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This is about the silliest question y'all have probably heard all day but, on my hang this weekend I couldn't use a pillow because my chin was pretty much to my chest anyway because of how the hammock lay. I played around with sag and settled on the flattest lay I could get on the diagonal. It was somewhat flat but there was no way I could use a pillow without cranking my neck up to my chest. I assume I'm doing something wrong. What is it?:(
What pillow?
I find the hammock has a natural pillow. That's why your chin is in your chest.
Any pillow. It seems that the majority of hangers sleep with little inflatable pillows or even the Total Pillow orwhat not. But I can't imagine why anyone would use a pillow if they are sleeping remotely like I am. My chin is already almost touching my chest.Quote:
Originally Posted by backpackingZombie
I find all I need is to support my neck a little. I use a small down pillow that provides just enough neck support and keeps my head warm. I have in the past used a folded up T-shirt. Try playing with various thicknesses of materials. I have also on occasion not even used a pillow so maybe try that as well.
I can't speak to how you might change your hanging methods. I'm set on Hennessy Hammocks. The ridgeline setup keeps the same sag use after use, so I have no experience with adjusting sag.
I do use a pillow in my hammock. StoveStomper on another list suggested cutting off the uninflated part of a 3-sided swimming aid that is worn around a child's upper arm. The remaining part can be inflated to fit the curve of my neck. That is all I need in a hammock. If I have to sleep on the ground for some reason, I use the cut-down swimmie with some clothing or an inflatable pillow inside a stuff sack. The arthritis in my neck make it more important for me to maintain my neck curve than to cushion my head.
I hope this can help you.
my pillow is my clothes bag. about 1 1/2" thick and the insulation where my 2/3 quilt ends. ive never understood this pillow stuff, but that's just me.
I use a thermarest compressible pillow and love it.
I find that the use of a pillow is awesome, and that neck pain is more related to a bad hang angle.
I use one of these http://www.jacksrbetter.com/Pillow.htm at 30% inflated to prevent my knogging from moving about and waking up with a sore neck. More or less "keeps the old coconut in place" - works like a charm and very light weight.
Thanks for your input guys. It seems everybody does their own thing. I guess it varies per person, per hammock, per hang. Thanks everyone.
HYOH, but I made my own. 3"x7"x2" Synthetic insulation for loft.
That's the general suckiness.of all hammock related adviceQuote:
Originally Posted by Cogbill
Quote:
Originally Posted by backpackingZombie
Haha I hear that!
One more "it works for me but probably won't mean a dang thing to you" comment: I usually only use the pillow to keep my head from flopping to the side, or when I'm on my side. On my back, I don't use it underneath my head....
http://www.campmor.com/thermarest-pi..._sku=55198BLUS
I use a pillow like the above but it's synthetic. I cinch it up to compress for packing
Like bubba, I like something cradling my neck. For backyard use I use an old Thermarest synthetic pillow It's rectangular Probably 7" x 12"
At home I use a specially-shaped pillow between my thighs to keep my spine straight. Like to have something for side sleeping in a hammock but I can sleep on my back most of the time
I, also, use the JRB Graham Air. However, I don't use it under my head--I find the hammock provides enough support for my head and neck. Instead, I use it under my (usually left) knee, to prevent knee hyper-extension in my Hennessy.
Otherwise, I would need to maintain a figure-4 position all night, and that gets kinda old after a while.
I have a Wilderness logics synthetic. Never really thought I needed a pillow. Their design is light and narrow, mostly for neck support. My shoulders and head stay on the hammock and I stuff the pillow in the space under my neck for support. Works better than I'd hoped. No more crick in the neck come mornin.
I have a little trail-sized pillow. Just put it at the nape of my neck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cogbill
Pretty much as you've determined a pillow and it's use is an individual choice. Back in my bed days I slept with 2 pillows. Now that I'm a fulltimer, on my back I don't need any, and on my side I use a WM travel pillow only 1/2 inflated. Keep looking you will find your own ideal pillow.
I find that I need a very minimal pillow. One thing you may want to try is tieing it with some chord to the gathered end, so it hangs about where you want it. This way you will not be chasing it all night. and it will not flop out on the ground when you get in and out. Mine just stays in the hammock full time.
i just use clothing i'm not wearing for a pillow. now if all three of my chins were touching my chest, i'd re-evaluate my sag and angle.
I don't know if this helps, but for me I sometimes put my pillow under my shoulders a little bit as well if I'm lying flat on my back. Or I just turn on my side a bit.
Have you tried a softer/thinner pillow? On a regular bed, I had firmer, larger pillows and hated the one soft pillow I had. That soft pillow is now my favorite, and I've been using it every night for the past 3 months hanging indoors.
just to add to the mess, i have an overstuffed WL pillow. its more for the neck than head, but it does wonders. In my eno the back of my head is on the strip of extra fabric on the side and is semi supported like that, and the pillow keeps my neck supported. it actually keeps my chin off my chest by adding support.
I actually use a small pillow under just my neck and upper shoulders to help tilt my head back because of the chin to chest syndrom. I have mild sleep apnea and it helps keep my airway open, a rolled up tshirt should work also.
not to mention a properly used pillow will keep your head a neck warm. using the pillow in the WBBB and eno with a 3/4 UQ my head/neck was nice a warm.
Yes, now I know I'm not so weird! I put my pillow under my shoulders too! Not so much because of the chin to chest, but more because i feel like my hammock fold my shoulders inwards and the pillow under them helps alleviate any pressure.Quote:
Originally Posted by REV
REI Traveler inflatable pillow. Just the right shape to help get your head tilted back. Lightweight and has silicon grip dots/stripes on the back to hold position.
I use a insulated hunting cushion that I got from wallyworld for $3
It is light weight, very comfortable and packs really well.
I got a few of them and even use them when laying around the house.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...l/83bd78e8.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k1...l/974bfd63.jpg
I use this:
https://www.bigagnes.com/Products/De...moryFoamPillow
A thin layer of memory foam on a thin inflatable cushion. Perfect for the hammock, but too thin if I am on the ground.
Very comfy! :boggle: