Hammock Covers There's more to keeping a hammock than just finding a place to hang it on. You also need to make sure that both you and your hammock have proper protection. One way to ensure that is through the use of hammock covers. Having your very own cover can enhance and prolong your enjoyment of your hammock. What cover options are there? Covers When In Use Protecting your hammock doesn't always mean that you have to keep it in a storage bin. You can use your hammock while at the same time have a cover for it. The most basic way to protect your hammock from the glare of the sun is to use an umbrella. A large beach or patio umbrella might just do the trick. Most of the time though, umbrellas are basically intended for user protection. These are not real hammock covers that can protect your hammock from dust and water. A canopy would be a better form of protection for your hammock. A canopy can help fend off rain if you want to use an outdoor backpacking hammock. Do remember though that a canopy can only do so much. A rain shower can still drench your outdoor hammock even if you have a canopy over it. Covers When Not In Use You may not be able to keep your hammock completely protected when in use. The best way therefore to take care of your hammock would be to ensure that it has proper protection when not in use. This is where storage hammock covers come in handy. One innovative hammock cover is the hammock sleeve. You can easily cover a flexible hammock by rolling a hammock sleeve over it when your hammock is not in use. It is similar to rolling on gloves or a pair of tights on your hammock. Some covers of this type however do not provide additional protection to tree straps or cords. They are best used for free standing hammocks on steel frames. Hammock tents are also great options fro protection. These hammock covers would look much like ordinary tents that can be placed over hammocks to provide complete protection to a hammock. As with sleeve covers however, these are better used with freestanding steel framed hammocks. Tree straps on hammocks attached to trees may not get protection from this cover type. The simplest and most basic hammock cover is the hammock bag. Naturally though this would mean you would have to detach your hammock. Often though this is the best and most complete form of protection you may be able to give your hammock. Always consider detaching or folding your hammock during the winter and rainy seasons. Hammocks are only best left outdoors in the summer. Hammock covers are great accessories. You should always have a cover if you have a hammock. Do not forget though that not every cover can offer total protection. Outdoor elements will always find a way of creeping into your hammock. If you truly want to preserve your hammock, do not keep it on a permanent position outdoors.