Banana hammocks are simply hammocks made out of fabric and shaped like bananas. They typically refer to hammocks without spreader bars and while rope or net hammocks can also be shaped like bananas, they are most often made of cotton fabric. Easy to install since they do not need trees all the time they can be placed anywhere with easily available supports. Brazilian hammocks are the ones most often referred to as banana hammocks or hamacas. They envelop the whole body and give it the feeling of security far more than other hammocks. They are cross woven and therefore are sturdier.

Banana hammocks give the feeling of weightlessness and of floating in the air far more than any other hammock. They are convenient not just for usage and fitting but also because they can be hung both indoors and outdoors, in lawns and gardens, patios and terraces, in study rooms and sitting rooms. Many banana hammocks come with their own banana shaped bags that make them easy to carry and even easier to store. Their loose weave makes them easier to dry, and even though most of them are brightly colored, they are fade resistant despite the strong sun. These all-season hammocks are ideally made from polyester yarn of a special type called Eltex that can hold weights up to 150 kg.

Banana hammocks are lightweight and highly portable, and therefore a preferred option for treks and camps. They are virtually maintenance free since they are fade resistant, wet resistant and in case they do get soaked in water, they dry very fast, and they are also stain resistant. Washing them is easy and they can be put away for months without their getting spoilt. They are especially suitable for warm areas as their loose though firm weave permits ventilation and sweating can be avoided.

Buying banana hammocks is not difficult since they are found everywhere, in department stores, shopping malls, specialist trekking stores, though the best option of selecting a banana hammock is online. Numerous websites offer an amazing variety of banana hammocks in all types of designs and colors that can fit into every budget category. Discounts and bargain deals are another attraction. Above all, it is the most hassle free method of buying since it does not require trips to the market, scouting around for the best banana hammock. A few clicks of the mouse will bring the hammock to one’s doorstep.

The term banana hammock is a little confusing since it has started being used for other products as well, including men briefs that have the same shape as a banana and net covers for banana fruits to protect the fruit from being damaged. However, whenever hammocks are mentioned banana hammocks mean the fabric sling meant for resting suspended in air a few feet above the ground.

A spreader bar is a term often heard in connection with hammocks. Hammocks need support on the two ends with wooden rods-these are called Spreader bars. Spreader bars are located on the two ends where the hammock base of fabric or rope meets the harness. Spreader bars enable the hammock to stay flat and open and offer weighted support to the lightweight suspended sling that a hammock really is. True to their name, they literally spread out the cords of the hammocks and broaden the surface area and enhance the feeling of comfort enjoyed in the hammock.

Spreader bar hammocks are really a matter of individual choice. Many people prefer hammocks without spreader bars and feel more comfortable with ropes and loops at the ends. However, spreader bars are what give hammocks the perfect shape for reclining. They make the hammock more like a flat soft base to lie in rather than an enveloping fabric that just closes in on the user. Hammocks generally have wooden spreader bars and the use of sturdy and strong wood varieties is recommended for strength needed to support the body weight of one or more people using the hammock. Alternatively, metal bars can also be used to serve as spreader bars.

Spreader bars are what make Brazilian hammocks most popular. The spreader bars though are not removable, and therefore washing them is a little difficult since they need to be laid flat and then washed out. Spreader bar hammocks are not recommended for travelers and back packers, as the stiff bars would prevent their getting folded and carried. Portable hammocks can be folded like a piece of cloth and put up in less than five minutes. Spreader bars also prevent flexibility in the length of the hammock, which is possible in hammocks without spreader bars. They always have to be stretched to the right length before being fixed, even though there is a dip, it cannot be increased easily. Thus, they lack the flexibility and portability commonly found in hammocks without spreader bards. Neat though they may appear, many prefer the rounded enveloping comfort of other hammocks than the ones with spreader bars.

Spreader bar hammocks adorn the patios and terraces beautifully with their delicate weave and flat open appearance. Though less comfortable than other hammocks, spreader bars necessitate lower installation of the hammock. It is now more a matter of individual preference to have or not to have spreader bars. Spreader bars are available as add-ons and form part of the list of hammock accessories and can be specially installed in Mayan, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan or Brazilian hammocks.

Hammocks whether they have spreader bars or they are without them, remain the most comfortable place for outdoor relaxation. They have become increasingly popular as holiday and vacation resting places, and their portability has made them essential travel companions. Those wanting a bed like flatness would always have to opt for spreader bar hammocks even though they have limited portability due to the weight of the bars. Nonetheless spreader bar hammocks have as much a fan following and loyal customers as those without spreader bars.

A non-traditional method of resting and relaxing in the open, suspended in the air with nothing except a thick cloth for support…this is possible with a hammock. A hammock is a fabric sling hung generally between two trees or two posts at a higher level than the ground. It is a strong resting place and can easily take the weight of the human body. According to popular belief, the first hammock was made out of the bark of hamak tree, and it is due to this that it got the name hammock. Its initial purpose of keeping insects and crawling creatures away, made it into an instant success beyond the jungles of South America and into homes and gardens, hotels and clubs, on ships and ranches, by the seaside and over mountaintops. It proved to be a nice resting place wherever space was scarce, and was also perhaps the safest way to make babies sleep without any fear of their falling.

