February 03, 2019 3 min read

Over the years, hammocks have earned a spot for being a staple for outdoor trips. Whether you’re going camping, hanging out by the pool, chilling in your own backyard, or even stargazing -- a portable hammock is your best friend. For those who’re not familiar with the other uses of a hammock, here’s a great article for you to read: 6 Amazing Ideas of Using your Hammock

Now hold your horses, before you start buying a hammock, here are 5 factors to consider:

1. Size

Hammocks come in all shapes and sizes. So the first thing that you need to do is to decide whether you want a single or a double hammock. Here are a few tips:

  • Single Hammocks

Most single hammocks range from 4 to 5 feet in width. Singles can take around 300 to 400 pounds of weight, which means that they aren’t as strong as a double. If you want a light hammock to carry around as you trek, a single may be a good idea. However, it might not be great if you want a spacious lounging or better sleeping experience.

  • Double Hammocks

Double hammocks are wider than singles with a range of 5 to 6 foot in width, and they have weight limits of 400 to 500 pounds. These can easily fit two people, and they are a popular choice for people who want something large for comfort.

2. Length

Luckily for you, hammocks don’t differ much in terms of length. Every type of hammock is designed to fit people of all sizes (unless you’re exceptionally tall). The tip here is to look for a hammock that is at least 2 feet longer than your height, but that’s the standard length for hammocks anyway.

3. Fabric

Denier is the size of threads woven into the fabric. Heavy hammock fabrics have higher denier numbers than lighter fabrics. The rule of thumb here is that the higher a denier number, the more durable the fabric is. For example, stronger models typically have 70 deniers while lightweight models have around 30 deniers.

4. Purpose

choosing a hammock 2 - wedohammocks.co.uk - We Do Hammocks

You need to consider the purpose of your hammock. What are you going to use it for? If you’re buying a hammock for camping, then durability is what you need to keep in mind. However, if you’re going backpacking, a lightweight hammock is an obvious choice for you.

5. Accessories

You might want to buy some accessories for your hammock. Here are some suggestions:

  • Straps

hammock straps - wedohammocks.co.uk - We Do Hammocks

All hammocks should come with Carabiners that are used for the setup. However, you might need an extra pair of tree straps for your suspension system as well, and these have to be purchased separately. One thing you need to make sure is that the strap you buy is at least 0.75 inches wide as thinner straps may damage the bark of the tree.

underquilt - wedohammocks.co.uk - We Do Hammocks

If the weather is cold, chances are your bottom side will be icy cold. This is where an underquilt comes in handy. Just like a sleeping bag, it will wrap your body and keep you warm.

  • Rain Tarp

In a nutshell, the bigger your tarp is, the more it can protect you and your hammock from the rain.

  • Bug Net

bug net 1 - wedohammocks.co.uk - We Do Hammocks

bug net 2 - wedohammocks.co.uk - We Do Hammocks

If the place you’re going is filled with bugs and mosquitoes, then you might want to consider getting an extra bug net for your hammock. Choose a model that comes with 360-degree protection to fend off all the bugs.

  • Hammock Tents

tree tents - wedohammocks.co.uk - We Do Hammocks

If you don’t want to bother yourself with extra accessories, a hammock tent might be a good option for you. They usually include a hammock plus all the necessary accessories for overnight sleeping. These can be a great alternative to a traditional hammock as well.

In general, it all comes down to personal preference, so make sure that you know what you want from your hammock then choose accordingly. If you’re looking for high-quality hammocks, WeDoHammocks provide excellent, affordable hammocks of all shapes and sizes. We have hammock chairs, hammock tents, hammock sets, etc. Shop today or get in touch with us to see how we can help you with choosing your hammock.


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