Hammocks might seem like simple little pieces of fabric furniture but there is a lot that goes behind the quality of a hammock. Pick the wrong one and you might end up hurting your back or worse, breaking your bone when you fall down from that considerable height.
But how do you differentiate between a good hammock and an ill quality hammock? You need to look for a few important features and these are the factors that determine the quality of the hammock that you are going to get to your home. Go through each one of them very carefully.
First we will be looking at the preliminary factors that you should determine about your hammock like..
Table of Contents
1. Placement of the Hammock: Where are you going to hang your hammock?
You are buying a hammock and this means that you are going to place it somewhere convenient. But where is this going to be? Is it going to be between two trees or between a tree and a wall or between two walls/pillars or are you planning on using the ceiling for this?.
This is important because it will help you understand the kind of knot based or hook based hammock you will be buying. Also the length of the hammock you need. The following images will help you understand the difference between different hammock placements
a ) Hammock Between Trees
These need to be tied down on two ends
b) Hammock Between Wall and Tree
They need tying on one end and a hook on the other end.
c) Hammock Between 2 Walls
Such hammocks need two hooks on either side
e) Hammock on ceiling
Such Hammocks can be hanged in 2 types
- Two sided hooks
- Single point (ideal for hammock chairs)
2. Length: How Long Should Your Hammock Be?
Hammocks come in different length types. Depending on your usage and requirement, you will be picking the size you need. They are available in Single(M), Double use(L) and Family sized (XL).
Also, It is important to check the length and width of the hammock before you purchase one. Width of hammocks range from 4 feet to 8.5 feet, but 6 to 7 feet is good enough for a single user. As far as length is concerned, an 8 feet long model is good enough for a tall person.
3. Usability: How long will you be using this outdoors?
Everybody knows that Hammocks are outdoor furnitures and this means that they need to be protected and taken care of.
Hammocks made out of cotton can withstand mild to mid rains. But make sure you dry them almost immediately after they get soaked in rain. Improper cleaning could result in mould formation which will direct to damage of the hammock.
Now that you have understood your requirements on how you are going to place and use the hammock, let us move towards the part where you understand the different parts, types and features of a hammock that are important and to look for in a hammock.
a) Type of the hammock:
There are almost a lot of different types of hammock depending on their sizes, placements and most importantly, their build material. Let us look at each one of these hammocks briefly.
Rope Hammock – Rope Hammock is the basic hammock type made using cotton or polyester materials to offer stretching and support the body. These hammocks are lightweight, easy to maintain and ideal for warm climates.
The only drawback is that it absorbs the moisture and makes it more prone to mildew. To add on, hammocks made of polyester material are more durable and can withstand at high humid levels, UV rays and winds.
Fabric Hammock – Fabric hammocks are made from cotton fabric with attractive striped pattern and colour prints. They are more durable and ideal for cooler climates. They even come with a pillow to support neck which is beneficial for elders.
Just like other fabric types, hammocks are low in cost and designed using dry materials, making it perfect for the beach and poolside usage.
Camping Hammock – The lightweight and portable camping hammocks can be carried and setup easily in outdoors. You’ll get attached pockets to keep the food stuff, kid toys, swimsuits, etc. As it is made of nylon material, it is highly resistant to the growth of mildew and dries quickly when you return back to home from the holiday vacation. The major disadvantage is that it doesn’t offer much support than other hammock types.
Hammock Chairs and Swings – If you’re looking for a durable hammock that makes your travelling experience awesome then hammock chairs and swings are the best option. These are best for those who just want to sit and relax, read a good book or enjoy the breeze. It’s not meant for lying down.
b) Weight Capacity of the hammock:
A very important factor when buying a hammock, weight capacity of a hammock will also help you in deducing the quality of the product.
You are buying something that is about to bear the entirety of your body weight. Hence it is always a good idea to find something that has the capability to handle a bit more than the heaviest person in your household or your living quarters.
Certain hammock brands can withstand the weight ranging from 15-200 kgs of babies, toddlers, teens, youngsters, adults and elders. But, the weight capacity only refers to standing weight and not swinging or jumping. So, it’s important for an individual to check the capacity of a hammock before purchasing online.
c) Suspension System
Setting up a hammock requires a suspension system. Sometimes hammocks come with a hammock stand while some manufacturers sell the suspension system separately. Suspension system options include nylon ropes, synthetic tree slings, webbing straps, etc. It is best to choose a hammock that comes with multiple attachment points for better weight distribution and strength.
This is so because you never know when or how you are going to use the hammock when you take it out. For trees, a rope based tying system is ideal whereas for a attaching it to the wall, you need a hook based system.
When you have a hammock with multiple attachment points, this will not only aid in the strength and distribution, but also in attachment to uneven or unlikely surfaces. Choose wisely.
d) Material
It is best to choose a hammock made using lightweight and breathable material which will keep you cool and comfortable while you relax in it. Under quilted hammocks are better suited for cooler climates.
Cotton material is mostly preferred than nylon by all the manufacturers these days. It is mainly because of the comfort options, and is washable too.
As most of these hammocks are used for outdoor purposes, make sure that they are also resistant to rain in someway or the other. As already mentioned, cotton based hammocks handle their own against rain but need proper care to avoid mould formation and thinning of the fabric.
Nylon and Other such complexly woven fabric are good bet against harsh weather too. Also, they have the ability to keep you warm and provide temperature too. But washing them and comfort while lying on them might be a little bit of an issue. These can be ideal picks for camping or hiking pack equipment.
e) Flexible Options
Flexibility is referred as the ability to use hammock in different ways like at pool side, garden, beachside, hill areas, home indoors, depending on your choice of interest. They come with side pockets, and pillows to match the customer requirements.
A hammock can be a simple one or it could have a lot more playable options. For instance, pool size Hammocks sometimes come with side pockets for you to store your mobile devices and wallets. Thus protecting them from any water based damage.
The same can be said about beachside, garden side and hill area hammocks. A few of those which come with pillows are garden styled and give you enough comfort for your sunny afternoon siesta.
f) Affordable Pricing
Prices do matters while buying hammocks online. Most of the high-end models come at expensive rates and offer decent performance and comfort throughout the usage. There are some basic hammock models too that are available at cheap rates. If you are willing to invest less on hammocks for your kids then go with the entry-level models otherwise opt for expensive brands that come with flexible usage options.
But remember the golden statement. “Budget Doesn’t Mean Cheap”. The major difference between cheap models and budget models is the quality. Cheap models of products try to give you almost every possible functionality for the product that their expensive counterparts give at a very low price and this often leads to very low qu