Hammocks – Making The Right Choice

Hammocks are like furniture used for rest and relaxation. They are like beds that are suspended between two supports like two trees or a manufactured support. Hammocks are often made up of heavy netting or a canvas and are great for spending time in the sun. But not all hammocks give the same level of comfort or length of life.

So what things should we consider when trying to make the right choice when purchasing.

1. Material: There are many different types of hammocks but generally can be thought of in 3 types. These are namely known as fabric or canvas, Mayan (which is woven and can be made of different materials) and rope style hammocks (which also are woven). Most of these can either be used indoors or outdoors. The cotton woven hammocks though are best used indoors as they do not stand up to weather.

2. Comfort: As has already been said rope hammocks are woven with small spaces in between them. They don’t conform to your body as well as the Mayan and there is usually an imprint visible in ones back when you first get off the hammock. Canvas hammocks also don’t conform to your body well during use; on the other hand they don’t leave any imprints. The most comfortable hammock of the 3 is the Mayan since this type of hammock conforms to the shape of anyone who uses it and the weave is tight and comfortable.

3. Strength: The strength of the hammock is dependent on the material used in making it. A rope hammock is made out of quite thick rope and can take a beating and hold a lot of weight, up to 450 lbs or more depending on the manufacturer. A hammock made out of canvas on the other hand is not typically going to hold as much weight though it should have no problem holding the average adult. A Mayan style hammock is a little more sensitive but again the weight it can carry often is determined by the quality of the manufacturer and typically should not have any problem holding an average adult.

4. Portability: The material used in the manufacture of a hammock also will determine its weight. For instance rope hammocks are weaved by hand and are usually made of heavier material making it weigh more than the rest and therefore not as easy to move from one place to another. Canvas hammocks are lighter and therefore easy to relocate. They also usually repel water well and therefore stand up to the outdoor conditions. Mayan hammocks like canvas are also lightweight making it easy to transfer from place to place.

5. Durability & Maintenance: A rope hammock made out of thick rope as mentioned before requires a fair amount of maintenance since it is susceptible to mildew especially in a fairly wet climate. A canvas hammock on the other hand, because its material is very durable, requires a lot less maintenance. A Mayan hammock is like a rope hammock in the sense that it can be very sensitive and can tear more easily which would require more maintenance in order to keep this kind of hammock in top shape.

6. Price: The price of the hammock one wishes to purchase also depends greatly on the type of material used and the manufacturer. And like a lot of things we buy the saying is true “you get what you pay for”. A quick check and you can find hammocks starting around $20 and going up to $200 or more and then if you want a support for it as well it could be a lot more. Similar looking hammocks made with similar material have remarkably different prices. This makes purchasing one difficult. My suggestion, deal with someone you know and you can trust if you want quality. If price is important then shop well. For myself I don’t like cheap and I also don’t have the money to spend top dollar so I try and find a middle road.

Hammocks are a great way to relax outdoors in your back yard or private outdoor living space. They are great for the whole family and a lot of fun.

Hammocks “by the yard”