We wanted to take a second to share a video from our good friends Able here in Austin. They recently launched their company and created a video of a few local Austin businesses that included Kammok and our good friends HELM boots!
Don't forget we just launched our Zilker Green and Half Moon Roo Hammocks! Check them out here:
Valentine’s Day is just a few days away! Still coming up with last-minute plans? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. We’re here to help with four easy wins to make any date a success. Hammock picnic for the win! (Budget: $50)There’s no better way to picnic in our opinion than in the comfort of a Roo Double (Bonus: it’s currently 30% off). Step one: Pick out the ultimate secluded hammock spot. Step two: Charge your bluetooth speaker and curate a playlist with all your favorite songs. Step three: Hit up your favorite local market for a bottle of wine, some fresh fruits, crackers, and cheese, and you’re ready to go! Don’t forget to pack your Dragonfly bug net to keep those pesky flies away, and bring a headlamp if you plan to stay for sunset. Hike to your morning coffee. (Budget: $15)Coffee dates are easy wins, but they can get pretty boring. And no one wants a boring date. Pack up your favorite bag of local coffee and hit the trail with your brewing supplies for an early sunrise to take this coffee date to the next level. Bonus points for dropping by your favorite bakery or pastry shop! Take your Field Blanket along so you’ll have a comfy place to enjoy your morning. Rent a van for a weekend getaway! (Budget: $300-500)As much as we love to romanticize it, we can’t all live full time on the open road. Luckily, companies like Outdoorsy make it possible to get a small taste of van life. Surprise your valentine with a weekend getaway for two at one of your favorite local parks, and book an awesome RV or decked out van to make the experience unforgettable. Remember to bring your Firebelly if cold weather is rolling in! Venture out to see the stars. (Budget: $50)This date will only cost you as much as a tank of gas and a six-pack of beer, but the payoff will be just what you and your valentine are looking for. Unfortunately most of us live in areas with high levels of light pollution, and seeing the wonders of the Milky Way is impossible at home. Take a trip outside the city to a nearby state or county park, and bring your Swiftlet along so you can gaze for hours at the night sky. Find amazing places to see the stars near you by checking out Space Tourism Guide. They’ve put together stargazing guides for cities like Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle, and on and on and on. Celebrating Valentine's Day in Austin? Check out these two guides for spending some time outside in The Capitol City: 5 Hidden Gems on Austin's Barton Creek Greenbelt Everything you need to know for 36 hours in ATX
By Luisa Vargas The weather in Austin has been less than ideal (by Texan standards). We’ve seen more rain these past few weeks than we do all year, and Thursday was the hundredth consecutive day of thunderstorms. Or at least if felt that way! The result of constant rainfall at the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail in Austin, TX. Wednesday night, our team decided to hold off on doing Taco Tri as the thunderstorms were getting pretty bad. It turns out all it did was rain that day. But the fun part about a virtual Taco Tri is that even though we didn’t get to participate in Austin, people all over the world did. Photo of Seth Tullar (right) in Australia. This month was particularly exciting because our friends in Australia participated! This is one the furthest away someone has been whose taken part in Taco Tri. Thank you, Seth, for tri-ing with us! We hope the weather was better “down under." Abelardo was runner up in the competition taking part in the tri in Alaska! We hope next month we’ll be able to Taco Tri again in Austin and can’t wait to see what other exciting places people will participate on July 1st!
When you start smelling charcoal in your neighborhood on a nightly basis, you know it’s peak backyard season. There’s no better place to enjoy time outside than in your own outdoor space, hanging out with friends and family. Even in urban environments, your backyard has the potential to provide the daily nature relief you’re probably craving—a slow evening watching the fireflies dance after hustling through your busy day to day. We know you have a lot going on, which is why we think it’s even more important to press pause on the to-do list and make room in your schedule for time outside. Swiftlet and a Roo Hammock The Swiftlet is a no brainer for any backyard—especially one void of trees. If you’re working from home, your Swiftlet will be your go-to place to lounge for those long phone calls and lunch breaks. This portable hammock stand has lightweight, go-anywhere capabilities that make it perfect for moving around the yard, from lounging poolside to roasting mallows at the fire pit. With the addition of a Roo hammock, this will quickly become the most popular piece of outdoor furniture you own. Hang the Roo Double when you want company, and opt for the Roo Single when you’re looking for some me time. We know you need it. Roo singles are currently 20% off! Shop the whole Memorial Day Sale here. Field Blanket We’re not in full-on summer mode yet, so having a backyard blanket is nice for those brisk evenings. And even when the temperatures are hitting triple digits, your Field Blanket will make for the most comfortable picnic spot in the neighborhood. The water repellent ripstop shell provides the durability you need on the underside, while the microfleece offers a soft place to soak up the sun. Plus, with its DWR coating, your Field Blanket is protected from both the spring showers and the unexpected spills. No matter what you throw at it, this do-all blanket will never stop performing. Shop our Memorial Day Sale for 20% off. Field Blanket Jr. No more worrying about your hand-woven alpaca throw—we’ve got just the right blanket for your little one’s adventurous side. Just like its namesake, the Field Blanket Jr. is soft, durable, and ready for backyard and basecamp adventures alike. We made this version especially for our smaller campers—just the right fit and equally spill friendly. If you’re tired of your nice blankets getting literally dragged through the mud, you can take comfort knowing this smaller blanket will fit just right when in poncho mode. Plus, if it happens to get dirty (we know it will), the Field Blanket Jr. washes easily in no time at all. Whether they’re hanging it up to build a fort or donning it as a cape, Field Blanket Jr. is ready to play. It’s also 25% off during our Memorial Day Sale. Solo Stove Bonfire Backyard fires in spring are essential, and the Solo Stove Bonfire makes the experience even more enjoyable. Most fire pits are prone to annoying levels of smoke due to poor air flow, and Solo Stove has fixed that with their line of backyard products. Bonfire burns efficiently, keeping the smoke to a minimum, so you never have to bounce from one side to the other with a slight change in the wind. Additionally, the storage bag makes it incredibly easy to pack up the Bonfire and take it on adventures! Throw in some s’mores supplies, and you’ve got yourself a backyard party everyone will want to join. Backyard weather doesn’t last all season, so take full advantage while you can. Other must haves we love for any outdoor space are yard games like Kubb and Cornhole, a grill of your choosing to take meals outside, and string lights to keep the hangs going all night. Tag us in your backyard photos on Instagram or with #TimeOutside—we can’t wait to see what you come up with! And shop our Memorial Day Sale, now through May 31, for more savings on your favorite outdoor gear.
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.
