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Just thinking about my hammock conjures up for me images of relaxation in the tropical sun, gently swaying in the cool breeze without a care in the world. My main hammock is actually in my back garden and I don’t seem to get that much sun but this doesn’t seem to deter from my mental image, there is just something about my hammock that seems to melt away the stress of everyday living. I think just being able to relax in the beautiful outdoors is part of it, I may have to wrap up sometimes but it sure beats lazing in front of the TV or sitting on my hard garden bench.
Sleeping and Relaxing
An outdoor hammock is not just for relaxing though, in accordance with its cultural heritage I like to sleep in mine (usually can’t help it). The feeling of weightlessness and the gentle swaying just sends me off to a happy place and I sleep like a baby. I often get asked if it’s safe to sleep like this and the answer is “Yes”, in the many years I’ve been using hammocks I’ve never fallen out of one whilst asleep (just when dismounting after I’ve had one cocktail too many). Thanks to their design hammocks have an incredibly stable center of gravity and sides that wrap around and enclose you, so you’re not going to fall out (for the full cocooning experience you will need to get a hammock without a spreader bar).
Spoilt For Choice
If you decide that you want to get yourself an outdoor hammock then you are going to find that you are spoilt for choice, the most stressful thing about a hammock is actually choosing which one (or two) to get. Do you go for a traditional style (Mayan) hammock or one with a spreader bar, do you to rig one up between two trees or do you get one with a stand? How about a camping or portable hammock, or maybe a double or family hammock. Perhaps you’d fancy a hammock swing or maybe a hammock chair instead
You then need to decide on color, style and material – do you go for fabric, hand-woven, cotton, nylon, quilted, padded or rope. Worried about the weather then you may decide you want to get a covered hammock or hammock shelter for relaxing in the rain or keeping out of the sun.
Some Help With Choosing
It can be dizzying decision process so hopefully the following questions you can ask yourself may help to narrow down the choice: -
- How many people do you want it to hold – is it just for you, for two people or maybe your whole family? If you want to have multiple people on it at the same time then you will want a hammock with a spreader bar.
- How sturdy does it need to be – what is the weight / combined weights of the people who will be using it?
- Where do you want to use it – will it be taking permanent residence in your garden or do you plan to take it camping? If you just want to move it around the garden then get one on a stand and decide if you need one that comes with a wheel kit. You also need to decide on the type of stand material you want
- Do you actually have two trees or similar from where you can hang it. Most rope hammocks measure about 13’ so you ideally need two trees/structures that are between 13’-17’ apart
- Do you want a traditional style (Mayan) hammock or one with a spreader bar. Hammocks with spreader bars are much easier to get in and out of and are better for multiple people but they are a little bit less stable and will not allow for cocooning
- Do you really have room for a hammock? – if not then a hammock chair may be better as they require less space.
- Does it need to have good water resistance? – many people think cotton rope hammocks are more comfortable than polyester – but they will absorb more water and make them more susceptible to mildew.
- Do you want a rain cover or shelter or maybe even a pool side hammock designed with getting wet in mind.
Whatever you choose, follow the instructions to set it up properly, look after it, relax and enjoy.
Do Some Research Surfing
To kick off your research I have provided links below to some of the Best Selling Different Types of Hammocks available at Amazon.com. Make sure you check out the star ratings and the reviews as well as the looks. The other thing I recommend you pay close attention to is the actual Sale price compared to the List price – quite often there are huge discounts available on the top products so getting a bargain is a real possibility!
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If you want to sprawl out in your hammock then it has to be hung from something. Most commonly, hammocks are hung between two trees but with a hammock stand you can pretty much hang your hammock wherever you want. They can be placed inside or outside, by your pool, patio, yard – pretty much anywhere. Stands remove the need for trees or other large objects to attach the hammock to, like the side of a building.
Versatile and Portable
There are some very obvious benefits to being able to simply set up your hammock within a stand, the two largest of which are versatility and portability. They can be taken on family outings, picnics, vacations or even to your neighbor’s barbeque.
