Buying a Hammock Considerations

Laying on a hammock is the ultimate form of relaxation, but choosing the right hammock for you can often be overwhelming. With a large array of different types and styles of hammocks available, we know that finding the perfect one to fit your needs can be difficult and time consuming.

There are many considerations to take into account if you are buying a hammock. Therefore, we have compiled this buying guide to help you find the perfect hammock to fit your needs and to be the perfect addition to your outdoor space. Let this guide lead you to purchasing the right hammock.

Cost

The good thing about hammocks is that you don’t have to shell out a fortune to buy one. Most products belonging to reputed brands come in a pocket-friendly price and range between $20-$100. Sure, there are more expensive variants available that either offer better durability and more space, but most people do not require such items for personal usage. If you go online and check the catalogs, you’d find that there is a strong correlation between popularity and price. People always prefer items that are lower in price and durable in quality, and you should also look for the same.

If however, you plan to use your hammock extensively and wanted to last for many years, it makes sense to make a significant one-time investment rather than every few years buying newer products. Finding the perfect balance between price and quality should be your first consideration when looking for a hammock.

Weight

As discussed earlier, the weight of a hammock plays a huge role in its desirability. If you haven’t used hammocks before, you might believe that an extra few ounces will barely cause a problem. But in reality, these additional ounces will weigh heavily on your shoulders whenever you are traveling on foot or hiking up a mountain. Your intention should always be to find a sturdy hammock that is light in weight and can be comfortably packed into a small pouch. Unless you have already decided to purchase a rather heavier hammock because of whatever reason, we would recommend that you go for hammocks with ultra light slings or a larger sized two-person hammock that are ideal for the outdoors.

Dimensions

As a general rule of thumb, it can be said that there is a strong correlation between the width of a hammock and comfort level. Larger hammocks provide a feeling of being snug inside that is missing from their smaller counterparts. Support is imperative when it comes to sleeping hammocks, going for a wider version even if it means being a bit extra is completely worth the investment. You can buy a double hammock that accommodates two others or only use it to sleep alone for the extra snug feeling. Day use hammocks usually do not offer much space because people just use them to lounge inside of their homes or the front lawn/backyard. Choose a hammock size depending on your intentions of usage.

Strength

Unless you’re choosing a hammock made from durable material, you may be risking serious injury because inferior quality hammocks do snap! There are dozens of reported incidents where customers of complained that their hammocks just outright snapped, being unable to bear their weight. The finest quality hammocks are made of durable material like parachute nylon or polyester that is resistant to weather effects and promised to last many decades with proper care. Never compromise on the fabric quality for the sake of saving money because who knows, you may end up causing serious damage to your body and finances in case an accident happens. Only go for trusted manufacturers that have a reputation for making durable products that provide both the required strength and comfort to be worthy of purchase.

Capacity

Again, your choice for a hammock will also depend on its ability. But first, you must ask yourself are you looking for a hammock for solo travel or do you want to fit in somebody else as well? Double hammocks are usually larger in size and provide greater comfort when used by a single person; on the downside, these hammocks are heavier in weight and may be difficult to carry on extended trips. It is important to know the weight limit of every hammock if you want to buy one that would best suit your requirement. There are also family size hammocks available for those who travel in groups.

Best Use

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your purpose of using a hammock. Will you use it to sleep at night amidst the wilderness or carry it to the beach for plain and straightforward lounging? There are specific characteristics that are better suited to different purposes, and it would be in your best interest to keep them in mind. If you want a hammock for indoor or casual use, then the cotton made hammock would suit your purpose just fine, but if you want something more durable to use it outdoors, parachute nylon and polyethene are the best choices of fabrics. You may also want to purchase a hammock shelter or tarp to protect the hammock from weather effects and protect yourself from mosquitoes and other bugs when you are camping outside.

Straps

You cannot purchase an exceptional quality hammock if you ignore the quality of its straps, after all, you needed to secure your hammock firmly to trees or poles. Straps should possess excellent strength strongly to support the entire body weight of a person while being tied to two different points. Nowadays, there are unique quality hammock straps that are sold separately due to the added advantage. You can check out the belts and their prices online and then decide if you wish to buy them. No matter whatever you do, do not forget to double check strap quality; failing to do so, may just mean putting yourself at the risk of suffering injuries.