We put hammocks to the test: swing into summer.(Up front: news/trends/advice)

What's the difference between a hammock that sells for less than $50 and one that costs $200? To find out, we asked staffers to kick back in 10 hammocks. The answer: Midpriced and expensive hammocks have small but important refinements to help ensure you'll have a relaxing lazy afternoon.

Most of the hammocks that we tested were made of rope, woven like a coarse fishnet and held apart at the head and foot with a wood spreader. Fabric hammocks substitute a rectangle of cloth, sometimes quilted with polyester batting. Rope ham mocks have a traditional look and provide better ventilation than fabric ones.

Comfortable hammocks, staffers said, have these traits:

Generous proportions. Longer and wider are better. A skimpy hammock feels cramped, especially when two people share. (The Quick Ratings, right, give the size we measured and specify its type and the rope or fabric material.)

Tight, even weave. A loose weave, as we found on the $100 Twin Oaks rope hammock, yields poor support. A fight, even weave with double-woven edges enhances a feeling of security and makes it less likely that you'll tumble out.

No center tightness. Some rope hammocks we tested felt more tightly woven down the center. That helps improve support for two occupants, but creates a ridge that may feel uncomfortable for just one person,

Smooth surface. Whether rope or fabric, the hammock should not feel rough or scratchy. The Twin Oaks is made of olefin rope; our testers said it chafed and felt uncomfortable.