1.  Comfort.  Oh boy, hammocks are comfy.  Have you ever relaxed in your backyard on a nice summer day?  Because the hammock doesn’t touch the ground, it cradles your body as you relax.  After a long day of work, racing or hiking, it’s just awesome.

2.  Weight savings.  OK, let’s do the math.  The lightest 2 person tents are around 3 pounds.  Add a pound or so for your mattress (also light) and you’ve got 4 pounds.  A Double Nest Hammock from Eagles Nest weighs just 1 pound 4 ounces!  Enough said.

3.   Save the bulk.  A tent and a mattress take up lost of space.  We like to travel light and fast, and also compact.  A hammock compresses down to a fraction of the space that a tent takes up, and then theres’ the mattress!  This will allow you to take a smaller pack, saving even more weight. 

4.  Easier to set up.  There are no poles required with hammocks.  There are no stakes or ground cloths.  You don’t need to worry about level ground.  You can be curled up in your hammock in a tiny amount of time.  We like things to be easy. 

5.  Stay above the fray.  If you’re doing any travel in a jungle environment, you’ll greatly appreciate keeping off the ground where all the creepy-crawly folks live.  Especially in places like Borneo, where the insect life is large and in-charge.  Want a 6-inch centipede crawling on your face?  Sleep on the ground.  We choose hammocks.

For the serious hammock-lover, go with a Hennesy Expedition.  It’s heavy for a hammock (2.5 pounds) but it includes a rain fly and guy lines to make your shelter dry and secure.  For those with less than expedition needs, go with a hammock from Eagles Nest.  Don’t forget the Slap Straps, as they make setup a breeze.  When you’re back from your trip, your hammock is equally at home in your backyard for summer snoozing.  Enjoy!

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

1.  Batteries are heavy!  Bringing along extra batteries, and keeping them dry, is just a drag.  With a solar charger like the Solio, you can keep your phone, MP3, camera, PDA or GPS powered up without being weighed down by a bag of batteries.  Sweet!

2.  It’s cheaper than buying batteries.  Yes, back to batteries again.  Last time we checked, solar energy was free to use once you’ve got the right gear.  No more expensive batteries!

3.  It’s one small step to reduce your energy footprint.  How many batteries do you use a year?  Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to dispose of all those used-up garbage batteries?  (Hint: the answer is ‘yes’)

4.  It’s convenient.  Ever been stuck in a remote area and out of juice for our MP3 player or phone?  It’s not easy to find replacement AA’s when you’re heading past Washburn’s thumb.  Your solar charger is ready to use anywhere in the world.

5.  It’s just cool.  It’s very ‘space-age’ to have this little gadget that looks like Mork’s pod from Mork & Mindy.  Want to join the 21st Century?  Get your own solar charger!

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

1.  Headlamp.  Bring a compact headlamp in case you’re out after the sun goes down.   Even if you plan on a short hike, you never know what might delay your return trip.  Headlamps allow you to be hands-free (unlike a flashlight) and always point the light where you are looking.   We like the Petzl Tikka Plus for its long battery life, light weight and reasonable cost.  Don’t forget to check the batteries!

2.  Whistle.   Attach a safety whisle to your pack or the zipper of your jacket.  A whistle could come in handy if you get separated from your hiking buddy and need to signal your location, or could help rescuers locate you if you cannot move.  We use the Fox 40 Whistle for its time-tested design. 

3.  Hydration.   You will need water on the trail.  If you don’t know 100% about a reliable water supply on your trip, bring your own.  For carrying the water, we use the time-tested Nalgene Narrow Mouth 32 Ounce Water Bottle.   The narrow opening makes for easier drinking.   One tip on these–don’t hang them by the loop top because they break easily.

4.  Compass & Map.  Anyone travelling in the outdoors should have a map and compass, and know the basics of map navigation.  A basic, affordable compass is the Suunto A-20.  If you’re a novice at this, check out ‘Be and Expert with Map and Compass.’  In case you get turned around and lose your bearing, a compass will get you back on track.

5.  Extra Socks.  Nothing ruins a hike like blisters.  Besides poor-fitting footwear, socks can be blamed for creating the most blister probelms.  Please, please, no cotton socks people!  Wool or synthetics keep moisture away from your feet which prevents friction points from developing into blisters.  If your feet get wet or are sweating profusively, it’s nice to have a spare change of socks. 

6. Emergency Blanket.  If you’re stuck in bad weather or immobilized, your body heat can start to drain quickly.  Carry an emergency blanket with you to reflect your body heat back onto your body, and conserve that precious energy.  Check out the emergency blanket here.

7.  Energy Food.  Whatever your favorite energy snack is, bring some along.  It will give you a boost of energy to get over that last hill, or just lift your spirits for the last mile back to the car.  We like Cliff Shots, but there are so many choices now that you can look through an entire department of options.

8.  Matches.  If you’re in a pinch, you don’t want to try and start a fire from scratch.  Either bring regular matches in a match box, or bring waterproof matches that work in any conditions.   Another nice option that we use is your classic Bic Lighter from the gas station.

This is the Little Engine that Could of headlamps. It’s super lightweight. It’s waterproof to 1 Meter. It has ridiculous burn time (45 hours, enough for 4 nights!). It can be worn on your head, your neck or with the attached clip, on a hat or on a pack. Want to wear it with your tux for New Year’s? Go ahead! It swivels 360 degrees. It’s got a red LED for night vision in addition to 3 white LEDs. You could leave it along for 10 years and it would still work! For all these reasons and because it’s so different and useful, the Petzl e-Lite Headlamp is our winner for the 2007 Gear of the Year. We love it.

OK folks, do you want a sure-fire winner for your little one?  Check out the LifeLight Flashlights.  Available in lizard, toucan, or whale, every kid that’s seen these has demanded them.  They’re actually very bright flashlights, and made well.  So pick your animal and enjoy the excitement!  Click here to learn more.

2.  Gloves.  Nobody’s having fun outside with frozen hands.  Gloves say you don’t want your loved one’s fingers to fall off.  We love the Extravert Gloves from OR.

3.  Hammocks.  People love to hang out in hammocks.  Another reasonably priced gift that’s a sure-fire winner.  Check out the Eagles Nest Hammocks here.