The first step forward.

Austin, TX. (March 7, 2023) — Kammok, designer of high-performance outdoor gear, announced the launch of its latest product, the Ursa Sleep System, on Kickstarter. The Ursa is the ultimate camping bed, offering maximum comfort for more restorative outdoor sleep.  The Ursa Sleep System is a comprehensive sleeping solution that promises unapologetic comfort and spaciousness, packed with all the bells and whistles necessary to make camping a memorable and peaceful experience. The sleep system includes a 4" self-inflating base pad, 2" ultra-soft memory foam topper, Primaloft synthetic camp comforter with a 30F degree temperature rating, and a travel case, as well as an upgrade option for a deluxe foam pillow with an adjustable air core. Each component fully integrates to create a single sleep system with unrivaled comfort. The Ursa™ Sleep System is designed to work for any style of sleep, utilizing soft-touch fabrics and superior foam that mimic your bedding at home.  The Base Pad features four inches of self-inflating foam, generously sized at L 80 in x W 30 in, providing a spacious surface that allows for full-body movement and comfort. The Ursa’s asymmetrical zippers allow you to link multiple sleep systems together to create a queen-size bed for two or larger, providing more room and comfort for you and your camping companions.  The Memory Foam Topper provides a two-inch foam layer that conforms to your body shape, providing support and relief of pressure points. Attached to the topper is Ursa’s insulated hood, made for maximum warmth on colder nights at camp. The Camp Comforter is rated for temperatures as low as 30 degrees and includes a cinchable footbox and top seam when the temperatures drop. Lastly, the oversized pillow features premium memory foam and an adjustable air core to match any sleep position. The Ursa Sleep System is a game-changer for camping enthusiasts, offering the perfect balance of comfort, support, and convenience. "We believe that uncomfortable sleep at camp is a huge barrier for a lot of people wishing to experience the restoration of time outside. The Ursa Sleep System completely changes that, inviting people that wouldn’t traditionally like camping to get joy out and enjoy a night under the stars." said Greg McEvilly, founder, and CEO of Kammok. "The Ursa Sleep System was designed to eliminate any worries about uncomfortable sleeping. Our goal was to create a camp bed that maximized comfort and allowed individuals to fully immerse themselves in nature and make the most of their time outside." Kammok is a company that is passionate about the great outdoors and encourages people to enjoy nature to the fullest. By creating gear that inspires people to spend more time outdoors, Kammok believes it can contribute to the preservation of natural spaces, foster a stronger community, and promote a healthier planet. The launch of Ursa marks Kammok's eleventh Kickstarter project, having successfully funded ten Kickstarter projects since 2011, generating over $2.2 million in pledges. Kammok's commitment to delivering the best quality outdoor gear continues with the launch of Ursa Sleep System.  Ursa Sleep System is available exclusively on Kickstarter, starting March 7, 2023.https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kammok/ursa-sleep-system About Kammok®:Kammok designs Adventure Grade, Better Made™ outdoor gear to elevate time outside. We believe in the renewing power of time spent outdoors, and we make hammocks, insulation, shelters, and hammock stands with the purpose of maximizing your moments of outdoor restoration. Kammok is a member of 1% For The Planet, a Certified B Corp business, a Climate Neutral Certified brand, and every product we make is backed for a lifetime of adventure. To learn more, visit kammok.com.

