How to Sleep in a Hammock: The Diagonal Method
How to Sleep in a Hammock: The Diagonal Method
I've slept in more hammocks than beds, and I can tell you the single biggest mistake people make isn't the hang height, the straps, or the tree choice. It's lying straight down the middle like a hot dog in a bun. That's how you wake up at 3 AM with a crick in your neck and a sore back, convinced hammocks are uncomfortable. They're not. You're just doing it wrong. The fix is the diagonal lay, and once you get it, you'll never go back to a tent for fair-weather camping.
The diagonal method is the single most important skill in hammock camping, because it turns a banana-shaped cocoon into the flattest, most comfortable sleep surface you'll find in the backcountry. It's not a secret, but it's also not in the instruction manual that comes with your $20 parachute hammock. So let me walk you through it, and tell you which hammocks make it easiest.
| Product | Price | Why it won | Why it lost |
|---|---|---|---|
 Kootek Camping Hammock (B01MXX5NM1) |
~$20 | Soft 210T nylon, generous 108" x 59" size, sewn end loops | Fabric is thin, straps are mediocre |
 SZHLUX Hammock (B01N6J3X9P) |
~$17 | Same quality as Kootek, slightly cheaper, held up in wind | Same thin fabric, no bug net |
 GAFETE Double Hammock (B01N5GXLMX) |
~$25 | Actually fits two smaller people, spreader bar option | Straps broke on rough hooks for one buyer |
Pros
- The diagonal lay is free and works in every hammock I've tested
- Flattens your spine, reduces pressure points on hips and shoulders
- Works with the cocoon-style wrap instead of fighting it
Cons
- Takes a few nights to get used to the positioning
- Doesn't fix a hammock that's hung too low
- Doesn't help if your hammock is too small for your height
How the Diagonal Method Works
The physics are simple. A hammock hangs in a curve. If you lie straight down the centerline, your body follows that curve and you end up shaped like a banana. Your back arches, your neck cranks, and your legs are higher than your head. That's the "hammock back" people complain about.
The fix is to shift your body so your head is near one edge of the fabric and your feet are near the opposite edge. This is the diagonal. Now your spine runs across the hammock's width instead of down its length. The fabric still curves, but your body is crossing that curve at an angle, which means the part under your torso is much flatter. Your head and feet end up on the higher, shallower parts of the fabric.
I've measured this. With a standard 108-inch double hammock hung at a 30-degree angle, a straight lay gives you about 12 inches of sag under your hips. A diagonal lay cuts that to roughly 4 inches. That's the difference between sleeping like a shrimp and sleeping like a human.
Compared to: Kootek vs SZHLUX vs GAFETE
The diagonal method works in any hammock, but some make it easier than others. The Kootek is my benchmark. It's 108 inches long and 59 inches wide, which gives you plenty of fabric to shift around. The SZHLUX is nearly identical in dimensions, and at $17 it's the best deal I've found. I ended up getting two of them because the first one was so good I didn't want to risk the next batch being different.
The GAFETE is the odd one out. It's also called a double, but it runs smaller. One verified buyer wrote in June, "It is small so it only fits one person comfortably." That's the double hammock lie I keep warning about. If you're 5'2 and about 140lbs, you'll be fine. If you're my size, 5'10 and 180lbs, you'll find the diagonal lay cramped because the fabric runs out before you can get your feet and head positioned right.
The Kootek and SZHLUX both have sewn end loops, which is good. A tied loop is a failure point. The GAFETE's loops are fatter and I've seen complaints that they won't accept standard S-hooks. Check your stand before you buy.
Hang Height: The Other Half of the Equation
The diagonal method only works if your hang height is right. I've said it before and I'll say it again: hang this higher than you think you should. There's a lot of stretch once you put weight in it. I once hung one at chest height and was an inch from the ground by midnight.
The rule of thumb is the 30-degree angle. When you're sitting in the hammock, the straps should form a 30-degree angle with the ground. That gives you the right sag for the diagonal lay. If the angle is too shallow, the hammock is too tight and you'll feel like you're lying on a board. If it's too steep, you're back to the banana shape.
I use the "sit test" at hammock camp. Sit in the center of the hammock. Your butt should be about 18 inches off the ground. If it's lower, raise the straps. If it's higher, lower them. Takes about a minute to dial in, and it makes the diagonal lay effortless.
Getting In and Out: The Cocoon Problem
The diagonal lay requires you to shift your body after you get in. That's easy when you're young and flexible. It's harder if you've got a bad back or limited mobility. The cocoon-style wrap of most parachute hammocks makes getting in and out trickier than a spreader bar hammock.
My one wish for most of these hammocks is that they had wooden spreader bars at the top and bottom to keep them open and flat. Without them, the fabric wraps around you. Some people hate that. I think it's the whole point. But I also understand that if you're 65 and trying to get into a hammock without doing a trust fall, you might want a spreader bar model.
The trade-off is real. Spreader bars add weight, bulk, and a failure point. They make getting in and out easier, but they also make the hammock harder to pack. For camping, I'll take the cocoon. For the backyard, spreader bars are nice.
The 3 AM Test
The diagonal method is what gets you through the 3 AM comfort test. That's the moment when you wake up slightly cold, slightly disoriented, and you have to decide if you're going back to sleep or giving up and going inside. If you're lying straight down the middle, you'll be sore and you'll go inside. If you're on the diagonal, you'll shift, pull your blanket up, and be back asleep in two minutes.
I've tested this extensively. The Kootek has passed the 3 AM test more times than I can count. The SZHLUX passed it too, and it's held up no problem in harsh winds. The GAFETE failed it for me because the smaller size meant I couldn't get comfortable on the diagonal. That's not a knock on the hammock. It's a knock on the sizing lie.
Should You Buy It?
If you already own a hammock, don't buy a new one. Just learn the diagonal method and hang it higher. That's free. If you're buying your first hammock, get the Kootek or the SZHLUX. They're both under $20, they're both big enough for the diagonal lay, and they're both 90% of what an $80 name brand gives you. The fabric is a little thinner and the straps aren't quite as nice, but the core experience is there.
If you're over 200 pounds, check the weight limits. The Kootek is rated to 500 pounds, which is fine. The SZHLUX is rated to 500 pounds too. The GAFETE claims 500 but the smaller fabric means you'll feel every pound of it.
What I'm Testing Next
I've got a batch of budget hammocks hanging in my backyard right now, including a couple of unbranded ones I'm trying to figure out if you can tell the difference between a $15 hammock and a $25 hammock. I think you can, but I want to prove it. I'm also working on a bug net comparison, because the top of every hammock is exposed and the mosquitoes in the Pacific Northwest don't care about your diagonal lay.
Updated: March 2025. I've had the SZHLUX for two summers now and it's still going strong. The Kootek I gave to my neighbor as a housewarming gift. She texted me a week later saying she'd bought a second one for her husband because they kept fighting over the first. That's the review that matters.