Hammocks Buying Guide

A hammock can conjure visions of swaying in the breeze on a secluded tropical beach, relaxing deep in a forest after a satisfying day of hiking, or just looking up at the falling leaves on a crisp autumn day while drifting off to sleep. Wherever or whenever you plan to use your hammock, you can relax, close your eyes, and as the gentle rocking soothes you, imagine you are anywhere.

Though you may be most familiar with traditional cotton rope hammocks, there are actually far more choices available. There are various material options, including cotton and the more durable options of polyester, DuraCord, and acrylic. Mayan and Brazilian hammocks, which offer cozy cocooning in a style with no spreader bars, are appealing picks. There are water-resistant and quick-drying hammocks primarily designed for pool, beach, and lakeside use. Camping and travel hammocks are lightweight, portable, and easy to mount or set up. Luxurious and comfortable quilted hammocks are available in stylish colors and patterns. There are also upright swing styles that are an interesting choice.

Craftsmanship varies according to type of hammock. Across the board, handmade work indicates the best quality. In rope hammocks, material quality depends largely on rope thickness and weaving. The best spreader (also called stretcher) bars are made of solid wood treated for weather-resistance. Metal hardware should be rust-resistant. Fabric materials should be durable, weather-resistant, and colorfast. All hammocks should be well-balanced for even and smooth rocking.

Keep in mind that you often will have to purchase mounting hardware, tree straps, or hammock stands separately. Often the only pieces of hardware included with a hammock are the ones that connect to whatever will be used to hang it.

Some hammocks are designed for single person use, while others can support more than one person comfortably and safely. There are different width options available, with a length of 13 feet fairly standard. In general, only hammocks with spreader bars will work for more than one person. Care should always be used with hammocks and young children, who should never be left unattended with one. Not all hammocks are appropriate for use by small children.

There are some hammock accessories that are nice to have. Of course, the key one will be hanging hardware, tree straps, or a hammock stand, depending on how you will be hanging your hammock. There are also hammock pillows, tables, caddies, stand wheel kits, tie down straps for added stability, and hammock bags for carrying and storage.

Depending on the material and quality of the hammock, as well as care and climate, a hammock can last from a year or two to a decade or two. Regardless of material, it is always best to bring it in for the winter and, for some fabric and rope types, such as cotton, even in the rain.

Rope Hammocks Rope hammocks are a classic and versatile choice. They are weaved of cotton, polyester, or DuraCord and include two stretcher bars, usually made of wood, at either end of the hammock. The bars hold the hammock bed open and help provide balance. In purchasing a rope hammock, you'll need to consider the material, since it influences comfort and durability.

Cotton Cotton is a traditional choice. It’s very soft, breathable, and comfortable. It stretches to conform to your body, and has a natural look in a pleasing tan color. However, it is the least weather-resistant. Cotton hammocks should not be left outside for long periods of time and should always be brought in for the winter.

Polyester Soft-spun polyester rope is almost as soft as cotton with the added plus of being weather, mold, and mildew resistant. These hammocks withstand high humidity, salt water, rain, and sunlight, making it acceptable to leave them outside for longer periods of time than cotton hammocks. However, all hammocks will show extra wear when left out consistently year-round. Unlike cotton, these hammocks are firmer and hold their shape, and usually come in a bright white color. Because of their durability, polyester hammocks are a popular choice.

DuraCord This material is as soft as cotton and as weather-resistant as polyester, making it a highly desirable choice. Like polyester, DuraCord is resistant to high humidity, salt water, rain, sunlight, mold, and mildew. It is colorfast and available in stylish and bright colors, as well as in the "natural" looking color of a cotton hammock. In addition, it is faster drying than both cotton and polyester. Though usually more expensive than other material options, DuraCord is a top pick for long lasting and comfortable rope hammocks, and is also available in a high quality fabric weave.

Quilted Fabric Hammocks Quilted fabric hammocks offer top of the line comfort and style. The padded fabric is often colorfast acrylic, which is also stain, fade, mold, and mildew resistant. The bed padding fill is usually soft polyester. DuraCord is another popular fabric option, which in addition to being durable and comfortable, is a great quick drying choice. These hammocks come in a large range of attractive patterns and colors and are often reversible for added versatility.

