Not all Mexican hammocks are created equal, so to ensure you purchase the best quality and value for money there are a few things one should look for.
Whether you are buying a Mexican hammock from Mexico itself, a store or online shop like hammocksaustralia.com.au here are a few things you should look for and consider.
Cord Type
Hammocks are generally available in two varieties of cord. Nylon and cotton, and most are a combination of both. A nylon hammock is a 100% nylon, the body and the arms. A cotton hammock will often be a mix of nylon and cotton. With the body (the part you lie in) being woven from cotton, while the arms (the ends) are made from nylon. This is done to provide a stronger, longer lasting hammock without sacrificing the comfort of cotton. Generally the most common mix is 80/20, cotton/nylon.
The main differences in the cord types are that cotton hammocks are softer and slightly more comfortable, as they stretch and mold more to your body shape. Nylon hammocks are also very comfortable, but are slightly firmer and more durable. They will not stretch as much, but are often better if you are leaving outdoors for extended periods of time unprotected.
Both will come in a variety of vibrant colours, yet the cotton colours will have more of a matt finish, and the nylon will be very glossy and shiny.
Both types should be looked after with similar care, and kept dry and protected from the elements when not in use to enhance the lifespan of your hammock.
Hammock Weave
This is probably the most important part of selecting your hammock. The weave of the hammock is responsible for its comfort. The smaller and tighter the weave of a hammock the greater the comfort it will provide. Meaning the gaps between the cords should be small and the cords should interweave in a diamond type pattern. Big wide gaps will generally result in a less comfortable hammock and are often of the cheaper varieties, often the mass produced ones from China. These cheaper ones will not provide you long term comfort, lack proper support and result in you being less inclined to use your hammock.
Quality
You want to ensure the cords in your hammock are all in good condition with no fraying or damage. Any knots in the hammock should not be in the body, but up close the where the arms attach. Ends should be cut or burnt off neatly to prevent the cord unravelling.
Buying in Mexico
If you are buying in Mexico itself, the beautiful city of Merida, and around the state of Yucatan produces some of the best hammocks available.
Be warned, walking around the tourist areas of the Zocalo (main square) everyone will be trying to befriend you into their shops to sell you hammocks. So try not to feel pressured and take your time, check various shops and prices when choosing. Get a few blocks away from the main centre if you can, and you’ll find the pace and pressure slow down a bit. Make sure to get the hammock hung up for you so you can take it for a test drive and feel the different cord types and sizes.
When choosing your hammock size, think of it as a bed. And like a bed the larger the hammock, the more comfortable it will be whether for one person or when sharing with others. You will come across sizes that may be labelled as numbers. E.g. #3, #4, #5, and upwards. What this means is the number of cords of material used to make each hammock. So a #3 uses three cords of material per hammock, a #5, 5 etc. In other terms, a #3 is a small single, #4 is a Double (better suited to one person), #5 is a Queen, great size for 1 or 2, #6 King, 1-4 people, and upwards. If you really want something special and very very large you can keep going upwards to a #10, #11, #12 etc.
To ensure you are getting the correct hammock size as specified, it may pay to have your hammock weighed prior to purchase. Most stores should beable to provide a electronic scale for you to weigh the hammock. A number #4 – Double Should weight approx 1kg. #5 Queen, approx 1.3kg, and a #6 King 1.5kg.
So there you go, hopefully that will help you out on your search for the perfect Mexican Hammock, regarded by many as the most comfortable type of hammock in the world.
Buying Online
If you are not planning on going to Mexico but still want an Authentic Mexican hammock that meets all the criteria, then check out our online store – Mexican Hammocks Australia. Where you can rest assured we have done all the hard work in testing, checking and hunting down the best quality hammocks for you.
- We only sell the best in quality and stock the most popular sizes. #4 – Double through to #6 – King, but can get in any other size you require.
- All are beautifully and skilfully inter-woven with tight gaps for the best comfort.
- We offer both cotton and nylon with our cotton being a 80/20 mix (cotton body and nylon arms for best comfort and strength). 100% Cotton can also be ordered in if required.
- All hammocks are hung up, checked and inspected twice before being sent on to us, and then you. No frayed, pinched or damaged cords, knots or other defects are let through
- All hammocks are weighed and labelled after inspection to ensure you are getting the correct size.
