10 Best photos from #theroolife in August
If you are not posting to #theroolife on Instagram, here is what you are missing! The Kammok MOB has been going off lately with some insane photographs. Here are some of our favorites!
If you are not posting to #theroolife on Instagram, here is what you are missing! The Kammok MOB has been going off lately with some insane photographs. Here are some of our favorites!
Every National Camp at Home Day celebration needs tasty refreshments. We think this one's a crowd pleaser for sure. Learn more about how you can make the most of your camp at home celebration here. Ingredients: Vodka 2-3 Grapefruits Sparkling Water Sugar Kosher or Sea Salt Fresh Rosemary Preparation: Juice your grapefruits until you get 1/4 cup of juice. Pour juice into a sauce pan and add 2 tablespoons of sugar. Turn burner on low heat and let simmer until all the sugar is dissolved. Prep your favorite rocks glass by rimming it with salt and filling it with ice. Add 2 ounces of vodka to your cup. Add the grapefruit and sugar mixture to your cup. Top it off with sparkling water. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit and rosemary sprig. National Camp at Home Day is all about one thing: outdoor relaxation. What that means to you could be completely different for someone else. Whether you feel inspired to go on an afternoon jog, set up your tent in the back yard, or just spend an hour reading in your hammock, we hope you'll make the most of it. And if you need one more way to maximize your relaxation vibes, the official cocktail of National Camp at Home Day is here to deliver. Are you celebrating National Camp at Home Day in the Austin area? Drop by our gear shop for a hassle-free, ready-to-drink canned cocktail from All Hands that's sure to put you in the right mindset when the 27th rolls around. Sure, you can spend the extra time to make it yourself, but with a canned cocktail this good, why would you? Cheers, y'all!
Once you’ve picked out which Kammok hammock style works best for you and your favorite color (we think that’s the hardest part), it’s time to learn how to hang and care for it. We’ve compiled a guide for all your hammock care needs that can be applied to any Kammok hammock type (Roo Single, Roo Double, Roo Jr., Roo Double XL, and Roo Single UL) How to Set Up Your Hammock Applies to all Kammok hammock types excluding the Roo Single UL. Find two points to hang your hammock between. Each hammock size calls for a slightly wider or narrower set up, however the standard to look out for is 12-15 feet. Grab your hammock straps. Wrap the widest part of the strap around the tree or post. Pull the strap through the end with the single loop. Ensure to loop your straps around the tree about 6 ft high. Unbuckle the rolled up top from your Roo hammock and pull out the fabric. Clip the hammock carabiner through one of the Python strap loops and repeat this step on the other side. Tip: Clip the strap bag onto hammock carabiner for safe keeping. For a safety check, press into the center of the hammock to test before sitting down. Adjust your hammock as needed to rest at a 30 degree angle and try out the other ways of hanging below. How to Hang In Your Hammock Applies to all camping hammock types. Who said hammocks are only for laying down? There’re so many ways to hang in your favorite Kammok hammock depending on where you are and who you’re with. Here are a few of our favorite ways to hang. The Chair - Perfect for talking in a group, watching the sunset or hanging around a campfire. An easy way to sit upright and relax with legs hanging over the hammock or cross legged. The Lounge - Our favorite way to nap, relax and look up at the sky on a starry night. Lay diagonally, spreading the hammock fabric for space and comfort. This one is great for cuddling with your adventure dog (or human). The Perch- A good way to hang while reading a book or hanging with a buddy in a Roo Double or Double XL. Scoot to one end of your hammock and sit upright while keeping your legs straight. How to Pack Your Hammock Applies to all camping hammock types. When you’re done using your hammock for the day, it’s important to pack it after each use to protect the fabric from long-term exposure to the elements. To do this, unclip one side of the hammock and pack it into the stuff sack, one side at a time. Then, unclip the second side of the hammock. We recommend keeping the carabiners on the top. Roll the stuff sack twice and and buckle the sides. Roll up each Python strap and place them back into the stuff sack. How to Wash Your Hammock Applies to all Kammok hammock types excluding the Roo Single UL. Hand wash Roo Single UL only. If your hammock is soiled or stained from all your epic adventures, we recommend hand washing when possible. However, avoid washing your hammock frequently since this will deteriorate the DWR coating and lessen durability of the fabric over time. If using a washing machine is necessary, make sure to use one without a center agitator as this can tear up the fabric. Remove the carabiners and slings prior to washing. Place the hammock fabric in the washing machine. Fill the Grangers Down Wash + Repel cap to the recommended level. A gentle powder detergent will work as well. Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or stain removal products. Wash the hammock fabric by itself on a gentle, cold-water setting. Hang dry in a warm and non-humid environment until the fabric is no longer damp. Once the fabric is completely dried out, attach the slings and carabiners to the ends. You can use an unopened pen to help thread the sling back through the hammock fabric. Your hammock is clean and ready for more time outside. These tips and guidelines will help you make the most of your Kammok hammock. Make sure to check out our Help Center FAQ for all of your product use and care questions.
