As an emblem of the good life, the beloved hammock, like anybody who stretches out on one, is going nowhere fast.
The hammock is one of those inventions that sways between two worlds. On one hand, it’s a timeless example of clever indigenous minimalism. On the other hand, it represents the purest expression of modern luxury: the expenditure of leisure time. As a present for yourself or an adventurous housewarming gift, a good hammock is the essence of hippie haute. Outdoors or in, strung between two perfect palms or hooked to a poolside stand, the hammock remains an icon of the tropical good life. Herewith, four of our favorites.
Pawley’s Island Original Cotton Rope Hammock
Venerable Pawley’s Island makes an array of hammocks, but it’s the cotton-rope original, first knotted together back in 1889 by riverboat captain “Cap’n Josh” Ward, that keeps the company’s South Carolina workshop swingin’. Woven by hand from 1,200 feet of stout rope, the original — available in single and double sizes — features zinc-plated hardware and oak spreader bars with marine-grade varnish. In other words, it’s a keeper.
$160
pawleysislandhammocks.com
Nusantara Dreamweaver Teakwood Hammock
Bali-based furniture maker Nusantara works with reclaimed Javanese teakwood collected from derelict houses and boats across Indonesia and kiln-dried to prevent cracking. The company’s original creation — designed in 2004, when founder Kyle Barnett was still an architecture student in Cape Town, South Africa — is the gorgeous Dreamweaver hammock. Tipping the scales at a hefty 55 pounds, Nusantara’s handmade hammock is made with hundreds of teak dowels strung together on tough polyester cord.
$1,650
nusantara-teak.com
Glammocks Wayúu Trinitaria Hammock
The vibrant Trinitaria from Glammocks may be the ultimate indoor-hammock statement piece. This fuchsia masterpiece, inspired by the tropical bougainvillea flower, is hand-woven on a wall-sized vertical loom called a chinchorro by women from Colombia’s indigenous Wayúu tribe. Strictly made-to-order, the Trinitaria hammock and its meticulously crocheted skirt require fully four months to create. It ships with a signed note from the weaver.
$990
wayuuhammocks.com
TiiPii Nester Hanging Daybed
The nontraditionalist hammock on our list, the TiiPii Nester swings from a single point — a big branch, a ceiling beam, or TiiPii’s own $350 stand. It’s sturdy and spacious enough for three or four friendly grownups (the large model is six feet in diameter and holds 550 pounds), and the optional poncho transforms it into a serious glamping platform.
$500 (poncho adds $350)
tiipiibed.com
Warimba Chichen Hammock
Based in Miami’s trendy Wynwood neighborhood, Warimba offers a range of handmade yoga accessories and sturdy sling hammocks, made by artisans from across Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. In 2018, company founder Fabiola Marquez aligned with the Mexican nonprofit Urdiendo Esperanzas (Weaving Dreams), which trains apprentices to weave hammocks using indigenous techniques and supplies them with colorful double-woven yarns. The prismatic Chichen is our favorite. Like all Warimba hammocks, it is painstakingly made-to-order, requiring a three-week lead time.