Hammocks


by seasidehammocks - Date: 2010-08-18 - Word Count: 409 Share This!

Hammocks

Spanish explorers first discovered hammocks when visiting the West Indies. The natives made these beds from weaving bark from the hammock tree. The bark was eventually replaced with sisal because it was easier to find. The first hammocks were introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus who brought them back from what is now the Bahamas. Natives in tropical climates used the hammock to protect themselves from ground insects and animals that might sting or bite. Today there are several different types of hammocks most based on tropical designs.

Spreader-Bar Hammock

The spreader-bar hammock has metal or wood bars that hold the hammock in place. This type of hammock is especially useful in areas where there are no trees or other means to fasten a traditional hammock. However their center of gravity is high so they are not as steady as standard versions.

Mayan and Nicaraguan Hammocks

The Mayan and Nicaraguan hammocks are made from nylon or cotton string. This material is woven into a very comfortable and supportive net. The Mayan style hammock is not woven as tightly as the Nicaraguan style. Because support is defined by the number of strings used to make the hammock as well as the quality of the woven net, the Nicaraguan style tends to be firmer and a bit more supportive.

Brazilian Hammocks

Instead of string, Brazilian hammocks are actually made of cotton fabric. This makes them much more durable than those hammocks made of string. However there is quite a debate as to which hammock is more comfortable, the string or the fabric. Both have their champions.

Venezuelan Hammocks

Most hammocks made for the jungle today are polyester or nylon and use Dacron or other suspension material that does not stretch out. These hammocks are call inline because occupants sleep along the length of the hammock instead of across the hammock. These hammocks are quite high tech with breathable bottoms, fly netting and drip strings to prevent water and insects from annoying the sleeper.

Camping Hammocks

Camping hammocks are especially popular with hikers, as they are so light to carry. Most are made of nylon and may come with pockets for storage as well as mosquito netting. There are styles of hammocks that have a slit in the bottom to access from underneath and others with a ridgeline for quick and easy set up. To minimize impact to the environment these models come with straps that go around trees and serve as points of attachment for the hammock.

Related Tags: hammock hammocks mayan hammocks

Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles

© The article above is copyrighted by it's author. You're allowed to distribute this work according to the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs license.
 

Recent articles in this category:



Most viewed articles in this category: