View Full Version : Shoulder Squeeze help needed
I read the archives of the yahoo group and on WB about shoulder squeeze. I haven't seen anything on this forum about it yet.
I am having problems on my hommade Speer style hammock. I had a little riping mishap so this is a standard Speer without the asym mod. Am I understanding correctly when the way to fix the shoulder squeeze problems are to increase the sag in the hammock? I am 6'4" and the hammock is 11' long, so the length is not an issue. I am also thinking that the whipping and the tension on the sides has a lot to do with it.
Arkwater
11-02-2006, 10:53
Are you using a ridgeline? Also how wide is your hammock?
I am using a ridge line and the hammock is about 5' wide minus hems and cutting off the salvage edges.
I read the archives of the yahoo group and on WB about shoulder squeeze. I haven't seen anything on this forum about it yet.
I am having problems on my hommade Speer style hammock. I had a little riping mishap so this is a standard Speer without the asym mod. Am I understanding correctly when the way to fix the shoulder squeeze problems are to increase the sag in the hammock? I am 6'4" and the hammock is 11' long, so the length is not an issue. I am also thinking that the whipping and the tension on the sides has a lot to do with it.
hanging your hammock to tight will do it:cool: neo
Arkwater
11-02-2006, 11:10
Try diffrent ridgeline lengths. For me about a foot shorter than the hammock works! Also you may be right about the sides, try lowering them a little. I find that my DIY projects always need a little tweaking & tinkering.
Just Jeff
11-02-2006, 12:04
Try a ridgeline around 8'. Add or subtract from there. Too short can be just as bad as too long. And make sure you hang it tightly enough that the ridgeline isn't sagging when you get in - it should be tight if it's supporting the weight.
I think I finally fixed my problem. I am still fine tuning the ridgeline length, but I am leaning towards a long one around 9'.
The problem really fixed itself when I realized that this is not a asym hammock and I should lay in the middle. One of those what was I thinking moments. Too many nights in the HH and thinking about my homemade asym hammock.
Just Jeff
11-03-2006, 17:43
You're still supposed to sleep diagonally in a Speer-type. But if you're comfortable in the middle that's all that matters.
What fabric are you using? I made one from some 1.1 oz that was too stretchy, and that stretch resulted in shoulder squeeze even though I had enough sag and everything.
I'll have to try the diagonal a little more. Maybe if I take some length out of the ridgeline it would be more comfortable like that.
I am pretty sure I am using 1.9 oz riptop. I ordered it online a while back and was told it was the "lite weight stuff". It looks a lot thicker than my 1.1 ripstop I have or the ripstop on my nest. I can't see though it as much as the other ripstops.
Just Jeff
11-03-2006, 17:59
With 5' wide and 11' long, you should have no problems with shoulder squeeze once you find the right sag. Assuming the material isn't stretching like mine was, at least. But Risk slept in the middle of his for a long time and said he was comfortable that way...as long as it's working for you, there's not a "right" way.
titanium_hiker
11-07-2006, 22:18
definitely try more sag- I find with my non-structural ridgeline hammock, If I tie it too tight, it's not comfortable at all.
http://tothewoods.net/HammockWhipping.html might help. (semi related- about edges being floppy)
titanium_hiker
With 5' wide and 11' long, you should have no problems with shoulder squeeze once you find the right sag. Assuming the material isn't stretching like mine was, at least. But Risk slept in the middle of his for a long time and said he was comfortable that way...as long as it's working for you, there's not a "right" way.
Agreed.
I make my hammocks about 48 inches wide and sleeping diagonally is harder, but hanging the hammock too tight will definately put shoulder squeeze into the picture. Also, the more shoulder squeeze, the harder it is to stay warm and the wider the pad needs to be...
Thanks for the advice. I am still having a little issue with shoulder squeeze. I woke up this morning with a sore neck that was worsed by a poorly adjusted pack.
I am going to rewhip the ends making the sides looser. I also am going to try a ridgeline similar to what Doctari was using. I think that will let me pitch with more sag and put the ridgeline farther off of my face. I'll post pics if it works.
I got the bug again today and took apart my homemade hammock tonight and was trying to tweak it better to my liking. I found that shoulder squeeze was an issue. What I did was gave more slack on the outside edges before i put my warps on the ends so that when I laid in it the outer edges were not pulling tight. That worked for me anyways. I am still tweaking though.
Doctari or his friend had an idea that I might try. I'm not sure how it would work but I could whip the 2 corners of the ends seperatly. That would seperate them and pull on the sides less. That might work the way I want to try my ridgeline.
Nightwalker
07-06-2007, 00:22
I am still tweaking though.
That'll get you jailed or elected in Damascus.
Thanks for this site, Troll. It's so much less stressful than the green-colored one, and hopefully we can all keep it that way!