Hammocks today have evolved in terms of quality and design, making them easy to carry and set up. Many come with collapsible stands and are therefore, more mobile, since they do not necessarily have to be tied between two trees. The variety of hammocks available is mind boggling with hundreds to choose from. However, they are all adaptations of the three basic types of hammocks, rope hammocks, string hammocks or fabric hammocks. Rope hammocks are sturdy and are made out of thick soft ropes of cotton or mixed with polypropylene. Being a little tough, they do not adapt to the contours of the body but remain extremely comfortable. Choosing a rope hammock is easy and all one needs to check is that the smaller the gap between the ropes, the higher the comfort for the user.

Fabric hammocks are the perfect substitutes for beds, as the cloth provides comfort to the body in a resting position, and its close weave leaves no gaping holes. However, this prevents ventilation from below. Made out of thick, strong cloth or canvas, modern fabric hammocks have a synthetic blend, which makes them sturdier, with some that even absorb moisture. The simplest cloth hammocks are used in rural areas to make babies sleep.

String hammocks conform to the Mayan style of hammocks, and have designs similar to webs. They are perhaps the most comfortable as they support the body shape, offer ventilation and are weight bearing to a greater degree. They come in bright colors and the strings are hand woven for added strength and durability.

Hammocks are a great idea for a beautiful garden. Modern ways of life leave little time for people to enjoy the beauties and bounties of nature. Many people have beautiful gardens around their homes but never sit down to enjoy their beauty. A hammock placed in it may prove to be the best way to enjoy the early morning sun or watch it go down the horizon as the day draws to a close. Garden hammocks come with various types of stands and they do not damage the green grass below as the base is always suspended above the ground. The splash of color against the tranquil backdrop is a visual delight. The idea of a hammock is a novelty for children, and it can even be placed close to the swimming pool. Adults can spend hours reading a book lying in a hammock, so much so that they may not wish to get back to the ground. The concept of lying virtually suspended in air is strangely relaxing. Hammock chairs and family hammocks that can bear a lot more weight are interesting adaptations of the hammock. Quilted ones are preferable for children as they provide cushioned support. Waterproof hammocks are ideal for the garden, as they do not have to be removed each time it rains. Current favourites are the earth friendly hammocks that are the first choice of all environmentally aware individuals.

It is ideal to invest in a portable hammock that can be taken for picnics and outdoor exercises and even used in the cool havens of one’s garden. It is an addictive comfort and extremely difficult to give up once one has tasted the kind of relaxation it provides

Even though there are 3 main materials used to make hammocks, there are a wider variety of styles available to today. Some of most popular include the Mayan, Brazilian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan and the ever popular travel or camping hammock. Each style is different and has it’s own set of pros and cons. But they will all come in a variety of colours and sizes, ranging from a 1 person hammock that can hold up to 350lbs to a 2 or even 3 person hammock, which could easily hold up to 600lbs.
The most common design for a hammock is the spreader bar type which is easily recognisable by pieces of wood at each end of the hammock. These types of hammock make it easier to climb in and out of and they also help to spread your weight more evenly and because of the bars at each end the hammock will not close in around you once you sink into it. These are probably the most popular types of hammock for a garden. But they are not recommended to sleep in , they can also have a tendency to flip quiet easily.
Ever hammock will work on the basic principle and many can seem quite similar but each type will have a slightly different purpose, and will be made with slightly different materials and build in a slightly different way.
The Brazilian Hammock is made from cotton and tend to be one of the more durable types of hammock, they do not use the bars at each end so the hammock can have a tendency to wrap around you. Probably not recommended if you are a sun worshipper and are trying to get a sun tan, but they are perfect for a relaxing day in your back garden.
Mayan and Nicaraguan hammocks are woven from cotton or nylon. When buying one of these hammocks it is important to look at the quality and closeness of the weaver, the closer the weave the more supportive the hammock will be. These types of hammocks will not have the wooden bar at the end so they will tend to wrap in around you.
Venezuelan hammocks also known as jungle hammocks are a very durable and long lasting, they now tend to be made for synthetic materials like polyester or nylon. Many of the higher quality Venezuelan hammocks will use a material called Dacron for the suspension ropes. These hammocks are the best kind to use for sleeping in as you sleep length ways in the hammock instead of many of the larger hammocks where in essence you will lay sideways on the hammock.
Travel or camping hammock. These have become very popular as they are very fast and easy to set up all you really need is 2 trees at a suitable distance apart from each other and if you know some strong knots it will ensure a peaceful night’s sleep. If you are a camping in warmer climes all you will really need in addition to a camping hammock is  canopy which can be erected in much the same way. Many of the better quality camping hammock like Hennessy hammocks will come with a canopy built in to the design of the hammock.
So if you are choosing a garden hammock to spend a weekend lazing in the sun or one to take camping with the choice and variety is quiet something, but there are a few recognised quality brands like Hanteres or hennessy hammocks.