Which Is More Comfortable: A Quilted or A Traditional Hammock?

Form-Fitting

• Traditional rope hammocks are designed to be a one-size-fits-all lounger that fits everyone the same -- nice and snug. Once inside, the pull and tug of the ropes wrap around the body like a net, evenly distributing the person's weight across the woven ropes beneath. The hammock achieves maximum comfort once the person lays back and relaxes, swinging and suspended in the ropes.

  The quilted hammock's fabric contours uniformly to the body once someone sits inside of it. Though it's not as form-fitting its traditional rope cousin, the quilted hammock does embrace the body enough to make for a cozy lounging experience.

The Give

• The fabrics used for quilted hammocks do not have as much give as rope hammocks, where the fabric stretches widthwise and lengthwise to support the lounging person as her weight sags downward. Some people may prefer a hammock with less give that does not completely wrap around the back and sides of the body.

  The ropes of the traditional hammock have an abundance of give -- its ropes will adjust in any direction. Some will prefer the traditional hammock, in which the ropes completely adjust to the form of their backs and sides.

Cushioning

• Rope hammocks do not offer additional cushioning, which is compensated for by the looseness and flexibility of their woven ropes, as cotton ropes are generally more comfortable than polyester ones. The fabrics of quilted hammocks are lined with cotton or polyester batting that gives the body of the quilted hammock comfortable cushioning. This cushioned fabric also insulates the body, making the quilted hammock cozy enough to curl up with a blanket in cooler weather and it does not have spaces like the rope hammock, making it a more comfortable alternative for small hands and feet.

Durability

• Rope and quilted hammocks are very durable, and this heavily depends upon the quality and thickness of the ropes in a rope hammock and the fabric and stitching in a quilted hammock. Thick polyester rope hammocks are more durable than the cotton rope ones, whose natural fibers, which are not weather resistant, tend to stretch and break down over time. The durability of either hammock also depends upon the weight it must support, the weathering it faces if left to the outdoor elements and how well it is maintained during and after use.