When it comes to camping, tents aren’t going away, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that hammocks have become a popular alternative. With each passing camping season, hammocks become more and more commonplace. Why? Well, they’re easy to set up, keep you off the ground, and provide an incredible night’s sleep. But they’re also great for recreational use — a random nap after a long paddle, or a place to relax and read after sitting on the beach. In short, their appeal is — well, appealing.

Adventure Hammock Systems has found an ingenious way to embrace the hammock life – and all it takes is a vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch. Their Original Hammock Mount bolts into your hitch, allowing you to set up camp or take a break, wherever your vehicle takes you. What’s more is that it sets up and breaks down in roughly a minute. That means you could even have a few minutes of relaxation during your lunch break.

The Original Hammock Mount (The OG)

Made from a rugged powder-coated steel frame and featuring telescoping aluminum arms, the OG hammock mount has a 114” span that’s suitable for 11-foot or shorter hammocks. A majority of camping hammocks fit this range. The mount weighs 24lbs, has a capacity of 300lbs, and – aside from the included hitch bolt – has no other separate pieces to worry about losing. 

Most of us who love the hammock life are used to finding adequately spaced trees, but the OG eliminates the need to find those trees, or even be in the woods. As I said, wherever you park your vehicle can be your easy-to-set-up, and undeniably comfortable campsite for the night.

The OG also eliminates the need for a portable hammock stand. It’s one thing to have a hammock stand in your backyard – I have been relying on this one from ENO for years. However, they take up a lot of cargo space in your vehicle – and that’s if you remember to bring yours with you. The beauty of the OG is that it’s bolted to your vehicle. If you find the need to take a break at any time throughout the day, it’s there.

Initial Setup

AHS gives you everything you need to set up your OG mount and be out on the road in minutes. It’s simply a matter of installing the included spring and nut into the receiver tube and then installing that into your hitch. From there, you install the hitch bolt and tighten it down, and lock it. Finally, you slide the powder-coated frame with arms onto the receiver tube and tighten it down with the last remaining bolt.

Total Game Changer

I’ve been hanging a hammock in my house and keeping one stored in the truck for years. Last night, I slept in the one hanging in the house, which my youngest daughter usually sleeps in when she’s home. If I am going out for a longer hike, I’ll take the one in my truck and throw it in my pack. Living down by the Connecticut River, there’s nothing better than hanging a hammock out on a nice day and just swaying.

That said, I’m a hammock person — I’m also an off-roading and Overlanding person. My 2005 4Runner has been built to roam the trails. With nearly 400,000 miles, not only is it a capable vehicle – but I store all of my camping necessities in there in case I feel like camping out. Having the OG mount on the back of the 4Runner for the last three months has allowed me to camp more and relax more. Out on the trail, it’s nice to take a break – listen to some music – and just sway.

Back at the beginning of May, a group of my friends and our kids went camping in Vermont. Everyone had their own camping spot on the property, and as my kids decided to stay in a tent with their friends, I set up my hammock under the awning on my 4Runner. It rained that night, but I was tucked in my sleeping bag —warm and dry— under the awning. Swaying myself to sleep listening to the Spring Peepers and rain, even now, gives me a sense of peace and yearning. So once I finish this article, I am going to head out for another session of sway.

I find myself doing this at least once a week. I don’t have a lot of time to relax, but I’ve set up the OG mount with my hammock in the parking lot of my girls’ school, waiting for them to get out. I’ve also set it up outside of my favorite brewery, the beach, at a Memorial Day parade in town, and numerous times out on the trail when I’ve needed a break from the bumps and muddy ruts I encounter in four-wheel drive.

All of this pairs well with Jimmy Buffett, Widespread Panic, Billy Strings, and Dead and Company. 

Other Versions

Adventuere Hammock Systems offers other versions of the OG, as well as other Hammock Mounts. 

I’ve been using the 2” model with the black powder-coated frame and raw aluminum arms. However, they do offer a fully powder-coated version. They also offer a 1.25” receiver hitch version and an extended length variant. These versions accommodate smaller, Class I and II hitches as well as hidden hitches or recessed hitches, respectively.

Beyond that, AHS also offers the following hammock mounts:

Bare Bones / Bare Bones XL: An affordable alternative to the OG, this version swaps out telescoping arms for pieces of tube that you stack to create your mobile swaying solution. The XL version is designed to accommodate larger, 12-foot span hammocks.

