There’s a universal dream that whispers to us on busy weekdays: the vision of a perfect backyard sanctuary. It’s a place where the hum of the world fades, replaced by the rustle of leaves and the gentle warmth of the sun. For years, my own backyard felt like it was missing that final, crucial piece—a dedicated throne of relaxation. I envisioned lazy Sunday afternoons with a good book, gently swaying, disconnected from screens and deadlines. The quest for the perfect hammock became an obsession, but it was fraught with pitfalls: flimsy rope hammocks that left a waffle-print on my back, unstable models that threatened to dump me onto the grass, and materials that felt more like plastic tarps than comfortable beds. The goal was simple but elusive: find a hammock that combines resort-style comfort with the durability to actually live outdoors.
What to Consider Before Buying an Outdoor Spreader Bar Hammock
A hammock is more than just a piece of outdoor furniture; it’s a key solution for creating a dedicated space for mental and physical relaxation. It’s an invitation to slow down, to be present, and to enjoy your own outdoor space. The primary benefit of a spreader bar hammock, like the one we’re examining today, is its open, bed-like design. Unlike “cocoon” style hammocks that envelop you, a spreader bar model offers a flatter, more stable surface that is easier to get in and out of and more conducive to sharing with a partner or even a pet. It transforms a patch of lawn or a corner of a patio into a destination for de-stressing, napping, and quality time.
The ideal customer for this type of product is a homeowner, patio-dweller, or anyone with a dedicated outdoor space seeking a semi-permanent relaxation station. They value comfort and aesthetics over portability. This style is perfect for those who want to create a vacation vibe at home. However, it might not be a suitable choice for those who need a portable option for camping or hiking, as the wooden bars and quilted fabric are bulky and heavy. Ultralight backpackers or individuals with no space for a 12-to-14-foot span would be better served by a lightweight, packable nylon hammock.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A 12-foot hammock sounds big, but the total length, including chains, can reach 14 feet. You must ensure you have two trees spaced appropriately or a hammock stand that is at least 12 to 14 feet long. Measure your space precisely before you buy to avoid the disappointment of a hammock that drags on the ground or is stretched too taut.
- Capacity & Performance: Pay close attention to the maximum weight capacity, in this case, 475 pounds. This determines if it can safely hold one or two people. The performance is also dictated by the spreader bar, which creates a stable, non-cocooning experience, but can also make the hammock feel slightly more “tippy” if you’re not centered when getting in.
- Materials & Durability: This is arguably the most critical factor for an outdoor product. Quilted polyester, like that used in the gafete 12FT Double Hammock, offers plush comfort but can have drawbacks. It’s essential to check for UV-resistant dyes to prevent fading and to understand how the material handles moisture. Pure cotton is soft but prone to mold, while nylon is quick-drying but less luxurious.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the setup process. Does it come with all necessary hardware like chains and carabiners? More importantly, think about long-term care. An outdoor hammock will be exposed to rain, sun, and dirt. A material that is difficult to clean or, worse, retains water for days, can quickly become a useless, soggy mess.
While the gafete 12FT Double Hammock is an excellent choice for a certain type of user, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
First Impressions: Unboxing the “Catalina Beach” Dream
Upon arrival, the gafete 12FT Double Hammock made a strong first impression. The “Catalina Beach” color scheme was as vibrant and inviting as the online photos suggested, with rich blues and crisp whites that immediately evoked a coastal, carefree feeling. Unrolling it from the box, the first thing I noticed was the fabric’s substantial feel. The dual-layer quilted polyester with poly fiber filling felt plush and soft to the touch, a far cry from the scratchy canvas or thin nylon of other hammocks I’ve tested. The 55-inch hardwood spreader bars felt solid and weighty, finished with a nice varnish that gave them a rustic elegance. The included hardware—sturdy steel chains and carabiners—felt robust and reliable. Even the small touches, like the large removable pillow and the integrated storage pockets, signaled that this hammock was designed with leisurely comfort in mind. Out of the box, it felt like a premium product ready to be the centerpiece of our backyard relaxation zone.
