OK, So I am admittedly a lifelong Dirt Dweller when camping. But getting off the ground has intrigued me enough to buy a new Warbonnet XLC with proper suspensions and a few more bits and pieces. I have had it for several months, but limited time to tinker with it. I am envious of people who claim 10 hours of good sleep in their toes up hammocks. I have been over the instructions, watched all the Youtube videos, including all that Shug has to offer. Never having achieved what I would consider a comfortable flat lay. Yes…I know, hammocks are not for everyone. But I feel like I need to give it a better shot than I have so far. I also fully expect to catch hell for things in this post.

All help appreciated, even the snipey ones.

MB

Mossback,

I have been a tenter for 42 years.

I am interested in how hammockers will be responding about your flat lay question.

Not sure I could lay on my back a whole night. If purchasing a hammock I would have to be able to lay flat for several hours for this SIDE SLEEPER to get a good nights sleep.

I do hear your Warbonnet is the cat’s meow.

I hang and have both a Blackbird and a Ridgerunner. A truly flat lay is not likely and back/side sleeping is more the norm. I do get a more flat and side sleep options with the spreader bars on the Ridgerunner, but sleeping on my back is hammock sleeping. I do sleep side and stomach in my bed, but nap just fine on the couch on my back and get good sleep in my hammock.
A truly flat lay in most beds is also not an option. I have slept in beds where the valley was deeper than my hammock, by far.
Be sure tension on the ends will remain taut when you are in the hammock and allow for some stretch and retightening. The spreader bars reduced the shoulder pinch I was dealing with in the Blackbird. I offer no other gear input, Shug be the man.
I, for one, do not remain still through the night. When I put a pillow next to me I roll less and sleep better (Fitbit says so and I agree). I think the valley in my hammock gives me similar support and good sleep numbers. I could see this side support as confining to some.
I will add that getting to sleep usually involves a sleep routine. We tend to do the same few things every night getting ready for bed and again in the morning a different set to start the day. When these routines are disrupted many of us report sleep issues.
And getting to sleep requires a quiet mind. I have set up my hammock and checked it out, but when I climb in to sleep I realize my head is a bit high or low and that I will wake up bunched at one end...no quiet mind until I get it fixed. The last step in my sleep ritual is to go to quiet mind.

I've had set ups where I couldn't get comfortable. What I did to tweak it is make sure the foot end is a couple of inches higher than the head end. Also, your integrated ridgeline should be "pliable" and not super tight. Then when I'm inside I slide down a bit and on an angle with my feet in the Blackbird footbox. Sometimes I'll put some clothing under my knees. This can really be comfortable for your legs.

So picture yourself on an angle with your head a little lower than your feet. When you find that sweet spot it could be the best sleep you've ever had. I seriously have trouble getting out in the morning because I'm so comfortable. Best of luck MB! Hang in there. heh heh

Ben, Tom,

Great input. I am giving hammocking serious consideration.

I am a CPAP user and I have to bring along my CPAP machine and battery setup. Does the Warbonnet or any other hammock have a shelf or other spot where I could put my CPAP machine and battery?

There is a shelf, pockets along the side, but the weight of the pump, etc might be an issue. I set my chair next to the hammock for water bottle, etc. CPAP could go there.

I’m another Ridgerunner guy. I could never get comfortable in a gathered end hammock. I’m a side sleeper and I found them very restricting. The double layer RR allows you to put a pad under your body and gives you about the flattest lie you can get from a hammock.

Mossback
I’m new to hammocks too. I decided to give hammocks a try based mostly on the promise of a more comfortable nights rest. I live in Alaska and not knowing anyone who uses a hammock or living near a hangcon group I just took the plunge and bought a Warbonnet Ridgerunner and a Blackbird XLC with the intent of trying them both and returning one within the 30 day trial period.
I got some anchors set in the wall in my garage and started sleeping in them. The first night in each was promising but not great. I think between sleeping in an odd location and the self inflicted stress of desperately wanting it to be a magic cure-all I set myself up for a little disappointment. I’m happy to report however after trying it again a couple times I just relaxed, got used to it and now love them both. Every weekend for the last month I’ve slept in one of the hammocks in the garage and I really enjoy it. I have several crushed discs in my back but wake up feeling pain free in my hammock.

What I’ve found is that both styles tend to encourage me to sleep on my back but that I can sleep on my side just fine in either of them. I’m still waiting on the underquilts so I’ve been using an old thermarest between the layers which might actually help with the side sleeping. I’ve also found that the longer I lay in it the better it feels, as if the fabric stretches to conform better(?). Also a small pillow under my neck (not my head) really increased my comfort.
My advice is to not give up. Try to find some more time to play with it, you’ll find that sweet spot and a flat comfortable lay. Good luck!

Full disclosure...I’m just hanging in my Ridgerunner relaxing while typing this.

Tundra,
Thanks for offering the encouragement. I have been a lifelong stomach sleeper, until the Doc's insisted I make every attempt to be on my back due to some spinal problems. So it seemed like the perfect time to try hammocks. Already using the neck pillows for some time and it does help.

I like your garage test bed idea, now if I could just make some space in there I could give that a try and make my wife happy at the same time.

I have already spent most of one night outside in my hammock, but a pack of coyotes nearby lit up the evening with their song and at that point, I gave up.

Regards,

MB

moray: "I’m another Ridgerunner guy. I could never get comfortable in a gathered end hammock. I’m a side sleeper and I found them very restricting. The double layer RR allows you to put a pad under your body and gives you about the flattest lie you can get from a hammock."

+1 - ditto on everything moray said.

Here’s a little trick that might help you. Roll up a towel or sweatshirt and put under your knees. This will help support the knee joint instead of hyperextend knees. I’m one of those people who are last out in camp. Very comfortable sleep.

I started with a WB Ridgerunner after reading that it would be better for side sleepers. Never found it that comfortable while laying on my side. Got used to sleeping on my back and used it for two seasons. Still own and and use it as my loaner for friends and family who want to use a hammock. I do like the RR’s better all around visibility compared to gathered end hammocks that typically have one side blocked by the fabric of the hammock body.

Two years ago I switched to a WB Blackbird XLC and it is now my favorite. But again I got used to sleeping on my back. I have had the occasional “bad lay” in the BB XLC but when I look afterwads its always been a poor set up with the foot end too low, the hanging angle off or a combo of the two.

I can easily sleep 8-10 hours in either WB hammock but that only happens on layover or bad weather days. My limit in a tent is about six hours then my sore back makes me crawl out, literally, and stretch out the kinks and aches.

But I have never missed the sore back, hips and shoulders nor the yoga/gymnastics needed to dress and undress when sleeping in a tent. Been selling off the tents, sleeping bags and matrresses. Keeping the hammocks and quilts. Easy decision for me.