Heels Over Heads: But I Can't Sleep> Any Tips?

I have slept in my variety of hammocks lately (Hen, Warbonnet, ENO, GTs) both indoors and out—I’m new to this hobby. It has taken me some time to come to the conclusion that I may be sleeping poorly/uncomfortably in the hammock because my head is slightly lower than my feet when in it. Although fine initially, it bothers me as the night progresses, and as a side sleeper, it's very hard to adjust position when my feet are higher than head.

I have read on here many times that most prefer feet higher than head. Are there others that prefer head over feet, or is it just me? Any tips on getting head higher than feet? I see that, if the suspension straps are the same length, given that the upper body is heavier than the feet, the hammock will tilt headward. So, I suppose the “fix” is to have the head strap shorter, or the head strap higher on the tree.

Any other tips or observations about head over feet would be appreciated.:cool:

How much higher are you hanging your feet? I like mine about 1-2 inches of difference from one end of the hammock to the other. It only takes a little to keep you from sliding. You may also want to try a small pillow if you aren't already. It makes a big comfort difference to me. And try different sized ones, to small seems useless and to big makes things miserable for me. But when I found the "Just Right" one I was set, not even a warm bowl of porage or a angry bear will get me to wake up. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coolkayaker1

I have slept in my variety of hammocks lately (Hen, Warbonnet, ENO, GTs) both indoors and out—I’m new to this hobby. It has taken me some time to come to the conclusion that I may be sleeping poorly/uncomfortably in the hammock because my head is slightly lower than my feet when in it. Although fine initially, it bothers me as the night progresses, and as a side sleeper, it's very hard to adjust position when my feet are higher than head.

I have read on here many times that most prefer feet higher than head. Are there others that prefer head over feet, or is it just me? Any tips on getting head higher than feet? I see that, if the suspension straps are the same length, given that the upper body is heavier than the feet, the hammock will tilt headward. So, I suppose the “fix” is to have the head strap shorter, or the head strap higher on the tree.

Any other tips or observations about head over feet would be appreciated.:cool:

---

If your straps are the same length and the hammock is pitched equidistant...and level...you'll wind up with your center of mass in the center of the hammock and feet/legs will be pushing toward the foot end of the hammock. In other words, the laws of gravity still apply!

Even if you pitch your head higher, you will still slip-n-slide over time with your center of mass seeking the low point in the hammock. With the head-higher pitch, that low point will be even further toward the foot end.

One of the keys to comfort in a hammock is having "enough" sag to enable a flatter diagonal lay when you're in the hammock. This applies whether you are a back sleeper, side sleeper or something in-between. I don't know whether you've got this dialed in for yourself or not (no pictures!!). It's also my understanding that serious side sleepers have been known to find bridge style hammocks to work better for them. I don't have enough first-hand experience with a bridge to make a good comment, though the two nights I slept in one showed me that it is flat, flat enough to mandate some pillow or head support for comfort.

I hang my hammocks foot end about 5-6 inches above my head end( hang your foot end suspension higher(check out the setup video on warbonnetoutdoors.com)) . That keeps me centered all night. I also like to sleep on my(semi side) i actually find this easyer in my hammock(well i only sleep in hammocks so maybe i´m biased) than in a bed.... YMMV though


/Bomber

@2.ooohhh, FIXED, thanks. i got to remeber to use my head ;)

Well coming from a stomach sleeper that is also new to hammocking, I can relate to "how did I end up down here" and finding just the right spot to lay. I tend to start at the top slightly on the diagonal and work my way down to the sag area on my side by morning or with my legs crossed indian style. I understand having your feet slightly over head. But I find that it can be a little of an adjustment to get used to. My first overnighter in my hammock, I slept until noon! Being an insomniac this was quite a feat!! I wish that I had paid attention to how I had it hung so I could do it again!....Keep at it and try different things....You will find your sweet spot:thumbup1:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bomber

I hang my hammocks foot end about 5-6 inches above my head end( hang your foot end suspension higher(check out the setup video on www.warbonnet.com)) . That keeps me centered all night. I also like to sleep on my(semi side) i actually find this easyer in my hammock(well i only sleep in hammocks so maybe i´m biased) than in a bed.... YMMV though


/Bomber

---

I think you might be thinking of http://www.warbonnetoutdoors.com/ as the link you gave is pictures of trains? :confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by coolkayaker1

I have slept in my variety of hammocks lately (Hen, Warbonnet, ENO, GTs) both indoors and out—I’m new to this hobby. It has taken me some time to come to the conclusion that I may be sleeping poorly/uncomfortably in the hammock because my head is slightly lower than my feet when in it. Although fine initially, it bothers me as the night progresses, and as a side sleeper, it's very hard to adjust position when my feet are higher than head.

I have read on here many times that most prefer feet higher than head. Are there others that prefer head over feet, or is it just me? Any tips on getting head higher than feet? I see that, if the suspension straps are the same length, given that the upper body is heavier than the feet, the hammock will tilt headward. So, I suppose the “fix” is to have the head strap shorter, or the head strap higher on the tree.

Any other tips or observations about head over feet would be appreciated.:cool:

---

I guess what is important is: at what point do you start sliding towards the foot? And if you are not sliding towards the foot, there is no reason to raise the foot. The directions I got with my original HH said nothing of raising the foot end, instead it said equidistant between the trees and LEVEL hang. But when I 1st tried doing that, I ended up near the foot end of the hammock. So, I started raising the foot and was more comfy. The amount I must raise the foot varies with the hammock and how well centered I am between the trees. But it is all what works for you in a particular hammock. Hand closer to level and see at what point you start sliding down.

