| Although cotton is generally considered the most | | | | heavier gauge and quite comfortable if woven |
| comfortable string material for the Mayan | | | | with proper looseness. |
| hammock, there are a number of other fibers | | | | Hemp Hammocks |
| both synthetic and natural that are used with | | | | Hemp has a great appeal to those who prefer |
| some frequency to remedy real and perceived | | | | the sustainability of resources. It is very strong, |
| inadequacies in the cotton. Each of these | | | | weathers well, and can be found in organically |
| materials contributes a specific feel to the | | | | grown variations as well. The cording is very |
| hammock which should be evaluated along with its | | | | hard and quite rough, making it significantly less |
| structural benefits in making a decision on the | | | | comfortable than hammocks made of other |
| hammock you want to spend time in. | | | | materials. |
| Polypropylene Hammocks | | | | Polyester Hammocks |
| Polypropylene, or poly pro, hammocks make up | | | | Polyester is a very successful material in |
| the largest percentage of Mexican Mayan | | | | hammock making. It can be woven into a very |
| hammocks not made of cotton. Polypro is | | | | soft stretchy cord that gives not only a |
| extremely strong. Hammock strings made of | | | | comfortable feel to the hammock, but |
| this cording are almost impossible to break and | | | | considerable durability as well. Polyester is |
| are impervious to mildew. This makes them a | | | | generally made in China, with considerable |
| good choice for abusive environments and | | | | quantities imported to the USA. Since it is not |
| extremely wet locations. They have one great | | | | readily available in Mexico, most of the "Mayan" |
| weakness, however, which is that they are very | | | | style hammocks made of Polyester are actually |
| likely to deteriorate in direct sunlight. UV radiation | | | | made in China. It is also exported to Nicaragua, |
| can destroy them in one season. As for feel, | | | | where it finds its way into a significant minority of |
| they are much firmer than cotton, no give or | | | | hammocks from that country. |
| stretch. Because of this they have to be strung | | | | Other Fabrics |
| very carefully in the support arms to ensure a | | | | Sisal was once used in Mayan hammocks as was |
| comfortable fit. | | | | a material known as Henequen. These are |
| Nylon Hammocks | | | | rarely found nowadays as other materials are |
| Nylon offers all the strength and mildew | | | | superior. Once in a while you can still find a |
| resistance of the poly pro; and in addition, it is | | | | beautiful shimmering soft hammock in Mexico |
| relatively impervious to UV radiation. This makes | | | | made of silk. This is a lovely thing, and |
| it a great material for outdoor hammocks. It is | | | | extremely rare. |
| however, quite expensive to manufacture, which | | | | Cotton is still king. Read the article on cotton |
| is why hammocks made of this material are hard | | | | hammocks to learn more about the various |
| to find. The ones you do find are generally of a | | | | styles. |