What We Like
- Extremely comfortable quilted fabric for a bed-like feel
- Spacious 55-inch width easily accommodates two people
- Spreader bar design provides a stable, open surface that’s easy to enter and exit
- Includes convenient accessories like a large pillow and side storage pockets
Limitations
- Fabric absorbs and retains a massive amount of water, taking days to dry
- Colors are not UV-resistant and are prone to severe fading and discoloration in the sun
- Reports of material fraying, ripping, or wood splitting raise long-term durability concerns
Deep Dive into Performance: Where Comfort and Reality Collide
A hammock’s true worth is only revealed through real-world use—through sun-drenched naps, unexpected rain showers, and the simple wear and tear of a season outdoors. The gafete 12FT Double Hammock presented a fascinating case study, a product that excelled magnificently in some areas while failing spectacularly in others. Our extensive testing revealed a story of initial luxury followed by some harsh, disappointing realities.
A Deep Dive into Comfort and Usability
Let’s begin with the undeniable strength of this hammock: its comfort. Climbing into the gafete for the first time is a genuinely pleasant experience. The quilted padding distributes weight evenly, eliminating the pressure points common in rope hammocks. The 55-inch wide spreader bars keep the fabric taut and open, creating a stable, flat surface that feels more like a floating bed than a sling. We found it incredibly easy to get in and out of without the usual comical struggle, a feature that makes it accessible for everyone. It’s genuinely spacious enough for two adults to relax comfortably without being squished together. My husband and I spent a long afternoon reading side-by-side, and it never felt cramped. The side pockets are a brilliant touch, perfectly sized for a phone, sunglasses, or a paperback book, keeping your essentials within arm’s reach.
However, we did notice a few quirks. As some users pointed out, the polyester fabric has a slightly slippery, shiny finish. This can cause you to slowly slide toward the center over time, requiring minor readjustments. More importantly, we confirmed the reports of significant initial stretching. After setting it up on our 14-foot stand to what felt like a taut position, my first time sitting in it resulted in dropping nearly to the support bar below. Heeding the warnings from other users, we re-tightened the chains by several links. Aspiring owners should hang it much higher and tighter than initially seems necessary, as the fabric and ropes will settle and stretch with the first few uses. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of this initial setup process.
The Elephant in the Yard: Weather Resistance and Durability Failures
This is where our glowing review takes a sharp, unfortunate turn. For a product marketed as an “outdoor hammock,” the gafete 12FT Double Hammock demonstrates a shocking lack of resilience to the elements. The first major flaw we discovered was its interaction with water. After an unexpected evening rain shower, the hammock was completely saturated. This was expected. What was not expected was that two full days later, in breezy, 85-degree weather with direct morning sun, I could still walk up to the hammock and squeeze streams of water out of the quilted padding as if it were a soaked towel. It acts less like fabric and more like a sponge. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it renders the hammock completely unusable for days after any precipitation, a critical failure for an outdoor product. Several users reported the exact same experience, confirming this is a fundamental flaw in the material choice, not a one-off defect.
The second major issue is color fastness. The beautiful “Catalina Beach” blues began to lose their vibrancy within weeks of being in the sun. We validated a particularly troubling user report: after a single season, the light blue stripes fade to a dull white, and the dark navy blue bleeds into a strange, washed-out magenta. This dramatic color shift completely changes the aesthetic and makes the hammock look old and worn far before its time. It’s clear the dyes used in the polyester fabric have very poor UV resistance. Combined with the water-logging, the long-term durability of the fabric itself comes into question. We saw multiple reports of the material fraying and ripping after just a few months of use, and one user even experienced a split spreader bar. This suggests that leaving the hammock exposed to the elements as intended can lead to rapid degradation.
Setup, Hardware, and Practical Considerations
On a more positive note, the initial setup is straightforward. The hammock comes ready to hang with included chains and carabiners. We found the permanently attached O-ring and chain assembly to be a smart design choice, far superior to the S-hooks on older hammocks that would constantly fall off during setup or storage. It’s crucial for buyers to understand that this hammock requires a 12-to-14-foot span. It is just the hammock bed and hardware; no stand or tree straps are included. If you plan to hang it between trees, you’ll need to purchase a separate set of tree-safe straps.
The 475-pound weight capacity seems plausible based on the sturdiness of the handcrafted cotton ropes, steel O-rings, and chains. The hardware feels like it can handle the load without issue. The weak point in the system is not the suspension but the fabric bed itself. The profound lack of weatherproofing means that to preserve this hammock, you must be incredibly diligent. It cannot be treated as a set-it-and-forget-it piece of furniture. It must be taken down and stored indoors before rain and, to prevent fading, should probably be stored out of direct sun when not in active use. This level of required maintenance undermines the very convenience a hammock is supposed to provide.