Summit: This mount is designed to attach to your roof rack. This is a stellar alternative to a rooftop tent that takes up less space and costs a heck of a lot less than one of those rooftop behemoths. 

Summit Paddleboard: Like the name implies, this version is designed to mount to your SUP. I think this is a great idea, but don’t make any sudden moves up there!

Mammoth / Mammoth XL: Sometimes it’s more fun to have someone else in your hammock with you – or maybe even your favorite furry family member. In these cases, you need more capacity. Similar in design to the Bare Bones, the Mammoth bumps the overall capacity up to 450 lbs. The XL, which will be available in July, sticks to the 450lbs weight capacity but extends the span to include 12” and shorter hammocks.

Overall

As many of you know, a lot of the products I test and review are sent to me for me to keep or send back. Adventure Hammock Systems gave me a month-long window to play around with the OG. Halfway through the testing period, I asked them if I could buy the mount from them – and they agreed. The OG has changed not only when and where I pull out my hammock and have a rest, but my camping setup as well.

However, comfort doesn’t come cheap. The version featured here will cost you $549 before tax and shipping. You should also bake in another $50-$80 for the hammock itself. So, this solution is an investment. Upon a quick Google, I’ve found most portable hammock stands range from $200-$400. But, as I mentioned before, they take up cargo space in your vehicle. They can also be cumbersome, require level ground to set up, and take more time to do the setup.

The way I see it, with the Original Hammock Mount, you’re paying for upgrades that equate to ease of use, portability, and comfort on the go. At this point, I find these things to be totally necessary for anyone looking to spend more time in their hammock, wherever they may roam.

Set Up Camp Wherever You Want With Adventure Hammock Systems originally appeared on Gear Institute.

The Speed 2, SpeedARC Matis, and Maipo Explorer Aerosport

The MOAB and its Siblings

The Merrell MOAB line of hiking boots and shoes are the most popular hiking footwear on the market.  Preceded in 2000 with the Mesa Vent models, the MOAB line, as we know it, was introduced in 2007 with the MOAB 3 variants being the latest models.  Understandably, the exact number is proprietary to Merrell, but industry numbers floating around indicate that more MOABs have been sold than there are people in half the countries on earth.

I’d venture to say that nearly everyone who hikes or backpacks has worn them.  I’ve come to believe that one of the MOABs will be a good or near-perfect boot for 90% of hikers.  After all, casual hikers, thru hikers, and hikers of all kinds choose a MOAB for their outdoor undertakings.

However, Merrell makes a bewildering variety of other hiking boots and trail shoes (as well as even more casual, lifestyle, water, military, collaborations, and construction shoes and boots), and these have also become popular.  Most of the newer Merrell hiking shoes are designed for “faster-and-lighter” hiking, and Merrell sent three representative models for me to test.  Here I’ll compare the hiking experience in them to the MOABs that I’ve been using regularly.  All the provided models were low (shoe) style, so I’ll compare them to the MOAB 3 low.

Note — Merrell also makes the Rogue Hiker for heavier loads and more demanding terrain than the MOABs are designed for.

First: Busting Two Merrell Myths

The fact that Merrell boots usually provide “comfort out of the box” – i.e., they don’t usually need breaking in – is sometimes said to mean that they aren’t properly supportive boots.  Such a criticism may have been valid back when hiking boots weighed a few pounds each and were made of leather, leather, and more leather.  But it’s the 21^st century and we use modern materials and construction methods now.  Plus, MOABs are hiking, not expedition, boots.  People routinely hike, and even through hike, in them, with the loads so required, and they perform well as millions of hikers can attest.

Another criticism I sometimes hear is that because MOABs are so popular they can’t be very good.  This one is particularly galling.   It is a variant of a pernicious notion that success must be bad.  With an engineering background I know that every design decision is a trade-off; the fact that MOABs meet the needs of so many hikers so well is a remarkable design achievement, not something to carp about.

Evaluation Criteria

I’m a day hiker these days, so I’m be reporting primarily on day hikes in the various terrains available to me here in New England.  And, of course, I’ll be describing the experience of hiking in these shoes for me.  I use them on dirt trails with roots and rocks, on scree, and on exposed rock.  I hike stretches of these terrains with one model shoe on one foot, and a different model on the other foot.

