best way to hang?

**refund** · 02-27-2011, 03:54

I need help answering the question that was on the voting pole a week or so ago. What is the best way to hang? Feet end higher, level, or head end higher? I realize it is personal preference to which one you choose, but my question is not to generate another poll, but to address the problem of comfort. When I lay in my HH deep jungle XL I have knee pain. I started with the explorer model and had the same problem, so I thought I might have been to tall for it. (5'9) it is supposed to be for people up to six feet tall. Point being I purchased the deep jungle in the extra large, for people up to seven feet tall, same problem? So is my problem the way I hang the hammock, referring to which end needs to be higher or is it that I have to much sag? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

**ChrisH** · 02-27-2011, 04:28

Can you give us a picture or two of your hammock all hung up and ready to go? It would really help to identify your problem. More than likely you're either hanging it with too little or too much sag. I've read that people also use a pillow, pack, extra clothes etc to put under their knees to help with the pain. Hope this helps!

**JohnSawyer** · 02-27-2011, 05:34

Foot end higher by about 10"... It gets your legs away from the calf-ridge...

Are you laying diagonally?

Some people with the same issue put their pack or a stuff sack full of clothing under their knees for the same reason...

**Dain Bramage** · 02-27-2011, 05:42

Now mind you, I'm not even been out yet. Not one night. But my understanding of it is...that people prefer their legs a bit higher, because the heaviest part of our bodies is about mid-torso, so our chest areas naturally want to slide to the middle of the hammock, and the center of gravity. Placing our feet a bit higher eliminates or stifles this dilemma. You might be gravitating in the night placing undo stress on the knee against the hammock-side. Just hypothisizing here. I could be all wrong.

**JohnSawyer** · 02-27-2011, 06:25

Your answer is spot-on. The best (read Flattest) lay in your hammock is diagonally in the middle. Since a man's Center of gravity is his abdomen, which is above his 1/2 way point, you put your feet higher.

Most Women, however, have their CG at their waist, or hips, which is about 1/2 their height.

Originally Posted by Dain Brammage

Now mind you, I'm not even been out yet. Not one night. But my understanding of it is...that people prefer their legs a bit higher, because the heaviest part of our bodies is about mid-torso, so our chest areas naturally want to slide to the middle of the hammock, and the center of gravity. Placing our feet a bit higher eliminates or stifles this dilemma. You might be gravitating in the night placing undo stress on the knee against the hammock-side. Just hypothisizing here. I could be all wrong.

**warbonnetguy** · 02-27-2011, 12:04

setting the foot end higher also tips you backwards some...which levels out the torso, making it less inlcined...flatter from head to waist

**texron** · 02-27-2011, 12:30

I also think it MIGHT be hammock dependent (new term) In my WBBB I like the foot end a little higher, In my Clark NA I like the head end a TAD higher. I have a hammock coming from Papa Smurf in a week or so, who knows how that one will hang.

**Knotty** · 02-27-2011, 13:55

I find knee pain mostly comes from hyperextension. Even my indoor Brazilian which is super huge causes this. Fortunately the solution is simple, put something under the knees to support them and of course, lay on a diagonal.