An invention made over 900 years ago has become a fad in homes, hotels, outdoors, on ships and cruises, for sleeping, resting and relaxing, an unconventional way of lying down, that appeals to the young and old alike. A hammock is a sling made out of fabric or net and suspended at a level above the ground. It is generally a long piece of cloth attached to ropes on both sides, which could be tied to poles, trees or anything firmly stuck to the ground. It has to be sturdy material to be able to take the body weight of people who may not be light.
Hammocks were invented in tropical regions where sleeping on the ground was risky to the existence of creepy, crawling insects, worms and other creatures. Sleeping in hammocks thus prevented various diseases, animal or snakebites, and infections. Moreover, thick jungles had wet grounds as the sunrays never penetrated the thick trees, and it was unhealthy to sleep on wet surfaces. Instead, it became more pleasant in hammocks, as cooler air came from below and from the top. Over time they came to be used whenever space was scarce as in ships, or by soldiers and guards in jungles who needed to rest. With advancement in technology, hammocks have been preferred in spacecrafts to save on space.
Making hammocks has become a big, lucrative indsutry to cater to a clientele of backpackers, travelers and tourists planning to rough it out, besides homeowners, and commercial property owners. At present, various styles of hammocks are popular, and it is not just single-user hammocks that are available, it is also possible to buy hammocks that can accommodate two-three people. Thus hammocks can take weights ranging from 250 lbs to 600 lbs. Popular styles include travel hammocks, Venezuelan jungle hammocks, Nicaraguan, Brazilian, Mayan, and Spreader-bar hammocks.
Travel hammocks often come with self-supporting wood or metal posts to support the hammock. These are generally lightweight and can optionally be bought with mosquito nets as protection for outdoor areas.
Venezuelan hammocks are made of materials that allow air to pass through, to prevent fungal infections, as the region has constant rains and high levels of humidity. It is believed that entire families have been reared in hammocks in Venezuela due to the threat faced from wild creatures. Venezuelan hammocks are considered to be very durable, since they are made from sturdy, tough material, like nylon and polyester. As inline hammocks they are different with the occupant sleeping down the length of the hammock and not across it, as is the case in other hammocks. These also serve as the best jungle hammocks though with some variations in design to accommodate specific needs.
Mayan or Mexican hammocks are made out of hand woven materials, and are an essential feature of Mexican homes for seating, resting and even for children. Every Mexican home has hammock hooks on opposite walls. The threads are mainly nylon or cotton and the strength of the hammock depends on the number of strings used in weaving.
Nicaraguan hammocks are a tighter weave than Mayan hammocks but are also made from nylon or cotton thread. They are rated as some of the most comfortable hammocks.
Brazilian hammocks are the most durable ones made from pure cotton fabric rather than woven strings. As the weaving of the fabric is firm, it prevents passage of air, hence it is difficult to use in intense heat, but are extremely comfortable in cooler areas. Brazilian hammocks come in bright and colourful patterns.
It is not difficult to find an amazing variety of hammocks in all shapes, sizes and colours. They are available to suit all budgets and can also be custom made. It is not uncommon to find a silk hammock on a luxury cruise liner or a personal boat.