Straight talk: Cheaper hoses, made of thinner material, kink more. And where kinks appear most often, so do holes.
Be sure to ask: How many gallons will the hose deliver? That's determined, in part, by diameter and length. A hose with a diameter of 1/2 inch can carry nine gallons a minute, and one with a diameter of 5/8 inch carries about 17 gallons per minute. A 3/4-inch hose can deliver about three times the water of one with a 1/2-inch diameter.
Size matters: Large diameter can compensate for variables affecting water pressure - for example, if the water has to travel uphill.
Hose length is a matter of preference. They come in 25-foot increments, each end with a brass fitting for connecting to a faucet, a sprayer or another length of hose. For consistent flow, couplings used to connect hoses should be the same diameter as the hose.
Under pressure: Each hose has what is known as a burst pressure, the point at which its casing will fail. Reinforcement helps: A hose with two layers of polyester tire cord is less likely to burst than a hose with one layer, or none. Most manufacturers provide burst-rating information with each hose. Burst pressure should be at least four times the average faucet pressure, to allow for surges and the kind of sprayer nozzle you use.
Pull back: Retractable hoses that rewind automatically are available. If the mechanism works properly, it helps keep the hose safe and at the ready. But rewinding, especially at high speeds, can cause kinking and cuts in less-durable hoses.
What will it cost? Hose prices range from $5 to $40, depending on length, diameter and material. Retractable hoses cost $15 to more than $100, depending on the rewinding method.
