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

By TJ Carter August 14, 2015

hammock mountains — Image used with permission by copyright holder

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.

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

The Night Agent season 2: Everything we know so far

We'll get you ready for The Night Agent season 2!

Luciane Buchanan and Gabriel Basso in The Night Agent.

The Night Agent may not be everyone's choice to be among the best shows on Netflix, but it's in the top ten for us! The Shield creator Shawn Ryan adapted Matthew Quirk's spy action thriller, The Night Agent, for Netflix in 2023, and it proved to be a hit out of the gate. By Netflix's internal metrics, it's the sixth-highest viewed series in the history of the platform.

Those kind of numbers mean that a second season was inevitable, and Netflix made it official just over a week after The Night Agent premiered. Since the series is back in production, the details about what's coming up on the show have started to trickle out. To help you stay on top of this series, here's everything we know about The Night Agent season 2.
What is The Night Agent about?

Culture

The 10 best Dominican cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Every seasoned cigar lover has a preference for where their cigars come from. Cuban and Cuban cigars are the more obvious choices, but there is also Nicaraguan tobacco, Central African, Indonesian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Dominican. Some tobacco is even grown in the United States. Each region has a distinct flavor profile that adds a little something extra to the tobacco grown locally, as well as the cigars made there. The Dominican Republic is prized by many connoisseurs because of exactly this -- a rich, unique profile that enhances Dominican-grown cigars. That's in no small part due to the fertile soil and thriving climate of the region, which is ideal for tobacco growth and cultivation. If you've never tried a Dominican cigar, you're in for a real treat, there are some fantastic options out there.
The best Dominican cigars I've tried

Out of all the cigar guides I've put together so far, this one was one of the more interesting experiences for me. I had a great time trying out Dominican cigars, and I've definitely come away with an appreciation for blends made in the region. I'd also like to point out that Corey Suarez helped recommend some of these. If you haven't tried the JR Cigars or Cigars.com concierge service yet, you really should. Here's a little more about all of the best Dominican cigars I've tried:
Ashton Symmetry

Culture

The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024

Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut