Best Hammock for Tall People: The Diagonal Sleep Fix

It’s a cruel joke that the same gear companies that spend millions on ergonomic engineering seem to forget that some of us are over 6 feet tall. The standard advice for a tall person in a hammock is to "lie diagonally," but if the hammock is too short, that diagonal just means your head is jammed into the fabric and your feet are hanging off the side. I spend more nights than I care to admit testing this stuff, and I’ve learned that the battle for a tall person isn’t just about length, it’s about the width of the fabric and how the cut allows your frame to actually open up. The best hammock for tall people isn’t just the longest one on the shelf; it’s the one that lets you stretch out without feeling like a banana in a peeler.

How I tested

I hung all three of these side-by-side between my two oak trees in the backyard, setting the hang height at a level where I thought the sag would be right. Then I got in and out of each one roughly fifteen times, adjusting the straps to hit that 30-degree angle. I’m 6'1" and about 185 lbs, so I’m right in the middle of the "tall" category, but I also had my buddy Dave, who is 6'4" and 220 lbs, come over to give me a second opinion on the shoulder room. We spent a full Saturday afternoon rotating through them, reading, napping, and generally being lazy. I also packed each one into its stuff sack and schlepped them around the yard to see how they carried. The real test, though, was the 3 AM comfort test. I left the Kootek and the SZHLUX up overnight, and the GAFETE I took down because Dave said he felt like he was in a coffin.

Analysis & test results

Comfort and the Diagonal Lay

For tall people, comfort is all about the diagonal. When you lie straight down the centerline, your feet and head push against the fabric, creating that terrible banana shape. To get flat, you shift to a diagonal, but that requires a hammock that is both long and wide enough to accommodate your frame at an angle. The Kootek, at 108 inches long and 59 inches wide, is the only one of the three that gave me a genuinely flat lay. I could shift diagonally, get my shoulders in the fabric, and stretch out completely without my heels hitting the edge. The SZHLUX was close, but at 106 inches, it felt just a touch shorter in the diagonal, and I found my calves pressing against the side more often.

The GAFETE is the one that disappointed me. It’s marketed as a double, but the dimensions are smaller. It’s maybe 104 inches long, and the cut is narrower. Dave, at 6'4", couldn't get comfortable no matter how he positioned himself. He said, "I feel like I'm in a taco shell." For me, it was fine for lounging but not for sleeping. It just wraps around you too tightly, and if you're tall, that cocoon-style wrap feels restrictive rather than cozy.

Durability and Fabric Feel

This is where the budget category gets interesting. The Kootek uses a 210T nylon taffeta that feels a little stiffer and slicker out of the bag. It’s durable, but it has that "swishy wind suit-like material" feel that one buyer mentioned. The SZHLUX, on the other hand, uses a ripstop nylon that has a softer, more cotton-like hand-feel. It’s quieter too. After a night in the SZHLUX, I was honestly surprised at how comfortable the fabric was against bare skin. It didn't feel coarse at all.

The GAFETE feels the thinnest of the bunch. It lets a lot of light through, and I’m a little worried about its long-term durability against tree branches or rough hooks. The fabric is quite thin and lets the wind and light through, which is great for breathability in summer but a concern for longevity. I’ve seen cheaper hammocks like this tear after a season of heavy use, so I’d be careful with it.

Straps and Suspension

All three come with tree straps, but they are not created equal. The Kootek’s straps are 10 feet long with 14 loops, which is standard and gives you a lot of adjustment options. The carabiners are aluminum, which is good. The SZHLUX straps are a little shorter, which can be a problem if you’re hanging between two very large trees. I had to use a different knot to make it work on my oaks. The GAFETE straps are the weakest of the group. They feel a bit thinner, and I can see them fraying if you use them on rough bark or concrete. My advice is to check the end loops on any of these against the S-hooks you already own. I’ve had cheap hammocks with fatter end loops that wouldn't accept my existing hardware, and it’s a frustrating way to learn about standards.

Winners

Kootek Camping Hammock (B07L3V21QF) - Best Overall

This is the one I kept coming back to. It’s the only hammock in this test that made me forget I was tall. The extra width is the secret. At 59 inches, there’s enough fabric to let you sink in and lie on a deep diagonal without fighting the edges. I slept in this one overnight in the backyard, and at 3 AM when I woke up, I wasn’t curled in a ball. I was stretched out, flat, and comfortable. That’s the test that matters. The fabric is durable, the stitching on the end channels is solid, and the whole thing packs down to the size of a small loaf of bread. It’s not perfect. The straps are fine but not great, and the fabric is thin enough that you’ll want a sleeping pad underneath you if it’s cold. But for the money, this is the best hammock for tall people I’ve tested. [Check price on Amazon]

SZHLUX Double Hammock (B01LX4NZ2D) - Best Value

This one almost took the top spot. It’s a few bucks cheaper than the Kootek, and the fabric feels nicer. The ripstop nylon is soft and quiet, and it has a slight stretch that feels supportive rather than saggy. I ended up getting two of these because I gave one to my neighbor and then bought another for myself. If you’re between 5'10" and 6'2", this is probably all you need. The only reason it doesn't win the top spot is that it’s just a little shorter and narrower than the Kootek. For Dave, at 6'4", it was too snug in the shoulders. But for me, it was almost perfect. It’s also the easiest to pack down, compressing into a stuff sack that fits in my daypack. If you’re looking for the best deal on a comfortable hammock that doesn't break the bank, this is it. [Check price on Amazon]

What else to consider

GAFETE Double Hammock (B0CK4Y4GF5): The budget pick. It’s fine for a casual afternoon nap, but the smaller cut makes it a poor choice for tall people. If you’re under 6'0" and just want something cheap to string up between two trees, this will do the job, but don't expect to sleep in it. It’s a lounger, not a sleeper.

Should you buy the Kootek?

If you are over 6 feet tall and you’ve been struggling with hammocks that feel like they’re shrinking around you, yes. Buy this one. It’s the first budget hammock I’ve tested that actually respects a tall person’s need for space. It’s worth it for about $25. If you’re on a tighter budget, the SZHLUX is a fantastic alternative, but if you can stretch your money a few extra dollars, the Kootek’s extra width is the difference between a nap and a real night’s sleep.