Originally Posted by
Wayfarer
I paid about $90 for the Mayan, $90+ for one of the Brazilian and $122 for the other.
The Mayan I bought is supposably high end, measures 7'6"L by 7'8"W. Expanded, the weave is no bigger than 1/2 inch diamonds and the cotton cords/strings are a little smaller than dress shoelaces. It is cotton and soft, but I can feel the weave even through a insulating fleece blanket. However, it does allow me to sleep in whatever position I want and I can see through the weave to watch TV if I want (set up in the living room). It offers no insulation itself, which isn't a problem in Texas but I hope to move to the Pacific NW. It is harder to get into (flipped me out the first time until I got the sag right), but much easier to get out of. What I don't like is that it is not likely to hold up well and I can feel the strings.
The Brazilians are far more durable, much warmer, very tight weave - but because the weave is tigher, they are harder to lie in diagonally and wrap up around me cocooning me in a deep pocket. Easy to get into, hard to get out. Both Brazilians I have measure 8'7"L by 5'3"W but are very different in feel. They are also all cotton. Like "mummy" wrapping of newborns in a hospital. the Brazilian feels "secure". Yes, they are like a heavy weave fabric. What I like it that they are visually more appealing, far more durable, warmer, and insulating from the "World".
I would agree with you that the Mayan could be a fun snuggle time hammock, but not so sure about full time sleeper. With the Brazilian, you had better REALLY like the person you are snuggling with! I think the Nicamaka might not be quite so "intimate" and a good mix of the best features of both - but I don't known. I haven't seen or experienced one.
Yeah, I realize most posts have to do with camping hammocks but there are others like the ""Bridge" which is obviously an indoor version, and if my son could be won over so completely to ditch his water bed after experiencing camping hammocks and move to full time hammocks - I am hoping others here are also experimenting with different types. He has also tried the Mayan and doesn't like it, and is sleeping in a Brazilian at home.
One other negative on the open net Mayans are for those of us with cats like my son and myself, the Mayan is not cat friendly while the Brazilian is.