With my JRB BMBH, I actually have to hang the head ~6" higher!

with both a Hennessey and Clark. With the HH, having the foot end too low places my butt too close to the entry slit. Not uncomfortable, but not good for the stress on the slit. With the Clark, sliding to the foot end results in an uncomfortable lie.

I think Beep summed it up best with his description of gravity always winning.

And dang, when one tree is downhill from the other it is difficult to judge "level" and "slightly elevated". And I take pride in my transit-equipped brain!

Jim

I understand your frustration. A few years back I set up a tent on a very slight incline. Almost unnoticeable. I slept with my head on the down hill side. When I woke in the morning I was very dizzy and felt drunk. In the hammock I think the key is to be as flat as possible but even if your feet are slightly above your head your mass will still be low keeping the blood out of your head. What the solution is for you I don't know. Just experiment. Try small lines of silicone on your back. This should keep you from sliding down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ulyssesjones

Try small lines of silicone on your back. This should keep you from sliding down.

---

:lol::lol:

I hate sleeping with elevated feet, too. i actually prefer absolutely level or even a teeny bit lower at the head--somehow with the WBBB footbox I don't slide anywhere and it just feels more secure. But I'm still a newb--my experience is limited...

Being that I don't move at all in my sleep . . .

. . . confirmed by my other half (she thinks it is weird)


I don't like the feet higher and I don't like slipping down either . . . so . . .

I have seriously considered DIY velcro underwear . . . :D

Same here, Don't like my feet higher than my head. First time in my Eno Dn I was trying to scoot back up in the hammock all night. Last hang did not have that problem but did not really notice how I hung it.

Got some great info on trying a ridgeline. I will try that this weekend and see if I can get it to the proper hang.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bradley

I don't like the feet higher and I don't like slipping down either . . . so . . .

I have seriously considered DIY velcro underwear . . . :D

---

:D:laugh: That is funny!!

Sounds like you need to give a bridge hammock a test run. Great for side sleepers. I have tried lying on my stomach and was relatively comfortable but I am not a stomach sleeper so I have not slept that way. Side and back in a bridge is easy and no searching for a sweet spot. Personally I like sleeping in both the bridge and gathered end. There are trade offs in both. In the bridge I find the fetal position to be impossible. (for me) In the gathered end fetal is easy. Sleeping with legs crossed is another benefit of the gathered end. Much more comfortable than it sounds.

I have tried sleeping with the feet higher and I just don't care for it. It feels good to me when it's about like my Fatboy recliner, head a little higher, butt a little lower.

What I've found that works in my Clark is to have the foot end just a little bit higher than the head end. Now to do that I can either tie the tree straps on one side higher or I can adjust the whoopies so the hammock is off center with the foot end closer to the tree or if the ground is on a slope, the foot end is tied to the higher tree. I've found that with the foot end only a little bit higher, that it seems to feel flat when I'm inside the hammock. If I've not got it right, I can tell it after a few minutes of laying in the hammock.

Something to try... after you set up your hammock, lay in it a while. Do a bit of tossing and turning to simulate if you had slept over night in it. Then try getting back up. When you swing your feet out, are they over your shoes?? Or are the shoes shifted to one side? If they are not under you, then you've slid down inside the hammock. That will show you which end of your hammock you've gotten to high.

When I've set up my hammock just right (with the foot end just a little bit higher), when I get up the next morning, my feet are pretty much right over my shoes.

TinaLouise

I recently bought the JRB bridge. I find it lies perfectly flat. Of course as with anything there is a trade off. In this case I find there is a little constriction at the shoulders. But, the flat lay more than makes up for this. Also, I can lie on my side, not in a full fetal position but I can pull my knees up half way. All in all the best sleep I have had in a hammock yet IMHO.

I wonder if adjusting the hammock so the foot end is a bit higher actually results in you feet being higher? Or if foot end high just shifts one's body toward the head end (that COG thing Beep mentioned).

Discuss.

Jim

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bradley

Being that I don't move at all in my sleep . . .

. . . confirmed by my other half (she thinks it is weird)


I don't like the feet higher and I don't like slipping down either . . . so . . .

I have seriously considered DIY velcro underwear . . . :D

---

That is hilarious :lol::lol:

These are really great posts, thanks to everyone. Trying various positions, looking at shoes on ground, considering a bridge hammock, etc. are very practical and good.

Regarding the center of gravity thing, I tried a 6 hour slumber in my ENO SN in Vario hammock stand that keeps both ends at exactly same height by definition, and boosted myself way up toward the head end. Well, by the time I woke up, I was slithered into the center of the thing like a snake in the armpit of a tree.

So, as JSaults asks, if one puts the head of the hammock up, won’t I just wind up further toward the feet when I squirm at night (that is, unless I DIY the Velcro tighty whities). Pillow and other ideas a PGibson, and TLouise and other suggest are worthwhile. I don’t know the physics of the thing, but it sure is hard to get the heavy head and trunk to stay above the lightweight feet and legs in my ENOs, HH and WBBB.

I have a visual for any of you who are "The Big Lebowski" fans. Think of the scene where Jesus and his bowling partner are polishing thier bowling balls by cradling them in towels. Lift your left hand, ball rolls towards right. Lift your right, ball shifts left. Ball stays at same elevation, atttachment points change.

Jim