Maya XL Freestanding Hammock Twilight

The art of choosing the right freestanding hammock.

We are all influenced by the price of items we browse on the Internet, yet there is a world of difference between two styles of freestanding hammocks. Price, warranty, and advertised lifespan are the main factors that hold you back. However, comfort almost always gets overlooked, even though it is just as important. Let me explain: there are two styles of hammocks, the one with wooden spreader bars (the Western version of the hammock) and the one without (the Latin American version, our specialty, our passion). The one with wooden bars must be stretched during installation (positioned lengthwise only and on the back), while the one without must be curved (positioned diagonally flat, curled up like a fetal position, or seated). However, most offers on the Internet concern stands made somewhat for both styles. Neither too high nor too low. A bit like trying to pair all dishes by mixing red and white wine—and the problem is solved!

The ratio between the length and the height of the hammock stand is decisive for the final comfort. If your hammock is too stretched, you will be stuck and bent awkwardly in its fabric. If it is curved, you will lie comfortably flat by positioning yourself properly, diagonally, with a soft and stretchable bedding.

A hammock stand made to our own measurements.

At Tropical Influences, we have long worked directly with stand manufacturers to offer you properly sized stands. Between about 1995 and 2005, we even made our own models in our workshops before offers of arc-shaped hammock stands appeared thanks to laminated wood. Take a close look at the heights of a hammock stand from us, and you will see they are nothing like the competition.

Stand maintenance. Nowadays, deep treatments are no longer as effective as before. But they are more ecological and no longer contain heavy metals or arsenic. This spruce stand will last a long time with minimal care. We strongly recommend applying a wood stain or saturator that will protect it from rain and UV rays. Very important: this stand should not be stored dry during winter. The wood becomes too dry and cracks. Leave it outdoors all year without covering it and loosen each bolt by two turns to allow the wood to swell during the cold and humid winter period.

A hammock created by Alesko for Tropical Influences.

You won’t risk finding this hammock in your neighbor’s garden. We remain a small company with 3 employees and call on various French artists to create the fabrics for most of our collections.

Hammock maintenance. A hammock should be machine washed at 40°C at least once a year at the end of the season. It is a textile product comparable to curtains, tablecloths, and cotton jackets. In short, don’t hesitate to wash it. Our colors do not bleed.

Origin of the hammock stand: Poland, by a specialist in outdoor furniture.

Origin of the hammock: Brazil, state of Rio Grande do Norte. Traditional hammock.

Quality, ethics, durability, longevity, and comfort. An offer from Tropical Influences! The passion for hammocks since 1988.