Hammocks
Everything on this page is the hammock on its own, to hang from two points you already have: posts, beams, trees, or plate hooks screwed into solid timber. The range runs from parachute hammocks that fit in a backpack to a 4m Mexican hammock rated to 200kg. If you have nowhere to hang one, the free standing hammocks pair each hammock with its own stand.
The four kinds differ in how they are made. Parachute hammocks are nylon, weigh 400g to 800g and pack into their own pouch. Canvas hammocks are 65/35 poly cotton or 100% cotton, with or without a spreader bar. Rope hammocks are woven so air moves through them. Mexican hammocks are hand woven cotton, 3.9m to 4m long, rated to 200kg, or 250kg for the king size.
Spreader bar or not
- A spreader bar holds the bed flat and open, so you are on top of the hammock in the open air. It also needs more balance to get on and off, particularly as the width approaches 150cm. The small canvas hammock is 80cm wide and rated to 120kg, the large canvas and cotton rope hammocks are 140cm to 150cm wide and rated to 150kg, and the 150cm wide 100% cotton hammocks are rated to 200kg, with a shorter 2.44m total length and needing the best balance.
- A hammock without a spreader bar wraps around you, so it is the harder one to fall out of and the better choice if balance is a worry. The large canvas hammock is 1.4m wide and rated to 150kg, the Brazilian crochet hammock is this style too, 1.7m wide and rated to 200kg, and the Mexican hammocks are up to the 150cm wide and 250kg, which covers two adults.
How much room you need
Each listing gives the hammock's total length. A distance about that far apart would suit hanging points that are low, for a flatter hammock curve, while a distance that is closer together would suit higher hanging points with a more downward curve on the hammock. As an example, the queen size Mexican hammocks are 3.9m to 4m long, which usually hang from high hanging points that about 3.4m apart. Other hammocks, such as spreader bar hammocks, can benefit from a longer hanging distance relative to their length, and can even use chains for more minute adjustments to the hanging angle. If your points are further apart than the hammock, then tree straps or chains can make up the difference, so the distance does not have to be exact.
Weather
Cotton and poly cotton hammocks last longer when brought in before rain, since a cotton hammock left damp will mildew. The nylon parachute hammocks dry quickly. The outdoor cotton Mexican hammocks are woven from a yarn that copes with moisture better than regular cotton, and suit an undercover outdoor spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which hammock holds the most weight?
The king size outdoor Mexican hammock holds the most, rated to 250kg, which covers two adults. Rated to 200kg are the 100% cotton 150cm spreader bar hammocks, the Brazilian crochet hammock and the queen size Mexican hammocks. The lowest rating in your full set-up applies, so a 200kg hammock on a hook rated lower is limited by the hook.
Do I need a spreader bar?
Only if you want the bed held flat and open, which allows you to take in more sun and breeze. A spreader bar hammock needs more balance to get on and off, and the 150cm wide ones need a good level of balance. If you are not sure, a hammock without a spreader bar wraps around you and is easier to balance, which is why we suggest it for anyone worried about tipping.
Can I leave a hammock outside?
Generally not in the rain: cotton and poly cotton hammocks, which is most of the range, should come in before rain and be stored dry, and sun weakens the fibres over time. The nylon parachute hammocks dry quickly. The outdoor cotton Mexican hammocks suit an undercover outdoor spot rather than one that is fully exposed.
What do I hang a hammock from?
Two solid points: posts, beams, a pair of trees, or our plate hooks screwed into solid timber, rather than plasterboard or a fence paling. Tree straps go around a trunk or beam without screwing anything in and come down in a minute. If there is nothing to hang from, then a free standing set may suit instead, where the hammock is pre matched to a stand.
