Hammocks
Nothing says lazy days of summer like a hammock. You have a number of options, but figuring out which one to get is the only hard part of hammock ownership! Once you figure out what kind of hammock 
suits your needs, you'll be swinging in the breeze (or pretending to be a sailor on an eighteenth-century naval ship) in no time.
Materials
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Cotton - Cotton is soft, non-slip, and very comfortable.
- Less mildew-resistant than other fibers.
- Can be used indoors or outdoors, but should not be left out in the rain.
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Hemp - Hemp is stronger than cotton and more mildew-resistant.
- Less prone to degradation by UV rays.
- Hemp has a naturally elegant color in a range of khaki shades.
- No, you can't smoke it. Smoking a hammock made of hemp fiber will just give you a headache and waste your perfectly good hammock.
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Polyester - Polyester is strong and resistant to the elements.
- Impervious to salt water, rot, UV rays; resistant to mildew.
- Less flexible than cotton, so some people may find it less comfortable.
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Polypropylene - Polypropylene is another synthetic, mildew-resistant material.
- Can degrade if left in full sun.
- Shinier than most other fabrics; colors will appear brighter, but the hammock may feel slippery.
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Styles
There are a wide variety of hammocks on the market.
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Rope Hammocks - The most widely available kind of hammock.
- Consists of ropes (cotton or synthetic) woven into a relatively loose netting.
- Almost always come with spreader bars.
- One disadvantage of rope hammocks is that they leave cross-hatch marks on the skin after prolonged hammock time.
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Fabric Hammocks - Similar to what you would achieve by putting a blanket over a rope hammock.
- Quilted hammocks are similar, but have a layer of insulation between two layers of material.
- Often reversible, with different patterns on each side.
- Dry more slowly than other kinds of hammocks, so put them away if the weather plans to be rainy.
- Good for families with young children, since small hands and feet can get stuck in the open weave of a rope hammock.
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Mayan Hammocks - Mayan hammocks feature a tighter weave with smaller threads than rope hammocks.
- Most do not have a spreader bar and are designed to "cocoon" around you.
- Extremely light but can hold a lot of weight--good for travel.
- Strong but easily damaged, since each individual strand is so thin. Be careful when getting in and out; consider a thick-string hammock if you think you will damage it.
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Brazilian Hammocks - Brazilian hammocks have an even tighter weave than Mayan hammocks and as a result are more like a fabric hammock.
- Well suited for cooler climates, since the fabric blocks some air flow.
- A few have spreader bars, but most do not.
- Another good choice for families with small children.
- Almost always made of cotton.
- Some have a decorative fringe along the edge of the bed.
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Nicaraguan Hammocks - Nicaraguan hammocks are similar to the Mayan hammocks but with a much tighter weave. This makes them stronger and more durable.
- Sometimes have spreader bars.
- Many have a decorative fringe.
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Poolside Hammocks - Poolside hammocks are made of water-resistant materials, often a piece of fabric coated with plastic.
- Very durable and fade-resistant.
- Since the fabrics are built to endure a lot of sun and chlorinated water, poolside hammocks are not as comfortable as most other hammocks, but they still provide a nice place to rest by the pool.
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Setting Up Your Hammock
- Finding the right location: First consider where you'll be using the hammock the most: near the pool, house, patio? Then, find the right anchor points, whether it be two trees close together or your patio's support columns. If you do not have these naturally available, consider purchasing your own posts that you can plant at least 3 feet into the ground. For reinforced support, you can pour cement around the posts.
- Anchor points: It is recommended that the two hanging points be approximately 6 feet above the ground, between 11 to 13 feet from each other, and leaving comfortable "sag space" in the middle.
- How high?: Figure out how high you would like your hammock to hang. From this height, hang the hammock 10 inches higher so as to account for sagging after you get in the hammock. In fact, it is usually better to over-estimate how high you'd like to hang the hammock (without exaggerating) since hammocks stretch and sag more after use.
- Drilling and Screwing: Using an electric drill, drill holes into the posts (or trees) and screw C clips into them. Then, hook your hammock to the clips. If done right, your hammock should hang between 3 to 4 feet above the ground at its lowest point.
Other Factors
- Spreader Bars
- Spreader bars are those two pieces of wood that keep the hammock flat instead of cocoon-shaped.
- Some people are more comfortable with them, others prefer their hammocks unspread. Try out a couple of hammocks of each type before you decide which is right for you.
- Spreader bars make a hammock slightly less stable, so use a little extra caution.
- Space
- Most hammocks are between 10' and 15' long.
- If you plan to hang your hammock between two trees, be sure that you have appropriate trees.
- Many hammocks can also be hung from hammock stands . These will allow you to position your hammock wherever you like, but they can cost quite a bit.
- Accessories
- There are a number of hammock accessories available.
- The most popular are pillows and blankets for extra coziness and drink holders for convenience.
- You can also purchase:
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