Mexican Hammocks - Hanging your Double, Queen, King, Thick Cord or Resort Style Hammock

Mexican hammocks are generally all the same length for the various sizes, but vary in width as the hammock size increases so the hanging requirements are the same for each. Hammocks are very versatile and can be hung nearly anywhere, through attaching to a strong wall, tree, fence, post and so on. After finding your perfect spot.

For Double, Queen, King, Thick Cord and Resort Hammocks

1. Unwrap (for Resort Hammock unroll) and stretch out your hammock. Ensure there are no twists/turns in respect to each end.

2. Only handle the loops of the hammock to prevent tangling.  

3. Setup your hanging points, whether using rope or screws, so that you can hang each end from a height of approximately 180cm (6 feet) from the ground and a distance of 3.5 -4.2m apart. This should allow the hammock to hang down to a level between your knees and your hips. Longer distances can easily be adjusted for by using longer lengths of rope. Shorter distances can be achieved through knotting the ends of your hammock to shorten its total length (see the end of this page for more details).

4. The correct height for the centre of the hammock can be found by sitting in it with feet flat on the ground and with knees slightly bent (Drawing 3)

5. You should always use a smooth hook, or rope, chain, or strong cords when tying your hammock to reduce wear on the eye of the hammock.

6. For solid wood walls, you can use ‘screw eye’ hooks screwed directly into studs or joists, giving you a solid fixing point to attach your rope and hammock. 

7. For concrete walls, you can drill a heavy duty hook, or use a dyna bolt.  Hardware stores have a variety of these. You may wish to speak with your local hardware store guru as to what will suit you best.  

8. When using rope to tie your hammock check our knot tying video further down the page for a quick easy knot. 

Note: A new cotton hammock stretches over time.  Assume that when the hammock is first used it will come to hang about 50cm lower in the centre. 

Colombian & Brazilian Hammocks

These range of hammock vary in both length and width dependent on the hammock size purchased. The above instructions for hanging are vary similar but consideration needs to be give to the size differences. For single hammocks the minimum span required is 270cm, 320cm for the double and 360cm for the family/king size. In terms of hanging height, a good way of determining where to set your hanging points is at a height that is of half the distance between your two points. For example if your trees are 400cm apart, your hanging heights would be 200cm. This is the height you would fix your hooks or rope, not where the actual ends of your hammock set. The distance between these points and your hammock would then be covered with rope or tree straps.

To enter the hammock spread it out with your hands first to find the centre and then sit/lie in the middle. Then spread the cord out around your body as you lay back.  The ideal position is often lying diagonally. The hammock is also great fun and very comfortable when sharing with a friend(s) (provided it is large enough - the king size is ideal for this). While it is perfectly fine to gently sway in your hammock, remember a hammock is not a swing. Heavy swinging is not only dangerous but will shorten the life of your hammock.  Never step in the hammock, and ensure children are supervised or instructed on how to use safely. Do not overload above the maximum supported hammock weight. The following video displays the best way to get in and out of a Mexican hammock and various lying positions. The same principles can be applied to any traditional style of hammock.

For spreader bar style hammocks entering the hammock requires just sitting down into the middle of the hammock then turning and reclining while lifting your feet up onto the hammock at the same time. To get out the same process applies in reverse. The second video shows this.

Protect From Excessive UV, Moisture and Accidental Damage

Your hammock will last for many years given proper care. It should be sheltered from the elements where possible when not in use, such as not being left outdoors for long periods of time, especially in direct sunlight and rain. While it's great to hang your hammock hung and ready to use at all times constant exposure to UV rays will deteriorate your hammock over time. This can weaken the hammock fibres and fade the colours as the sun will do to any materials exposed outside. The best way to avoid this is to simply bring your hammock inside when not in use, using a quick hanging system such as through the use of 's' hooks or carabiners make hanging and taking down quick and easy, or with a hammock protection cover which is a great easy to protect your hammock. Cotton and nylon hammocks both require the same levels of care.

Of course, hammocks are made to be enjoyed outside and it is perfectly fine to enjoy your hammock out in the sun, just try to avoid leaving it out exposed to it repeatedly all day every day.

Cotton and organic cotton hammocks should also be given extra care to protect from moisture where possible. Being a natural fibre if left wet for extended periods of time this can lead to rot or mold/mildew forming. Simply popping your hammock inside overnight to protect from dew and during wet weather will go a long way in enhancing the lifespan of your hammock. If your hammock does become wet, just hang it to dry. Just ensure when storing your hammock it is always fully dry when done so.

Hammocks made from our weather resistant HamacTex material do weather better and are not as affected by the elements as pure cotton hammocks. HamacTex hammocks have better UV stability and are water repellent and quick drying. In saying they are not indestructible and will still weather. So by following the same care instructions, you are giving your hammock an even longer lifespan and yourself more years of hammock enjoyment and relaxation.

If you want to leave your hammock outside for extended periods of time, try our hammock cover, a simple and easy way to protect your hammock when not in use. 

Take care where hanging that unattended the hammock doesn’t get caught up in trees or shrubs in windy conditions. If your hammock is left in a windy location, frequently check your fixing points and/or hammock rope for any signs of wear and replace as necessary. Constant wind blowing on your hammock will place extra wear on the rope, tree straps, hammock loop ends, fixing points etc. We also suggest wearing appropriate clothing while you are resting in your hammock. Try to avoid buttons, belts, Velcro, jewellery, shoes, watches or any other object that might grab or cut cords. Nevertheless, cut or broken cords can be repaired by tying off the broken ends to another cord or knotting together the broken ends. 

If you are storing or travelling with your hammock it is important to fold or tie it to prevent damage or tangling.  An easy way to do this is to hold both loop ends together and slowly twist in the opposite direction; this brings all the cords together.  From there you can create one or two big knots by bringing the bottom up and folding it across your arm creating a big knot in the midsection.  It doesn’t need to be tight. Gently feed the ends back through when untying. Storing inside a pillowcase is also an easy way to store and travel with your hammock. 

With the Resort Style Hammock the easiest way to pack this up is to just roll the hammock around the wooden bars. Go to the middle from each end. You can then tie a piece of string or rope around to hold it tight.

With the Chair Hammock you can also easily wrap the hammock around the bar, and secure with string.

Tip: Note how your hammock is folded or rolled up before opening, this gives you an idea of how it should look when packed down for storage of transport.