I it possible for my XLC to be too long for me?

**Lamboy** · 04-29-2014, 10:18

I have been having difficulty getting fully comfortable in my WBBB XLC. I previously had a shorter channel style gathered end made out of some sort of blend calendar material. This older hammock was much stiffer and I believe stretched less. It is a bit heavier than my XLC and does not have a bugnet, however I cannot seem to get as comfortable with my XLC.

I am between 5'11'' and 6 ft depending if I am slouching or not. I weigh about 160.

Could I be more comfortable in the shorter BB? Any advice or ideas would be very appreciated.

**Loki** · 04-29-2014, 11:33

Mostly, longer hammocks are more comfortable than shorter hammocks -for most folks.
Your height means there should be no problems placing tree straps high enough to achieve the correct hang angles for an XLC (and then raising the foot-end strap about another foot).

Try reviewing Brandon's videos on the correct hang for an xlc. And, the correct lay (headward). The XLC requires a few additional hang techniques -beyond a standard gathered end- in order to have the most comfortable hang.

If you haven't already used it - this is a great tool, and it is available for iphone and android. It gives good guidelines After you know the actual distance between your trees... http://theultimatehang.com/hammock-hang-calculator/
Use it as a starting point; then adjust until you find your sweet-spot
Hope that helps

**Lamboy** · 04-29-2014, 12:00

Thanks Loki. I will review the recommendations from Brandon and keep giving it a go. I guess there is bigger learning curve than I expected for this specific hammock. I am also contending with slightly longer distance at about 16 -16.5 feet between trees at my favorite spot. Also that calculator is so simple. I can't wait to try it when I get home.

* According to the calculator I think I may have been putting my anchor too high to compensate for extra distance causing more angle.*

**Cali** · 04-29-2014, 12:10

What material is your XLC, if it is 1.1 you may be experiencing a little stretch compared to your previous hammock, which sounds like your previous hammock is of a heavier material that doesn't stretch. I myself prefer the lighter weight material, but you may differ. Good luck to you.

**Lamboy** · 04-29-2014, 12:57

I have the single layer 1.7 and my old hammock does not have a ridge line. Not sure if that affects the lay also. My older hammock also tends to cocoon around me to some extent.

**OregonRafter** · 04-29-2014, 20:26

I am the same height as you and was ready to send that thing back the first day. I love it now. Spend a few hours with it trying variations of things. There are multiple sweet spots. After a couple times out I can now get it dialed right in.

**Bigmuddy** · 04-29-2014, 23:44

So I slept in a Clark, a WBBB XLC and a regular BB, all in the last month, and new to hanging. Sold the first kept the last three. I bought the XLC SL 1.7 after being claustrophobic in the Clark, it was OK, and my learning curve was steep. Got the WBBB DL 1.1 and it was instantly WAY easier for me to be comfortable in, to use my underquilt ( winter yeti) etc. I was totally astonished. I bought a used EE top quilt which helped as much as the hammock itself... Nonetheless I prefer the Regular Blackbird. I am an inexperienced and unsophisticated hanger but still I couldn't believe it.
The only specific thing I noticed was the underquilt fit much better on the BB because the whole thing was tighter to me.

**Redblockman** · 04-30-2014, 14:26

I'm certainly no expert on double and single layer hammocks, but I read in several places that there is a marked difference between single and double layar. Might this not at least explain part of the difference? The TS tells somewhat the same, he is more comfortable in the stiffer hammock. Although it might also be a bit of learning to set it up.
I'm sometime also mucking about with mine to get the correct hang, certainly the absence of a structural rigdeline is part of it.