Kammok is on a mission to make 2022 the year of restoration. We feel most rejuvenated when we seek time outside on a daily basis, even if only that only means stepping outside for fifteen minutes. Here are seven super achievable ways that you can find the outside rest you're looking for.   1. Go camping once a month. This might sound like an ambitious goal, but that’s what goal setting is all about! Car camping with a few friends or your family is always a great way to get outside and decompress. Plus, between national, state, and county parks, plus the addition of sites like Hipcamp, finding a last-minute campsite is usually possible. When adventure calls, book a campsite!   2. Take some work calls outside. The nice thing about work calls is that you can take them almost anywhere. Bring the office outside, stretch your legs, and enjoy the fresh, open air. A small step like this can really refresh your day. Who says getting outside always has to be an adventure?   3. Cook outside more. This is a team favorite for the Kammok crew. On the one hand, cooking outside is a bit of a production compared to quick pre-made meals, but we’d argue the finished product is always better with open-fire cooking.  Bonus: It’s simply good for the soul. Recent favorites: grilled broccoli, sweet potatoes, and flash-grilled romaine heads. Toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and throw them directly on the grill. Top with lime juice or balsamic and some grated parmesan before serving to really kick up the flavor. Looking for dessert? Check out our favorite s’mores recipes here.   4. Sunset walks for the win. By far our favorite time of day is golden hour, and if you work a typical 8-5, your schedule is likely clear when the sun is going down. To us, there’s no better way to enjoy the sunset than with a walk around the neighborhood. You could even pack some snacks and your favorite picnic blanket, and head up to the most epic sunset spot you can think of.    5. Sign up for an outdoor race or club. Signing up for a race can be a great way to motivate yourself to get outside more. If you have ambitions to run, cycle, or swim any distance, the promise of a future event can be just the extra push you need to get outside and do what you love more often. If you’re looking for a change of pace, consider an adventure race. These often rely more heavily on the use of map skills, navigation, and often include some kind of paddling activity.    6. Read in your Roo. I think we can all agree that indoor reading can get a bit stale. Grab your favorite book and hit the trail to your favorite hammock spot. Get some steps in, enjoy the outdoors, and read in the most comfortable outdoor spot possible: a Roo Double (on flash sale right now, for a limited time). No trees? No worries—the Swiftlet portable hammock stand has your back.   7. Plan one epic adventure this year. If you’re like us, the call of the next big adventure is always present. We often dream of taking five months to hike the PCT, venturing up north to paddle the Boundary Waters, or going on a month-long fly fishing expedition in Patagonia. But most often, these dreams aren’t realistic for our busy lives. We make a goal of one extended trip in the outdoors per year, and planning for them always gets us jazzed. Set your sights on a paddle trip, backpacking expedition, or whatever it is you’re into, and make something happen.    Want more tips and tricks? Check out our DIY Tent Glamping Guide!

The phrase “home is where the heart is” may be a bit cliché and worn-out, but there’s still something very true about it. Thoughts of home are different for everyone, but often there’s a common thread of somewhere comfortable and easy—the place where your tribe lives. Now swap out “home” for “camp” and you arrive at the spirit of National Camp at Home Day. Is it a little cheesy? Maybe. But can you really have too much cheese? There is definitely something to be said for a beautiful campsite in the backcountry with stunning views or a basecamp in your favorite park as migratory songbirds dance in the trees. But more importantly, the people you share your campsite with make these adventures worthwhile. Camp doesn’t have to be a specific place. With the right group of people, that same adventurous spirit can live anywhere. This year, National Camp at Home Day is all about getting ready for the next big camping trip. That said, if you’re the friend in the group that takes gear prep to the next level (You know who you are. The trip to Joshua Tree isn’t for another two months and you’ve already made the Costco run, uploaded your purchases to Splitwise, and packed and repacked until everything fit in your rucksack just so.) don’t forget to sit back and have a cocktail—you can’t beat Moscow mules and hot toddies around the campfire. To the laid back crew, the ones that stuff everything in a bag day-of and spend the trip in mismatched socks: Make sure your planners have fun and remember to pitch in when it’s time to do the dishes. Side note: If you’re not using Splitwise to track group expenses, you may want to check it out the next time your crew goes away for the weekend. Step one: Campsite vibes. If