.

**nothermark** · 09-24-2012, 07:31

Interesting. It would seem a foot box would let onego even narrower if one was so inclined. Thanks for the video.

**millergear** · 09-24-2012, 07:46

Originally Posted by swankfly

IS THERE NO END? There are 1000 tweaks/mods...I am second guessing MY HANG every time I start reading this forum...Arghhhhhh!

Amen Brother!!

**Fish<><** · 09-24-2012, 08:16

great comparison, i've been thinking of going skinny next go around...

**Rat** · 09-24-2012, 09:41

I have several of each...
With foot box
With Knotty mod
With spreader bars
Really long (11 feet)
Etc...

One thing on the wide body hammocks, before the foot box was around, was this: You could run your feet up the side slightly, like you were doing in the video, but when you relax them they fall back into the 'pocket'. This helped to alleviate the calf/knee pressure I felt.

So, my feet didn't stay in the high spot but flopped/swung down into the pocket. Using your circle/cone visual this helped to create a longer arc in this area; effectively elongating the cone here. Similar to hanging the feet over the side where the hammock body would meet the Achilles tendon.

I built the B2 Stealth at 11 feet long, 60" wide AND with a foot box! Overkill, but very comfy.

I have settled on (yea right!) about 9 feet long, 58" wide with the Knotty mod and mini-spreaders BUT I also hang with a bit more sag. More sag puts my feet and shoulder right at the edges.