So you can make appropriate adjustments for your own expected experience you should know two things about my feet.  While my gait is normal, 1) my feet are narrow and 2) my ankles are a little less stable than they used to be because of injuries and an ankle replacement.  Nonetheless, Merrell boots, which don’t come in nominally narrow widths, usually fit me pretty well.  And as interesting as I find the materials and technology employed, it’s the actual hiking experience that I’ll describe.

There are many terms that are used to describe how a hiking boot performs: “planted”, “ground isolation”, “stable”, “cushioning”, “support”, “comfort”, “traction” and “feel” are perhaps the most common.  But to me all of these translate into just a few characteristics.  1) How secure is your foot when you land on uneven ground or rock?  Does it feel like it’s locked to the ground?  2) How isolated are you from the rocks and roots that want to poke the bottom of your foot?  3) How much does the shoe cushion your impact?  Finally, traction can be important on rock (nothing helps too much on wet roots) and overall “feel” is worth noting.

All weights below are for a single men’s size 11 shoe or boot.

The Defenders – The MOAB 3 low and mid

• Vibram® TC5 soles
• Mesh/leather uppers
• 17 ounces (shoe); 19 ounces (mid boot)
• 5 mm drop
• 5 mm lug
• Rubber heel and toe cap
• Available in waterproof and not waterproof versions

Merrell rates the MOAB 3s for “rugged” terrain, defined as trails with lots of obstacles with heavy debris and with frequent speed, direction, and vertical changes.  The MOAB 3s have been my go-to hikers for almost all the trails I day hike.  They provide excellent stability (the boots a bit more than the shoes, naturally), excellent isolation, and very good (but not cushy) cushioning.  There is literally no (three season) day hike in New England that I wouldn’t take them on.

The Contenders — MOAB Speed 2 (shoe)

• Vibram TC5+ sole
• FlexPlate (for torsional rigidity and lateral stability)
• 13 ounces
• 10mm drop
• 4mm lugs
• Available in waterproof and non-waterproof, and low or mid heights
• Stack height: 34-24 mm

The MOAB Speed 2 is Merrell’s incremental step towards a faster and lighter experience compared with the MOAB 3.  Merrell rates the Speed 2 as suitable for “moderate” terrain, defined as trails with some obstacles and moderate debris, and with occasional speed, direction, and vertical changes.  While it’s a different design with different materials, what Merrell seems to have done is essentially go for a similar experience but with a softer ride here, with the predictable trade-offs.

 

 

The soft and generous midsole gets stability from the FlexPlate.  When you roll your ankle to the outside edge of either the MOAB 3 or the Speed 2, and then step forward with the opposite foot, both shoes snap back to neutral with the same alacrity.

The Speed 2 shoe definitely feels a little lighter and livelier on the feet than the MOAB 3 shoe.  The softer midsole of the Speed 2 provides, as expected, a noticeably softer impact and greater isolation from pointy and uncomfortable rocks and roots. However the softer midsole is slightly less secure from the heel to the arch on uneven ground, including off-trail areas, exposed uneven rock, and scree.  This is probably why Merrell rates the MOAB 3 as suitable for “rugged” terrain, and the Speed 2 for “moderate” terrain.

The TC5+ sole of the Speed 2 performed pretty much the same as the TC5 sole of the MOAB3 on wet roots, one of the most slippery surfaces that hikers encounter.

My test version was not waterproof, and sure enough I slipped into a stream with them on, but the mesh upper dried out quickly on a 70 degree day.  I’d be happy with the Speed 2 (with even a heavy day pack) on all but stretches of significantly uneven terrain where I’d personally prefer the MOAB 3.  (But see my caveats regarding my own limitations above.)

Bottom line on the Speed 2: If you prioritize stability over impact reduction, the MOAB 3 is the better choice.  If vice versa, then the Speed 2 is your shoe.

The Contenders – SpeedARC Matis

• Low-top (shoe) version only
• Vibram MegaGrip sole
• FlexPlate (for torsional rigidity and lateral stability)
• 6 ounces
• 18mm drop
• 3mm lugs
• Available in waterproof and non-waterproof versions
• Stack height: 34-26 mm

One look at the SpeedARC Matis and you can tell something different is going on.  This new entry into Merrell’s faster/lighter hiking lineup features two midsoles with a FlexPlate sandwiched between them, and with grippy Vibram MegaGrip outsoles.