you have access to outdoor space, by all means use it. Fresh city air might not beat fresh mountain air, but with a little imagination your backyard can be a vintage Airstream campsite in Marfa or the perfect hideout along a river in Yellowstone. Just don’t let your imagination get the best of you. Those are squirrels—leave the bear spray inside. Camping in an apartment? Not to worry! Spread your tent out in the living room, “stake out” the rain fly with heavy books weighing down the corners, and stream your favorite virtual campfire. If setting up a tent just sounds boring, grab every blanket in sight and build the ultimate fort. No matter what you choose, do your best to recreate one of your favorite campsites. You can use house plants to bring the outdoor feels close to camp and play your favorite nature sounds from this awesome Spotify playlist (welcome to the jungle). Looking to do some stargazing? You’ll probably want a pack of these. No matter where you set up camp, get out on your favorite trail before the sun goes down and soak up some Vitamin D. Step two: Let’s get cooking. You may be tempted to order your favorite pizza for a night like this (a decision which we fully support), but consider testing out a new camping recipe you’ve been wanting to take on the trail. If you’re outside, work on building the perfect Dutch oven fire for a Basecamp lasagna or even a cobbler for dessert. Indoor camping can be a great time to test out a new Backcountry recipe you’ll be able to enjoy on a future trek into the mountains. One of our favorites is this simple, three-ingredient chili mac recipe: Ingredients:  1 Box of your favorite instant mac (you really can’t beat shells and cheese) 1 can pinto beans (or 1 cup dehydrated beans)/li> 1 package of chili seasoning Directions: Prepare the mac and cheese using the instructions on the box. With the pot on medium/low heat, add in the beans and cook until heated. Stir in the chili seasoning until fully incorporated, and enjoy! (Optional: Throw in some cured sausage you could easily take on a backpacking trip.) Step three: Make it fun. Even if the stars are faint in your backyard, we have the perfect way for you to get more acquainted with the night sky. SkyView is an augmented reality app that allows you to identify constellations simply by pointing your camera in any direction you want to learn more about. Next time you’re under a blanket of stars, you’ll be the expert at camp. Another great learning tool for the outdoors is Merlin Bird ID, an app created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If you have any interest in learning about the wildlife in your neck of the woods, this birding app is a great way to get started. Just select and download your region, input the size and colors of a bird you spotted, and then search through a list of potential matches until you find your bird. Each bird profile comes with a snapshot of info, multiple photos, and a recording of the sounds they make for better identification. Now when you hear that familiar chirping in the woods, you’ll know exactly what you’re listening to. If playing games around the campfire is more your speed, maybe Fish Bowl is right for your group. For rules on how to play, check out this clever website. It even has virtual scoring and cards so no paper is necessary—win for Mother Nature! Now that we’ve mentioned campfires, maybe it’s time to discuss this quintessential part of National Camp at Home Day. If you’re in your backyard with access to a firepit, good on you. Fire up a roaring blaze (safely, of course) and slow roast your perfect mallow. Don’t get discouraged, living room campers—you just have to get a bit more creative. Try arranging throw pillows into a make-shit fire ring and use a lantern to set the mood. No matter what your campfire is made of, let this be the gathering place for eating meals, playing games, sharing stories of past adventures, and hopefully planning future ones as well. Invite friends to camp at home from afar and connect your campfires through the trendy new website you may have heard of called Zoom. Mouth still watering over the possibility of s’mores? Turn the oven on broil and roast your graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallows in the oven until everything is nice and gooey. Pro tip: Leave the s’more sandwich open to brown your marshmallow, then stack the remaining graham cracker on top before eating. Who said you need a campfire for the perfect s’more? More than anything, we hope National Camp at Home Day inspires you to get outside with the people you love. We encourage you to use this time to prepare for the next trip. Check the bug net for holes, make sure your straps are in good shape, and by all means start laying out an itinerary for your next national park exploration. But most importantly, take in the moments. High on a mountain or under a ceiling fan, in person with friends or chatting on FaceTime from afar—the time is now for making memories you’ll always hold onto. So plan, definitely. Just do your best when the time comes to let go and allow the spirit of adventure take hold. 

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.