The various advantages of hammocking have gotten many people to turn them into permanent sleeping units! But you need to pick the best type of hammock suited to your needs. There are multiple types, but today we will focus on the two popular options, Mayan and Brazilian.
Arguably these two types are the most popular ones in current era. The “Mayan vs brazilian hammock” debate is trending the community, and that’s why I have felt the need for settling this for once and for all.
If you’re looking for quick answer, then Mayan hammocks are best suited for hot and humid weather conditions, whereas the brazilian variants is more used in cold weathers. One key difference is that the Mayan hammocks are quite lightweight but the Brazilian hammocks are more durable.
Hammocking is one of the most relaxing activities you can partake in. In the summers, they make the perfect addition to your backyard, and you can settle in them with a book, and in the winters, you can bring them in and set it up on your porch. Now let’s discuss Brazilian hammocks in detail.
Brazilian Hammocks
These types of hammocks are mostly made from thick cotton fabric coupled with exposed suspension strings on both sides. These are a type of gathered end hammock without a spreader bar.
Ideally, a Brazilian hammock should have a deep sag. Plus, these are extremely safe to use since they have a low center gravity which makes these hammocks well-balanced. That’s the reason more people looking to replace their beds with hammocks opt for the Brazilian hammocks.
Brazilian hammocks are very similar to the Colombian hammocks that have an open loop at one end coupled with braided suspension strings, cadejos.
Pros
- Commonly Available: These are the most popular types of hammocks available and have the highest market share.
- Design and Looks: Brazilian hammocks have a tighter weave, either hand-woven or loomed from cotton fiber. Thus, these hammocks lack small nets on the surface. The hammocks have beautiful eye-popping colors coupled with crocheted fringes.
- Cocooning: The gathered design of the hammocks offers a cocooning effect without any pressure points, making it an ideal bed replacement.
Cons
- Temperature and Humidity: Brazilian hammocks are ideal for cold and winter climates. They do not do well in humidity and direct sunlight.
- One Person Use: Though double-sized Brazilian hammocks are available, they are not comfortable while sharing with another person.
- Mold and Mildew: Since Brazilian hammocks are made from cotton, they run the risk of attack from mold and mildew. Thus storing these hammocks has to be careful. The hammocks must be well-maintained and cleaned before storing to avoid any insect attack.
- Comfort: Unlike rope hammocks, Brazilian hammocks are not breathable. Some users have felt claustrophobic inside the hammock, especially when they are not lying on their back.
- Weather Conditions: As mentioned earlier, Brazilian hammocks are not ideal for summer or hot weather conditions. To top it, some Brazilian hammocks may be made from certain fabrics, which are absolutely unsuitable for warmer climates.
Mayan Hammocks
Popularly known as Mexican hammocks, these are a type of string hammocks with a spreader bar. The Mayan Hammocks were introduced by the people in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, about 1000 years ago.
It was there that the earliest hammocks were created. It was brought into Europe by Christopher Columbus in 1492. However, they had spreader bars and were similar to a bed.
Mayan Hammocks characterize a tight weave with thin strings. The individual threads are not tied but simply cross one another.
On a closer look, they look like tiny cells on the surface. The weave almost represents a rope hammock.
Pros
- Climate Conditions: Since they have a weaved design, these hammocks are ideal for summers or humid areas. Besides, they also provide good air ventilation.
- Comfortable: Traditional Mayan Hammocks are characterized by a diamond weave pattern made from nylon or cotton material. Like Brazilian hammocks, these too feature bright colors and designs and provide a cocooning effect adding to the comfort level.
- Fast-Drying: Washing and drying Mayan Hammocks before storage is easy and not time-consuming. Since many of these are made from nylon, these hammocks have quick-drying properties. The quick-drying feature also eliminates the risk of mildew or mold attack on these hammocks.
- Lightweight: Mayan hammocks are extremely lightweight, which means they can be packed and transported from one place to another with ease. This makes it an ideal choice for campers or outdoorsy adventure seekers who wish to travel light.
Cons
- Delicate: Unlike Brazilian hammocks, Mayan hammocks are not as strong. In fact, you should be careful not to break the thin strings. Plus, it’s advisable not to use the cotton variant of this hammock type in moisture environments.
- Not ideal for two: If you are planning or a weekend trip in the wilderness with your partner or BFF, this hammock may not be the ideal choice for you. While it does provide a cocooning effect, it’s only ideal for one and not two.
- Climatic restrictions: Unlike the Brazilian hammocks, the relatively open weave of the Mayan hammocks makes them unsuitable for cooler regions and climates. It’s only used for hot summers or hot climates.
- Durability: The Mayan hammocks made from cotton strings are not as strong as the ones made from synthetic fabrics. Thus, they need to be brought indoors when not in use.
Mayan vs Brazilian Hammock: Which should you choose?
Mayan vs Brazilian hammock is a hot topic for debate. It’s true that both Mayan and Brazilian hammocks have their pros and cons, and both are popular in their own right. However, which one you choose will depend on your requirements and priority.
Lookwise, Mayan and Brazilian hammocks are quite similar. Both have bright colors and boho designs and lack a spreader bar. So, if you are looking for a gathered type of hammock, you can opt for either.
The primary difference between the two lies in the climatic requirements. While Brazilian hammocks are suited for cold conditions, Mayan hammocks are perfect for hot and humid weather conditions. It has also been noted that Mayan hammocks are not as strong as the Brazilian ones. However, with proper care, they can be made to last long.
Keeping all the differences in mind, we hope you can find the ideal pick to suit your requirements. Both the hammocks are widely popular and provide premium quality comfort. So, take your pick and keep hammocking in 2022.