Pool Side/Single Layer/Quick Drying Hammocks These are all category names you might come across while shopping. Basically, these all describe hammocks that are designed for use in the wet conditions found pool and beach-side, and thus include water-resistance and quick drying as key features. Top material choices are DuraCord, which is tightly woven to look and feel like cotton, and acrylic vinyl.

Mayan/Brazilian Hammocks As compared to the other hammock styles covered, the key difference is that Mayan and Brazilian hammocks do not have stretcher bars. This makes reclining in them a very different experience. They wrap and contour to your body for a snug and cocoon-like fit. Also lighter and easier to store and carry, both types come in bright colors and interesting patterns with decorative fringes common.

The main difference between a Mayan and Brazilian hammock is the material. Mayan hammocks, traditionally handmade by local artisans in Mexico, are made of thin string woven together into a fine, flexible net. This material is very lightweight, cool, and comfortable but less durable than other options. Brazilian hammocks are made of cloth cotton.

Camping/Travel Hammocks These hammocks are entirely portable and come in lightweight fabrics, such as parachute silk or Mayan netting. They generally are easy to hang and sometimes include foldable stands. Compact carrying bags are usually included.

Hammock Chair Swings Chair swings hang from a single hardware point and offer a comfortable and different style of swaying in the breeze. Generally available in the same material and style options as regular hammocks, you'll find a wide variety of chair swings, from rope woven to padded cloth. They are usually designed for single use but double swings are available.

As a general rule, handmade construction provides the best quality and longevity.

Creating the best rope hammocks requires a great deal of skilled labor. To create thickness, miles of yarn are molded into layers, which are then joined to create three-ply rope. The rope is continuously woven to form the hammock. 8 mm rope is highest quality, with 4 to 6 mm common. Top material options include DuraCord and polyester for their durability, and cotton, for its traditional look and feel. DuraCord rope, given its soft feel and durability, is widely considered the best choice for both comfort and strength.

In evaluating stretcher bars, solid hardwood is the highest quality option. They should always be treated for weather-resistance. Good stretcher bars will spread the rope evenly for stability and balance to help provide a comfortable, gentle, and even rocking motion.

Fabrics should be strong, weather-resistant, and colorfast, in addition to feeling comfortable. DuraCord, cotton, and acrylic are all popular fabric options.

Metal hardware should be secure, heavy duty, and rust-resistant.

Hammock stands are a popular way to hang hammocks and hammock swings. Once you choose your hammock, it should be fairly simple to find a matching stand. They are generally available in standard sizes, with some models even adjustable. High quality stands are available in heavy duty metal, such as steel, and hardwoods. Look for strength, durability, and rust-resistance in a stand. Also check to see how much weight it can support and what length hammock it can accommodate. Most support 450 lbs., with some going up to 600 lbs., and are designed for 13 foot long hammocks.

For hanging between trees, tree straps are often a better choice than hardware which requires drilling holes in them. Hammocks stretch over time and may need to be readjusted. Multiple holes aren't pleasing to look at, though they shouldn't harm the trees. In general, the ideal distance for hanging between trees is about two feet longer than the full hammock length, so for a standard 13 foot hammock, it should be about 15 feet. Hanging height should be about four to five feet off the ground.

13 feet long is standard for hammocks, with a typical bed length of 82 inches. Width varies from about 55 to 65 inches, depending on whether it is designed for single or double use. It is best to go with the standard length, since this will make it easy to match the hammock with a standard stand.

Most hammocks and stands can support 450 lbs, with some going up to 600 lbs. You should always check the specifications for both your hammock and stand.

Hammock prices differ based on style, size, craftsmanship, and material. Make sure you know exactly what comes with your hammock. Often you will have to purchase a hammock stand, tree straps, or hanging hardware separately. Typically, you can find a high quality hammock in most styles, sizes, and materials within the $100 to $250 price range. There are also many choices available from $50 to $100.

The price of hammock stands also depends on the quality and style. They generally fall from $125 to almost $200 for well-constructed metal ones. More elaborate stand options, such as this curved cypress stand with a price of about $430.00, cost more. Tree straps cost about $20 to $30.

Pawleys Island, Jobek, Plow & Hearth, Outback Chairs