While all our gear is made to last, the thin mesh fabric of insect netting may get tears from being out in the elements, being stored next to sharp objects or accidents that are bound to happen while spending time outside. We prefer using patches to fix small holes in mesh fabric. This is something you can do at home to extend the life of your gear. If the insect netting on your Kammok gear has large tears or seems irreparable, remember Kammok gear has a lifetime warranty. To repair holes in your Dragonfly, Mantis or Sunda insect netting, we recommend using the Gear Aid Mesh Patches for a quick fix. Here’re step-by-step instructions on repairing your bug netting. Step 1: Lay your ripped mesh fabric onto a flat surface. Step 2: Open your Gear Aid Mesh Patches and peel one of the patches. Step 3: Center the patch over the damaged area and press firmly for about 30 seconds to apply the first patch. Step 4: Flip the mesh fabric over and peel the second Gear Aid Mesh Patch. Step 5: Repeat the process on the other side. Lay the second patch evenly on top of the first one and press firmly for about 30 seconds to apply. Give is a good rub to make sure the patch is firmly applied. You’re all set! The mesh fabric is now ready for the next time you want to spend time outside.
We've grown acquainted with the backyard (maybe a little too much) over the past few months. Every corner of the yard investigated, every blade of grass counted, and no stone left unturned. You’ve become the park ranger of your terrain. So, why not take this opportunity to learn a new skill – learn to hammock camp in the backyard. Across any outdoor activity, it’s best practice to give your gear a test run before heading into the great outdoors. Imagine if you arrive at your campsite when it’s dark, raining, or right after a tiring drive, you’ll be frustrated as you attempt to rig your system for the first time. There is no better space like the backyard to master new skills and bring confidence for days ahead in the backcountry. Whether you’re an avid tent camper wanting to give hammocks a go, or dipping your toes into camping for the first time, give yourself a test run in a familiar and safe environment. Plus, if it turns out hammock camping isn’t for you (we highly doubt it as the hammock people we are), your bedroom is just a few steps away. Let’s get started. Backyard role call Before we talk about the not-so nitty-gritty details of hammocks, let’s talk about the anchor points where you will hang a hammock. Take inventory of your backyard for tall sturdy structures that can safely support your weight. You’re looking for a pair of live trees or sturdy posts about 12-15 feet apart. Since you're in your backyard, don't hesitate to take out the measuring tape to get a feel for the distance. If you don't have a pair of trees, you can also hang between two car racks or between a car rack and a tree. Shopping for the essentials A hammock and a pair of straps are the bare essentials to get camp off the ground. It’s as simple as that. You can take it to the next level with bug protection, weather shelters, and hammock insulations, but we’ll focus on just the essentials for this blog. Essential #1 Hammock When shopping for a hammock, you’ll want to look at the material and weight capacity for strength and durability. Aim for ripstop nylon fabrics. If your hammock gets a small hole, ripstop will prevent additional tearing so your hammock doesn’t shred like string cheese. You’ll also want to take into consideration the size of the hammock for comfort. The right hammock size is a matter of individual preference. Hammocks come in multiple sizes and most people will have no problem finding a comfortable fit. Best used for Lounge Capacity Dimensions Max Weight Capacity Packed Weight Roo Single UL Backpacking 1 person 4 ft 2 in x 8 ft 4 in 300 lbs 5.6 oz Roo Single Camping & lounging 1 person 4 ft 2 in x 8 ft 4 in 400 lbs 10.2 oz Best used for Lounge Capacity Dimensions Max Weight Capacity Packed Weight Roo Double Camping & lounging 1 - 2 people 5 ft 7 in x 10 ft 500 lbs 18 oz Roo Double XL Camping & lounging 2 - 3 people 6 ft 6 in x 11 ft 6 in 500 lbs 22 oz One last thing to consider when shopping for a hammock is the modularity capabilities for adding creature comfort accessories like under quilts, sleeping pads, etc. All the hammocks listed above have integrated loops lining the fabric edge, making it possible to attach accessories. You may not need these loops for your first test