This is a very nice hammock, less than half the price of comparable cotton rope hammocks. It is pretty stretchy. After I hung it initially as tight as I could, I ended up stretching it about another foot several days later. I just put it up, but I am assuming a 2 to 3 year life expectancy, maybe longer if I take it in for winter and bad weather. Nylon might last longer, but I think cotton is more comfortable.