Hammocks, is longer and wider better?

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Sub5mango

Tenderfoot
Oct 13, 2019
92
12
55
East Anglia
I've not used a hammock before and have a choice of two. I'm 5'7", 170 lbs, side sleeper. One hammock is 320 x 170cm, and the other is 270 x 140cm. Any thoughts? I like the idea of the bigger one because I've read bigger is better for side sleeping; but it lacks the double skin (I'll use a mat at first for insulation) and integral mozzie net of the smaller one; but neither of those things are any good if I'm uncomfortable.
These are the hammocks:
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,976
7,755
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
A basic measurement to determine if you can get a diagonal flat sleep in a hammock is to measure the width with your arms - it should be at least as wide as your outstretched arms. Outstretched my arms are 170cm so, for me, it would have to be the wider one.

I've never got on with a sleep mat in a hammock - even in a double skin one; I can never get it to stay still.
 
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Sub5mango

Tenderfoot
Oct 13, 2019
92
12
55
East Anglia
A basic measurement to determine if you can get a diagonal flat sleep in a hammock is to measure the width with your arms - it should be at least as wide as your outstretched arms. Outstretched my arms are 170cm so, for me, it would have to be the wider one.

I've never got on with a sleep mat in a hammock - even in a double skin one; I can never get it to stay still.
That's super useful to know. My wingspan is 169cm, so wider one for me as well.
 

Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,518
3,457
65
Exmoor
I used a mat for years and always found it shifted never stayed put, and I got cold spots especially if I was touching the sides of the hammock.
Invest in an underquilt. You won't regret it even in the summer. It's made life 100% more comfortable. They don't cost much when you consider the comfort factor.
 

Sub5mango

Tenderfoot
Oct 13, 2019
92
12
55
East Anglia
I used a mat for years and always found it shifted never stayed put, and I got cold spots especially if I was touching the sides of the hammock.
Invest in an underquilt. You won't regret it even in the summer. It's made life 100% more comfortable. They don't cost much when you consider the comfort factor.
Any recommendations?
 

Broch

Life Member
Jan 18, 2009
7,976
7,755
Mid Wales
www.mont-hmg.co.uk
If the DD group buy is still going (it may have finished) you could do worse than get a DD underblanket - I use one on a non-DD hammock and it works a treat. I tried messing around with old sleeping bags (even quite good ones) as underblankets and could never get it quite right.
 
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Philster

Settler
Jun 8, 2014
681
40
Poole, Dorset
Longer is better - for some reason in the UK makers shy away from longer than 3m where as in the USA 11 foot hammocks are the norm. I've got a small collection of hammocks and have also made a few DIY ones. - the 11 foot long ones are noticeably more comfortable with less side pressure and calf ridge.
 

Brizzlebush

Explorer
Feb 9, 2019
581
397
Bristol
Yep, agree with all of the above. I found mats wander too. Pain in the expletive.
I've got a TTTM double. Lovely, set up right it's as comfy as my bed.
Investing in s DD Under blanket was a game changer.
I spent a cold weekend many years ago, shivering in the mountains, in summer, due to my inexperience with insulation!
Insulation is worth it!
 
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Woody girl

Full Member
Mar 31, 2018
4,518
3,457
65
Exmoor
Any recommendations?

I have both a dd underquilt and a snugpak. Havnt tried the snugpak yet as I bought it to use at easter hammock camp with a friend who didn't have a hammock so I was going to lend him one of mine.
Needless to say the camp is somewhat postponed:confused:
 
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Duggie Bravo

Settler
Jul 27, 2013
532
124
Dewsbury
I have a Hennessy bubble mat, which clips in to the Hennessy hammocks, stops it wondering, but I have moved in to a DD under and top quilt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ScottE

Nomad
Mar 22, 2017
498
357
Norfolk
Go wider, I have a TTTM king size and when compared to a quite high end xl hammock i tried it’s far more comfortable “for me”...... it’s cost me some not inconsiderable money to achieve this opinion, and at 6’5” and seasonally lumpy I’m fairly xl!

Tttm king size 320x230
High end xl. 330x150

Even the tttm original is 320x200

And there are other makes with good xl sized widths....napsack hammocks being one of.
Squeezed shoulders and an uncomfortable night is a downer.
I sleep like a baby in a flater/wider hammock.
 

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