run in the backyard, but you’ll be glad to have them in the backcountry. Essential #2 Hammock straps When researching hammock straps, you’ll see the term “hammock suspension system” come up a lot. This simply refers to how a hammock hangs between anchor points, aka the straps and carabiners (sometimes toggles) that connect the hammock to the straps. It’s good to note not every hammock brand provides carabiners, which is why you’ll see carabiners included in some strap packages. If you’re picking up any Kammok hammock you won’t have to worry about this. Strap style: You’ll see all sorts of shapes and sizes from rope to flat webbing. Ropes require knot tying skills and due to the thin characteristics of their design, they tend to cut into tree trunks. We recommend flat webbing straps to evenly distribute weight on the tree and they do not require knots. Webbing straps are easy to use and great for first-time hammockers. Strap length: Hammock straps are typically sold in a pair, two individual straps in a single package. You’ll want to look at the length of each strap and the combined length. We recommend 10ft straps (a combined length of 20ft) for the most common setup. If your anchor points are very far apart or very wide in diameter, you could increase the strap length with extenders or opt for longer straps. Strap attachment points: Hammock straps have several loops along the strap to clip in a carabiner. The more points of attachment, the better control you’ll have in setting the optimal hang angle. Weight capacity: The weight capacity of your straps is just as important as your hammock. Your straps should at least match or go above the weight capacity limit as your hammock. Best used for Strap Style Combined Length Length per strap Attachment points per strap Weight Capacity Packed Weight Python 10 UL Backpacking Flat webbing 20 ft 10 ft 20 points 300 lbs 3.2 oz Python 10 Camping & lounging Flat webbing 20 ft 5 in 10 ft 2.5 in 20 points 500 lbs 8.2 oz Best used for Strap Style Combined Length Length per strap Attachment points per strap Weight Capacity Packed Weight Python 15 Camping & lounging Flat webbing 30 ft 3 in 15 ft 1.5 in 33 points 500 lbs 11.8 oz Python Extenders Camping & lounging Flat webbing 9 ft 2 in 4 ft 7 in x 2 in 1 point 500 lbs 6.4 oz Setting up your hammock Once you’ve acquired the essentials, you’re ready to hammock camp in the backyard. As we walk through the steps below we’ll use a Roo Double and Python 10 straps as the example. Step #1 - Find the perfect spot: Great job! You already scouted the backyard for the perfect anchor points to hang your hammock. The ideal anchors are 12-15 feet apart and sturdy to hold your weight. For a Roo Single, a shorter hammock, the ideal distance is 10-13ft. For a Roo Double XL, a longer hammock, the ideal distance is 13-15ft. For this example, we’ll refer to the anchor points as trees. Step #2 - Putting up the straps: The ideal height to hang each strap is at eye level or higher. The widest end of the straps should rest around the tree. To hang, feed the narrow end of the strap through the opening of the wide end. Step #3 - Attaching the hammock: With the carabiner attached to your hammock, clip the carabiner into one of the attachment points on your strap. Repeat on the other side. The goal is to have the lowest point of your hammock hang no more than 18 inches off the ground, roughly shin height. This may take a couple of tries since it’s your first time, but once you’ve got it down, next time will be a breeze. Step #4 - Get in: We recommend weight testing with your arms before jumping in. Push down firmly on the hammock and make any adjustments if needed. Once everything looks and feels good, you’re clear to get in. A final word of advice for backyard campers Going hammock camping in the backyard is as simple as owning a hammock and pair of straps. You can take it to the next level with bug protection, weather shelters, and hammock insulations, but if you don’t have that gear, that shouldn’t stop you from trying something new. Add warmth by using a sleeping bag you already have or pull the sheets off the bed. Check the forecast to camp on a clear night to eliminate the need for a weather shelter. Plus, you'll be able to stargaze without a shelter over your head. By using what you have and checking the weather beforehand, you don’t have to go all-in acquiring the additional gear until you’re ready. Start small in the backyard and work your way up to camp in the backcountry.