Feet Higher

**Diamond Dave** · 07-05-2010, 03:38

I know that this has been discussed before but I am unable to find the information in the Search Area.

Should your feet be higher than your head when laying in the hammock..................

Thanks in advance

**Rushthezeppelin** · 07-05-2010, 03:42

Most people prefer it this way, Depending on the hammock and how you like to lie in it if you have the foot end lower you generally end up sliding too far into the foot end of the hammock. If you have leg circulation problems though you would probably be better off with the foot end at least even.

**swampfox** · 07-05-2010, 05:48

As RTZ said above, most like their feet higher. I prefer level or if anything, my head a little higher. You just have to find what works best for you.
Enjoy figuring it out.

**wabi** · 07-05-2010, 07:17

I have found I prefer my feet higher for a good night's rest, but that doesn't mean it's right for you.

That's another fun part of hammocking, you never seem to run out of new things to try. You just have to experiment until you find what suits you best.

**Dutch** · 07-05-2010, 07:30

For me level is good, feet slightly higher is good....head higher is bad.

**Peter_pan** · 07-05-2010, 08:02

It is not so much that the feet are higher, it is that one has to hang the foot end higher by about 6 inches on a well centered gathered end hammock hung between trees spaced approx 13 feet...

This geometry will actually produce a lounge chair position (since one is never actually flat in a gathered end hammock)that is weight and sliding force neurtral and thus eliminate the common tendancy to slide to the footend of the hammock.

To a very significant extent it has to do with the coefficient of friction in a nylon bottomed hammock...To the heand end you are a short stubby triangle, head to shoulders... to the foot end you are a long darting triangle, feet to hips...Spend a half hour in two loungers at full recline.... One cloth and one leather... In a half, hour note the constancy or lack of constancy in your body position.... In the leather lounger, you will slide to the feet.

The second factor is that since your upper body is not flat but upright to 15 degrees or so, the force vector of the major portion of mass is directed down and actually passed the mid point of your height... So this point is neutralized by a slight raising of the foot end...

YMMV... given the differences in ones actual body size, shape and weight.

Pan

PS. FWIW. This is why some slide passed the end of their pad or UQ and end up with cold feet.

**Peter_pan** · 07-05-2010, 08:08

Originally Posted by Peter_pan

It is not so much that the feet are higher, it is that one has to hang the foot end higher by about 6 inches on a well centered gathered end hammock hung between trees spaced approx 13 feet...

This geometry will actually produce a lounge chair position (since one is never actually flat in a gathered end hammock)that is weight and sliding force neurtral and thus eliminate the common tendancy to slide to the footend of the hammock.

To a very significant extent it has to do with the coefficient of friction in a nylon bottomed hammock...To the heand end you are a short stubby triangle, head to shoulders... to the foot end you are a long darting triangle, feet to hips...Spend a half hour in two loungers at full recline.... One cloth and one leather... In a half, hour note the constancy or lack of constancy in your body position.... In the leather lounger, you will slide to the feet.

The second factor is that since your upper body is not flat but upright to 15 degrees or so, the force vector of the major portion of mass is directed down and actually passed the mid point of your height... So this point is neutralized by a slight raising of the foot end...

YMMV... given the differences in ones actual body size, shape and weight.

Pan

PS. FWIW. This is why some slide passed the end of their pad or UQ and end up with cold feet.

ALCON,

Please note, the situation in a bridge hammock is reversed... Same trees, same centered hammock,one should hang the head end 6 inches higher.

Bridges are like water beds... The body mass sinks lower in a water bed and one in actually level thru the centerline on the body... Same phenomina occurs in a bridge, but for material stretch vs water displacement...Thus, the true level is achieved thru the center line of the body.

Pan

**Pitch** · 07-05-2010, 08:36

Originally Posted by Dutch

For me level is good, feet slightly higher is good....head higher is bad.

+1 on this sentiment.

In addition, I find that if my head winds up any higher than my feet I wake up with bent knees or in fetal position and the majority of my body in the center of the hammock (kind of like sliding down a hill when you sleep on the ground, all bunched up into your bag).

When my head is higher (or I'm just level) things stay put and I sleep like a baby.

**Poppabear** · 07-05-2010, 11:59

There are no set hard and fast rules. You need to experiment to find what feels and sleeps best for you. Everybody is a little different and works for one might not for another.