Hammocks are great for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. However, if you notice that your hammock is leaning to one side, it could be because of a few different reasons.
The first step in correcting this issue is to figure out the cause of the lean. This will help you decide if it’s something that needs to be fixed or something that can easily be dealt with.
Generally, there are five things that can make your hammock lean off-center; one-sided climbing, anchor points issues, rope tension tangled up lines and sagged hammock’s body.
I’m sure you’ve experienced the frustration of trying to use a hammock that leans one way or another, which is the reason you’re here, right?
It’s not like they usually come with instructions on why and how to fix it!
So, we’re going to discuss the possible causes and some ways you can get your hammock back in shape.
Reasons the hammock must be level
In today’s post, we’re going to be talking about leveling a hammock.
Whether you are using an ultralight backpacking hammock or your more traditional backyard hammock, it is important that the hammock is not lopsided in order for it to work properly and provide maximum comfort.
If for some reason your comfort spot isn’t even, you should be up to task to make it level.
Read on to find out why!
1. It’s more comfortable
Some folks just can’t take a nap in the sand, and they need to be level.
Who wants to live life not being able to rest properly?
We are bombarded with commercials showing lazy summer days by the pool, and it’s understandable to want to replicate that experience.
The problem is, if you don’t have a level surface your hammock occupants will be forced to choose their uncomfortable position and stay still until they get back up.
Your body can become tired of being twisted in one direction for such an extended period of time
2. The hammock is the perfect place to get a tan
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And for those beholders who like to pamper themselves, nothing is more beautiful than being sunscreen-ready in a hammock.
To keep that beauty outstretched for an enticing amount of time, you need one thing: balance.
Outside, in the sun, you’re a radiant gem.
But under trees and between limbs that are all over the place? You’re just an average tired outdoor spender or shy swimmer.
When you’re napping on a hammock, it’s always more satisfying to have your back flat against the fabric as opposed to slanted.
Hammock leveling is specially designed for those who want their lazy afternoons in the sun to be all-around comfortable and tanning!
3. It makes you look like you’re on vacation all the time!
Achieving the perfect level in your hammock means you can strap it between nearby trees in your yard to get up-right position!
You can finally be with nature, but without having to deal with rocks, sticks or mosquitos in unfamiliar areas that threaten to disturb a pleasant experience away from work.
The stress levels go down when you’re relaxed.
You put your phone away and spend more time with the people around you.
The feeling is blissful.
No more heavy backpack needed for a happy time!
Lying in your hammock, you can feel the winds blowing against trees and birds singing.
With a balanced hammock, you don’t have to give up on a relaxing day just because the ground is bumpy or sloped.
Your dream of always being under the sun can finally come true.
A hammock that’s level makes a world of difference.
It means we can kick off our shoes, lay back and be at peace with the world, no matter what time of year it is.
A level sleeping area means you’re away from ground-based toxicity as well making this one wellness necessity for your home.
What are the causes of a lopsided hammock leaning to one side
If you have ever set up a hammock, you know that it is not always easy to get everything in the right place.
Sometimes when you are done setting it up, your hammock will lean to one side and leave half of it on the ground.
There are a few causes for this.
Let’s take a look at each one individually so we can determine what might need some attention!
1. One-sided climbing
You’re in the hammock, side-sleeping.
You lean against one side every time you get up or change positions—and it definitely shows!
Today, we’re always in such a hurry that we might not notice our laziness on the hammock.
But let’s not forget this or fall prey to it – when you always lean left and never right, your tree-loving friend will start to show its true slothful side!
The ropes around the tree can be deceptive.
When you get in and out of your hammock, that weight affects the support of that side, causing a lopsided load on the other point!
But as long as you go in through both sides every time, it’ll always be level without any sagging.
2. Anchor point issues
What’s better than a day lounging lazily in the sun while reading your favorite book, or enjoying a much-needed nap?
No one wants to waste an afternoon creeping around their backyard on unsteady feet just to find rock steady ground.
Is it too hard to hang your hammock?
You’re not alone.
It’s tricky enough for some veterans, and even more so for people who just want to sling up a hammock in their backyard or around the back of their house.
Some days, it can be hard to catch the perfect angle for your hammock-leaning time.
You might also be fearing bugs biting you.
Actually, the problem is with the anchor points as much as lack of balancing tricks would do.
Here’s why: anchors cause uneven or weak support and can leave you feeling constricted or unbalanced in your swing.
You might be fearing either bugs biting or that your hammock will fall in lopsidedness.
3. Rope tension
Traditionally rope tensioners are often lopsided in nature due to gravity and because they keep slipping from slanted surfaces.
With important factors like rope tension, too much rope or loose ropes, one side of your relaxing spot can sag lower than the other!
Always keeping your hammock as straight and adjusted as possible will allow for a comfortable relaxation.
With some tension on both sides, you won’t have to worry about either rope getting loose or crooked.
This is due to a balance in weight distribution of the person currently relaxing in their hammock.
When ropes are barely holding up someone’s weight, they easily slip out of place causing one side of the hammock to tilt downwards.
4. Tangled up lines
Starting out with a new hammock seems like a good idea until you get tangled up in lines and ropes and can’t seem to find your way out.
You and I both know that even a minute of relaxation makes you happy.
So, tangled lines or ropes while trying to set up our hammock can be a complete headache.
Many outdoor getaways are disappointing after the best intentioned effort leads to such an uneven hang experience.
Those pesky lines that never straighten out can make your hammock to be slightly off-kilter.
Hammocks don’t stay upright on their own.
The hammock should be carefully set-up before sleeping or napping due to its equally important design features.
The suspended ropes in a hammock are primarily responsible for providing support – some ropes lay diagonally across the foundation layer while more rope lays close to one side.
When we sleep on these structures, an adequate amount of pressure may cause them to shift and tilt making it very hard at times to get comfortable with.
Getting them into just the right shape can be very time consuming and irritating.
5. Hammock’s body is sagged
Sometimes it’s not just about where you’re hanging – sometimes it’s the manufacturer’s design idea of a sagged hammock middle.
The sag in your hammock might be ruining your total relaxation.
When someone leans too far to the left or right, their center of gravity changes and shifts the position of their hammock and their hips causing an upsetting and uncomfortable feeling.
It is not just your body that will leave you uneven and your hammock sagging.
Any toys or pillows situated near one side of the hammock can create this unwanted occurrence as well.
The lack of ability to store those things at either end also leads to issues with packing up and moving from place to place.
How can you fix a sagging hammock that leans to one side
The best hammocks are the ones that hang evenly on both sides.
The problem is, after a few months of use, sometimes they start leaning to one side or another and it’s hard to find something you can do about it.
Every hammock is different and has a variety of ways to fix it.
But, here are some ideas and true fixes for your sagging hammock!
- Check the rope to make sure it’s not too loose
- Reposition the hammock so that it is level on all sides
- Place a weight on one side of the hammock until you find an equilibrium point
- Tie knots in each end of the ropes near where they are attached to both trees, then tie them together with another knot at center point
- Tighten up all knots and check for balance again before sitting in your new, fixed-up hammock!
- Sit back and relax while reading a book or listening to music!
Over to you!
Keeping your hammock in shape starts with understanding what can cause it to become lopsided.
One-sided climbing, anchor points issues, rope tension, tangled up lines and sagged hammocks are all culprits that will make the perfect perch for a nap not so comfortable anymore.
Be sure to check for this issue by looking for knots or tangles on the ropes as well as checking if you’ve overloaded one side of the hammock with too much weight (or people).
Avoid these common mistakes and keep enjoying your time outdoors!
What have you done to stop your hammock from becoming lopsided?