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Do you have a hammock? Which kind is the best to buy?
Would you recommend a Mayan hammock? Are they too easy to snag? Nylon or cotton? It's for outside, but I have no problem washing it, and it will be used mostly by me.
Answer:
I sleep for months out of every year in a hammock. I have some recommendations...
Question 1: "Would you recommend a Mayan Hammock"
To answer your first question: yes, I would recommend a Mayan hammock (also called a Yucatecan hammock). The main difference between a Mayan hammock and those that most Americans use (with a pole through each end) is that the pole does not allow the hammock to conform to your body. The American (pole) hammocks make your body bend in the middle. So, Mayan hammocks are the best for personal comfort. In a Yucatecan hammock, you should not lay down lengthwise, but slightly diagonally. This will support every portion of your body - plenty of small back support - in fact those with back trouble will have no problem if they learn to lay diagonally in the hammock.
However, from experience, it is a bit more difficult (although just as fun) to lay in a Mayan hammock with TWO people than an American one with the poles. The poles of an American hammock insure that two people don't tumble into each other (like I said, this might be just as enjoyable in a Yucatecan hammock! - you just have to be comfortable with cuddling in the Yucatecan hammock!).
Question 2: "Are they easy to snag"
Yes, the Yucatecan hammocks are easy to snag. Take off your shoes before getting in, and I suggest not wearing jeans (with those little snap/buttons) that could snag the threads. Also, just a tip for cleaning to make sure your hammock does not get a snag in washing... You should put twist ties every 4-6 inches along the white end threads whenever the hammock is not suspended. If you add these twist ties, then the "loop" at each end will not pass through the white threads. This should be your biggest concern. NEVER let the loops pass through the other strings. My twist-tie technique was taught to me by local Maya (who have also had to untangle my mistakes when I screwed up and let the loops pass through - it's like a puzzle once it is tangled).
Question #3: Nylon or Cotton?
Since you said that your hammock is mostly for outside, you MUST choose nylon. If you leave cotton hammocks out for too many rains, it will rot through. They have no protection against the elements. I bought my parents a nylon hammock for their back deck, and they love it. However, no matter which material you choose, don't expect an outdoor hammock to last forever. Bring it in during winter, for instance. I have owned a single cotton hammock for seven years, but always indoors. I gave my landlord a cotton hammock once, and in a single year (outdoors) it rotted through.
Addressing your last point, you mentioned washing it. Like I have said above, get a nylon hammock, then (before you take it down) put twist-ties every 4-6 inches on the loose (usually white) threads. There are two techniques you can then use to wash it. If the twist-ties are close enough to never allow the loops to pass through the loose threads, you can put the hammock in a pillow case - knot the open end of the pillow case, and wash it on the gentile cycle. Or, to be more sure that you do no damage the hammock, fill a bucket with light detergent and drape the twist-tied ends on either side of the bucket. Wash by hand.
No matter which technique you use, NEVERY MACHINE DRY - JUST HANG IT OUT TO DRY.
Finally, everyone should know that Yucatecan hammocks come in various sizes and quality. In Yucatan, they are known as "soltera" (single) "matrimonio" (double) and "Familia" (family sized). Remember that the length is not the difference between each style, but rather the width (again, you lay down diagonally, so you need more width for taller/bigger/more people, not any more length). And if you are actually IN yucatan, you should look at the number of colored threads that are tied to each white thread. The more threads per end-thread means more comfort.
If bought IN MEXICO prices should range from 35-70 U.S. dollars (from single to "family sized") slightly more for nylon. From OUTSIDE OF MEXICO, just consider that you are importing a work of art from rural mexico, so add at least $20 to the prices above.
Hope this helps.
P.S. I'm not affiliated with any hammock distributor. Just my frank advice from over a decade of sleeping in hammocks.
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