What to Look for When Buying a Chair Hammock

Chair hammocks are the most comfortable way to relax, making it possible to sit, curl up into a ball, lie down or flex your body in most any direction you want. There are many chair hammocks you can find online or in retail centers. But before buying a chair hammock, do your homework as there are certain things you want to look for. Keep in mind that no all chair hammocks are created equal.

Hand Weave vs. Manufactured

Chair hammocks may be manufactured or hand woven. We believe that the hand woven chair hammocks in which the knots are virtually invisible and not located in any part of the hammock bed that could weaken the strength are better than manufactured.

Cotton vs. Soft-Spun Polyester

You also want decide on what material you want your chair hammocks to be made of. Cotton chairs are extremely soft to the touch, but unlike those made of 100 percent soft-spun polyester, they don’t hold up well in harsh weather. Polyester chairs will not rot, mildew or mold as will cotton. Typically, soft-spun polyester cord makes for a chair hammock that is so durable, it lasts up to five times longer than those made of cotton. So basically, the only plus side to cotton that is a slight bit softer. But is that enough to tip the scale? I personally conducted a touch test to see if my friends and I could really tell the difference. Surprisingly enough, we couldn’t! At least to we testers, the polyester and cotton felt so similar to the touch, we just couldn’t distinguish one from the other.

Size: Jumbo vs. Regular

The other thing you want to look for before buying a chair hammocks is the size. If you only want to sit in it, the shoulder width is all you really need to think about. In this case, a chair hammocks bed should be 47 inches wide, which gives a medium-to-large sized person ample shoulder room. However, if you plan on using the chair hammocks to stretch out your body from head to foot with plenty of bed left over, you need a jumbo chair. Jumbo chair hammocks are oversized for maximum comfort. A 6.5-foot person should easily be able to make a full extension in a jumbo chair hammocks. Make sure when purchasing an oversized chair hammock, it will hold at least 250 lbs.

Chair hammock Colors

Colors are another deciding factor. Are the colors offered deep, bright, lively and rich? You don’t want a chair hammock made of a fabric where the colors can possibly fade (this is another good thing about soft-spun polyester as the colors stay strong).

Spreader Bar

The most important insurance of your safety is the strength of the spreader bar. Make sure it is sturdy and can withstand the hammock’s weight limitations. It should be thick and finished in a way that the weather won’t weaken it. Coats of marine varnish are a great protection from weather. Besides its role in protecting the wooden bar, marine varnish also gives it a stylish finish and enhances its color, whether natural or stained.

We hope these tips on what to look for when purchasing a chair hammock are helpful. If you have questions, please comment on this blog. You also may want to read our blog on hanging your chair hammock.