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How To Select The Best Hammock
By Tanya Turner
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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.
Fabric hammocks can be quilted,
or made of cotton or mesh. A well-made fabric hammock is durable and doesn't
require much maintenance. Fabric hammocks are comfortable, and cotton fabric
offers the most comfort. Unlike rope hammocks, there will be no prints on your
body. Fabric hammocks are also very good for young children - their little
fingers and toes won't get caught in the holes. On the downside, fabric doesn't
provide much ventilation. So if you lie in a fabric hammock on a hot day, you
might get a bit sticky. On the other hand, fabric is an ideal choice for cooler
climates.
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.
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.
About the Author: Visit
http://www.allhammocks.info/ for tips on getting hammocks and hammock chairs,
price comparison and reviews of trusted hammocks retailers.
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