Easy and Quick
Another good thing is that setting up a hammock in a stand is easy and quick. Imagine hooking your hammock onto a stand.. now imagine taking measurements, grabbing some tools and trying to affix the ends of your hammock to a tree or a wall… see what I mean (maybe I’m just a bit lazy).
Bear in mind though that there are many different types of hammock stands out there, as with everything some are good and some are bad and some types that are good for some people are not right for others. You have some decisions to make regards style, substance and budget.
What Do You Want Your Stand To Be Made Of?
There are 4 main materials being used currently to make hammock stands: –
- Metal
- Steel
- Wood
- Stainless Steel
At the end of the day there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these choices, but they do all have different positive and negative qualities. Have a read below and think about what is most important to you.
Metal or Steel
By far the most common option you will find out of all of the available models you can buy. They do the job and they do it well and there are no issues when it comes to durability – so they make sense. One of the biggest reasons for their popularity is that they are most affordable when you compare them to the other options.
They do not have the aesthetic appeal of wood or the weather resistance of stainless steel but those factors come at a premium so you have to decide how important they are to you and your wallet.
Stainless steel
When it comes to having a stand for a hammock that is going to be spending most of its life outside then this is probably the best option. Since they do not rust they are the most highly resistant to the many forms of weather they are going to be subjected to outdoors. The ultimate choice in practicality and durability makes them some of the more expensive stands on the market.
Wooden hammock stands
There is no denying that they can look stunning, ooze style and provide a much more natural look. There are many companies out there offering a multitude of styles and designs but it is important you look for one where the maker has factored in durability. If they have not gone to the trouble of finishing and treating the wood properly then don’t bother buying it. My favorite design in wood is the arched hammock stand, this design also has the added advantage of being able to handle more weight. As with most things you get what you pay for and when it comes to wood you need to choose carefully as there are just so many different types of woods, strengths, finishes and designs on offer. Don’t fall straight away for a pretty face, do some research first to make sure it won’t be pretty useless
With or Without Spreader Bars
After deciding upon your preferred material you then need to decide if you are going to go for a hammock with or without spreader bars. These are strips of wood attached to each end of the hammock that quite simply spread the hammock out a little more.
Traditionalists don’t like spreader bars but I wouldn’t let that factor into your decision one little bit. A hammock is for relaxation and recreation and both allow you to do that just fine. Have a look at the pros and cons of each and decide which style is right for you: -
Without Spreader Bars
- Many people believe that the traditional style is the more comfortable and stable because the hammock is able to adapt to your body better
- They are easier to put in the washing machine
- Without the extra wood they are lighter, more portable and typically less expensive
With Spreader Bars
- The biggest advantage of spreader bars, and it is a biggie, is that they make it much easier for you to get in and out of your hammock
- Much easier and more practical for multi-person occupancy
- Many consider that the open style is more aesthetically pleasing and inviting
- When it gets wet it dries a lot quicker
A special note about cocooning – some like it, some don’t. I like it sometimes, not at others… go figure (but I have several hammocks so it makes no difference to my weird moods). If you want to be cocooned you’ll want to go for the traditional style without thye spreader bars as they don’t really allow for it
So, Before You Buy Your Hammock Stand
Do these things, consider these points, ask and answer these questions: –
- Measure up the place (or places) where you would like to place your hammock stand to ensure it is going to fit
- Decide on the type of material you want, and ask yourself how weather resistant it will need to be or just how plain gorgeous you want it to look
- Decide upon a design and whether or not you want spreader bars
- Think about, and pay attention to maximum load capacity
- Buy it, Set it up, Get on it, Relax and Enjoy It!
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Is there anything more relaxing than lying in a Garden Hammock on a breezy day with your favorite tipple in hand looking up at a clear blue sky? Just the thought of it can send me into a deep, restful sleep. In these tough times, don’t we all deserve a little relaxation?
When we talk about hammocks, I must admit that I am biased. I have owned and enjoyed garden hammocks for as long I remember. They have always been a fixture in my home. My wife likes them too, but not as much as a warm bath and some scented candles. For me, it has always been hammocks.
The History of the Hammock
If I seem a little obsessed, that’s okay, because I’m the perfect person to explain to you how to select the right garden hammock for your home. Before that, let’s take a brief look at the history of the hammock. Hey, I told you I was a fanatic.
