The Final Barrier

[Darwin S and A]

Ok so a while ago I posted about how I just never had a good night on a hammock. I don't think I have posted since then however, I have gone on many trips since and wish to make another statement. I GOT IT! It all fell together one night in Shenandoah Natl Park where I got the hammock and quilt and ridgeline the way it should be and since then i have had great nights. My hammockgear under quilts are so buttery good and i put dutch quilt ridgeline clips on it too. its just dandy. the only thing now is sometimes my neck gets sore because it falls to one side, usually the left. What do you guys do to remedy neck problems when sleeping on a hammock?

Thanks.

[Bubba]

Glad you got it! I use a small down pillow. Its just big enough for neck and head support and to keep my head warm. I find larger pillows in the hammock push my head too far forward.

[Loki]

Congrats Darwin!!

Some folks use one of those U-shaped travel pillows for neck support.

[MAD777]

Glad to hear the you got it. I remember your earlier frustrated post. I'll chalk up another vote for a pillow. I use a Montbell inflatable.

[awilder]

I have the same issue with my head/neck. Currently I'm using a travel neck pillow.

[NCfree]

I had the same issue, but I got a cocoon ultralight travel pillow from REI and it worked OK. I now have a small pillow from Wilderness Logics and it is awesome.

[SilvrSurfr]

I find it doesn't take much to keep my neck from getting stiff in a hammock. I know I can always toss tomorrow's socks in a stuff sack and it will be enough to keep my neck happy.

[AaronAlso]

Another convert is born!

I find that my neck stiffness is almost always the result of tension maintained by me throughout the night; even with a pillow, at home or in hammock. When I find myself clenching my neck muscles for whatever reason I have to make a conscious effort to relax, sometimes a little stretching or self massage. That will almost always cure the problem and allow for a great nights sleep.

Granted I have found that a small pillow in the hammock helps significantly over none, but the caveat is you don't need much for a pillow. Too much will bend the neck at a wierd angle resulting in tension as I subconsciously try to hold my neck in a comfortable position. This is one area where less is certainly more. For me a small inflateable pillow works best, others like down, or even just clothes in a peak bag.

Experiment and find what works for you, but as I said some neck stretches before bed won't hurt either.

[Brute1100]

A small pillow fixes the neck problem.. I have the same issue...

[mbiraman]

I also have suffered from the neck issue some of which was relieved by a small down pillow but allot more was relieved by moving to an 11' hammock. The Lite Owl seemed to make a big difference for me.

bill