Feel Good Friday: Hammocks to Help You and Mother Nature Take a Load Off

By TJ Carter Published August 14, 2015

By and large, the wilderness is a relaxing place. Sure, there are plenty of things that can kill you — but no more than you’ll find in the average city. Most of the time, the sounds of birds, streams, and rustling leaves can help even the most tightly wound city slickers relax — especially if said slickers kick back in comfy hammocks.

Doug-Zalewski — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) — which has been making and selling hammocks in the American Southeast since 1999 — has released special edition hammocks that aren’t just comfortable, but also helpful to the environment.

Recommended Videos

ENO allows you to donate to a worthy wilderness cause via your special edition hammock purchase. If you drop $70 on their ATC Hammock, ENO will give $10 to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, which is committed to preserving and protecting the hallowed trail spanning the eponymous East Coast mountain range. If you purchase the PCTA Hammock, $10 will go to the Pacific Crest Trail Association, which performs a similar preservation role for the West Coast’s Pacific Crest Trail.

Related: Get The Gear: Outdoor Retailer Summer 2015

If you are indifferent to the PCT and AT, you can give $10 to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics by purchasing the LNT Hammock. In addition to being a rallying cry for conscientious wilderness explorers, Leave No Trace is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public on how to enjoy the environment responsibly.

Purchasing a special edition hammock from ENO is, of course, a great way to treat yourself, too. These durable and sophisticated hammocks, boast breathable nylon, heavy duty triple-stitched seams, and aluminum wiregate carabiners. Though these hammocks can accommodate up to 400 lbs, the hammocks themselves only weigh 19 oz. They also fold up nicely into handy, attached stuff sacks, making them perfect for space and weight-conscious backpackers.

This is the ultimate Feel Good Friday product. The wholesome feeling of reclining in one of these hammocks is compounded by the knowledge that a portion of your purchase will go on to protect America’s beloved outdoor spaces. If you’re looking to wrap up the summer on a real feel-good note, we suggest hopping into one of these relaxing mamma jammas.

Visit ENO’s website to check out their special edition hammocks, available for $70.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

TJ Carter wears many hats, both figuratively and literally. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2011 with a degree…

Culture

John Lithgow doesn’t think playing Dumbledore will be ‘that hard a job’

The actor thinks it will be a good final chapter for his long career

John Lithgow in The Crown

The Harry Potter series has its Dumbledore, and John Lithgow is going to get a steady paycheck for the next decade. Lithgow, who is no stranger to playing legendary Brits both real and fictional, recently appeared on the SmartLess podcast to discuss the role, and suggested that he didn't think it would be a particular challenge.

"You know, Dumbledore, he's kind of this nuclear weapon," the actor said. "He only goes off very, very occasionally. And I don't think it's gonna be that hard a job."

Culture

Starz is just $1.99/mo. when you subscribe through Prime Video

The streamer is home to a deep library of original shows and major movies.

Starz on Prime Video

There are plenty of great shows worth watching on Starz, but the streaming service can seem like an unnecessary add-on, especially if you're already paying for a bunch of others. Prime Video is making the decision to try Starz out a little easier, though, by offering a subscription for just $1.99/mo. if you're already a Prime Video subscriber.

That subscription deal will get you three months at that price, and then the service will renew at its normal price of $10.99/mo.

Culture

5 must-watch shows like Adolescence for your next binge

These shows evoke some of the same feelings as the Netflix hit

The cast of Adolescence.

Adolescence has become a phenomenon since it first debuted on Netflix and with good reason. The series, which is told over four episodes, tells the story of a young man who is accused of killing a classmate, and how that crime ripples across his family, his school, and his own psyche.

Each episode of the series is filmed in a single extended take, and they all have a radically different focus. As the show unfolds, though, you realize that its core mystery is not whether this young man actually committed the crime, but what might motivate a young man to attack a classmate in the first place. It's a riveting, brilliant series.