Hammock with Inka XL Mojito Stand

How to Choose a Metal Frame Hammock Properly

When looking for a freestanding hammock, we are often first attracted by the price. However, there is a real difference between the models available online. Comfort, often overlooked, is essential to fully enjoy your hammock.

Two styles, two philosophies

There are two main types of hammocks:

1. The hammock with wooden spreader bars, stretched out, where one lies only on the back. This is the "Western" version.
2. The barless hammock, also called traditional Latin American hammock, our specialty. It curves and allows you to settle diagonally, in a lying down position, sitting, or curled up like a foetus. More flexible, more enveloping, much more comfortable.

The role of the support: length and height

A poorly sized metal hammock stand can ruin the experience. Too tight? You’re curled up, uncomfortable, hanging like a banana. Well curved? You enjoy a soft, flat bed, perfectly suited for relaxation. This is where the ratio between the height and length of the stand comes into play. At Tropical Hamac, we have been working directly with metal hammock stand manufacturers for years to offer you structures truly adapted to hammocks without spreader bars.

We even designed our own models between 1995 and 2005, before the arrival of bentwood supports made possible by laminated wood. The result: our heights are specific, designed for optimal comfort – nothing like the standard supports on the market. See all our metal hammock stands: Metal hammock stand

We have gathered in one article all the concrete advantages of a hammock stand at home – a must-read before choosing! Why use a hammock stand ?

Maintenance of your hammock stand

Metal can last for decades… provided it is given a minimum of care. The material used for this metal hammock stand is not stainless steel: slight rusting will therefore eventually appear over time, especially in areas of friction (tube joints, screws, etc.).
Here with us, on the Atlantic coast, in a saline climate, the first signs usually appear after 2 to 3 years.

No need to panic: there is a really effective paint to extend the lifespan of your surface. We recommend a 0.5 L can of Hammerite, available in most DIY stores. It is a thick paint, enriched with magnetized metal particles. Just one coat is enough, after a light sanding, with no need for rustproofing. The result: an additional 3 years of protection outdoors. Unsure whether to choose a wooden or metal surface? To make the right choice based on the required maintenance, check out our comprehensive article on the subject: Metal or Wood Hammock Stand – Maintenance

The art of choosing a hammock well

Just like with the stands, today you can find all kinds of things on the Internet when it comes to hammocks. As French people, we know very well how to choose a camembert from among 20 options... but for a comfortable and durable hammock, that's another story !

You can of course trust us — it’s our profession, our passion since 1988, long before the Internet. But here are a few simple benchmarks for comparison:

1. The weight of the hammock The heavier it is, the stronger and more durable it is.
2. The composition of the thread : opt for cotton with little or no polyester, for a better feel on the skin.
3. The width of the canvas : forget the mentions "2 seats" or "family" if the width does not exceed 160 cm. A "2-person" hammock that is 100 cm wide is just marketing.
4. The number of suspension cables The more there are, the better the load is distributed, and the more comfortable the hammock is.

But two essential elements remain invisible at the time of purchase:

• The quality of the thread : this is what we test first in each workshop.

• The type of weaving : crucial for determining whether the canvas will loosen over time or remain taut.

The best threads often come from recycled cotton dyed industrially, under computer control, either hot or cold. Depending on the origin, some hammocks stretch so much that you literally end up trapped in a pocket.

⚠️ Caution regarding "outdoor hammocks"

We often see hammocks sold as "ideal for outdoor use." The names of their materials sound appealing, but they are very often 100% polyester: in other words, plastic. It's hot, sometimes static, unpleasant on the skin, and UV rays quickly degrade the fibers. Even after a few washes, they age poorly, and mold still finds a place to grow. And don't forget: your skin is in direct contact with the fabric. You might as well give it a soft and natural hammock !

Maintaining your hammock

A hammock is a textile, and as such, it is washed accordingly. A Brazilian who sleeps in his hammock every day washes it every 10 to 15 days. For us, who often use it outdoors, the ideal is to wash it once a year, at the end of the season.

Here are our recommendations:

1. Wash your hammock in the machine at 40°C.
2. Dry it in the open air, never in the dryer.
3. Store it in a dry place during the winter.

For more practical tips and to avoid mistakes, feel free to watch our video dedicated to using a hammock: The 6 tips.

Quality, ethics, sustainability, comfort, and durability over time. This is the promise of Tropical Hamac – the passion for hammocks since 1988.