What Other Users Are Saying
Scanning a wide range of user feedback reveals a consistent and polarized story. Initially, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. Many new owners, like one who called it a “great addition to our backyard,” rave about the out-of-the-box experience. They praise the vibrant colors, the plush comfort of the quilted design, and the spaciousness that easily accommodates two people. The general consensus is that for napping and relaxing, the immediate feel is top-notch.
However, as time goes on, the narrative shifts dramatically. A significant number of users report the same critical flaws we discovered. One user’s detailed account from August after an April purchase perfectly captures the disappointment: “the colors have completely faded… the light blue stripes are now white, and the dark blue faded to magenta.” The most common and severe complaint revolves around water. As one person bluntly stated, “A hammock that stays perpetually wet is basically not a useable hammock.” Another user in a dry, hot Colorado climate was “really bummed that after our summer thunderstorms in Colorado it holds water for DAYS.” These recurring themes of poor durability, severe color fading, and extreme water retention form a clear pattern of long-term dissatisfaction.
How Does the gafete 12FT Double Hammock Compare to the Competition?
The gafete 12FT Double Hammock occupies a specific niche focused on padded, stationary comfort. This sets it apart from the many popular portable hammocks on the market. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right product for your needs.
1. Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock with Tree Straps
The Wise Owl Outfitters Hammock represents the quintessential “camping” or “portable” hammock. Made from high-strength parachute nylon, its primary advantages are its light weight, compact size when packed, and quick-drying properties. This is the hammock for the adventurer, the backpacker, or someone who wants to throw a relaxation spot in their car for a day at the park. It creates a “cocoon” effect that many find cozy, but it lacks the flat, open lounging space of the gafete. If your priority is portability and weather resilience over plush, padded comfort, the Wise Owl is a far superior choice.
2. Kootek Portable Camping Hammock with Straps
Similar to the Wise Owl, the Kootek Camping Hammock is built for life on the go. It’s another parachute nylon model that excels in durability, portability, and resistance to the elements. It packs down into an attached stuff sack and typically comes as a complete kit with tree straps, making it an excellent value for casual campers and hikers. The trade-off is the same: you sacrifice the padded, bed-like luxury and spreader bar stability of the gafete for something you can easily take anywhere and not worry about getting wet. It’s a choice of function over form when compared directly to the gafete’s resort-style aesthetic.
3. MOSFiATA Single Camping Hammock 550lb
The MOSFiATA hammock offers an interesting middle ground. It’s made from a more durable, thickened canvas fabric, which is tougher than the gafete’s polyester but heavier than nylon. Crucially, it includes “Anti Roll Balance Beams,” which are essentially small spreader bars at the head and foot. This attempts to provide some of the open, stable feel of the gafete while retaining a more traditional, rugged hammock design. As a single-person hammock with a higher weight capacity, it’s geared towards a solo user who wants durability and a bit more stability than a standard cocoon hammock, making it a compelling alternative for those wary of the gafete’s fragility.
Final Verdict: Is the gafete 12FT Double Hammock Right for Your Backyard?
The gafete 12FT Double Hammock is a product of two extremes. On one hand, it delivers exceptional initial comfort, a beautiful aesthetic, and thoughtful features like pockets and a pillow that create a luxurious lounging experience. It truly feels like a backyard escape right out of the box. On the other hand, its performance as an actual piece of outdoor furniture is deeply flawed. The material’s sponge-like water retention and its susceptibility to dramatic color fading are not minor quirks; they are critical failures that severely impact its usability and longevity.
Therefore, our recommendation comes with a major caveat. We can only recommend this hammock to a very specific user: someone who will use it on a covered porch, under a gazebo, or is meticulously diligent about bringing it indoors before even a hint of rain and storing it out of the sun. For anyone seeking a low-maintenance, set-it-and-forget-it hammock to leave in their yard for the season, the significant drawbacks make it an unwise investment. If you have that perfect protected spot and are willing to provide the necessary care, its comfort is hard to beat. If this sounds like you, you can check the latest price and available colors here. For everyone else, we strongly suggest choosing an alternative made from a more durable, weather-resistant material.