Note: the SpeedARC Matis is the same shoe as the SpeedARC BOA, but with traditional lacing system, rather then the BOA system.  The exploded image below shows the BOA version, but the construction is the same for the Matis.

Hiking boot manufacturers are chasing the plush sensation these days, but of course there’s no free lunch.  A soft midsole has to be traded off against some loss of stability; however the SpeedARC Matis does a remarkable job of optimizing both.  Compared to the MOAB 3, the SpeedARC Matis is definitely softer striking while an only a slight difference in stability is felt in the heel.  If you over-supinate on your heel strike you’ll notice this more than someone who doesn’t, and some of it may be due to the high heel stack height rather than the softer midsole.

 

On rough, uneven rock (see the image below for the rock that I did most of this testing on) the SpeedARC Matis was more stable than the Speed 2, and only a little less stable than the MOAB 3, with the difference felt mostly when landing considerably to the side of the shoe’s heel-to-toe centerline.

One of the claims that Merrell makes for the SpeedARC Matis is that the unusual midsole design delivers more energy return and propels you forward more.  I felt this, and it made each step of hiking a bit easier.  And while the SpeedARC Matis’ MegaGrip sole is grippier on rocks than a TC5 sole, it provided equivalent traction on wet roots compared to the MOAB 3.

Bottom line on the SpeedARC Matis: If you want a lively ride on the trail and don’t need the full-boat of stability that a traditional hiking shoe like the MOAB 3 provides, the SpeedARC Matis is a good choice.

The Contenders – Maipo Explorer Aerosport

• Synthetic and mesh upper ensures fast-drying breathability
• Bellows tongue
• Merrell sticky rubber outsole
• FLEXconnect® dual-directional flex-grooves in midsole enhance ground connection and stability
• Stack Height: 31mm
• Drop: 10mm
• Lug: 4mm
• 14.3 ounces

Merrell describes the Maipo Explorer Aerosport as designed with a ventilated mesh upper and quick-dry materials, plus an innovative lug pattern that lets water escape for better contact, it’s perfect for hot days and unexpected water escapades, and they suggest its use is for light hikes.

My initial impressions were that this shoe is indeed livelier than the MOAB 3, feeling more like a very sturdy running shoe.  The 31 mm stack is definitely more shock absorbing than the MOAB 3s are, but there’s even less inherent relative instability in the heel than with the SpeedARC Matis – in fact you have to try and feel it.  However, when standing flat on even ground, it’s much easier to roll your foot to the outside with this shoe than with the MOAB 3.  How much you supinate will determine how important this is to you.

The mesh upper really does dry quickly.  A little while exposed to the sun (hiking or not) and they are reasonably well dried out – much drier than running shoes (or worse, regular hiking shoes) would be.

Merrell’s sticky rubber outsole on the Maipo did provide better traction on wet roots than the MOAB 3, but frankly it’s a fool’s errand to trust any sole too much on that.  However, the outsole did stick very well to wet rocks (I don’t know if you can see that the rock in the image below is wet, but I had a very hard time getting the shoe to slip on it so long as my weight was on that foot).  In the river, the Maipo provided secure footing on the riverbed rocks.

Bottom line on the Maipo Explorer Aerosport: it really does allow you to go from trail to water and back seamlessly.  You can use it on as a rough a trail as you’re comfortable hiking in sturdy trail runners on.

Conclusion

19^th century hiking and mountaineering boots were made entirely of leather, including leather soles (often with metal studs in them).  After rubber outsoles became economically viable in the early 20^th century hiking boots continued to be made of leather, only with rubber outsoles, and these boots still weighed several pounds each.  Probably in the 80s — lighter, smaller, but still mostly all leather, boots came to be widely available.  If I had to guess I’d say that modern synthetic/leather boots in the range of a pound each became popular in the 90s, with refinements of that technology continuing until today, and with the MOABs a prime example.

Sometime between then and now hikers discovered that trail runners could be pressed into service for hiking, given how much lighter pack weight had become.  But trail running shoes are a bit of an oval peg in a round hole, even as they work well for some.  Presently we are seeing manufacturers designing hiking-specific shoes that combine the best of a lightweight trail runner with the support, stability, protection, and purposeful design of a hiking shoe.  Some even go further to include features that help propel you forward, like the SpeedARC Matis.

