How to Select the Best Hammock
Posted: Thursday, January 19, 2006
by Tanya Turner
Thinking of buying a hammock to relax and unwind? With so many hammocks on offer, it is difficult to decide which one is best. Discover the pros and cons of different types of hammocks and which hammock will be the best for you.
Hammock retailers offer hundreds of different hammocks, but all of them can be divided into three groups according to material: fabric, rope and string hammocks. Each material has its pros and cons.
A rope hammock is the first thing most people think of, when picturing a hammock. Rope hammocks offer the most traditional look. They are usually made from cotton or polyester rope. They are very durable, don't require much maintenance and cost less than other types. A big advantage of a rope hammock is that it "breathes", letting you get the most benefit from breezes on a hot day. Rope hammocks are reasonably comfortable, but the rope might leave impressions on your skin. Hammocks with smaller spaces between the ropes are more comfortable.
The last type is string hammocks, which are also called Mayan hammocks. String hammocks are hand woven, and most of them come from Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua or El Salvador. They are reminiscent of tightly woven webs made of fine cotton, in a weave that might take more than a mile of string. String hammocks are the most decorative - they come in exotic, tropical colors, to create a relaxing holiday atmosphere.
Mayan hammocks are extremely comfortable and provide good ventilation, but don't leave any prints on your skin. They are also very light-weight, so string hammocks can be used for camping or taken to the beach. There is one disadvantage though - it is easy to damage a string hammock. Any sharp object can easily cut the string, so they are not as durable as rope or fabric hammocks.
See comparison of different types of hammock
One more thing you should know is that rope and fabric hammocks can have spreader bars at the ends or be stave-less (traditional hammock without bars). You might think that spreader bars add comfort, but in fact it is the other way around - hammocks without the bars are more comfortable, because they wrap around your body better. If for appearance reasons you prefer hammocks with spreader bars, go for hammocks with 3 hanging points instead of just 2 - these have much less chance of tipping over.
How much a good hammock would cost?
You might be surprised to find out that a good hammock might not cost much at all. Rope hammocks are usually the cheapest, but you can also find a very good Mayan or fabric hammock for under a hundred dollars. That is of course if you already have suitable trees. If not, you will also a need hammock stand. In this case, you would be better off buying a package (hammock and a stand together). You can get a good-looking, safe and comfortable package for 200-250 dollars, even though some decorative wooden stands cost as much as 500.
The best way to shop for hammocks is to look at online stores that sell discounted hammocks.
Visit AllHammocks.info for tips on getting hammocks and hammock chairs, price comparison and reviews of trusted hammocks retailers.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)I couldn't believe that I got such a p[rofessional and helpful answer to the question I asked about hammocks. Tanya Turner has provided excellent information. I rate this a 5 star source of information.
Thank you! Very helpful for a new hammock buyer!
This was very helpful, thank you!!!
Thank you, this was super helpful as I had no previous knowledge of hammocks at all! Now I don't need to be nervous about buying a hammock that I'll hate!
this was very helpful and i appreciate that you laid it all out like that. i had no clue what i wanted,but you have narrowed down my choice and made it much easier. thanks for the research!!!!
Thanks for the help. I'm getting a fabric Hammock - narrows my search.
Fabric hammocks do NOT rate as high as web hammocks. in my opinion the real hammocks are knotted nylon fish net web.No sliding down to the middle,very nice cupping/cocoon shape.Visit deckhandman where you will find the real thing.
You failed to mention the only authentic hammock maker in America. Deckhand Manufacturing in Bellingham Wa . State is the real thing.Check it out and tell me what you think.Note this hammock line is the top quality and NOT the top price
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