Although the metal ones were more solid I noticed that they tapered
considerably towards the bottom, meaning that lying in it would produce
a "penned in" sensation, so much so that even when showering and
standing up, it would difficult to lay my feet completely flat. I am
only a lanky streak of **** as well.

I have no problem at all and I'm 6'2" and not exactly slightly built. I find
standard steel baths to be very comfortable. Perhaps the shop you went to
had a particularly unusual shape.

Christian.