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Inflatable Hammocks

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Inflatable Hammocks
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How to Choose a Water Hammock

Choosing a water hammock is mostly about who is floating with you and where you like to float. Here is how we think about size, weight capacity, and what makes a hammock built to last.

What Is a Water Hammock?

A water hammock is an inflatable floating platform with an open, mesh-lined center. Instead of riding on top of the water like a flat float, you settle into the mesh and float partly submerged, cool from the waist down, while the buoyant outer ring keeps you steady. There is no swimming or treading water to stay up. You just climb in and relax.

Water hammock sizing, by how you float

How you paddle Board length Why it works
A solo float for one 41" tube seat A mesh sling sized for one, so you can kick back and float partly submerged
A small crew of two to three adults 8' circle, 660 lbs An open mesh center with room to share, and a firm ring to perch on
A full group day, four to five adults 10' square, 1,150 lbs The roomiest deck of the three, with bungee storage for the extras
Building a bigger floating hangout Any size, plus tether straps Every Siesta connects to our inflatable docks for one big setup

What Size Water Hammock Do You Need?

A water hammock is an inflatable floating platform with an open, mesh-lined center. Instead of riding on top of the water like a flat float, you settle into the mesh and float partly submerged, cool from the waist down, while the buoyant outer ring keeps you steady. There is no swimming or treading water to stay up. You just climb in and relax.

How Much Weight Can a Water Hammock Hold?

Two things point you to the right size: how many people are floating and how much room you want. Our 41" Siesta Lounge is a solo tube seat for one. The 8' Circle suits a small crew of two to three adults. The 10' XL Square opens up to four or five, with bungee storage for the extras. Find your kind of float in the chart below, and the size follows. Browse the full inflatable water hammock collection to compare colors and see what is included with each one.
RELIABLY CAREFREE GEAR

What Our Water Hammocks Are Made Of

How the Mesh-Center Design Works

The inflated ring does the floating, and the mesh does the rest. Sink into the middle, and the netting cradles you just below the surface without sagging, so you stay cool on hot days without bobbing around on top. Want to be up and out of the water? Perch on the firm outer edge instead. Bring friends, and you can do both at once, some of you in the mesh and some lounging around the ring.

Built for the Whole Crew

With three sizes to choose from, there is a Siesta for a solo float or a full group hangout. Our 8' Circle holds two to three adults, up to 660 lbs, and the 10' XL Square fits four or five, up to 1,150 lbs. The firm outer ring gives everyone a place to sit, lounge, or climb back on, while the mesh center keeps a few of you cool right in the water.

  • Puncture-resistant AerGlide-Lite construction, built to last seasons
  • Open mesh center cradles you just below the surface without sagging
  • Textured EVA foam decking on the outer ring for grip underfoot
  • Stainless steel D-rings for tethering, anchoring, and connecting
  • Ships as a complete kit with a dual-action pump, repair kit, and carry bag

On the Lake

A water hammock makes any lake feel like your own private lounge. Anchor to a dock with the stainless steel D-rings, or just let yourself drift on calm water while the mesh center keeps you cool and partly submerged. In flat water, the buoyant ring keeps you steady, so tether to a dock or boat if you want to stay put, and keep to sheltered spots away from strong currents and heavy wakes. Give it a freshwater rinse after each outing, and it will stay in great shape.

On the Boat or at the Beach

Because it packs down into a carry bag, your water hammock travels easily to the beach or out on the boat. Inflate it when you get there, clip it to your boat or an anchor with the built-in D-rings, and settle in. Look for a calm, protected spot, a sheltered cove or an anchored area away from boat traffic, so you can float without drifting off.

Connecting to Your Inflatable Dock

Every hammock in our Siesta family is designed to connect to our inflatable docks with Tether Connection Straps, so you can build one big floating hangout on the water.

Setting Up and Caring for Your Water Hammock

Getting your water hammock ready takes just a few minutes, and a little care between trips keeps it floating for years. Here is the whole routine, from your first pump to long-term storage.