Merrell’s Speed 2, SpeedARC Matis, and Maipo Explorer Aerosport are excellent examples of this new trend, and they will find a ready market in today’s environment, as will the tried-and-true MOABs.

Merrell: Beyond the MOAB originally appeared on Gear Institute.

Father’s Day gear sure to please pop!

With Father’s Day just days away, it’s time to grab a quick gift for your dad. To help make your last-minute decision easier, we offer a few suggestions.

Helle of Norway Raud M

One of my most treasured possessions is a pocketknife that once belonged to my grandfather. The blade is starting to be a bit thin from decades of sharpening, and the once-textured bone grip is worn smooth. But it’s a treasured tool that still works. Imagine giving your dad a gift that your kids might someday inherit. The new Helle Raud M folding knife could be just such a future treasure. The Raud (Swedish for red) features a red-birch handle and a 2.72-inch folding blade with lockback security.

The knife is tough, attractive, and efficient. It’s a great everyday carry blade, though if dad prefers a smaller true “pocket” knife rather than a clip-on, look at the smaller version, the Raud S. $154. Buy now.

 

Kuma Lazy Bear Dog Bed

While campers have a host of comfortable camp furniture to choose from, man’s best friend is often relegated to a simple old rug or maybe a bit of foam padding. No more. Canadian brand Kuma offers a great gift for fathers with beloved canines. The Kuma Lazy Bear Dog Bed gives your camp hound a comfy bed that’s elevated off the ground, meaning it stays dry and warm even when camp is damp and cool.

The bed frame folds just like a standard camp chair for humans, but the padded bed surface is just 11 inches off the ground, and thick padded bumper rings three sides to create a comfortable couch for your dog. The bed supports up to 175 pounds, and measures 25 inches by 26 inches. A gang of happy labradors in a recent fish camp endlessly fought for the bed, sometimes sleeping doubled up on it since it was so comfortable. $120. Buy now.

 

Force of Nature Grill Master Box

The dad on your list might not be a hunter, yet he could crave lean, protein-rich game meat. Or maybe he just wants the best grass-fed beef or bison burger he can get. Force of Nature offers you a range of products to fulfill that gift category.

Force of Nature sources their meat through regenerative agricultural practices, resulting in the cleanest, healthiest meat while maintaining the best care of the livestock in the process. They offer a range of cuts and ground products featuring beef, bison, venison, elk, chicken, and boar.

The best gift package would be the Force of Nature Grill Master Box. This curated gift box features a great selection of steaks: 4 beef New York strips, 2 beef ribeyes, 2 bison ribeyes, and 4 venison tomahawk steaks.  But I also recommend the ground meat products. The ground venison is great in chili, and the ground bison makes incredible grilled burgers.

The Grill Master Box sells for $225, while the 14-ounce ground meat packages go for $12.99-$15.99. Buy Now.

Heel 350 Heel Virtual Dog Leash

Let’s clear the air: For some dog owners, electronic collars (e-collars) have a bad reputation. But that’s unfortunately. Modern e-collars are not only humane and safe, but they can also be literal lifesavers for dogs.  The new Heel 350 Virtual Leash collar is a great example. This e-collar can be set to receive a signal any time the collar moves too far away from the control device. The distance can be 10, 25, 75, 150, or 750 feet! And the signal can be a simple audio tone, a vibration, or a mild static correction.

Some might call it a shock, but I personally strapped the collar around my own neck and sent out the signals at ALL levels. The worst ‘shock’ was on par with a really strong static electricity shock (for example, have your spouse/friend slip on some wool socks and slide around a thick carpet for 5-10 minutes, then touch the side of your neck. That’s the level of shock I’m talking about. It delivers more of a surprise than a painful shock.

My 2-year-old lab learned in a matter of minutes that the audible tone meant she was too far away from me. If she ignored the tone, I could manually send another correction – every time, the vibration was plenty to get her to pay attention.

This e-collar system proved to be perfect for active outdoor dogs. You can give them the freedom of being off leash, with the safety and control of a leash. $399. Buy now.

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Gifts Any Dad Will Love originally appeared on Gear Institute.