Elevate Time Outside

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and here at Kammok, we want to give it up for all the adventure moms out there. But what is an adventure mom? This title isn’t reserved for the women strapping their toddler to their back for a 14er in the Rockies, although these awesome moms are definitely included. Adventure isn’t exclusive to national parks and backcountry trails—it happens every day when people step unknowingly into something new and exciting. Motherhood itself is one of the greatest adventures of all, marked with thrilling summits and impressive finish lines. We put this gift guide together to help you celebrate all the moms in your life, hopefully with something to make the adventure a bit more enjoyable. Photo by @EverydayAdventureFam. Kammok Swiftlet: For the mom who needs some me-time. What hardworking mom doesn’t deserve a break from the hectic day to day? The Swiftlet Portable Hammock Stand is exactly what she needs to kick back and relax in her own quiet space—trees optional. At only 15 pounds, the Swiftlet can pack up and go anywhere, from her indoor reading nook to her favorite beach access. And when she’s ready for company, the Swiftlet's 300-pound weight capacity makes it the perfect place at camp for a snuggle sesh. The Swiftlet can be used in sit mode or lounge mode making it a great option for soccer moms who need a comfortable chair for game day as well as a nap spot for a midday break. Combine the Swiftlet with any of our Roo hammocks for a go-anywhere oasis your mom will love. BioLite HeadLamp 200: For the busy mom. Let’s get real—all moms are busy. Whether they’re working long hours, taking care of the kids, or running around town tackling their to-do list, moms’ days are jam packed. The BioLite HeadLamp 200 extends the time our active moms can spend outside, lighting the path for a predawn hike or shining bright for a night jog on the trail. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 hours which means no more buying and throwing away alkaline batteries. Plus, the 3D Slimfit Construction provides for a near-weightless feel, making it the most comfortable headlamp for any occasion. The BioLite HeadLamp 200 is the perfect upgrade for any outdoor mom’s kit. Photo by @JayKolsch. Osprey Arcane Tote Pack: For the mom who needs an extra hand. If your mom leaves the house every day with both hands full and something tucked under each arm, it’s time to upgrade her to the Arcane Tote Pack. The tuckaway straps make it easy to switch from backpack mode to tote mode, so whether she’s headed to the office or going out for a quick hike, this bag will keep up. The Tote Pack features a laptop sleeve, internal organization, a scratch-free zipper pocket for her phone or sunglasses, and an external shove-it pocket for quick access to essentials. Lastly, the durable fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, making the Arcane Tote Pack a sustainable choice for your mom’s new favorite everyday bag. Forsake Meridian: For the mom on the go. Just like the moms in our life, these shoes can do it all. The Meridian’s slip-on stretch collar makes getting out the door a cinch, and the Peak-to-Pavement Outsole promises she’ll be ready wherever the adventure leads. These shoes are super breathable while maintaining rugged durability, meaning they’re built for all-day comfort and the abuse that comes with excessive wear. Put it this way: She’s never going to want to take these off. And for the travel moms who want to pack light, this stylish shoe will take her everywhere—from the airport to a day of sightseeing and back again. The Forsake Meridian is going to be her new do-it-all shoe. United by Blue, The Container Kit: For the snack mom. Moms have been keeping us happy and fed since day one. They have a knack for sensing when we’re about to get cranky and have expert timing for handing over a juice box or cheese puff. The Container Kit from United by Blue is essential for any mom taking snacks on the go. This high-performance lunch box sports fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, and it’s just as durable and stain resistant as it is environmentally friendly. The kit includes two stainless steel, double-insulated containers that can keep hot things hot for up to 12 hours and cold things cold for up to 24 hours. Whether she’s feeding her little ones or heading to the park for a solo lunch, The Container Kit is a must have for our nurturing moms.

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.

The past few weeks have been filled with discussion, both internally as a company and as nine individuals in pursuit of social justice. At Kammok, we exist to promote human flourishing through adventure outside, but people cannot flourish when racism is putting lives in danger every day. We believe community is transformative to create lasting change, and we all need to address the racial divide in this country. We champion love as our chief core value, and staying silent about systematic injustice is not loving. As an ally to the Black community, people of color, and underrepresented voices in the outdoors, we are committed to fighting for justice, and to acting on what is right. Immediately, we are donating to nonprofits, matching employee donations up to $2K to organizations fighting against injustice, inequality, and racism. This isn’t a one-time donation. As part of our ongoing commitment to give 1% of revenue to social and environmental initiatives, we are identifying organizations that build inclusivity and equity in the outdoors so that Kammok can invest and enable them long-term. We've supported Explore Austin since 2017 to empower youth through outdoor mentorship, and we will continue to support as we expand our scope for giving. We have a platform, and eyes and ears from a receptive community that shares our mission to elevate time outside for all people. We ask our Kammok community to reflect on the impacts you can make. These are our first of many steps to hold us accountable for the change we wish to see. It's on us to work towards change together.   Greg McEvilly CEO/Founder and Team Kammok

A recent survey found that more than half of adults spend five hours or less in nature each week. Competing priorities and access to the outdoors were the leading reasons to explain this decline in outdoor experiences. We get it. Spending time outside is low on most people’s to-do list, especially in our digital age.  In line with our mission to elevate time outside, we want to offer the Kammok community different ways to enjoy and experience time outside. We took a look at seven daily activities our team takes part in, no matter how crazy the week, and asked how we might move those from indoor to outdoor. Take your calls on a walk-and-talk basis Having to listen in on calls for work? Head to the nearest green space for a walk and talk. It’s an easy way to get moving and spend time outside during the work week. Bonus: take your lunch break outside, too.  Commute to work by foot, bike or bus Walking to work or even walking to the bus station drastically reduces your carbon footprint, and allows you to spend more time outside. Try one of these options for your commute at least once a week, if you can. Move wind-down activities - reading, yoga, meditating - outside Nature provides the best environment for restorative experiences, allowing you to de-stress even if only for a few minutes each day. Ditch the gym, head for the greenbelt Free and open to everyone, greenbelts and walking trails can provide an alternative to running and working out in the gym. Try a picnic for date night For next week’s date night, switch it up with a charcuterie board and a bottle of wine at a local park or vista. Spending time outside, among other benefits, has shown to improve prosocial behaviors and connectivity among people. Swap a tv series with a podcast, and listen in your hammock We might be biased, but Dirtbag Diaries is our favorite podcast this year. Hang your hammock, close your eyes, and listen uninterrupted.  Turn weekend getaways into escapes outdoors Typically more affordable than hotels or airbnbs, campsites and cabins at local state and national parks are an alternate way to spend the weekend. Try HipCamp for even more options on private lands. Among the benefits to spending more time outside are better health, reduced stress, and improved relational and social skills.