How to Inflate Your Water Hammock

Lay the hammock flat on a stable surface near the water, connect the included dual-action pump to the valve, and inflate to 7-10 PSI. It should feel firm but not rock hard, with a little give, and you should never take it past 10 PSI. An electric pump will do the work for you if you would rather skip the pumping. You will find full step-by-step instructions in the Owner's Manual that comes with your hammock.

Packing Down and Storing Your Water Hammock

Open the valve to fully deflate, and the deflate setting on your pump will do all the work for you! Then fold or roll it down small to pack away. If you were in saltwater, rinse with fresh water and let it dry completely first. Pack it into the included carry bag and store it somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun, so it is ready for the next water day.

Looking After It Between Trips

A little care keeps your water hammock ready for years of summers. After each float, rinse it with fresh water to clear off sand, salt, and grit, then let it dry fully before you pack it away. Store it deflated and loosely folded in its carry bag, somewhere cool and out of direct sun, so the material stays in good shape between trips. Keep it clear of sharp rocks and rough launches, and it will be ready whenever the water is calling.

FLOAT EASY

Water Hammock Safety and What to Wear

A little prep keeps the good days good. A water hammock is built for relaxing on calm, flat water, and we recommend it for anyone who can swim and be on the water on their own. If someone cannot swim, or for younger kids, keep a properly fitted life jacket on at all times and stay within arm's reach. Our Bobbin' life jackets come in infant, child, youth, and adult sizes, so the whole crew is covered.

Float easy. Stick to calm, protected water away from strong currents, surf, and boat traffic. Tether your hammock with the built-in D-rings so it does not drift, supervise children closely whenever they are on or near it, and check your local rules before you head out.

Water Hammock FAQs

What is a water hammock?

A water hammock is an inflatable floating platform with a mesh-lined center that lets you sit or recline partly submerged in the water, without having to swim or tread water to stay afloat. The buoyant outer ring holds you up while the open mesh keeps you cool. We build our retrospec water hammocks for easy, hands-free floating out on the lake, on the boat, or anywhere the water is calm. Take a look at our full Siesta Hammock collection to find the right size for your crew.

Are inflatable hammocks and water hammocks the same thing?

Not every inflatable hammock is made for the water, but ours are. Some inflatable hammocks, sometimes called inflatable loungers or couches, are designed for land use. Our retrospec inflatable hammocks are water hammocks, made from buoyant, water-resistant materials like our inflatable docks. Instead of a flat surface, they have an open center with a mesh bottom, so you can float and relax partly submerged in the water.

What is the best water hammock?

The best water hammock is durable, sized right for your group, and easy to set up wherever you are headed. We built our Siesta Hammock series from puncture-resistant AerGlide-Lite material with an open mesh-center design, and it comes in three sizes, so there is a Siesta for a solo float or a full-crew hangout. If you want our pick for most people, the 8' Circle hits the sweet spot of space and value.

What is the difference between a water hammock and an inflatable dock?

They are closely related. Our water hammocks and inflatable docks in the Siesta family are made from the same puncture-resistant AerGlide-Lite material; both have textured EVA foam decking, grab handles, and stainless steel D-rings, and both connect together with retrospec Tether Connection Straps. The one real difference is that a dock has a solid, flat top for standing and lounging, while a water hammock has an open mesh center so you can sink in and cool off in the water.

What is the difference between a water hammock and a pool float?

A water hammock has an open mesh center that lets you float partly submerged, so you stay cool while the buoyant ring keeps you from sinking. A regular flat float keeps you up on top of the water with no submersion. If you would rather cool off in the water without fully getting in, we think a water hammock like our Siesta Hammock is the better call on a hot day.

How many people fit on a water hammock?

It depends on the size you pick. Most people find that two to three adults lounge comfortably on our 8' Siesta Hammock, which has a recommended capacity of 660 lbs, while four or five fit on the 10' Siesta Hammock XL, rated for up to 1,150 lbs. We would always stay within the listed capacity and keep an eye on the kids while everyone is on the water.

What is the weight limit for a water hammock?

