Hammock Length

**ricecg** · 09-04-2011, 07:07

After reading and looking...a question still lingers in my head so here it is: Does manfacturers length in hammock the best length or does making your hammock to your height(plus half)...not really a question...so lets repphrase does altering the length affect the lay...for example: I am building a Claytor to Mules specs but i am 5'7" so 9'9" seems overkill...any help would be appreciated before i start cutting fabric...ask twice cut once

**gargoyle** · 09-04-2011, 07:26

At 5-7, I'd recommend at min., a start length of 10'. Remember the hems and channels will eat up a bit of length and width.
If your going for comfort, go longer than 10'. Longer will allow for the diagonal lay and less shoulder squeeze/cacoon effect.
If your going for UL, then dimensions and comfort will be sacrificed.

Always factor in the seam allowances needed for the channels, sometimes 1' or more. If your unsure of total allowance, mock up a channel using scrap fabric and see how much fabric is consumed. Then multiply by 2 for each end, and add that to your your overall dimension.
If its too long for your liking, you can always shorten it. Not so if the start length is to short.
Most common hammocks have a ~10' finished length.

9'-9" sounds short, especially deducting the hemmed channel.

**Dblcorona** · 09-04-2011, 07:46

I just made another hammock yesterday. I'm 6' 1" and I made it 11' and it is really comfortable. I cut it 11' 4" to make it really close to that 11' mark.

**Avenger** · 09-04-2011, 10:25

Start long and work your way shorter if needed.

You can go long to short much easier, and affordably, than short to long. :-)

**hiker_DC** · 09-04-2011, 11:59

I'm 5' 7' as well. My current hammock is Knotty's gathered end hammock. I started with 11' of fabric then hemmed and gathered. Very comfy. My previous hammock was 9' and is too short. So between ten and eleven feet with between 80 and 85%sag is just right for me.

**pgibson** · 09-04-2011, 12:27

At about that same 5'6-7" neighborhood I start mine with 12' of fabric and while it's huge, there is tons of space to stretch out and get comfortable. 11' is probably good and with some folks finding small hammocks like the Nano7 comfortable enough you can get away with much less, but for a couple ounces I like room to sprawl out if I feel like it. It also feels flatter to me with more length but that might all be in my head.

**olddog** · 09-04-2011, 17:34

Originally Posted by Dblcorona

I just made another hammock yesterday. I'm 6' 1" and I made it 11' and it is really comfortable. I cut it 11' 4" to make it really close to that 11' mark.

Originally Posted by Avenger

Start long and work your way shorter if needed.

You can go long to short much easier, and affordably, than short to long. :-)

I was 6' until osteo set in with old age. Just completed my new camping hammock, started with 4 yds total and began playing with lengths until I settled on 11' + hem allowance. Hanging in my sleeping frame the knots/gathers are 8'7" apart. The first nights sleep in this hammock was my best sleep ever in my pitiful memory.

**Newzy** · 09-09-2011, 08:32

Anybody discounting optimal width? in the equation. Wider does help alot with roomier flatter lay.

**grich9860** · 09-09-2011, 10:26

i am 6'2" and made my hammock 11'8" long. this has made all the difference. my friend has an eno his is shorter than mine and he is always talking about how he wishes his was longer. the great thing about going longer is you can always make it shorter but you can nover make it longer.

**Acer** · 09-09-2011, 10:43

wider is better,,you get a more diagonal lay, and flatter lay,,i just don't like the narrow width at all for me at 6' or shorter hammocks..longer the better, and not that much giveaway in oz's of weight over the comfort factor.