Rope hammocks have become a widely recognized symbol of relaxation. Their ageless style has featured in many movies and television shows, on magazine covers and even billboards. We are all familiar with the traditional picture of someone swaying gently on a tropical beach whilst drinking a brightly colored cocktail. Just thinking about it helps us to relax, but what about using one in real life?
In hot weather, a rope hammock is a very pleasant place to be. Air can easily pass between the ropes, and this ventilation helps to keep you cool. That’s why you see them on tropical islands! Even on colder days they are still much more fun than a normal chair, and many people prefer them to the other options available. They are even a little bit cheaper than their fabric cousins, so what’s the catch?
Prolonged use can result in a criss-cross pattern on your skin where the ropes have been. Although a good quality rope hammock can be very comfortable, not all of them are and padded fabric is usually better.
How to choose Rope Hammocks?
The comfort of a rope hammock is dependent on several factors. The weave used and how big the holes are makes quite a big difference, as does hanging the hammock correctly. The other factor is the material used which will generally be either cotton or polyester. Cotton has the ability to stretch, enabling it to match the shape of your body. Being natural, it also feels better against your skin. On the other hand, polyester is much more durable. Being a synthetic material, it is less susceptible to mold and mildew, and will fade less if exposed to direct sunlight. Which you choose should be determined by how you intend to use your hammock.
For outside use, you need your hammock to be as weatherproof as possible. Not just the ropes, make sure that the spreader bars are well protected, and also the stand if you have one. Although swinging between two trees is the classic pose, a specially designed stand is often easier, not to mention being more safe. There are a wide variety available in lots of different shapes and colors, so be careful to buy one that is suitable for your hammock. An easier option would be to buy the hammock and stand together as a package deal.
Children love to play in hammocks, but some supervision is advisable. Younger children in particular can get tangled up in the ropes, so for them a fabric hammock may be better. You can find out more about fabric hammocks elsewhere on this site.