No one knows for sure who actually invented the hammock. Some claim it first appeared in Greece in the 4th century BC, while others maintain that it arrived a few centuries later in South America. What we do know is that hammocks were first brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus who had been given several of them as gifts by the natives of the Bahamas.
Shortly thereafter, hammocks were adapted for use on sailing ships, because they not only saved space, but also insured that the sailors wouldn’t fall out of bed if the waves got rough. This practice was revived by a few Navy vessels during the Second World War.
Choosing a Hammock for Your Garden
Now that you know a little bit about the history of our comfortable little sling, I’m going to explain exactly what you should look for when shopping for a garden hammock.
How Many People
The first thing you need to decide is if you are shopping for a one-person or a two-person hammock, or maybe even one for the whole family? A one-person hammock can often support about 250-300 pounds, while a two person hammock holds anywhere from 400-600 pounds.
How Much Space
Another thing you must consider is the size of the garden hammock you are looking for. This often depends upon where you want to hang your hammock. If you want to hang it between two trees that are twelve feet apart, then your size options are fairly limited. If you don’t have any trees or solid structures to hang your hammock from then you will need to get a stand, most hammocks don’t come with one so unless you buy a package deal this is something that you are going to have to budget for.
Just make sure you get an exact measurement before you go shopping so you can make sure it will fit in your desired location. If you plan to follow the sun around your garden then make it easy on yourself by getting a stand with wheels.
Types of Hammocks
Generally speaking, there are about four or five different kinds of hammocks that you can buy: -
- The Spreader Bar
- The Mayan
- The Brazilian
- The Nicaraguan
- The Venezuelan
The spreader bar hammock includes two wooden bars at the head and the feet of the hammock to spread it out and make it easy to use and to get into. All of the other hammocks are simply separated by the materials they use or small differences in style. My personal favorite at the moment is my quilted hammock – indulgent and fantastic.
Cotton or Nylon
Though most traditional hammocks are made from high-quality cotton, many people who use outdoor hammocks prefer new weatherproof hammocks that are often made of nylon. These hammocks dry off quickly and will not get dirty, soiled, or stained. It goes almost without saying that a traditional garden hammock is far more intricate and impressive than a nylon one. But the choice is yours.
Do you want a hammock you can use every day or one that requires a bit more maintenance but will make your garden a much more pleasant environment?
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When most people go on a camping trip they pack the traditional kit of tent and sleeping bags. They lug around a lot of equipment, spend time looking for a spot to camp, spend time setting it all up and then have to sleep on the hard floor – even with a mat that’s not that comfortable. You could save yourself a lot of bother and time and be much more comfortable if you just got a camping hammock.
Unless it’s snowing there are just so many advantages to using a camping hammock
- They are easier, lighter and more versatile than tents and sleeping bags
- They generally cost less than a sleeping bag
- You have greater mobility as all you really need are two suitable trees to make a camp
- You will save time and effort setting up and packing away
- You’ll be more comfortable and less stressed
- If they get wet they are a lot easier to dry than a tent
- You will not damage any trees or leave any trace of your camping area
And there isn’t just one type of camping hammock, oh no, you can get hammock tents, hammocks with rain canopies, double hammocks, hammocks with mosquito nets and hammocks with all different levels of bedding and cushioning. Some good advice is to actually get a double hammock as they tend to be more stable and be that bit more comfortable, you’ve also got more room if you want to have your gear in with you. My eno SingleNest Hammock is lightweight, very durable, very comfortable and packs down to the size of a softball. For the times when I am expecting the weather and nature to get serious (rain) I have a rain fly and bug net.
There are three other big benefits for me though. First off there is the fact that in a hammock you stay connected to the great outdoors, the reason that I like to go camping in the first place. Then there is the comfort, they are just so relaxing. Even if we are just daytime hiking I like to rig up my hammock during a break so that I can relax, listen to the sounds of nature and sway in the breeze. Last but not least I can use it at home in my garden, if there is a little bit of sunshine you’ll find me out in my hammock, and I can’t say that about my sleeping bag.
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