The wooden bar hammock: a Western invention.

The spreader bar hammock: its history.

Despite its thousand years of history, there are still far too many of us who are unaware of the history of the hamac -> hammock. Therefore, it is important to understand why there are hammocks with bars and without.

The story goes back to the first settlers who brought this ancient object from the New World. At that time, it was out of the question to learn anything from the Indians who inhabited that part of the globe. We considered them savages and often reduced them to slavery. Today, things have changed significantly, and we are more inclined to listen to and understand their way of life. They have even become a symbol embodying ecological values.

It is therefore natural, and as a first reflex, that the settlers lie lengthwise in a hammock. That is, in the same direction as our bed. In a Caribbean-French dictionary from the period, Raymond Breton states: "Keyeyecoua tiem larangon callinago, tichati balanagle," which means "The savage lies curled up and crosswise, the Frenchman stretched out lengthwise.". Even today, this will be the case for about 6 out of 10 people. But this position is really uncomfortable. Quite simply because the fabric wraps around us and our body ends up curved. On the other hand, if you lie down diagonally, your back is relieved and you won’t feel this sensation of confinement. Hence, the idea of Westerners to add wooden bars on each side to keep the hammock flat and well spread out. Yet, all you needed to know was that you had to lie down diagonally.

The spreader bar hammock is therefore a Western invention.

Advantages and disadvantages of the spreader bar hammock.

As you may have understood, the true hammock does not have a bar. It has the great advantage of being machine washable. It offers a variety of positions for lying on your back, on your side, as well as sitting up. It is lightweight and easy to carry. 

But then? How to make the most of a spreader bar hammock. Some people are fans of this type of bedding. It is a hammock that is more often used alone than with two people, due to its balance point being right at the center of the hammock. In fact, we advise you to avoid canvas spreader bar hammocks, which are very unstable. Meanwhile, Nicaraguan mesh hammocks offer more flexible bedding. Among other disadvantages, the spreader bar hammock breaks very quickly (due to the friction of the ropes on the wood). Also, it cannot be machine washed and is not easy to fold.

On our blog, discover the article: The match, bar hammock versus hammock without bars.

The bar hammock from Nicaragua appeals to us for its aesthetic.

• He is well adapted to people who have difficulty getting up from hammocks.
• He isMore design-orientedBecause it remains open and stands out in a trendy decor.
• He is comfortablethanks to its cotton knit.

Note that a hammock with a spreader bar requires a lower hanging height. These hammocks need to be stretched out to be comfortably installed.

What are the best spreader bar hammocks in the world ?

Obviously, Nicaraguan hammocks are the most comfortable in the world. Entirely handmade, these hammocks are very decorative. The technique requires precision and expertise. And making a hammock takes 4 to 6 days of work. Discover our range ofluxury hammocks from Nicaragua

How to choose your hammock well then ?

The subject is vast and depends on your lifestyle. Whether you are making your first purchase or intending to change your hammock, our website as well as our blog are full of information. The main article we recommend is:How to choose a hammock.