Double jointed hang

**lighteffect95** · 07-16-2017, 19:13

I brought a ten foot Dutchware gathered end for my girlfriend for her birthday back in may. She's spent 5 nights in it, and every night she's lost circulation in her legs, and is on the verge of giving up on hanging. She's double jointed, about 5'6" and is a side sleeper, also moves around quite a bit. I was thinking of maybe getting her a bridge hammock/acquiring one in general once I gather the funds. Is getting her a bridge hammock a good idea? Or is there some other solution I can't think of?

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**TrailSlug** · 07-16-2017, 19:19

That may work and it's certianly worth trying. Do what ever you have to do to keep your gal coming with you. My daughter who's about 5' 7" loves my Ridgerunner so I had to get another one as I was tired of trying to sleep in a gathered end. I only go gathered end when I have to.

**Shug** · 07-16-2017, 19:36

Sounds like Calf Ridge.
Maybe try some of the solutions in this video I did.
Good luck. All else fails....bridge hammock.
Shug

**DannyII** · 07-16-2017, 20:32

Try hanging the foot end about 8-12" higher than the head end. It's probably the best tip of many that I've learned from Shug. It seems counter-intuitive, but it makes sure your torso doesn't end up at the mid-point of the hammock, and your legs higher than your head.

**Phantom Grappler** · 07-16-2017, 21:49

Try a gathered end hammock at least 11 feet long by 5 feet wide.
Maybe even go 12x6 for more comfort more sleep positions and little or no calf ridge pressure.
Good luck!

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**GadgetUK437** · 07-16-2017, 22:59

Something under her knees, pillow, stuffsack, jacket..

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Gadget

**lighteffect95** · 07-16-2017, 23:09

All these suggestions are great. Thanks shug for sending me over to that vid. She's seen a few of your vids before and we couldnt stop hollerin "woohhh budday" while hiking during our Yellowstone trip

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As far as the pillow under the knees is concerned that shug mentioned in the vid, and gadget in the comment, the issue is she's got these legs that arch in really far, I guess you can call them knock knees, she claims it's from being double jointed. I thought that maybe a pillow under the knee would only further contribute to her loosing circulation with the way it bends when her kneecaps lock. She usually will crawl up into a fetal position and sleep like that inside the hammock by the time I wake up and see if she's up. I'm gonna try to see if the under the knee thing will help, and hanging it higher, maybe messing around with the gathered end a bit too. I found a real trooper who understands why I'm in love with this method of sleeping, and the quirks it has. Thanks for all the recommendations in general.

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**GadgetUK437** · 07-16-2017, 23:15

Genu valgum (knock-kneed) is very common in women, due to their wider hips. You may find useful info by posing your question in the women's section.
Fetal - definitely go with foot end higher, this will put her legs nearer to the widest part of the hammock.

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Gadget

**lighteffect95** · 07-16-2017, 23:22

Originally Posted by TrailSlug

That may work and it's certianly worth trying. Do what ever you have to do to keep your gal coming with you. My daughter who's about 5' 7" loves my Ridgerunner so I had to get another one as I was tired of trying to sleep in a gathered end. I only go gathered end when I have to.

I'm trying my best. Backpacking in general was a little intimidating to her but I think as time goes on she'll warm up to it. Hoping to hike some sections of the AT with her come fall.

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