I didn't see any post on the surface that seems related so here it goes. I've been thinking about trying out a Hammock but I feel that I'd just wake up with a sore back since I'm used to sleeping on a very stiff bed or the ground. From pictures and such there just looks to be too much give in the suspension cords. Is this, or has this been, an issue for anyone?

thanks,

You'll likely get more responses over at HammockForums.net, but some experienced folks here may reply too.

My experience with hammocks is that they are far more comfortable than the ground. The hang and suspension you're referring to do sag and stretch, but with some tweaking it is possible to lay nearly flat. This is very common to hammockers. To someone on the outside looking in, they think you are bent like a banana. You aren't. You are laying diagonally which mitigates much of the bend and the belief that you need a stiff bed is pretty much a non-issue. Now whether you can sleep in them is another story which is my problem. Despite finding them far more comfortable than the ground, for whatever the reason I just can’t fall asleep in a hammock.

Buy a $20 cheap-o from Wallyworld or somewhere else and give it a shot. Set a ridge line and keep adjusting it until you like the lay.

Purchase or borrow a copy of the Ultimate Hang and it will tell you just about everything you ever wanted to know about hammocking:

http://jolly-green-giant.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-ultimate-hang.html

I tried a hammock and haven't gone back to sleeping on the ground since. One of the best "starter" kits out there is available from Butt In A Sling Hammocks.

Get their Weight Weenie Hammock ($47.95) plus their standard suspension ($25) and for around $75 you've got a great hammock that's set to go out of the box and only weighs around 12 ounces total. They make hammocks that are 11 feet long so there's lots of room for you to get your diagonal lay down to be really comfortable.

Try it for a weekend and you'll be hooked. If you really don't like it you can unload your purchase for minimal loss on Gear Swap (or PM me and I'll probably buy it).

There is actually not much give to a properly hung rig, unless the components' material properties let them stretch. The thinner fabrics like 1.1 oz ripstop nylon will stretch more than heavier ones like 1.7 and 1.9 nylon and even heavier 2+ oz/yd fabrics like taffeta and supplex. Staying with midweight material will minimize this. For suspension, polyester strapping and amsteel are very low stretch.

+1 to what others have said. A key, though, is that you lay on a diagonal across the hammock instead of directly inline with the straps, which keeps things fairly flat. You can see more on it at:
http://andrewskurka.com/2012/hammocks-advantages-disadvantages/
or here:
http://theultimatehang.com/2012/06/how-to-sleep-in-a-brazilian-hammock/
http://theultimatehang.com/2012/07/hammock-camping-101/

For many, many hammock users (including myself), laying in a hammock is far more comfortable on the back, knees, hips, shoulders, etc. than on the ground. I've never slept better than when in my hammock (as long as I have the proper insulation under me to keep me warm).

Thanks for the quick responses everyone. Sounds like I'll be picking one up to give it a try.

Such a great community,

...there are some folks who just are unable to make it in a hammock. Sadly, I am one of them. I spent a winter, spring and summer trying to make a hammock work for me. Got a nice flat lay, good quilt and under-quilt, and simply could not fall asleep in the wretched hammock(s)! Usually I would only fall asleep somewhere around 3:00 or 4:00 am, utterly exhausted, and then have the weirdest dreams I've ever had!

Also, as another sufferer of a wonky back, I found that a hammock did NOT help my back - but it probably related more to not being able to get a restful night's sleep than any physical discomfort of the hammock.

If it works for you, great! If it doesn't, you will at least have tried it. There are some real advantages to hammocking, like very low impact, no worries about flat places to sleep (just have to find two trees the right distance apart!). But in the end, for me, an Exped pad trumped a hammock for a good night's sleep!

Edited by grampa on 12/18/2012 22:02:12 MST.

Hanging in my hammock or lying on my pad on the ground, both seem comfortable at bedtime, then 8-10-12 hours later, the hammock is still just as comfortable, while on the ground is exceptionally uncomfortable. Thus, hanging in a winter snow storm is much, much better than sleeping on the ground for me. In the winter, more insulation (foam pads) is needed under you, but the comfort on long nights is worth carrying the weight to me. YMMV

As others have noted, some get relief from back problems by using a hammock and others get problems when hanging. I can sleep diagonal laying on my right side but get cramps from laying on my left side. That may be pinched nerves in my vertebrae. I mostly sleep on my back, diagonal in my hammock.

For my trail walking, I have no reason to ever go back to the ground. I can usually find trees or adjacent-to-the-corner-post, reinforced fence posts to hang across. If the land is that treeless, I adjust my hiking time the day before and after in order to get to suitable trees. That is the good news about topographic variation, the vegetation changes with the altitude. Haven't spent much time in slickrock canyons.