Our 8' Siesta Hammock has a recommended weight capacity of 660 lbs, and our larger 10' Siesta Hammock XL holds a good deal more at 1,150 lbs. Staying within that range keeps everyone floating comfortably and safely.

How heavy is an inflatable hammock?

Our Siesta Hammock weighs 30 lbs on its own, or 35 lbs with the included pump, repair kit, and carry bag. The larger Siesta Hammock XL weighs 49 lbs, or 54.5 lbs with everything included. Once it is inflated, the grab handles on the sides make it easy to carry in and out of the water.

How do you inflate a water hammock?

Inflating your retrospec water hammock takes just a few steps:
  1. Lay it flat on a stable surface near the water.
  2. Connect the included dual-action pump to the valve, then inflate to 7-10 PSI. Never go past 10 PSI.
  3. Check that it feels firm but not rock hard, with a little give.
  4. Carry it down with the grab handles and enter gently from the outer edge.
You will find full step-by-step instructions in the Owner's Manual that comes with your hammock.

How long does it take to inflate an inflatable hammock?

It depends on how fast you pump, but with the included dual-action pump, it usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes. If you would rather save the effort, an electric pump will inflate it to the PSI you set automatically, so you can be on the water faster.

What accessories come with an inflatable hammock?

Every retrospec water hammock comes with a dual-action pump that inflates and deflates, a repair kit with a valve wrench and two PVC patches, and a carry bag. You have everything you need to get on the water right out of the box. If you want to make setup even easier, an electric pump and a folding anchor are handy add-ons.

How do you store a water hammock?

Storing your water hammock is simple. Open the valve to deflate it fully; the deflate setting on your pump makes it quick. Then fold or roll it down small. If you were in saltwater, rinse it with fresh water and let it dry completely first. Pack it into the included carry bag and keep it somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun, so it is ready for the next water day.

Are water hammocks durable, and how long do they last?

Yes. We build our water hammocks from puncture-resistant AerGlide-Lite material, the same tough construction we use across our Siesta family of retrospec water gear, so the outer ring holds up to plenty of climbing on and off. How long yours lasts really comes down to how you care for it. A well-kept hammock can last for years, while sun exposure, storing it damp, or rough handling will wear it down faster. Rinse it, dry it, and store it out of the sun, and it will be good for many seasons.

Can you use a water hammock in a pool?

Yes. Our water hammocks work great in a pool as long as there is room for the size you choose. The mesh center keeps you cool and partly submerged while the buoyant ring holds you in place. Just give it a fresh-water rinse after pool days to keep the material happy. Have a look at the full Siesta lineup to find the right fit for your pool.

Can you use a water hammock on a lake?

Lakes are one of our favorite places to float. In calm water, the buoyant ring keeps you steady while the mesh center keeps you cool and partly submerged. Use the stainless steel D-rings and Tether Connection Straps to anchor to a dock or boat, and stick to sheltered water away from strong currents and heavy wakes for the most relaxing float.

Can you use an inflatable hammock in the ocean?

Yes, you can use a water hammock in just about any calm, protected water, whether that is the ocean, a lake, a river, or a pool. The key is calm water away from boat traffic and busy waterways, since waves, rapids, and strong currents can flip your hammock and raise the risk of injury. In the ocean, stick to a sheltered spot like a bay or inlet, and on a river or anywhere with a current, an anchor will keep you in place.

Are inflatable hammocks pet-friendly?

Our decking is durable and puncture-resistant, but we would keep the water hammock reserved for people. The open mesh center is not the best fit for paws. If you want to bring your furry friend along on the water, an inflatable dock is a much better option, with its solid, flat deck to lounge on.

Can you connect a water hammock to an inflatable dock?

Yes. Our Siesta water hammocks are designed to connect right to our Siesta inflatable docks using retrospec Tether Connection Straps, so you can mix and match to build the floating hangout of your dreams. The built-in stainless steel D-rings also make it easy to anchor to a boat or dock wherever you drop in.

Do you need to anchor an inflatable hammock?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea if you want to stay in one spot instead of drifting. Our water hammocks have underside D-rings built in as anchor points, so you can clip on a folding anchor or tether to a dock and settle in.